WIREDGOV

Issued on behalf of Boundaries Scotland.

Boundaries Scotland has submitted its final proposals for councillor numbers and wards in Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Orkney Islands and Shetland Islands council areas to Scottish Ministers.

The Islands (Scotland) Act 2018 required the Commission to review the six councils containing inhabited islands (Argyll and Bute, Highland, North Ayrshire, Orkney, Shetland and Na h-Eileanan an Iar) as soon as practicable.  The reviews formally commenced in January 2019 and the Commission has submitted its proposals on a timescale that would allow them to be in force, if accepted by the Scottish Parliament, in time for the local government elections in 2022.

Ronnie Hinds, Chair of the Commission, recently said:

"We are very pleased to submit to Scottish Ministers our final proposals for electoral arrangements for the three wholly island council areas. We believe these are in the interests of effective and convenient local government, reflect the legislative requirements governing our work and respond constructively to consultation responses.

We recognise the unique, distinct character of each of Scotland’s island council areas and the challenges, and opportunities, these present. We are grateful to the councils and to the public who responded to our consultations.  Their input has been invaluable in shaping our proposals and while we must take account of our obligations under the legislation and consider the interests of the whole council area, we have been able to take on board many of the views expressed. Using the new flexibility offered by the legislation our proposals include six 2-member wards in Na h-Eileanan an Iar and one in Shetland.”

The Commission conducted two stages of consultation during the Reviews, consulting with each Council for two months before consulting with the public for 12 weeks.

Click here for the full press release