AN SNP MSP will today launch a consultation on proposed legislation that would give new protections to remote mainland communities in Scotland.
Gail Ross, MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, says her Remote Rural Communities Bill would give protections similar to those contained in the Islands Act, which was passed last year.
The proposed legislation would expect public bodies to take impacts on remote rural communities into account when making policy.
It would also place a duty on Scottish Ministers to publish a National Remote Rural Plan.
Ross said the act would complement other pieces of legislation passed by the SNP in government, such as the Islands Act, the Community Empowerment Act, and the Land Reform Act.
READ MORE: Boris Johnson's third push for General Election rejected by MPs
The deadline for responding to the consultation is January 31, 2020.
Ross said: “Protection for our remote, rural communities has never been more vital.
“These communities have massive potential in agriculture, food and drink, renewable energy and tourism – and they must be given the tools they need to tap into that. However, people living in rural and remote communities face additional challenges, including population decline, recruitment and retention of staff, and access to services.
“For the next three months everyone in Scotland will have the opportunity to contribute to the development of this bill and have their say on how remote communities in Scotland can build on success, and prosper.
“I would encourage as many people as possible who live, work and interact in Scotland’s remote rural communities to take part in this consultation to ensure that any new plan reflects the needs and challenges that our remote and rural communities can face.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here