The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has announced that Secretary of State for Levelling Up Michael Gove will Chair the second Islands Forum. It has also confirmed that the location has been decided as the Isle of Wight.
The Forum helps with the levelling up of island communities through the encouragement of collaboration in order to tackle challenges that are common to such communities. These issues include connectivity, infrastructure, and demographic trends. The forum also aims to explore further developments in areas such as facilitating the transition to net zero, and how the UK Government can bring feedback from islands onboard and learn about shaping future policy.
Michael Gove MP, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, said:
“Island communities contribute richly to the UK and share their own unique set of challenges as well as opportunities.
“The Islands Forum creates a space for islanders to work together and give feedback directly to the government, ensuring that islands can be even better places for people to work and live.
“I am delighted that the inaugural forum in Orkney was a success and look forward to meeting with islands representatives in May, at the next forum on the Isle of Wight.“
Eligible council leaders and chief executives have been invited to attend by the government, whilst devolved administrations are also to play their part. Ministers from the governments of Wales and Scotland are to be in attendance, as well as the Permanent Secretary of the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland.
Council leader, Councillor Lora Peacey-Wilcox, said:
“The Islands Forum is a superb opportunity to establish the challenges for our islands, and continue our engagement with government ministers and civil servants to find the right steps to address our issues.”
