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Nicola Sturgeon backs more powers for Scotland's islands Nicola Sturgeon backs more powers for Scotland's islands
(about 2 hours later)
Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon wants the country's island communities to have more powers to "grow their economies".Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon wants the country's island communities to have more powers to "grow their economies".
She made the comment ahead of speaking to officials in Orkney. She added that a consultation on greater autonomy for the Highlands and islands would be published this summer.
In an interview with BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme, Ms Sturgeon said she planned to consult on island powers. Ms Sturgeon made the announcement while on a visit to Orkney.
However, opposition party the Liberal Democrats believed any power being devolved needed to be real power. However, Liberal Democrat MSP Tavish Scott said any power being devolved needed to be real power and not just a "cheque handed to communities".
Shetland MSP Tavish Scott said the cross-party Smith Commission agreement on more devolution to Scotland made it clear that new powers "must travel north of St Andrews House". After meeting with members of the Convention of the Highlands and Islands, the first minister said: "Our islands are part of the rich and diverse fabric of this country and they make a significant contribution to Scotland.
Ms Sturgeon is on Orkney attending the Convention of the Highlands and Islands. "We have previously committed to looking at devolving more autonomy to our islands and decentralising decision-making to those who live and work in these unique parts of Scotland. We want to work to make our islands stronger and let them flourish."
She said: "The focus is very much on growth and investment and how we stimulate the economies of our Highland and island areas. 'Very serious'
Ms Sturgeon added that the forthcoming Community Empowerment Bill would enable communities to be "more involved in local decision-making".
She also confirmed there would be a "full consultation across Scotland in due course" on the long term arrangements for managing assets Crown Estate.
Control of the Crown Estate, which includes Scotland's seabed and foreshore, will go to Holyrood under plans laid down in the cross-party Smith Commission agreement.
In an interview with BBC Radio Scotland's Good morning Scotland programme, Ms Sturgeon said: "The focus is very much on growth and investment and how we stimulate the economies of our Highland and island areas.
"We are very serious about devolving as much power as possible down to local communities so that we put the power into the hands of people in local communities to grow their economies and to take the decisions that are right for them.""We are very serious about devolving as much power as possible down to local communities so that we put the power into the hands of people in local communities to grow their economies and to take the decisions that are right for them."
Smith recommendations
Ms Sturgeon explained that when powers from the Crown Estate are devolved to the Scottish Parliament then "all income" from the leasing of the seabed around island communities would go to the those island communities.Ms Sturgeon explained that when powers from the Crown Estate are devolved to the Scottish Parliament then "all income" from the leasing of the seabed around island communities would go to the those island communities.
She also said that her government wanted to look at giving councils in the Highlands and islands more ability to take decisions.She also said that her government wanted to look at giving councils in the Highlands and islands more ability to take decisions.
However, Mr Scott questioned what plans Ms Sturgeon had regarding the Crown Estate.However, Mr Scott questioned what plans Ms Sturgeon had regarding the Crown Estate.
He said: "The SNP agreed with the Smith recommendations of devolving full powers to the islands. Either the first minister doesn't know the detail of the agreement or she is reneging on the Smith Commission.He said: "The SNP agreed with the Smith recommendations of devolving full powers to the islands. Either the first minister doesn't know the detail of the agreement or she is reneging on the Smith Commission.
"Power doesn't come in the form of a cheque handed to communities, it comes by being able to write the cheque."Power doesn't come in the form of a cheque handed to communities, it comes by being able to write the cheque.
"Surely the first minister would agree that the best people to steward the Crown Estate resources around islands like Shetland are the people who live there?""Surely the first minister would agree that the best people to steward the Crown Estate resources around islands like Shetland are the people who live there?"
Leaked memoLeaked memo
Ms Sturgeon visited Orkney as controversy continued about the area's MP Alistair Carmichael who is facing a legal bid to oust him from his seat.Ms Sturgeon visited Orkney as controversy continued about the area's MP Alistair Carmichael who is facing a legal bid to oust him from his seat.
The Lib Dem MP has faced calls to resign over the leak of a memo which suggested during the election campaign that Ms Sturgeon wanted David Cameron as prime minister.The Lib Dem MP has faced calls to resign over the leak of a memo which suggested during the election campaign that Ms Sturgeon wanted David Cameron as prime minister.
A petition has been lodged at the Court of Session in Edinburgh in the name of four islanders alleging that Mr Carmichael breached Section 106 of the Representation of the People Act 1983, which outlaws false statements in relation to the "personal character or conduct" of a candidate.A petition has been lodged at the Court of Session in Edinburgh in the name of four islanders alleging that Mr Carmichael breached Section 106 of the Representation of the People Act 1983, which outlaws false statements in relation to the "personal character or conduct" of a candidate.
Ms Sturgeon said she was not on Orkney to "talk about Alistair Carmichael".Ms Sturgeon said she was not on Orkney to "talk about Alistair Carmichael".
However, she added: "When it came to light that he [Alistair Carmichael] had leaked the document that was an attempt to smear my reputation, he apologised to me and I accepted his apology.However, she added: "When it came to light that he [Alistair Carmichael] had leaked the document that was an attempt to smear my reputation, he apologised to me and I accepted his apology.
"The point I made though is that I think the people who were really wronged in this episode were Alistair Carmichael's constituents because he said during an election campaign that he had nothing to do with that so he was less than honest with his electorate during an election campaign and I thought it was them that he owed an apology.""The point I made though is that I think the people who were really wronged in this episode were Alistair Carmichael's constituents because he said during an election campaign that he had nothing to do with that so he was less than honest with his electorate during an election campaign and I thought it was them that he owed an apology."