The leader of the Isle of Wight council has welcomed today’s (Monday) announcement that the Isle of Wight will host the next Islands Forum in May.
The first meeting took place on the Orkney Islands in September last year and was attended by island communities, as well as senior government ministers and civil servants, from across the UK.
The Isle of Wight — the largest island community in the UK — has been chosen to host the next meeting on 24th and 25th May 2023, to be chaired by Michael Gove MP, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
The transition to net zero dominated the group’s discussions last year and this time the theme will be ‘sustainable economic growth’, focussing on innovation and skills, with fringe sessions led by the Migration Advisory Committee and Shetland Islands Council.
Peacey-Wilcox: A superb opportunity
Council leader, Cllr Lora Peacey-Wilcox, said,
“The Islands Forum is a superb opportunity to establish the challenges for our islands, and continue my engagement with government ministers and civil servants to find the right steps to address our issues.”
The Forum has been a cross-party effort to help level up island communities by encouraging collaboration to tackle common challenges such as connectivity, infrastructure, demographic trends and explore opportunities including the transition to net zero.
It also allows the government to hear and learn from island communities to inform future policy.
Seely: Delighted that the Island is hosting the second-ever Islands Forum meeting
Isle of Wight Conservative MP, Bob Seely, said,
“I am delighted that the Secretary of State is coming to the Isle of Wight, and I am delighted that the Island is hosting the second-ever Islands Forum meeting.
“The Islands Forum is a collective voice for the islands of the UK and a direct line to Government. As the Isle of Wight’s MP, I campaigned to make this happen because it is a way of the Isle of Wight, working with other islands, to make its voice heard at the heart of government.
“The Islands Forum is an opportunity for our Island, but also all the UK islands, to explain the challenges we face.
“I am sure we will give Michael Gove and all our guests from the UK’s wonderful islands a very warm Isle of Wight welcome.”
The government has invited eligible council leaders and chief executives of island communities in all parts of the UK to take part in the second Forum.
The devolved administrations will also have a key role, with ministers from the Scottish and Welsh governments invited and the Permanent Secretary of the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland.
Gove: Creates a space for islanders to work together
Secretary of State for Levelling Up Michael Gove MP 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 on net zero was a success and look forward to meeting with islands representatives in May, at the next forum on the Isle of Wight.”
News shared by Isle of Wight council press office, in their own words. Ed
Image: © Visit Isle of Wight
