Learning Lessons from early Islands Communities Impact Assessments

The Islands (Scotland) Act 2018 was granted Royal Assent in July 2018, introducing a number of measures to underpin the Scottish Government's and the public sector to meet the needs of island communities, now and in the future.

One of the provisions of the Act which has not yet come into force relates to Island Community Impact Assessments (ICIAs, or island proofing) as further preparatory work is required. ICIAs require relevant authorities to take into account island communities from the outset (where possible) and how the policy, strategy or service impacts on those communities.

This project forms part of the preparatory work on conducting ICIAs. Four early ICIAs were reviewed to explore the information identified and gathered. It also reviewed experiences of rural proofing in England, Northern Ireland, Canada and New Zealand to reflect on lessons that could be learned for future island proofing in Scotland.

The report provides recommendations for the future island proofing process in Scotland, including a suggested seven-section ICIA template and associated guidance document (effectively, a seven-stage island proofing process).