'Island-Proofing' your work Introducing Island Communities Impact Assessments (ICIA)
This leaflet provides an overview of the Island Communities Impact Assessment process and has been designed to complement existing guidance and support those working through the process.
FAQs
Do I have to do an Island Communities Impact Assessment for every policy, strategy, law, or service?
No.
Only if your policy, strategy, law, or service will have a significantly different effect on island communities.
But you always have to consider properly whether it will have a significantly different effect on islanders.
And if your decision is 'no', you have to
- record your decision not to carry out an ICIA
- evidence your decision-making process
- publish your explanation.
What about legislation?
Government Ministers have to consider whether any new laws will have a significantly different effect on island communities. So legislation needs to go through the ICIA process too.
How do I find out about islands communities?
Just as in any other policy or strategy development, you find out by consulting people. There are lots of ways to do that.
You don't have to tour round every island in Scotland yourself. You can use existing data, or you can 'piggy-back' a survey on existing consultations – there are plenty of options.
More tips are available in the full ICIA guidance on the Scottish Government website.
When do I start?
It's really important to start your Island Communities Impact Assessment as soon as you start to develop your policy, strategy, legislation or service.
This isn't an optional add-on you can bolt on at the end: you need to consider the needs and perspectives of island communities from the beginning.
How do I do it?
There are seven steps, outlined in the next pages.
How long does it take?ß
This is not a tick-box exercise. It will demand some time and attention from you and your colleagues.
But there is support and guidance available; and it's worth the effort, to ensure your policy works for island communities as well the mainland.
Where do I get help?
There's plenty of help and guidance. See the links on the final page of this leaflet.
Or ask the Scottish Government Islands Team on info@islandsteam.scot
Contact
Email: info@islandsteam.scot
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