Islands bond: consultation

2. Consultation Questions

1. What are your initial thoughts on the proposed criteria of the Islands Bond?

The Manifesto stated that:

• The bond will be a £5 million fund across the lifetime of the parliament;
• The bond value will be up to £50,000;
• Capital funding will be made available to young people and families to stay in or move to islands currently threatened by depopulation; and
• Bonds issued will support people to buy, build or renovate homes, start businesses and otherwise make their lives for the long-term in island communities

2. Which island location do you currently live in? If applicable.

• Argyll islands
• Arran, Bute and the Cumbraes
• Lewis and Harris
• Orkney Mainland
• Orkney Outer Isles
• Shetland Mainland
• Shetland Outer Isles
• Skye and the Small Isles
• Uist and Barra

3. If you are a resident of an island, what do you think are the most significant population challenges in your area and why?

4. A) If you are a resident of an island, are there any particular demographics underrepresented in your area that you think the Islands Bond should target?

• Age
• Gender
• Ethnicity
• Professions
• Disability
• Other

B) Please set out your reasons

5. What do you think should be the priority focus for the Islands Bond (please select one of the options below):

• Population Growth (encouraging migration to islands)
• Population Retention (supporting existing community to remain)
• Both
• Other

6. What additional capital investment through the Islands Bond would most influence people’s decisions to stay in or move to island communities?

7. Do you agree that there would be a need for an advisory service to support those relocating to island communities?

Recognising the potential tensions arising from those outwith the islands moving into island communities, we will also look to develop, in parallel to the bond mechanism, options for a relocation support or advisory service. This could help to provide a ‘soft landing’ for those looking to move to island communities.

The role of this service could include but not be limited to:

• Help in identifying local services and support.
• Signposting of local clubs and organisations.
• Explaining transport and travel options for a particular island or island Community.

• Highlighting importance of the local culture, community and history.
• Strongly Agree
• Agree
• Neither Agree nor Disagree
• Disagree
• Strongly Disagree

8. In your opinion, what should be the main purpose and role of an advisory service to support those relocating to island communities?

9. Who should be involved in the delivery of an advisory service to support those relocating to island communities?

10. How do you think that the Islands Bond may impact on those with protected characteristics?

Protected characteristics are:

• Age
• Disability
• Gender Reassignment
• Marriage and Civil Partnership
• Pregnancy and Maternity
• Race
• Religion or Belief
• Sex
• Sexual Orientation

11. Beyond those outlined in the Consultation Paper, what other methods of measuring the progress and impact of the Islands Bond might we adopt?

12. Any other comments on the Islands Bond.