Gibson calls for decentralisation
Scottish parliamentarians focussed on decentralisation in the Highlands today, as the MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Rob Gibson, hosted a sell-out debate on the future of local government.
Over 100 MSPs and academics crammed into one of the Parliament's committee rooms to hear Mr Gibson's proposals for smaller local government and to discuss the positive impact of small local government units in Norway and the rest of Scandinavia.
The event, chaired by journalist and broadcaster Lesley Riddoch, comes after a large-scale consultation of civic society in the Highlands about the future of the Highland Council.
Mr Gibson has previously said that decentralisation in the Highlands is a 'personal priority' during his term as an MSP. The north MSP has proposed that a raft of powers over health, housing, licencing, the economy and education be devolved to local communities from the Highland Council.
Mr Gibson's proposals have won support from every community council in the constituency who responded to his consultation. He will now seek to work with the Scottish Government to legislate on decentralisation.
Speaking to the crowded event, Mr Gibson said:
"I have served the many communities that make up my vast constituency for most of my adult life. These are distinctive communities, each with distinctive challenges and opportunities. They require distinctive local governance.
"There is a strong and urgent case to be made for more community-control in the Highlands. The Highland Council in its current form is damaging local democracy and holding back local growth. Reform is needed, and it is needed now.
"I was elected with nearly 50% of the vote, on a very clear platform for local government reform. This is my personal priority in this parliament, and I can confirm I will be seeking to work with the Government to legislate on this issue during this term.
"The idea of smaller, more effective local government is gaining real momentum. Building on the vast support we enjoy in the north, we are now winning support in Holyrood."
