The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has announced that Wales will be hosting the next Islands Forum, as it focuses on how islands communities can be levelled up.
Topics on the agenda for the meeting include how housing shortages can be tackled, as well as how derelict or vacant properties can be brought back into use. Leaders from across the UK public sector landscape have been invited to the event, with eligible council leaders and chief executives being joined by representatives of the devolved governments.
Levelling up within islands communities can be achieved as the forum works to encourage collaboration in a number of areas. These include:
- Skills
- Connectivity
- Infrastructure
Michael Gove MP, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, said:
“Islands are distinct and vital parts of the United Kingdom, contributing a huge amount to our country.
“The Islands Forum allows island communities to come together and work with government to address key challenges and opportunities.
“Following the success of earlier forms in Orkney, the Isle of Wight, and the Isle of Lewis, I’m delighted to bringing the forum to Wales to Ynys Môn for the first time.
“This is an opportunity to hear from islands about their unique housing challenges, and to learn more about how they are tackling them in a pioneering and dynamic way.”
The government’s support for island communities around the United Kingdom is backed further through measures such as the Levelling Up Partnership with Argyll and Bute, as well as Long-Term Plan for Towns investments in the Isle of Wight and Orkney.
Leader of Isle of Anglesey County Council, Cllr Llinos Medi, commented:
“I look forward to learning from Forum colleagues and sharing our own good practice as we provide affordable quality homes in our communities. We’re achieving this by building new Council housing stock, buying back old council-owned properties, revitalising long-term empty homes, and utilising the Council Tax premium.”
Taking place over two days, the Forum will run from the 7th to the 8th of May.
Image credit: iStock
