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I want to explore a bit more about the ICIAs, following the questions asked by Beatrice Wishart and the convener. I need a bit more explanation so that we can perhaps understand. Island communities are saying to me that the assessments need to be reviewed and that the bodies and directorates that are charged with undertaking them are the same as those that assess whether the impacts have been mitigated sufficiently, so they feel as though the process is somewhat flawed. From the conversation that we have had already, I get a sense that you are listening and taking on the learning, but what would you say in response to the idea that the same bodies that do the assessments are monitoring them? Where is the opportunity for communities to get real consideration?

Thanks for that, Erica. That is really helpful and reassuring. I hear that this is something of an iterative process and that you are listening.

I want to come back to the piece around communities and public bodies and really ensuring that communities get their voices heard. How can we make sure that ICIAs are a mechanism that islanders can use? Examples that have been given to me include ICIAs being used to stop the air traffic control centralisation by Highlands and Islands Airports Limited and address the situation with Mull and Iona ferry capacity.

How can we make sure that ICIAs work for communities? In those two examples, the communities have been trying to raise the issues for quite a long time, and you would think that the assessments would flag them up and help us to be more proactive.

Another thing that I understand from conversation with people is that ICIAs are retrospective rather than proactive. I would like to hear a bit more about why people might think that that is the case. You talked earlier about there being some confusion around how ICIAs are used or triggered.

You have talked a lot about the CDOs, who seem to be crucial in ensuring that the plans are taken forward. The ambition is that the project will go up to 2040. Is there a commitment that the CDOs will be resourced throughout the whole time covered by the project?

Do we understand why people think that they are retrospective rather than proactive? Perhaps there is a communication issue there.

Rhoda Grant’s line of questioning was really helpful. How will the £1 million for catalysing and confidence building be divided between the six islands? Will they have to apply for it, or will the money be split evenly? What approach is being taken?

I think that we hear that point loud and clear. What we are picking up is that there is a potential for some sort of community funding to come out of ScotWind.

Thank you. Does anybody else want to come in on this question?

Good morning and welcome to the 15th meeting in 2023 of the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee. We have received apologies from Annie Wells. I remind all members and witnesses to ensure that their devices are on silent and that all other notifications are turned off during the meeting.

The first item on our agenda is to decide whether to take items 3 and 4 in private. Do we agree to do that?

Members indicated agreement.

Under agenda item 2, we will take evidence on community councils from two panels of witnesses. This year marks 50 years since the passing of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, which created community councils to bridge the gap between local authorities and communities. We are taking the opportunity to hear about how community councils are working in Scotland, to look at good practice and at how we could make community councils more effective. It is important to acknowledge that they exist and that a tremendous amount of volunteer time goes into them.

For our first panel, we are joined in the room by Brian Davey and Emma Swift, both of whom are communications officers from the Improvement Service. Along with them is Dr Oliver Escobar, senior lecturer in public policy at the University of Edinburgh. Online we are joined by Andrew Paterson, policy and research officer from the Scottish Community Development Centre, and Jackie Weaver, the chief officer at the Cheshire Association of Local Councils.

We have a number of questions, and I will start with a question for everyone in general. First, however, I need to say a couple of things. Those who are in the room do not need to operate your microphones. We will do that for you. If you want to come in on something, just indicate to me or Kath Byrne, the committee clerk. Jackie Weaver and Andrew Paterson, if you want to come in, please put an R in the chat function.

I am interested to hear what you think are the strengths of community councils in Scotland and what role they could play in democratic renewal at a local level. What proportion of the Scottish population is covered by community councils and has that changed in recent years? Do you get the sense that they are more prevalent in certain areas than in others? I will start with Oliver Escobar.