Green Freeports Programme: island communities impact assessment

Step five – recommendation

A full Islands Community Impact Assessment is not required

In preparing the ICIA, I have formed an opinion that our policy, strategy or service is not likely to have an effect on an island community which is significantly different from its effect on other communities (including other island communities). The reason for this is detailed below.

As noted the Green Freeports Programme key policy objectives don’t in themselves have a specific focus or impact on island communities. The two Green Freeport locations were selected following a competitive bidding process which was open to bids from coalitions from across Scotland, including island communities.

The Bidding Prospectus notes the geographically flexible model which enables it to be best applied to specific areas and geographies and allowing multiple sites to be designated within the overall Green Freeport. This enables bidders to best reflect existing economic geographies; to maximise collaboration between stakeholders and relevant economic assets by allowing them to benefit and contribute to the Green Freeport.

The only potentially limiting geographical feature of the model is that a Green Freeport must include at least one port, either air, sea or rail. However this is not considered to have a significantly different impact on island communities, compared to other communities.

Overall it is therefore not considered likely that the Green Freeports policy and programme will have any unique effect or impact on island communities that is significantly different to other communities (including other island communities).