Skye and Raasay Future plans endorsed by the Skye and Raasay Area Committee

The Isle of Skye and Raasay Area Committee has today (Monday 21 February) re-endorsed the Skye and Raasay Future plan after it received the backing of community organisations.

Today, Members agreed the crucial layer of extra support has now cemented the Skye and Raasay Future (SARF) plan.

A steering group is now leading the SARF plan which aims to harness the values and priorities of people living on Skye and Raasay.

Skye and Raasay Area Committee Chair, Cllr John Gordon said: “The committee recognise and thank the Skye and Raasay communities for the vital role played in the preparation of the Skye and Raasay Future plan. It’s an exciting time for the area and we look forward with optimism in shaping Skye and Raasay’s Future.”

The SARF Project Board met for the first time in January to discuss how it can help the communities to achieve funding goals.

Members will aim to maintain an oversight of activity and help to maximise the benefits gained from investments coming into the area.

Highland Council’s Executive Chief Officer for Infrastructure Environment and Economy, Malcolm Macleod said: “The first meeting of the Project Board is the culmination of a huge amount of effort by all partners to pull something together - an ambitious plan which is going to shape how we get all the work that has been done throughout Skye and Raasay into a position where we are able to coordinate people moving forwards together in a shared and common purpose.

“We also hope that this will position the area for funding opportunities or for promotional opportunities to potential funders in our area and I think the work we have done so far gives us a really strong position to do that.

“The plan will give a strong point of reference for the Skye and Raasay Future steering group in their future workings with stakeholders including national and local government among others.”

HIE Area Manager, Alastair Nicolson said: “HIE will bring knowledge and experience of place-based investment, putting to best use its extensive reach into just about every community and key business in the area as well as up through the different parts of government. In addition, we will support the board to align SARF Outcomes with wider policy objectives including a particular focus on ambitions to develop a Net Zero economy and ensure jobs created and retained in the area adhere to Fair Work principles.”

Third sector champion Jo-Ann Ford of Skye and Lochalsh Council for Voluntary Organisations, and tourist business advocate Alistair Danter of SkyeConnect, have joined the SARF Board, along with Highlands & Islands Enterprise, Highland Council and NHS highland.

Other groups are welcome to share specialist knowledge and input during key discussions and anyone can come to the board to discuss a particular project or piece of work.

Skye and Lochalsh Council for Voluntary Organisations (SLCVO), Jo-Ann Ford said: “It’s great to see the third sector, businesses and the public sector coming together to empower communities across Skye and Raasay. The team at SLCVO looks forward to working with groups and the SARF partnership to create a plan that helps to secure funding for the area’s future.”

SkyeConnect Project Officer, Alistair Danter said: “If we are going to make Skye and Raasay a good place to visit then it has to be a great place to live. We know that the tourist economy, pre-covid, had a value of £260million - Isle of Skye PLC punches way above its weight and we need the investment to match.”

The latest ‘Skye and Raasay Highlights’ brochure can be accessed here and gives insight into the collective projects being delivered across Skye and Raasay as part of SARF. 

SARF establishes the key role that communities and partnerships have in shaping the Skye and Raasay Future and the collaborative nature of the project allows delivery of cohesive and cost efficient improvements driven by the needs and wants of the people living in the area.