The Islands Forum was a body in the United Kingdom that brought together local government leaders from island communities with ministers from the UK Government, the Scottish Government, the Welsh Government, and the Northern Ireland Executive. It met for the first time in September 2022 and was disbanded in February 2026.
Background The Island Forum was proposed In 2022, as part of the Levelling Up White Paper to allow local policymakers and residents of island communities to work together on common issues, such as broadband connectivity, and provide a platform for them to communicate directly with the UK central government on the challenges island communities face in terms of the levelling up agenda.
Members The following governments, local authorities and organisations were members of the Islands Forum: United Kingdom UK Government England Isle of Wight Council Council of the Isles of Scilly Scotland Scottish Government Argyll and Bute Council Highland Council North Ayrshire Council Orkney Islands Council Shetland Islands Council Western Isles Council Wales Welsh Government Isle of Anglesey County Council Northern Ireland Northern Ireland Executive Rathlin Development and Community Association
Meetings The forum met twice each year:
Meetings of the Islands Forum DateLocationChairSeptember 2022Orkney IslandsNadhim ZahawiMay 2023Isle of WightMichael Gove10 October 2023Western IslesMichael Gove7-8 May 2024AngleseyMichael GoveAutumn 2024 (cancelled)Argyll and ButeN/A
See also Intergovernmental relations in the United Kingdom Local Government Leaders' Council
References