Argyll and Bute’s population is expected fall faster than almost anywhere else in Scotland, a new report has revealed.
And the document confirms that the ‘Roseneath Peninsula’ is being targeted for ‘repopulation’ – despite official figures confirming that its population is increasing.
This week the Scottish Government published what it described as ‘a wide-ranging plan to strengthen communities facing population decline, with Argyll and Bute one of three council areas to share a £180,000 Addressing Depopulation Fund.
Projections show that Scotland’s population is set to fall from 2033, with 14 local authority areas projected to experience population decline over the next decade.
The population of Argyll and Bute is expected to fall by 6.2% between 2018 and 2028 in terms of natural change (births minus deaths) with net migration put at 0.5%.
The document reveals that the Convention of the Highlands and Islands working group on population has been meeting regularly for over two years, looking at nine pilot areas – the ‘Roseneath Peninsula’, Uist, North-West Sutherland, Coll, Tiree, Kintyre, Bute, Arran and Cumbrae.
But last April was revealed here that official Scottish Government statistics contradicted the council’s claim that the peninsula was ‘experiencing population decline’, while the council’s website was based on out-of-date National Records of Scotland (NRS) data from 2016.
MSP Jackie Baillie said it was ‘alarming’ that the council was using old figures, but the local authority maintained its reliance on data from the 2011 census, saying it was the most accurate available.
Then in August a report by council officials says the population was estimated to have increased by more than 3% between 2017 and 2021, in contrast to a decline of 5.9% across the entire council area.
The Scottish Government’s new action plan for depopulation states that, together with the UK Government, up to £25m in the Argyll and Bute Rural Growth Deal over 10 years, adding: “This investment will drive sustainable and inclusive economic growth, benefitting individuals, businesses, and communities across the area.
“The proposed projects span sustainable tourism development, digital, business innovation, housing, skills, aquaculture, low carbon and regeneration.”
None of the rural growth deal projects are on the Rosneath Peninsula.
Announcing the action plan,Migration Minister Emma Roddick said: “The factors that lead to depopulation are complex and interdependent, and every place is affected differently.
“This plan cuts right across government – in policy areas including housing, healthcare, transport and education – to help deliver solutions that address the needs of individual areas.
“Local leaders, councils and organisations are the people who know their communities best – that’s why this plan commits to channelling community expertise and backing a range of local-led initiatives.
“This will not only benefit the places leading these projects, but could also generate learnings that can be applied elsewhere.
“Bringing together new actions with a programme of ongoing government work, these steps will underpin our work to ensure every place in Scotland is equipped with the population it needs to thrive into the future.”
The full report – which includes a photograph of Kilcreggan pier – is here: 7SCk3F-supporting-enabling-sustainable-communities-action-plan-address-depopulation
Leave a Reply