Highlands to host North Sea Commission Transport Group
Next week, The Highland Council will be hosting members of the North Sea Commission Transport Group. As part of the visit, members will be taken on a site visit to the Port of Nigg before gathering the next day in Inverness for their meeting.
The North Sea Commission is one of the six geographical commissions of the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR). Its mission is to strengthen partnerships between regional authorities which face the challenges and opportunities presented by the North Sea. It serves as a platform for cooperation, information-sharing and lobbying between regional authorities across the North Sea Region with members coming from the UK, EU and Scandinavia.
Vice Chair of this Transport Group and Chair of the Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Councillor Ken Gowans, said: “We all face unique challenges in the different geographic areas we represent, but we share common goals and we will work together with transport partners and stakeholders in the North Sea region to improve reliance, connectivity and economic advantage.
“I very much welcome this opportunity to host and to highlight to fellow members the work and good practice underway across the Highlands to address key issues such as regeneration of our communities and investment across the North Sea region. Sharing skills and interests means we create a workforce and opportunities for the future.
"The meeting is a chance to maintain and foster greater connectivity between the Highlands and our European colleagues, particularly as we share many mutual interests and similar challenges."
The Convener of the Council, Cllr Bill Lobban added his welcome. He said: “I wish all the members of the NSC Transport Group a very successful few days in the Highlands next week. The Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport is set to be a key driver for economic growth so I am pleased it features on the agenda.
“By building resilient and thriving communities we will not only be encouraging people to live, work and prosper in the Highlands, but we will be securing the long-term prosperity of our region.”
The Transport Group will meet at The Highland Council headquarters on Thursday 6 November. The session starts with a presentation of projects in the Highlands, focussing on the Green Freeport. Business then moves on to activities of the North Sea Commission. Up for discussion will be the draft Action Plan for the NSC Transport Group with a key topic being secure and resilient infrastructure and ports.