Councillor Gary Robinson elected as spokesperson for European local government body

European Parliament Strasbourg: Photo credit - PA

The leader of Shetland Islands Council, Councillor Gary Robinson, was last night elected by the policy committee of the Conference of European Municipal Regions (CEMR) to be its new spokesperson on territorial development.

As part of this role, Robinson will be the voice and face of this pan-European organisation on issues such as access to remote areas, depopulation, economic regeneration and public services.

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Welcoming his unanimous appointment, he said: “I was delighted to be elected to this important position. I represent Shetland, COSLA and Scotland in CEMR and I am keen that we work with this organisation to maintain and develop links with our European counterparts.”

Coming from an island, Robinson believes this position fits perfectly with the issues he cares most about.

“I will be speaking with governments, European and international bodies and MEPs on everything from local issues and inclusion of more disadvantaged areas to seeking to ensure that national and international policies work for everyone and not just for those that live in the more affluent or centrally located area,” he added.

Robinson has said he sees his role through the prism of Brexit.

He said: “Our role in CEMR is particularly important. Many of national members of CEMR are national figures in their own right in their respective countries. As we start the negotiations of Brexit this will be an important link for Scottish Councils to influence discussions.”

The members of CEMR are national associations of local government, whose own members are local and regional authorities in their country.

It was established in 1953 to bring together council leaders from across Europe as a way of reconciliation after WWII.

CEMR is made up of 60 member associations from 41 of the 47 Council of Europe member countries, including all 28 member states of the EU. Together, they represent some 150 000 municipalities and regions.