March 3, 2010
Fine words but where are the resources?
Environment Minister, Roseanna Cunningham, has restated that the Scottish Government is ‘wholly committed’ to land reform and has urged communities throughout Scotland to register interest in buying land long before it is put up for sale. That’s good to hear but Government needs to back up the rhetoric with resources. A major conference later this month, organised by Highland Council and partnered by LPL, will address this and other related issues
LAND REFORM
RIGHTS TO BUY – WHERE TO FROM HERE?
HIGHLAND COUNCIL HQ
TUESDAY, 23rd MARCH 2010
09.00: Registration and coffee
09.30: Welcome and introduction
(Cllr Michael Foxley – chair of morning session)
09.45: Key note address – Government perspective on RtB
(Minister for Environment)
10.15: Land Reform and the role of RtB
(Dr J Hunter)
10.45: Achievements in Community Land Ownership in the Highlands and Islands
(Neil Gerrard)
11.15: Break
11.30: Experience of RtB – (Community perspectives and experience of RtB, legislation and process)
• John Randall – Pairc Community Trust
• David Cameron – North Harris Trust
• John Hutchison – Isle of Eigg Trust
• Huw Francis – Storas Uibhist
12.45: Improving the legislation?
(Simon Fraser)
13.15: Lunch (to include poster displays and networking opportunity)
14.15: Tackling the issues – Introduction to workshop session (Donald Macleod)
(Refreshments available throughout workshops)
• Workshop 1: “Raising awareness of RtB and helping communities achieve their goals” – to include discussion of funding and GCA
• Workshop 2: “Improving the legislation – simpler and more relevant”
• Workshop 3: “Pump priming – the role of public land”
15.30: Feedback session and panel discussion – each workshop to provide
4 or 5 important actions for moving forward
(Facilitator – Donald Macleod)
16.15: Summary of recommendations and identifying joint actions points
(Facilitator – Donald Macleod)
16.30: Thanks and close of conference
(Cllr Michael Foxley)
For booking a place, contact Rowan Tree Consulting, 24 Ballifeary Lane, Inverness, IV3 5PH, fax 01463 715225,
e-mail: hazel@rowan-tree-consulting.co.uk.