Council hosts UK Government’s Scottish Affairs Committee evidence gathering session

The Highland Council has welcomed the opportunity to host and provide evidence to the UK Government’s Scottish Affairs Committee when it holds a two-day hearing at the Town House, Inverness on Monday and Tuesday 2/3 December.

Land reform and a review of the Crown Estate are likely to be key issues discussed at the evidence gathering session.

Depute Council Leader Councillor David Alston said: “A radical agenda for land reform is vital to the Highlands and Islands, and to all of Scotland. I am pleased that the UK Government’s Scottish Affairs Committee has taken a lead on this and the discussion paper they have commissioned from Jim Hunter, Peter Peacock, Michael Foxley and Andy Wightman sets out the key issues and proposes some innovative solutions. I have discussed the next steps with the committee chair, Iain Davidson MP, and we have offered to host their evidence gathering session. This will take place alongside our engagement with the revitalised Land Reform Review Groups established by the Scottish Government.

“We already have clear Council positions supporting extension of community land ownership,  local control of the Crown Estate, and tenant farmers rights to buy. I believe it is important that we now become involved in discussion of the more radical solutions raised by the Scottish Affairs Committee, which include land value taxation and changes to Scottish succession law.”

Councillor George Farlow, Vice Chair of the Council’s Planning, Environment and Development Committee, said: “This is a great opportunity for those interested in community ownership to influence the land reform agenda in Scotland. Scotland’s First Minister has stated that he wishes to see a doubling of the area of community owned land in Scotland to 1 million acres by 2020. There is a clear need for radical measures if this ambitious target is to be achieved. I look forward to hearing the evidence provided in Inverness and to the recommendations of the Scottish Government’s Land Reform Review Group early in 2014.”