The The Crofting Commission Crofting Commission

in 2012in 2012

What is new?What is new?►Crofting Reform Act (Scotland) 2010Crofting Reform Act (Scotland) 2010►A new name – the Crofting CommissionA new name – the Crofting Commission►A new logoA new logo►CommissionersCommissioners►ConvenerConvener►Vice ConvenerVice Convener►Panel of AssessorsPanel of Assessors►Grazing regulationsGrazing regulations►Crofting RegisterCrofting Register►Crofting Commission PlanCrofting Commission Plan

Why do we have all Why do we have all these new things?these new things?

Because of IGBecause of IG

……andandIG’s Great GrannyIG’s Great Granny

Blackadder 1811Blackadder 1811

The Battle of the Braes 1882

Over 100 people took part Over 100 people took part in the in the

Battle of the BraesBattle of the Braes

Q: Why continue withQ: Why continue with► A 200 year old system?A 200 year old system?► 126-year old Legislation?126-year old Legislation?

Nostalgia?Nostalgia?

A love of the past?A love of the past?

A: Because crofting works!A: Because crofting works!

►Crofting has sustained Crofting has sustained communities communities for 200 years…for 200 years…

►……can it sustain us for another can it sustain us for another 200 years?200 years?

Crofting Commission PlanCrofting Commission Plan

► Part 1Part 1► Explains why regulation of Explains why regulation of crofting is importantcrofting is important► In the presentIn the present► And for the futureAnd for the future

Crofting Commission PlanCrofting Commission Plan

► Part 2Part 2► Explains our policies Explains our policies

What policies does the Plan What policies does the Plan cover?cover?

► The residency duty and consent to be The residency duty and consent to be absentabsent► The Register of Crofts and the Crofting The Register of Crofts and the Crofting RegisterRegister► Controlling speculation and loss of crofts Controlling speculation and loss of crofts ► DecroftingDecrofting► Assignations, letting and sublettingAssignations, letting and subletting► Division and creation of new croftsDivision and creation of new crofts► Misuse, neglect, duty to cultivate & Misuse, neglect, duty to cultivate & maintainmaintain► Common grazings and apportionmentsCommon grazings and apportionments

DecroftingDecrofting► The Commission will only approve applications The Commission will only approve applications

where it is satisfied that the size of the area is where it is satisfied that the size of the area is acceptable and that adequate access to the croft acceptable and that adequate access to the croft remains. Account will also be taken of the size of the remains. Account will also be taken of the size of the croft, the quality of the proposed area of land and its croft, the quality of the proposed area of land and its location within the croft. Consideration will also be location within the croft. Consideration will also be given to the reason for the proposal; such as given to the reason for the proposal; such as whether it may be to provide housing for community whether it may be to provide housing for community or family purposes. Where the stated intent is to or family purposes. Where the stated intent is to provide capital for investment in the croft or some provide capital for investment in the croft or some diversification on the croft, supporting evidence will diversification on the croft, supporting evidence will be required such as planning permission, a business be required such as planning permission, a business plan and details of any other funding sources.plan and details of any other funding sources.

What next?What next?

► The plan has been redraftedThe plan has been redrafted► Agreed by all CommissionersAgreed by all Commissioners► Sent to MinisterSent to Minister► If/when approved, presented to If/when approved, presented to ParliamentParliament

Who is the Plan for?Who is the Plan for?► Commissioners and staffCommissioners and staff► The Minister and ParliamentThe Minister and Parliament► The Scottish Land CourtThe Scottish Land Court► Councils, HIE and agenciesCouncils, HIE and agencies► AssessorsAssessors► Grazing CommitteesGrazing Committees► Individual croftersIndividual crofters

The role of AssessorsThe role of Assessors

► Familiarise yourself with the Familiarise yourself with the policiespolicies► We will be developing more We will be developing more detailed detailed policies in 2013policies in 2013► Tell grazing committees and other Tell grazing committees and other crofters about the Plancrofters about the Plan

Crofting can sustain us…

…into the future