NEED FOR LAND RIGHTS REFORM
Lewis crofters, in their bid to develop community-owned turbines on their common grazings, instead of the corporate-owned turbine, preferred by the landowner, the Stornoway Trust, have had their appeal to the Court of Session, turned down
The crofters, from the four crofting communities of Sandwick North Street, Sandwick East Street, Melbost and Branahuie and Aignish representative said: “While we are naturally disappointed at the Court of Session’s decision to turn down our appeal. We warmly welcome, the Court’s perceptive and helpful comments, which they added to the decision. We hope that they will be studied and acted upon by Members of the Scottish Parliament and by Government Ministers.”
In its Decision the Court said: “As a postscript, it could be said that this case, does identify general concerns, about the development of, what might be underused croft land, including common grazing. The needs of the crofting communities are not identical to those in the late Victorian era.
The crofters’ spokesperson continued: “We agree wholeheartedly with that analysis and it is why we took the appeal to the Court in the first place. Whereas the Crofting Commission has a clear duty under the Act, to reach its decisions on applications made to it, by balancing the full range of affected interests, including the interests of the landowner, the estate, the crofting community and the wider public interest.
Applications made by crofting communities to develop their common grazings, are uniquely subject to what our case has shown, is an effective veto by the landowner alone, without consideration of the other interests.
Read more: Isles FM News in association with Hebrides News - Tuesday 25th August 2020
COMHAIRLE MAY NEED TO SAVE £6.6M IN NEXT TWO YEARS
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar have held a special meeting of the full Comhairle. A report before Councillors setting out a range of measures to deliver the Comhairle’s updated Corporate Strategy was agreed.
The report included financial savings required to bridge the projected financial shortfall over 2021/22 and 2022/23. All proposals will be subject to consultation and full impact assessments prior to decision by the Comhairle on implementation.
The Comhairle is bringing forward its budget setting process to take account of the difficult circumstances arising out of the COVID Pandemic. The Comhairle is potentially looking at a need for savings of £6.6m in the next two years.
Comhairle Leader Roddie Mackay said:
“Over the past 10 years the Comhairle’s approach to financial stringency has been a combination of efficiency savings, service redesign and maximising opportunities. However the circumstance facing us now are unprecedented although we will continue to work with COSLA, SOLACE, Directors of Finance and other organisations to lobby Government to recognize the extremely difficult situation for Councils. Essential to the success of any Budget Strategy is its alignment with the Corporate Strategy, with the political priorities agreed by Elected Members, and with other plans, such as our Workforce Strategy.
“COVID has been as unsettling to public finances across Scotland and the UK as it has been unwelcome in its effects. Our job is to prepare, plan, mitigate and support each other through this crisis and this process.”
Read more: Isles FM News in association with Hebrides News - Monday 24th August 2020
