Rhona Brankin, the then Minister for Environment and Rural Development, announced the Scottish Executive's intention to create a Committee of Inquiry on Crofting during the Parliamentary Stage 1 debate on the Crofting Reform etc. Bill in September 2006. The Committee held its first meeting in early May 2007 and is expected to report to Ministers by early 2008.
The Committee Of Inquiry on Crofting currently comprises a part-time Chairman and 7 other members who are contributing on a voluntary basis. They are supported in their work by a small staffed secretariat.
Professor Mark Shucksmith, Professor of Planning at Newcastle University, is the Chair of the Committee of Inquiry on Crofting and his appointment runs until it has completed its work and reported. The other, voluntary, members of the Committee of Inquiry are:
- Jane Brown
- Fred Edwards LVO
- Susan Lamont
- Norman A MacDonald
- Professor Donald MacRae FRSE
- Agnes Rennie, MBE
- Becky Shaw
To enable as many views as possible to be heard , the Committee is engaging proactively with crofting communities and others with an interest in sustainable rural development. A series of visits throughout the crofting communities was undertaken by committee members over last summer so that people had the opportunity to meet with members of The Committee and express their views. An outline work programme has been agreed for the Committee.
Please click the following links for details of the Committee members, the Committee's remit.