The newest Crofting Commissioners, Malcolm Mathieson and James Scott, ready for their first Board meeting on 8 February 2017
The Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and Connectivity, Fergus Ewing MSP, has announced the appointment of James Scott as a Commissioner of the Crofting Commission Board from 1 February 2017.
Appointment
James Scott runs a business, focussing on training and assessing skills in rural businesses. James has a strong agricultural and field sports background and has previously worked in deer and conservation in both the public and private sectors. James has a particular interest in ensuring the future of crofting through making it attractive and accessible to new and young entrants and in growing the skills of these groups to allow them to be successful crofters.
Length of Terms and Remuneration
Mr Scott’s appointment is for three years and runs from 1 February 2017 until 31 January 2020. The appointment is part time and attracts remuneration of £161.29 per day for a time commitment of around 4.5 days per month.
The appointment is regulated by the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland.
Welcome from Crofting Commission
Bill Barron, Chief Executive of the Crofting Commission, said:
I would like to welcome James to the Commission and we look forward to working with him. James’s expertise in conservation and interest in making crofting attractive and accessible to new and young entrants will be extremely valuable to the Board.
With a full Board of Commissioners we can work to ensure everything is in place for a smooth handover to the elected Commissioners in April 2017.
No statement has been released, as yet, by the Convener of the Crofting Commission, Colin Kennedy, regarding the appointment.
First Board Meeting
James Scott joined the other newly appointed commissioner Malcolm Mathieson for their first board meeting at Great Glen House on 8 February. What an eye opener that must have been for them with it being revealed at the meeting that threats of legal action made by the Convener, Colin Kennedy, hang over the commission and commissioners. More on that in my next post.
Image Credit: © BBC Alba