August 2006
The
Scottish Community Land Network (SCLN) aims to encourage and support
community land sector throughout
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News - Woodland & Forestry - Renewable Energy – Funding & Support – Events – Jobs - Training - Bits & Pieces – A View from the Hills – Featured CLI – Links - etc.__________________________________________
Hi all,
A very brief issue this will give both you and me a chance to enjoy the summer break. If you having been looking for employment in the community-land sector you won’t find a more interesting opportunity than the CLU’s Growing Community Assets Land Advisor’s posts (see SCLN Employment Opportunities). Have a good holiday if you’re getting one.
Cheers,
Steve
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We haven’t heard the last of Holmehill court case. Having lost the appeal Holmehill Ltd were facing legal costs of more than £40,000. The Sheriff in the case has now admitted that he erred in awarding costs against Holmehill Ltd without having a formal hearing from both sides. Hilton PLC then withdrew their request for their £20000 in costs. The Scottish Executive has agreed to accept a peppercorn sum (use FOI to find amount) from Holmehill Ltd for their £20000 costs. On the positive front Holmehill Ltd is now negotiating with the developers lined up to be the new owners with a view towards community involvement in the management of the hill. Guest speakers for Holmehill’s AGM of 14th August are Davie Newton Chairman of Knoydart Foundation and Ian Phillip of Dunning Community Trust
Scottish Land Fund has had its final meeting
and made its last grant. Over the last 5 years it has helped 251 projects from
small amenity plots to large Highland estates bring 173,00 acres and 67
buildings and amenities under community control. It has helped to build
confident and self-reliant communities adding or sustaining 186 full-time and
219 part-time jobs in rural
This
seems to need a regular column, but we are once again wishing Donnie Mackay all
the best as leaves the CLU to become aspiring writer
and househusband. Donnie is well-known for his support of communities through
the CLU Aftercare program. His enthusiasm and positive reinforcement will be
missed by many communities. He will not be completely lost to us as he is
writing about community land-ownership in 'After the Party - Community Land
Ownership in
HIE have begun a protracted negotiation with Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) over the future of the Cairngorm Estate. Bidwells was commissioned to do a feasibility study of potential ownership options. It was on Bidwells’ recommendation of that the FCS was chosen as the best option for future ownership. What is disappointing is that the possibility of community ownership seems to be lacking any depth investigation. A very damning “perceived disadvantages” concludes that the local community is not suitable for managing an area of national significance. Just as well the successful community buyouts (e.g. Assynt, North Harris, Knoydart etc.) weren’t aware of this when they equally took on their own areas of national significance or they may not have grasped the opportunity based on Bidwells advice. Download the Full Report (edited) here.
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Woodlands & Forestry
Congratulations to Dunning Community Truston their successful purchase of the 80 acre Kincladie Wood, known locally as “Mi Lady’s Wood”. A very ambitious fund-raiser recently combined “a major clean up of Kincladie Wood with the erection of 40 affordable homes”! Having caught my attention with this impressive feat, the report continues “50 volunteers removed several tons of rubbish from the wood and erected 22 of a planned 40 bird boxes, which are now available for feathered tenants”. Oh well, still pretty impressive!
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Renewable Energy
Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust has recently reported its first full year of trading for its windfarms, Gigha’s Dancing Ladies. The 3 turbine 775KW community-owned windfarm has produced a net profit of over £100,000. This will of course be reinvested in one of the many projects they are pursuing. Also congratulations to Dave MacDonald who started as new Trust Manager in May.
An
interesting case study for
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Funding & Finance
A new model for funding community renewable projects has been forwarded to me. It is Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) or “windfarms without borrowing”. This seems to replace borrowing by selling potential energy production on the futures market. Download a summary, a detail or a full PowerPoint presentation. I would like to hear comment from the financial whizzes on the possible use of this model for communities.
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Events
Heriot-Watt University’s Social Enterprise Institute’s National Conference: – How to Deliver Triple Bottom
Lines: Route Maps for Social Entrepreneurs – 8th September - James
Watt Centre,
Greenspace
Developing
a Sustainable Biomass Industry - Sharing Good Practice - SNH & Forestry Commission
Growing Confidence Building a Future - CWA - 10th-12th November, Strontian, Lochaber
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Motivation, Retention and Development of Volunteers – 24th August, Helensburgh
Public
Safety for Event Organisers – 23rd August
For a full list visit the SCVO Calendar
Sustainability – Creating the Culture 15th – 16th November – Perth - To share new ideas and debate current best practice in sustainable development (SD) environmental management (EM) and corporate social responsibility (CSR).
Gigha
Housing
Contact Lorna
The CLU is running this series of training programs for community
groups, by community groups. These are open to any community group in
at the CLU for up-to-date info.
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Three opportunities with the HIE delivering Growing Community Assets
Growing Community Assets - Project Manager
Auchtertyre, Lochalsh (although other location possible).
Growing Community Assets - Community Land Adviser
Tayside, Kincardine and Aberdeenshire
Growing Community Assets - Community Land Adviser
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Bits and pieces – Ideas from all over
Community ownership of assets is the most effective strategy at our disposal for the regeneration of disadvantaged communities. A report, Community Assets: The benefits and costs of community management and ownership by Stephen Thake for the Department of Communities and Local Government is a must for community developers. At 60 pages a hefty read, helpfully Senscot has done a summary.
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The
Agree, disagree or have another opinion you like aired, contact
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For relative links, resources or community groups see the respective
links at SCLN Links, SCLN Resources or SCLN Community Groups
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Thanks
to contributions from Maureen Wright, Declan Jones, Jim Bennett, Derek Louden,
Chris Cook,
This newsletter has been generously funded by
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE),
Lomond & Rural Stirling Leader+
and
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--------------------------------Disclaimer---------------------------
The views and opinions expressed in this newsletter are for general
information and do not represent those of the Community Land Unit,
Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Lomond & Rural Stirling Leader+ or
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