Scottish Community Land Newsletter
February 2006
The Scottish Community Land Network (SCLN) aims to encourage and
support community land initiatives (CLI) throughout Scotland by
shared experience, networking and promotion of Scottish CLI.
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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,
Surfing the internet is not just about eBay, Amazon and music
downloads. On a lead from my line-management I checked out the
Maritime Stewardship Programme, a grant scheme funded by the
Crown Estates. Now in my ignorance I thought that the Crown Estates
were just another quasi-governmental body squeezing a stealth tax out
of rural maritime communities to support our struggling Royal Family
and fountains. In fact they offer some of our money back in the form
of three grant schemes. Check out the details in Funding and Support
section. On further research (it’s funny how the internet encourages
the mind to wander away from the task at hand) I find from the
Taxpayers Alliance’s “Bumper Book of Government Waste” that the Royal
Family is actually a net earner for the nation. All this useful
information just a click away, two of my prejudices buried and for
the newsletter, another afternoon lost!
To make this experience more interactive, I would like your questions
relating to any aspect of community land ownership, and I’ll seek out
the answers from the respective experts. It will also give me insight
to your areas of interest. Thanks.
Cheers,
Steve
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The Birse Community Trust (BCT) has just had its ballot results for
the purchase of Slewdrum Forest. BCT is rural community trust
covering three glens and three villages on Deeside in Aberdeenshire.
The results on an eligible electorate of 615 produced an outstanding
80%+ returned with 98%+ in favour of pursuing the buyout under the
National Forestry Land Scheme. Congratulation!
Slewdrum Forest is some 410 acres of ancient common, given as
recently as 50 years ago by the Commissioners of Crown Lands to the
Forestry Commission Scotland for commercial planting. The community
which already has management rights over the forest now hopes to
enhance the current amenity and wildlife value, and extending their
already considerable management of the neighbouring hills and
forestry. More importantly this will give BCT an asset base to
support its many other significant projects throughout the parish.
At a meeting organised by the Green Party, communities from Fife,
Perthshire and Stirlingshire were united in a work shop exploring the
problem of community aspirations for land ownership being thwarted by
Scottish Office interpretation of the Land Reform Act. Speaking at
the workshop were Green MSP Mark Russell, Angus Hardie from DTAS and
land reform campaigner Andy Wightman. To date the number of
applications approved by the Scottish Executive has been low, only 11
of 33. There is growing disquiet and frustration expressed by
communities like Holmehill, Crieff and Firlie in their attempts at
using the right-to buy legislation. This is being blocked by what can
only be described as over zealous and obstructing interpretations of
the law from Scottish Executive officials using their discretionary
powers. Download the full press release of the meeting from the
Green Party
The Scottish Land Fund (SLF) is in its final death throes with 10th
March being the final closing date for applications. The SLF
Directors will then meet at the end of March for the final allocation
of grants. The remaining pot stands at more than £2 million but this
is anticipated in being largely allocated. Meanwhile the tenders for
the SLF replacement scheme, the Big Lottery Fund’s
Growing Community Assets is closing on the 27th March with the final
decision for successful tenders on the 7th April. The Growing
Community Assets scheme is to be up and running for the 1st May. The
3-year scheme has an overall budget of £50 million.
The potential Breakish community buyout in Skye has seen its ballot
postponed yet again. The Highland Council and the Community Land Unit
are unwilling to support the ballot process as it stands due to the
two vehemently opposing sides not agreeing on several key issues
regarding the conduct of the ballot process. For the background story
visit the West Highland Free Press.
The Glenelg-Kylerhea ferry, Skye’s oldest ferry crossing, is being
given up by the retiring ferryman. The Glenelg and Arnisdale Trust
put together a funding and support package to pursue a community
buyout but ultimately lacked wide community support perhaps concerned
about the economic viability due to the change in the Skye bridge
toll regime. Now an independent group has been formed, the Kylerhea
and Glenelg ferry group will revisit the opportunity with the same
funding and support package, and a further year of ferry operation
under a toll-free Skye bridge to reassess the proposal.
The latest community group attempting to secure land under the
community right-to-buy has had its application declined. Pro Market
Park Ltd, a community group in Crieff, had attempted to register a
popularly-used 7 acre public space to secure its present usage, as
the Crieff Highland games site and for other community use. The
present owners, Crieff Highland Gathering were to sell it to property
developers as a supermarket development. This application was
declined as the owners had already signed an option some 3 months
before the application was made. See the Scotsman for the background
story.
Part 2 of the Land Reform Act, our not so radical land reform
legislation, is failing communities at the first hurdle. So far out
of 33 applications 19 have been declined, 11 have been registered
with just 6 of these being activated (i.e. the right-to-buy
succeeding), though 3 of these represented only 1 project. The
remaining 3 are pending decision. For the full details of all the
registrations see the Register of Community Interest in Land.
The Colonsay Community Development Company has advanced the next step
in the creation of 4 new crofts. It has just succeeded in purchasing
90 acres for the project with support from the Scottish Land Fund
(SLF). Other projects underway include the purchase and renovation of
the petrol pumps again with assistance from SLF and HIE under the
Rural Petrol Station Grant Scheme, and Rhododendron removal a
particularly big job on Colonsay requiring 3 full-time employees for
further details see the informative Colonsay website and their
excellent newsletter, the Corncrake.
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Woodlands & Forestry
This years Scotland's Finest Woods Awards will bring winners a top
prize of £500 and a trophy. The awards are given for four categories:
Tim Stead Trophy - for community and urban which involve people with
their environment; The John Kennedy Trophy - for multi-purpose
woodlands where a number of different activities are taking place
within a woodland or forest. The Hunter Blair Trophy - for
silviculture excellence i.e. growing of trees for economic timber
production. To enter state in no more than 500 words, why you
think your woods should be considered for these prestigious
awards. Provide supporting information such as a plan, leaflets, up
to ten photographs, etc that will help the judges make their
decision. Closing date for all entries is 31st March. Entries to:
Simon MacGillivray - Co-ordinator
Scotland's Finest Woodlands Awards
Darnley
Lennoxtown G66 7LD
The Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS)is encouraging local woodlands
to be used as outdoor classrooms, just one of many measures contained
within the new Woods For Learning strategy developed by FCS. The
strategy will act as a guide to driving forward work with primary and
secondary schools to boost learning opportunities in the woods.
The Woodland Trust and Community Woodlands Associations (CWA) are
jointly offering CWA members up to £100 for community tree planting
events. To join the CWA is only £50 for groups; it would seem that
membership pays for itself, you get some cash back and more trees
planted, so why not join CWA now. Download Guidance notes and
application form here for the community tree planting assistance.
A commercially sustainable Scottish bio-energy industry took a major
step forward yesterday. The business case for increased use of wood
as a source of heating and power generation was highlighted at a
bioenergy seminar in Dunkeld. Organised by Scottish Renewables, the
seminar acted as the launch pad for the Biomass Energy Network. A
report launched suggests wood heating has the potential for rapid
growth in Scotland and has significant benefits, including:
Competitive affordable energy; Increased forestry income of £53
million a year; Stimulating better woodland management; Increased
employment in forestry and the supply chain; A fall in C02 emissions
by a net one million tonnes a year. Maximising economic opportunities
and creating real jobs in renewable energy is a top priority for the
Scottish Executive. It is thought the industry could support as many
as 2000 new jobs.
Members of the Ridinghill Countryside Group had been getting ready to
table a bid for Longhill forest, which had been on the market with a
£125,000 price tag. The fledgling countryside group was on the verge
of applying to the Scottish Land Fund grant to carry out a
feasibility study on its proposals to create trails for horse riders
and walkers. Without any notice the owner of the forest near Mintlaw,
Aberdeenshire, councillor John Gibbins decided not to sell, giving no
reason.
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Renewable Energy
The Glasgow Herald reported “Plug pulled on renewable fuel grants”
last week asserting that the highly successful
Scottish Community and Householder Renewables Initiative (SCHRI) is
to be scrapped. The Scottish Executive has reassured everyone that it
is business as usual for the initiative. SCHRI is a funded and
managed jointly by the Energy Saving Trust and
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). A one-stop shop it offers
grants, advice and project support to assist the development of new
community and household renewable schemes throughout Scotland.
HICEC has just published a new step-by-step guide to financing
community renewable energy projects. Designed to help community
groups negotiate their way through the complex process of securing
finance for renewable energy projects. The guide outlines the steps
required to put together finance and includes an interactive
spreadsheet which allows the user to understand the implications of
different project scales and financial structures. There are now 15
community development groups in the Highlands and Islands that are
well on their way to developing their own wind schemes with the aim
to generate and sell electricity as a long-term revenue stream for
future investment back into their communities. For copies to the
guide contact Marion at HICEC.
HICEC has published its first Community Energy newsletter providing
information on a range of HICEC funded projects along with updates on
key issues. The newsletter has been widely distributed to community
groups. To be added to the circulation list, please contact Marion
at HICEC.
Scottish Renewables, the green energy industry forum, has warned that
a victory for the anti-lobby in the Beauly-Denny power line debate
would “kill the future of renewables in Scotland stone dead”.
The forum, which represents over 160 Green businesses and
organisations, said a veto of the power line would strangle at birth
the new renewables technologies where Scotland currently leads the
world. This includes marine renewables, both wave and tide power,
which has the potential to create up to 7,000 Scots jobs.
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Funding & Support
The Crown Estates support maritime communities through 3 programmes:
Maritime Stewardship Programme - to support practical projects that
improve the status and management of the Marine Estate;
Communities and Renewables Fund - supports projects raising awareness
of offshore renewable energy through community involvement;
Offshore Research Fund - supports commercial activities of marine
aggregate extraction, offshore windfarms and aquaculture underpinned
by relevant scientific research.
The latest Big Lottery Fund (BLF) scheme Investing in Ideas designed
to help Scottish groups develop their ideas for projects promising
lasting change has opened for business. It's the first funding stream
to be rolled out as part of the new BLF funding framework, marking a
change to BLF from grant maker to investment funder. With 4.6 million
to be spent over 3 years, the scheme grants between £500 and £10,000
to develop ideas. Funding for projects which make a lasting change
could cover market research, feasibility studies, technical advice
and guidance, consultation, training and development. Projects for
Investing in Ideas must fit within one of BLF’s four new areas of
investment due to launch in spring; Growing Community Assets, 21st-
Century Life, Life Transitions and Dynamic Inclusive Communities.
Harris Development Limited (HDL) has now been accepted into the
project planning phase of the Heritage Lottery Fund’s (HLF)
Landscape Partnership programme. The grant of £19,600 from HLF has
been joined by awards of £12,500 each from Western Isles Enterprise
and Scottish Natural Heritage. This will enable HDL to employ a
project planning officer for a year to work with the local community
and develop a strategy for conserving and enhancing the island s
natural, built and cultural heritage. If accepted by HLF hundreds of
thousands of pounds could be made available over a three-year period
to finance an integrated programme of projects that will also help
provide training opportunities for local people and improve access
and understanding of the area.
The Sea Eagle Management Scheme was recently launched by
Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) with a budget of £107,000. It is
part of SNH's Natural Care programme which supports land managers on
a range of important wildlife sites across Scotland. The scheme will
offer support to land managers who sign up for a five year agreement,
in return for carrying out activities that will benefit both the sea
eagles and their host land managers. Support for managing sheep
alongside sea eagles lies at the centre of the scheme, to prevent
potential conflicts during the lambing season, with prescriptions
aimed at farmers acting as local wardens for the birds, reporting on
wildlife activity in their area. There is also provision within the
scheme to undertake site-specific activities that are considered to
be of particular benefit.
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The Community Right to Buy with Andy Wightman - 7th March
Longside, Peterhead. Buchan Development Partnership.
Phone: Dawn Brodie on 01771 613666
Gigha Marathon Event Fundraiser – 18th March - Gigha
What lies beneath? Regeneration of Portmoak Moss - 18th March 2005
10am to 4.30pm, The Well Country Inn, Scotlandwell, Kinross-shire
Contact Karen McDonnell or phone 01592 840379
Invertebrates in the woodland, the Habitat of Bats and the Importance
of Deadwood Management - 18th March 2006
9.30-5.00 The Log Building, Milton, Kildary nr Tain.
Contact Henry Fosbrooke or phone 01862 842222
Arran Total Quality Destination - The European Small Islands Network
Inter-Island Exchange Project (ESIN IIEP)- Arran 14th-17th March
Contact Lisa Stephens at Scottish Islands Network
Community Energy: Leading from the Edge – 24th-26 April North
Contact Henk or phone 01851 707343
For upcoming events see website at SCLN Events
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For the latest employment opportunities see the website at SCLN Jobs
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Volunteer Management and Fundraising – 14th/15th & 20th-22nd March.
Woodland Management - March 6th & 30/31st - Dunnet
Training for Trainers – 13th/14th 17th April
Making the Environment Pay – 25th/26th May - North Harris
The CLU is running this series of training programs for community
groups, by community groups. These are open to any community group in
Scotland but are entirely free to those of the HIE area. Contact Neil
at CLU for up-to-date info.
The Scottish Crofters Foundation (SCF) and
Highlands and Islands Local Food Network (HILFN) are running a series
of training events supporting the ever-growing local food supply and
market. For a full listing download their Spring Training Days
brochure.
Land users across Scotland can receive a wide variety of training
courses from Scottish Agricultural College (SAC). The SAC was
recently funded by Highlands and Islands Partnership Programme they
are running courses on everything from technology to traditional
skills. Contact your local SAC office to see what course they are
running or to suggest what is needed for your area. The course costs
are assisted.
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Bits and pieces – Ideas from all over
The Development Trust Association Scotland (DTAS) and
Community Land Unit (CLU) have jointly commissioned two studies
Demystifying Trusts - on the legalities of trust status and
Trading Subsidiaries -the legalities of trading subsidies or
charitable bodies. Stephen Phillips has authoritatively written easy-
to-read guides on these subjects. Very useful especially to groups
just starting-off, they can be downloaded and freely-exchanged from
HIE.
Shetland Development Trust is to sponsor an ambitious fuel-saving
project to the tune of £25,000. PURE Shetland is developing a fuel
cell car with the aim of competing in the 2006 Shell Eco Marathon in
The aim of the Eco Marathon is to travel the greatest possible
distance on as little fuel as possible. The competition regularly
attracts more than 200 entries from across Europe. The project is a
co-operation between the innovative PURE hydrogen enterprise, in
Unst, Shetland Composites and pupils from the Anderson High School,
in Lerwick. Chairman of the local investment firm, Councillor Josie
Simpson, said the trust was keen to support the educational and
forward-thinking motives behind the project. PureSbetland’s entry
will be the first to use renewably-produced hydrogen as a fuel,
lightweight body of the car has been designed and constructed
by Lerwick firm Shetland Composites.
Islanders on Gigha who have vowed to restore gardens to their former
will embark on their latest fundraising challenge.
Gigha Heritage Trust’s latest project is to fund the renovation of
Gigha’s famous Achamore Gardens. The once glorious 50-acre site has
suffered from years of neglect. Three gardeners have been employed by
Trust to tackle the huge restoration project. Although a funding
stream has been secured to employ the gardening staff, additional
cash is needed for major drainage work. An 11.5-mile marathon event,
which will include walking, cycling and running, is to be held on
the 18th March.
As a subscriber to West Word a hearty congratulations to Ann Martin
and associates having deservedly won the best Community Newspaper
prize for 2005 at the Highlands and Islands Media Awards. West Word
supports the North West Lochaber communities including Mallaig,
Morar, Arisaig, Lochailort, Glenfinnan, Glenuig, the Small Isles and
Knoydart.
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Apparently John Macleod of Dunvegan (that is “The Macleod of
Macleod”) is willing to offer Dunvegan Castle and the Cuillins for
public ownership to be administered by a community trust for a mere
£25 Million. Oh, by the way, could you throw in a roof for the
Castle, it’s a bit leaky (but not as full of holes as his proposal).
Frankly I think we should jump at the offer right now as he only
wanted £10 million for the Cuillins less than 6 years ago. Given his
inflationary expectations in another 6 years not even The Big Lottery
Fund will have the resources to compensate him.
In all seriousness the whole of the Scottish Land Fund at $15 million
has bought many more communities a lot more land, assets and
sustainable future than that. The whole of the BLF’s Crowing
Community Assets budget equally is only £50 million for three years
and that is for all of Scotland. I just hope that the various support
agencies dismiss this proposal as readily as it deserves. Now if the
Dunvegan & Cuillins local community were to pursue a community right-
to-buy that would be a different story and downright cheaper. I
suspect, though, that John MacLeod will be holding to the Clan Motto
“Hold fast” and has no intention of selling up, just wanting the
public sector to maintain his ancestral pile and accompanying
lifestyle.
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Featured CLI – Borders Community Woodlands & Wooplaw
For the full story see SCLN Featured CLI
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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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This newsletter has been generously funded by
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE),
Lomond & Rural Stirling Leader+
and North Highland Leader+
For a monthly subscription to the newsletter:
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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
North Highland Leader+
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