Consultation over Crofters Commission elections 13/7/11
Plans to make the Crofters
Commission more democratic and accountable have been unveiled today by Environment
Minister Stewart Stevenson.
The proposals recommend that the majority of the Crofters
Commission, to be renamed the Crofting Commission from April 2012, should be elected
by crofters. A consultation on the draft plans, which starts today, also covers the
constituency boundaries for the elections and who should be eligible to vote.
Mr Stevenson
said: “Through having directly elected voices within the future Crofting Commission,
voted in by crofters for crofters, I am confident that we can build a strong partnership
to deliver the growing, prosperous, inclusive and sustainable crofting communities
we all want to see.
“This consultation considers the detail of how Commissioners will
be elected and I would encourage all those with an interest in how the new Commission
is run to have their say.”
The consultation runs from July 13 to October 5, 2011 and
can be accessed online at
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2011/07/13090620/0
or by contacting 0131 244 9847.
The new Crofting Commission will have between five
and and nine members. At least two will be appointed by the Scottish Government and
up to six people will be elected by crofters, ensuring the majority of the Commission
are elected members.