“Stronger voice” for community estates 11/9/14
Western Isles Council and community land owners in the islands have agreed to collaborate to “be a stronger voice” for local communities.
The agreement to mutually tackle challenges and pursue new opportunities came at a joint conference in Stornoway yesterday (Thurs).
Half the land mass across the Western Isles is now under the control of residents
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The event was held to thrash out ways how Western Isles Council and Community Land Scotland which represents island community landowners could best work together and maximise opportunities.
It explored the daily management and development of existing and aspiring community landowners in a bid to maximise opportunities for the islands community owned land sectors.
Top issues were the lack of affordable housing, the scarcity of jobs and youth depopulation in rural areas.
Another shared concern is imposing environmental designations on crofting land which many see as a threat to future economic development like wind farms.
Over 50 representatives of community landowners and key Comhairle councillors and officials attended.
David Cameron, chairman of community landlord body, Community Land Scotland, said there a “clear commitment to build what we hope will be a powerful new partnership” emerged from the event.
He pointed out Western Isles Council was very supportive of individual community buyouts by providing crucial finance for land purchase as well as advice and funding for economic projects.
He says it is now time to for a strategic way forward to achieve shared aims to benefit
island communities.
David Cameron said it was the “first time community landowners
have come together with the council in such numbers to discuss how we can forge closer
relationships and help deliver our shared aspirations for economic growth and community
development in the islands.
"We are delighted the council is keen to work ever more
closely with community landowners.
“While we each have different responsibilities, we have a shared agenda for improvement
and by working ever more closely together we hope to deliver more than would otherwise
be the case.
"Over coming weeks we want to build on (the) conference event by agreeing
a shared agenda for practical action on better joint working.
“We hope the council can help strengthen our ability to feed community landowners'
ideas into their thinking and decision making and therefore help deliver the economic
development priorities we share.
Donald Crichton, vice chairman of Western Isles Council
said both sides had a “lot in common such as housing and unwanted (conservation)
designations.”
He said the two bodies will now go forward in “partnership together and be a stronger voice in these issues.”
He added: “If we are creative and ambitious we can be a force for good for our communities.”