Dave Thompson MSP

Dave Thompson MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch has welcomed the news that the Land Reform Bill will be brought before the Scottish Parliament before the end of its current term.

Mr Thompson hailed this a great step forward and expressed his delight that the Scottish Land Fund, which helps communities to buy land, is to be extended until 2020.

Dave commented: “The bill will be another significant step in the right direction towards ensuring our land is used in the best interests of the public and to the benefit of the people of Scotland”.

He also took the time to welcome the Community Empowerment Bill which has been introduced to the Scottish Parliament.

Dave said: “Our communities deserve to have their voices heard in the planning and delivery of land and services. This bill has community empowerment at its heart. I am supportive of community participation and engagement, which this bill is designed to facilitate, which is why I wholeheartedly welcome its introduction to the Parliament”.

The follows on from Dave’s recent call at the meeting of the Rural Affairs Climate Change and Environmental Committee (RACCEC) to devolve the administration of Crown Estate right down to local council and community level.

Dave commented at the time: “Land is a finite resource that should be used in the public interest and for the common good”.

Notes:

The Scottish Government has said that it will bring forward a Land Reform Bill before the end of the current term of the Scottish Parliament.

The Community Empowerment (Scotland) Bill

The Report from the Land Reform Group, “The Land of Scotland and the Common Good”

The full report from the recent RACCEC