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Crofters Commission Members Appointed
26/10/2007
Four new members have been appointed to the Crofting Commission, Michael Russell, Minister for Environment announced today.
The new members are:
Sarah Allen is currently a member of the Crofters Commission and has first hand crofting experience. She is an Agricultural Development Officer with Highland Council and is committed to developing rural areas. She has considerable experience in corporate governance, strategic planning, and in the conduct of meetings and hearings.
Robin Currie is currently a member of the Crofters Commission, has first hand experience of crofting through his upbringing and speaks fluent Gaelic. He works part time as a Community Development Officer and chairs the Gaelic Centre on Islay. His work evidences strong commitment to development in rural areas, and he is expected to bring sound communication, interpersonal and team-building skills to the work of the Crofters Commission.
David MacLeod currently runs his own farm and tourism business on Skye, having previously worked as a Principal Agricultural Officer and Head of Development at the Crofters Commission. He has a wide ranging experience of business and strategic planning as well as corporate governance. He also has extensive knowledge of crofting and agriculture throughout Scotland as well as practical land management skills.
Robin Callander has worked Haughend Croft in Birse on Deeside for over 30 years and used to be a Master Drystane Dyker. He has a quarter share in 500 ha of hill and wide practical experience of land management. He has been prominently involved in Birse Community Trust. Robin Callander is an experienced independent adviser on land use and community development in rural Scotland with a strong strategic knowledge and understanding of crofting. He was a member of the Deer Commission for Scotland 1999-2002.
The appointments for Sarah Allen and Robin Currie will run from 1 November 2007 to 30 April 2010. The appointments for David MacLeod and Robin Callander will run from 1 November 2007 to 30 April 2011.
None of the appointees hold any other Ministerial appointments.
These posts are part-time and attract a remuneration of £7,087 for a time commitment of four days per month.
The Crofters Commission is a public body established by the Crofters (Scotland) Act 1955 to re-organise, regulate and develop crofting, to promote the interests of crofters, to review all matters relating to crofting and to advise Ministers on crofting matters. This is a challenging time for the Commission with the additional task of implementing the Crofting Reform etc Act 2007 as they await the outcome of the Committee of Inquiry on Crofting.
These Ministerial public appointments were made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments in Scotland's Code of Practice.
All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees' political activity (if there is any to be declared) to be made public.
Mr Currie has declared that he currently holds political office as a Scottish Liberal Democrat member of Argyll and Bute Council.
Ms Allen, Mr Callander and Mr MacLeod have declared no political activities within the last five years.