Land Reform Review Group

The Land Reform Review Group (LRRG) was established by Scottish Ministers in July 2012. Details can be found here [link now broken – May 2024] The Group’s first call for evidence closed on 18 Janaury 2013.

On 20 May 2013, the LRRG published its Interim Report together with an Analysis of the Evidence received and a Media Release.

I have published various blog posts in response (see LRRG category) and Community Land Scotland has assembled a fairly comprehensive list [link now broken – May 2024]of the responses.

In MAy 2014, the LRRG published its final Land Reform Review Group Report.

EVIDENCE SUBMITTED TO THE GROUP

Since they will not be publishing the submissions received until April 2014, I have created this page where it can be published. Please email me your submission (preferably in pdf format). Email at “Contact Me” in menu above. I am also publishing those submissions already made public. Links are to my server and also to the original.

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION

On 13 January 2023, I emailed the Land Reform Review Group (whose Secretariat is provided by the Scottish Government) under Freedom of Information seeking copies of all evidence they held. On this day I did not know that the deadline had been extended by a week until 18 January. On 6 February, the SG replied and refused my request for copies of the evidence submitted to the Review Group on the grounds that to do so would be “manifestly unreasonable”. On 19 February I asked the SG to undertake a review of this decision and on 22 March, the SG responded upholding its refusal.

I have lodged an appeal with the Scottish Information Commissioner.

I also understand from sources that the LRRG might be changing their mind on their proposed publication date and publishing responses earlier that April 2014.

UPDATE 6 MAY – The Scottish Information Commissioner has validated my appeal and is now proceeding to investigate my complaint.

UPDATE 9 MAY – I have withdrawn my request to the Scottish Information Commissioner for a review and submitted a fresh Freedom of Information request to Scottish Ministers.

On 7 June 2013 this request was refused on two grounds. In the refusal, the LRRG Secretariat announced that publication of the evidence would be being brought forward from April 2014 to August 2013.

On 13 June 2013, I requested a review of this refusal. This review has not been conducted within the 20 working day limit as as of 1 August is still to be undertaken.

On 29 July 2013, the Land Reform Review Group published the responses to its call for evidence. See News of 29 July on LRRG website here [link broken – May 2024] and the responses can be viewed here. [link broken – May 2024]

SUBMITTED EVIDENCE

Andrew Donaldson, Comrie Croft

Association for the Protection of Rural Scotland

Ayr Converses (plus Community Empowerment & Renewal Bill response)

Big Lottery Fund

Blair Atholl & Struan Community Council

George Brockbank

Caledonia Centre for Social Development

Caledonia Centre for Social Development (Kinghorn Right to Buy Case Study)

Caledonia Centre for Social Development (Neilston Right to Buy Case Study)

Caledonia Centre for Social Development (Seton Fields Right to Buy Case Study)

Hazel Cameron