Scottish Land Commission to be established from November 1

A ministerial order (commencement order is SSI 2016/250) has confirmed the establishment of the Scottish Land Commission from 1 November 2016 — to be fully operational from April 1 2017.

Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham made the order under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016. It will also see the tenant farming commissioner assume their role from April 1 next year.

The commission will have a wide remit to look at the effectiveness and impact of the laws and policies relating to Scotland’s land and to recommend changes, in keeping with its plans and a land rights and responsibilities statement that will be published by ministers.

It must provide resources required by its own commissioners as well as the tenant farming commissioner, whose central role will be to write and promote codes of practice relating to agricultural holdings and to look into alleged breaches.

And, under s.44 of the act, ministers will be required to issue guidance on engaging communities in decisions about land which could affect them.