Latest news with #EnergyandTransportCommittee
The Herald Scotland
5 days ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Highlands has ‘once in a generation' chance to lead on green energy
But speaking at the launch of the Highland Renewables Network, he cautioned that people had to work together to maximise those opportunities. Addressing delegates at forum The Highlands in Focus: Unlocking the Highlands' Potential as a Global Leader in Sustainability in Inverness, Mr Matheson said: 'We are at the beginning of a once-in-a-generation opportunity. 'The opportunity to get it right for the Highlands is now, and the work of Highland CIC has the potential to be a blueprint to inspire other parts of the country - an exemplar in sustainability, by investing in innovation, embracing community leadership and driving inclusive economic growth. READ MORE: "It is incumbent on us all to work collaboratively to maximise the benefits of the development that is happening in the Highlands to deliver a just transition that the Highlands deserve." Mr Matheson, current Deputy Convener of the Scottish Parliament's Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee, co-hosted the forum and led a discussion on the region's role in achieving Scotland's climate goals. It brought together green energy developers, business leaders, community representatives and policymakers to discuss how to make the Highlands a sustainability powerhouse. It also marked the official launch of the Highland Renewables Network, which will enable collaboration to maximise the value of renewable energy developments to communities and the local and regional supply chain. Participants explored how renewable energy can act as a catalyst - not only for environmental targets but also for economic empowerment and community transformation. Yvonne Crook of Highland Tourism CIC and Michael Mathieson MSP (Image: Trevor Martin) Established in August 2023 with the support of outgoing deputy First Minister Kate Forbes MSP, Highland CIC is a social enterprise focused on promoting sustainable tourism and development in the Highlands. It aims to create a thriving, inclusive Highland community with prosperity, responsible stewardship, and a unique cultural identity at its heart. The event outlined the groundwork already laid by Highland CIC over the past three years, including community consultation, strategic regional analysis of renewable energy and transmission development, tourism challenges, community development trusts and areas of deprivation. These efforts have shaped a vision for how the Highlands can prepare for a forecasted £100 billion in transformational investment. Central to that vision is the creation of a strategic fund, supported by the Highland Renewables Network, to invest in economic, community and environmental initiatives across the region - projects that might otherwise remain out of reach. 'This is not just about harnessing the power of renewable energy development,' said Yvonne Crook, Chair of Highland CIC. 'It's about shaping the future of the Highlands - empowering local communities, building economic resilience and placing this remarkable region at the forefront of the global sustainability movement.' The forum included a panel discussion and Q&A with representatives from Highland community, third sector, energy, environment and culture and heritage sectors and concluded with a renewed call to action for all stakeholders - businesses, developers, government representatives and communities - to join forces and ensure that the Highlands' future is one of prosperity, sustainability and leadership. The news comes as hopes that Scotland is set for a hydropower boom fade as giants delay key projects amid tensions with the Government. SSE and Drax caused excitement with plans for huge pumped hydro storage developments that they said would create hundreds of construction jobs in the Highlands and Argyll.
Scotsman
11-08-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Land reform legislation is starting to take shape
Rona Macdonald says the Stage 2 process at Holyrood saw significant amendments made Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The Land Reform (Scotland) Bill, aimed at reforming the law relating to 'large landholdings' and leases of rural land, has progressed to its final stage in the Scottish Parliament, following significant amendments during the Stage 2 process. Over 500 amendments were submitted by MSPs from both sides of the debate and considered by the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee. The resulting Stage 2 Bill includes notable changes, particularly concerning large landholdings. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A 'large landholding' was previously defined as an area of land under the same or connected ownership exceeding 3,000 hectares with special rules for islands (for land management plans) or exceeding 1,000 hectares (for sale restrictions). The Stage 2 Bill makes this threshold consistent across the Bill so it applies to an area of land within the same or connected ownership exceeding 1,000 hectares and removing any distinction for islands. An important change states that when calculating total land size, any land within 250 metres of other land under the same or connected ownership is taken into account. Rona Macdonald is a Professional Support Lawyer, Turcan Connell Under the Bill, Scottish ministers will be empowered to make regulations requiring landowners to produce and publicly share land management plans. The list of those who can report alleged breaches of these regulations has been expanded in the Stage 2 Bill, and maximum fines for non-compliance raised from £5,000 to £40,000. The Stage 2 Bill also gives the new Land and Communities Commissioner (who will be a member of the Scottish Land Commission) greater powers for investigation and enforcement. The Bill introduces two major restrictions on the sale of large landholdings: Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Prohibition on Sales Without Notification: Initially, the Bill proposed a ban on the sale of any part of a large landholding without prior notification to Scottish ministers, regardless of the size of the land parcel. This sparked criticism for potentially blocking small-scale sales. The Stage 2 Bill now permits partial land sales without ministerial notification, provided the area falls below a threshold to be set by ministers through further regulations. Prohibition on Sales Without a Lotting Decision: A more controversial part of the Bill is the requirement for the owner of a large landholding to obtain a 'lotting decision' from Scottish ministers before selling their land. Ministers must determine whether the land should be divided into lots, based on a community sustainability test. Initially criticised for lacking a time limit, the Stage 2 Bill now requires ministers to make a decision within six months. However, it does not say what happens if that deadline is missed, potentially limiting its impact. Ministers will be required to publish guidance explaining how they will make lotting decisions and how these are expected to work in practice. Few amendments were made at Stage 2 to the part of the Bill relating to agricultural tenancies and some elements (for example, tenant improvements, right to buy process and resumption compensation) may be reviewed more closely at Stage 3. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Bill has now reached its third and final stage, and MSPs can submit further amendments before the Scottish Parliament votes on the final version. The timetable for this final stage has not yet been announced and with Parliament in recess until 31 August, there will be no progress before then. Further changes are expected, and if the Bill is passed, secondary legislation will be required to implement several elements. Transitional provisions are also anticipated to ease the shift to the new framework.
Scotsman
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Scotsman
Scottish landowners face massive £40k fines for 'management plan' breaches in 'attack on rural life'
Sign up to our Scotsman Rural News - A weekly of the Hay's Way tour of Scotland emailed direct to you. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The paper, which aims to improve transparency in landownership, includes a requirement for landowners to produce Land Management Plans (LMP) with an emphasis on promoting engagement within communities. Under current plans, if landowners breach such arrangements, fines up to £5,000 could be issued. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad However, an amendment has been put forward by Glasgow SNP MSP Bob Doris to increase this sum eight times over after the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee said the current fine would not be sufficient. Land around Loch Laxford seen through the hills. Picture: PA Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon said the £40,000 figure will only apply to the maximum fine that could be levied under the new Bill, which is at stage two. Ms Gougeon said: 'Decisions on fines would be for the new Land and Communities Commissioner to consider in the event of a breach, and the maximum fine would not be levied automatically. I have always been clear that the intention is for the new commissioner to work with landowners and communities in the first instance, and the Bill makes provision for an appeals route as well. 'The Land Reform Bill sets out ambitious proposals that will change how land is managed in our rural and island communities for the better. Our Bill takes steps to better ensure that landholdings in scope are transferred and used in ways that support communities and take account of local need and I look forward to working with parliament as the legislation progresses.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Scottish Conservative Tim Eagle MSP said the new sum was 'wildly disproportionate'. He said only Scottish Tory MSPs on the committee voted against the 'punitive' plans. The MSP for the Highlands and Islands region, home to a large number of estates likely impacted by the measures, said: 'This amendment put forward by a Glasgow-based SNP MSP is wildly disproportionate. 'These fines if they are passed in the final version of the SNP's Land Reform Bill will now hit land managers with £40,000 for merely failing to produce a plan. 'That is eight times the level of the current level of fines and will set alarm bells ringing among our rural communities. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'It was only the Scottish Conservatives on the committee who voted against these punitive measures. 'The fines are greater than people would get for a breach of the peace or for behaving in a drunk and disorderly manner. 'The SNP's version of the Land Reform Bill as it stands is an attack on the rural way of life and is backed by Holyrood's cosy left-wing consensus, some of whom want to go even further.
The Herald Scotland
02-06-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Land reform Bill: Labour MSP in bid to introduce 500ha cap
The MSP is to lodge amendments that would introduce a presumptive cap on land ownership. Her proposal would prevent any individual or entity from buying, selling or owning more than 500 hectares by default. READ MORE: MSPs backed the general principles of the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill in March. Holyrood's Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee is set to begin Stage 2 scrutiny on Tuesday, considering hundreds of proposed amendments. The Bill has two parts. The first would place a duty on the owners of the largest landholdings to engage with the local community about the use of the land. It also proposes mechanisms to make it easier for community groups to purchase land when it is put up for sale. The second part addresses the agricultural and environmental use of leased farmland. Ms Villalba's amendment would mean any transaction exceeding the 500 hectare threshold would trigger a forward-looking public interest test, assessing whether the sale benefits local communities and Scotland more broadly. Where estates fail the test, ministers could require them to be divided and sold in smaller parcels—a measure aimed at curbing further concentration. She also plans to amend the Bill's definition of 'large-scale' landholding to account for total land owned, rather than just contiguous holdings. This is intended to prevent landowners from avoiding regulation by holding multiple, smaller, separate parcels. A further amendment would stop ministers from raising the acreage thresholds without full scrutiny by the Scottish Parliament, amid concerns future governments could dilute the reforms. Ms Villalba said more ambitious action is needed to dismantle Scotland's entrenched 'land monopoly'. Mercedes Villalba outside the Trump course in Balmedie (Image: Contributed) Despite over two decades of land reform legislation, the country is often cited as having the most unequal land ownership in the western world. Research published last year by former Green MSP and land reform advocate Andy Wightman found that half of Scotland's privately owned rural land—some 3.2 million hectares—is held by just 433 owners, including estates, corporations and trusts. Community bodies, by contrast, own only around 2.8% of rural land. Campaigners argue that this extreme concentration has remained largely unchanged since the early 20th century, resulting in 'localised monopoly' power in some areas. However, in response to the Scottish Government's consultation, Scottish Land and Estates argued there is no substantial evidence that the scale of landholdings negatively impacts the country. They said scale and concentration should be treated as separate issues. 'There appears to be no evidence that there is a detrimental impact on Scotland due to the scale of land holdings,' they said. ' The Scottish Land Commission's own evidence points to the issue being potentially one of concentrated land ownership in specific areas, rather than scale itself. Therefore any measure of scale will always be an inappropriate instrument in dealing with any adverse impacts on communities or the prosperity of Scotland in a wider context.' READ MORE Ms Villalba said:'To deal with the serious problem of concentrated land ownership, we need a radical shift that prioritises community benefit and empowers local people to shape the future of their land, rather than merely tinkering round the edges. 'Today, Scotland's land is concentrated in the hands of the new nobility—asset managers, foreign billionaires, and the inheritors of huge estates. Just 0.025% of the population own 67% of our countryside. 'This Bill presents a chance to change that, break the ultra-wealthy's grasp on Scotland's resources and build a fairer, more prosperous Scotland for all of us. But currently it simply does not meet the scale of the challenge. 'That is why the proposals must include a presumed limit on ownership over 500 hectares, unless it is in the public interest. 'Without a meaningful public interest test, we risk allowing land to be sold or managed in ways that benefit private interests at the expense of the public good. We need a mechanism that ensures that decisions about land are made with the long-term wellbeing of our communities at heart.'
The Independent
01-04-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Our door is open, says Scottish Water as unions urged to ballot members on offer
The boss of Scottish Water has told MSPs the company's 'door is open' following strikes last week as unions were urged to put a pay offer to its members. Workers walked out of the public body last week over a pay dispute, with management offering an increase of 3.4% or £1,400 for those on the lowest pay grades. Speaking at the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee, Scottish Water chief executive Alex Plant said the offer was 'good, fair and progressive', while stressing that utility firm had to ensure sustainability and value for money for customers. 'I would like this to be resolved, I want people to have money in their pocket,' he told MSPs. 'Our door is open, we want to get this resolved, we'll meet any time with our union colleagues and it just is important we try to resolve this as quick as possible, and that is our focus.' Mr Plant said he had not met with the unions around the pay dispute, which is being handled by other senior executives at the firm, but added 'I really want to meet with the unions' to discuss the companies long term future. ' One of the things that I think has been disappointing is that the offer that's before everybody has not actually been put to union members to consider, so the ballot that was taken around the principle of industrial action rather than the offer being put to union members for their assessment,' Mr Plant said. While the company's chief operating officer Peter Farrer said offers in the last decade to workers had been 'comfortably over inflation', while pay changes proposed in 2023 represented a 'huge investment' in staff. The original plans resulted in strike action proposed to last as long as 48 days over several months before an improved offer was made along with a commitment to further negotiation. 'This is a good offer… I would like to encourage the union leaders to put our refreshed offer in front of their members, because they haven't put that offer in front of their members yet and get back around the table so we can have some meaningful negotiations as soon as possible,' Mr Farrer said. Under questioning from Labour MSP Monica Lennon, Mr Plant denied the company had sent 'anti-union' emails to staff. 'I don't recognise that description, I understand that emotions can run high when you're in a period of industrial action, but our communications have sought to be measured and factual and clear and focused on trying to find a way through and that's where we still are,' he said. In a wide-ranging session, Scottish Water chair Deirdre Michie also defended the pay structure for senior managers at Scottish Water, including a base salary of £246,000 for Mr Plant, rising to £483,000 with benefits and pension contributions, according to a its 2024 annual report. The chief executive, who joined the firm in May 2023, was also given £73,000 to relocate to Scotland after having worked for Anglian Water Services, £42,000 of which was for help with Land and Transactions Building Tax (LBTT) on the permanent home he bought. 'We are competing against private companies for the talent that we need to lead us, a very complex business,' she said. 'We're one of the biggest public corporations in Scotland, that is performing well. 'Our benchmarking demonstrates that our executive salaries are actually among the lowest of any comparable companies in the UK. 'So we need to attract the talent with the skills and the experience to ensure that Scottish Water delivers the type of outcomes that you expect from us on a daily basis and for the longer term.'
