Bringing Ultra-long Leases To An End

Legislation to complete a programme of property law reform in Scotland was published today.

The Long Leases (Scotland) Bill will bring an end to ultra-long leases (let for more than 175 years and with more than 100 years to run) by converting them to ownership.

The Bill forms part of a programme of property law reform put forward by the Scottish Law Commission. This included the reform of feudal tenure through the Abolition of Feudal Tenure etc (Scotland) Act 2000.

The Bill will:

• Convert ultra-long leases to ownership
• Implement a Scottish Law Commission report, part of their series on property law reform
• Protect landlords' rights by providing for compensation
• Clarify the position for lenders (e.g. mortgage providers)
• Move away from an unnecessarily complex form of land tenure

Environment Minister Stewart Stevenson said:

"This Bill will simplify Scotland's land tenure system. Ultra-long leases are so long that the tenant is, in effect, the owner in all but name. This legislation will simplify property law and convert virtual ownership into actual ownership."Because these leases are so rare, lenders and solicitors may be unfamiliar with them. This legislation will, therefore, resolve any confusion for mortgage purposes.

"Landlords will also be able to claim compensation but this will reflect the low rates of rent paid, with average compensation expected to be in the region of £200.

"Implementing the Scottish Law Commission report will help to further modernise Scotland's property law and bring it into the 21st century."

The Scottish Government estimates that there are around 9,000 ultra-long leases in Scotland. Two thirds of ultra-long leases have annual rents of £5 or less.

Stevenson Sign The Pledge For Prostate Cancer

Banffshire & Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson has expressed his backing for reduced inequalities and improved prostate cancer services in Scotland by signing The Pledge for Prostate Cancer.

The Prostate Cancer Charity Scotland has set out five pledges that MSPs can make to show their support for people affected by prostate cancer, and is delighted to have secured widespread cross party support for the initiative.

Stewart Stevenson said:

“Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in Scotland. 2,700 men in Scotland are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year and 19,000 are currently living with the disease. Two men die of prostate cancer every day.

“Despite this there is still considerable scope to improve the treatment, support and choices available to men diagnosed with prostate cancer - as well as improving the public’s knowledge of some of the issues faced by those affected by it. That’s why I am delighted to sign The Pledge for Prostate Cancer and help The Prostate Cancer Charity fight for a world where lives are no longer limited by the disease.”

Ann Ferguson, Head of Scotland Operations at The Prostate Cancer Charity, said:

“It is fantastic that Stewart Stevenson is showing his support for men and their families affected by prostate cancer. We hope many more politicians will follow suit and back the pledge to ensure prostate cancer remains firmly in the spotlight over the course of this parliament, and that the improvements we are calling for make the transition from proposal to reality.”

A recent survey of men diagnosed with prostate cancer that found that 85 per cent had experienced symptoms for more than a month before contacting a health professional, with almost half of this group (41 per cent) waiting for more than a year before seeking medical advice.*

Anyone concerned about prostate cancer can call The Prostate Cancer Charity's free and confidential Helpline on 0800 074 8383. The Helpline is staffed by specialist nurses and is open from 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday and Wednesdays from 7pm - 9pm. Alternatively please visit www.prostate-cancer.org.uk.

New Year New Era For Crofting

The starting gun for the first ever crofting elections was fired today (January 5) with the official publication of the Notice of Elections.

For the first time, six people will be democratically elected by Scotland's crofting community to represent their interests. The remaining three spaces are to be filled by Ministerial appointment, today announced as Susan Walker, William Swann and Sandy Cross.

The postal ballot for the further six members will take place in March 2012 with the count on March 16. The official change from the current Crofters Commission to the Crofting Commission will then come into effect on April 1, 2012.

Environment Minister Stewart Stevenson said:

"I am delighted to announce the appointment of Susan, William and Sandy who will bring a great deal of knowledge, experience and drive to the Crofting Commission at this very important time for crofting.

"Crofting is the very fabric of many of our rural communities, and has inspired songs, literature and art for hundreds of years. The Scottish Government wants to give crofters a voice to determine their own future and these first ever Crofting Commission elections are a solid step down that road.

"Crofting has defined cultural shifts in our history. Today marks another historic moment - when Scotland's crofters get a seat at the table to make decisions that affect their future.

"The Scottish Government believes crofts that are occupied and worked can be the biggest contribution to the sustainable economic growth and development of our crofting communities. Having an effective regulator is a vital part of achieving that aim."

Eleanor Arthur, Shetland Crofter and Chair of the Scottish Crofting Federation, said:

"The crofting elections are an exciting development for crofting as crofters will be able to directly influence how crofting is regulated in the future. I would encourage all crofters who are eligible to vote to make sure the commission have the correct details for them so that they receive a ballot paper. They should also consider standing for election and they should certainly encircle their vote."

The Highland Council's Chief Executive Alistair Dodds is the Returning Officer for the 2012 crofting elections. Mr Dodds said:

"This landmark election is a great opportunity for crofters to engage with the decisions that affect them. There are many able people within crofting communities from Shetland to Argyll and I hope to see many coming forward and running for the six positions on the board."

The deadline for submitting changes to the Register of Crofts, which will be used to compile the crofting electoral role, is January 19 2012.

Voting is restricted to one vote per croft and to one vote per crofter: a multiple occupancy croft must nominate one voter, and a crofter with multiple crofts is only eligible for one vote.

Notice of the crofting elections was given by the Returning Officer for the election, Mr Alistair Dodds, Chief Executive of The Highland Council.

The elections will be conducted using a postal ballot with ballot papers being issued on February 27 and the count taking place in Inverness at The Highland Council Headquarters on Friday March 16.

The deadline for returning candidate nomination papers and application papers for proxy and absent votes is Thursday January 26.

For further information on the election and to check your details on the register of crofts, please contact the Crofting Commission on 01463 663 439 or email: elections@crofterscommission.org.uk

The Scottish Government provides financial support to crofters through the Croft House Grant Scheme, the Crofting Counties Agricultural Grant Scheme, and the Crofter Cattle Improvement Scheme.