Last week saw a new experience for me, as I joined Anna Davies to record the OnFarm podcast and talk all things Helping It Happen Awards. Luckily I was joined by Scottish Land and Estates' Chief Executive Sarah Jane Laing who founded the awards and Ronnie Macrae from the Communities Housing Trust, a previous winner! Hopefully we have inspired a few more people to enter, it really is a wonderful way to celebrate all the good being done across Scotland by rural businesses.
Mount Stuart Trust today launched a community survey, exploring how those who live and work on the Island would like to engage with the Trust.
The feedback gathered from the survey will inform the development of a new community engagement strategy, which will be published later this year. The survey is being delivered by independent consultant Lucy Laidlaw, who wants to gain insights from as many people as possible to help shape the Mount Stuart Trust community engagement strategy and ensure it reflects the needs and wants of all those on the Island. There are two ways for people to have their say. They can complete the survey online at www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/mountstuarttrust or visit Rothesay Library on Stuart Street to collect and return a hard copy of the survey. The survey will be open until midnight on 27th April 2022 to allow as many people as possible to take part. Fiona Hardie, Business Officer at Mount Stuart Trust said: “Mount Stuart Trust is committed to being a good neighbour and active part of the community. Developing a community engagement strategy is the first step towards ensuring a long-term, positive and constructive relationship with all who live and work on the Island.” Lucy Laidlaw, Community Engagement Consultant, said: “This is an opportunity to influence the way the Mount Stuart Trust engages with community members, so I encourage as many people as possible to take part. Please share the survey with your friends, family and colleagues to ensure we receive a true reflection of the feelings of those on the Island.” Feedback from the survey will be collated by Lucy Laidlaw, who will then make a series of recommendations to the Trust. The survey can be completed anonymously, or for those who wish, there is the opportunity to join the Mount Stuart Trust database and be kept up to date on the development of the strategy and Mount Stuart Trust’s wider operations. To find out more about Mount Stuart Trust, visit www.mountstuart.com Notes to Editors For more information contact: Lucy Laidlaw lucy@lucylaidlaw.co.uk 07834228951 www.lucylaidlaw.co.uk Crown Estate Scotland today launched the second stage of Whitehill Estate 2030, a community conversation which explores how the Whitehill Estate in Midlothian can evolve to make it a great place for people to live, work, and visit.
The Whitehill Estate is situated south of Roslin and Bonnyrigg and centres around the Rosewell, Rosslynlee, and Upper Dalhousie communities. It’s widely recognised for its agricultural and mining heritage. The Whitehill Estate 2030 conversation wants to gain insights from as many people as possible to help shape Crown Estate Scotland’s strategic vision for the area. Phase two of the conversation runs until 27 March 2022 and people will have the opportunity to meet with representatives from Crown Estate Scotland and the Whitehill Estate 2030 team at The Steading in Rosewell on 22 March 2022, with drop in sessions running from 1pm to 3pm and 6pm to 8pm. Phase one of Whitehill Estate 2030 asked those who live, work and relax in the area to consider key themes including wellbeing, jobs, climate change, infrastructure, housing, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 80 respondents fed back. Phase two will consider the feedback received and will ask the community to delve deeper into what they believe is needed to ensure a thriving future for the three main settlements of Rosewell, Rosslynlee, and Dalhousie. There are a range of ways for people to have their say. An online hub has been created for the project where residents can see online display boards, learn more about the process, speak to the consultation team, and share their views. Display boards inspiring residents to look at Whitehill a little differently are available to view at The Steading in Rosewell, where members of the local community can also complete questionnaires. Caroline Bell, Built Development Manager for Crown Estate Scotland, said: "We’re incredibly grateful to all those people who have shared their initial views during phase one of the Whitehill Estate 2030 Conversation. The information we received has been very useful in helping to develop what is a collaborative process. "This second phase of the consultation is equally important, as we delve deeper into people’s ambitions for Whitehill. We will share our thoughts with the community and explain how we are also working closely with colleagues at Midlothian Council, NHS Lothian, and NatureScot to ensure our approach is comprehensive.” Phase one of Whitehill Estate 2030 identified some key factors that the community wants to see including: · A sustainable landscape and community support · A place that we are proud to live and work in · A place with all the things that are needed to bring up a family, run a business and enjoy growing old · These needs being met locally, in a place that puts community and the environment first. People can find out more about the Whitehill Estate 2030 conversation or share their thoughts directly with the consultation team, by emailing info@whitehillestate2030.com, clicking on www.whitehillestate2030.com or visiting The Steading in Rosewell. Notes to Editors For more information contact: Lucy Laidlaw lucy@lucylaidlaw.co.uk 07834228951 About Crown Estate Scotland: https://www.crownestatescotland.com/media-and-notices/key-facts · Manages land and property on behalf of Scottish Ministers. The assets are owned by the Monarch in right of the Crown, and management is devolved to ministers · It was established in April 2017 to replace The Crown Estate in Scotland · Has offices in Edinburgh and Glenlivet · Works with Scottish Government, Scottish Parliament, local authorities, communities and businesses in sectors such as offshore renewables, farming, tourism and aquaculture The assets Crown Estate Scotland manage include: · 37,000 hectares of rural land with agricultural tenancies, residential and commercial properties and forestry on four rural estates (Glenlivet, Fochabers, Applegirth and Whitehill) · Rights to fish wild salmon and sea trout in river and coastal areas · Virtually all the seabed (out to 12 nautical miles) including leases for approx. 750 aquaculture sites · Agreements with cable and pipeline operators · Just under half the foreshore, including 5,800 moorings and some ports and harbours · The rights to renewable energy and gas (including carbon dioxide) storage out to 200 miles · Retail and office units at 39-41 George Street Edinburgh · The Zero-Four development land near Montrose
At the beginning of October I was invited to chair a session at The Scottish Land Commission conference entitled 'Land owners Leading: putting rights and responsibilities into action'. I spoke with a panel made up of Christopher Cassels, from Crown Estate Scotland; Duncan Orr-Ewing, from RSPB; Tom Bowser, Argaty Red Kite Project, Lerrocks Farm; and Al Reid, a Board Member of Action Porty. They all shared details of their work to date and the positive changes their business has made towards being more open and transparent, engaging with communities, contributing to public wellbeing, providing access to land and demonstrating a high standard of stewardship.
A matter of weeks later I attended the Scottish Land and Estates' Helping It Happen Awards, and again heard incredible stories from the finalists of the progressive and exciting projects they are undertaking on the land they manage, rent or own. What struck me about both events is that there is a huge amount of positive progress being made across the sector and although many choose to focus on the work 'still to be done' or that 'we have not done enough', I would like to take a minute to celebrate what has already been achieved! So if you can spare a moment or two, please check out the Land Commission conference session and the Helping It Happen awards as although there is still room for improvement from some there is a need to celebrate the incredible efforts of others! Although there is no statutory requirement in Scotland for landowners and managers to develop a community engagement strategy, community engagement is one of the six principles of the Land Rights and Responsibilities Statement which the Scottish Land Commission is looking to embed across land ownership and management.
The good news is, thinking about a community engagement strategy is an excellent opportunity to take a step back and consider the status of your existing relationships and the way you currently engage with your local community and other key stakeholders. A proactive approach to community engagement can have huge benefits for all involved, creating a positive and constructive environment to discuss the challenges and opportunities that each party may face. Community engagement should not be daunting; it is a chance to create a two-way dialogue with others who also have an interest in the land and the value it can bring. It is crucial it is treated as a conversation and not solely as one party imparting information on the other. There are so many benefits to investing time and resource in community engagement, not only when there is a substantial land-use change in the pipeline but also during the status quo. Let’s face it; it is always easier to have a conversation with someone you know than with someone you don’t. That is why I believe time should be spent building positive relationships in the quiet times and not just the periods of significant change. So often landowners and managers, don’t feel they are viewed as community members, and community members don’t feel their views are valued. Committing time to relationship building can have long-term benefits. Positive relationships provide great opportunities to work together towards local economic, social and environmental improvements. Luckily a community engagement plan doesn’t have to be War and Peace; it should clearly outline the steps you intend to take to build an ongoing dialogue with your community. Don’t be afraid to reach out to your community and find out how they might like to engage. Some people will be comfortable with you only attending existing platforms like community council meetings; some may prefer digital engagement, newsletters, annual open days or community forums with representatives from across the community. Once you understand who your community consists of, you will have a better idea of how to engage, but please consider reaching out and asking how people want to hear from you and what they want to hear. Key Considerations for your Community Engagement strategy:
There is no particular format required, and you can develop whatever you think will work for your business, so why not start by answering these questions. Through my Non-Exec role at Scottish Land and Estates, I have been lucky enough to hear about some of the incredible ways land owners and managers are engaging with their communities. These vary hugely in scale and complexity, but I am excited to see the way the sector has embraced this opportunity and look forward to seeing more great examples of community engagement best practice. If you would like to discuss your approach to community engagement and how I can help you to create a realistic and impactful approach for you, your business and your community then please get in touch. |