Our Strategic Plan
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Our Strategic Plan 2020 to 2023 Contents Foreword 03 Why land matters 04 Land, the economy and inequality 04 Land and human rights 05 Land and climate change 05 Land reform and the Scottish Land Commission 06 Who we are and what we do 06 Our strategy 07 What we will deliver 08 How we will deliver this strategic plan 11 Programme of work 12 Creating the organisation we want to be 13 Financial strategy 14 Measuring success 15 Annex 1 – Programme of work 16 Loch an Eilein, Cairngorms National Park Strategic Plan 2020-23 02 FOREWORD Scotland’s shared national focus This decade must also see significant shifts to over the coming three years will meet Scotland’s ambitious climate targets for 2030, to be on track for a net zero economy by be recovery and renewal following 2045. Changing the way we use land is key to Covid-19, and this strategic plan meeting these targets. As part of a just transition, responds to that challenge. we must meet the pace and scale of change needed and make these changes in ways that This plan sets out how we will support a fair are fair and create economic opportunities. and green recovery to a ‘wellbeing economy’ (see below), helping to create a Scotland which: At the same time, Scotland will be dealing with the implications of the UK’s exit from Glasgow Commonwealth Games Athletes’ Village © Tom Manley • Promotes inclusive economic growth the European Union, including changes in environmental governance frameworks, trade, • Reduces inequality and looking beyond the Common Agricultural • Supports climate action and a just transition Policy – all of which may have significant effects for land use and land markets. • Empowers people and communities to bring about positive change. Scotland’s recovery plans give us an opportunity for change, and bold action is needed to Even before Covid-19, Scotland had started to transform the nation’s economy. The ways we redefine what success means to us as a nation, own and use land are central to our national Andrew Thin leading a shift towards a wellbeing economy. ambitions for climate action, improving Chair This means an economy in which people’s infrastructure, regeneration and growth, and to quality of life and wellbeing is as important as giving regions, cities, towns, communities, and GDP (gross domestic product), which measures individuals the power to bring about change. the size of the country’s economy. The Scottish This strategic plan focuses on where land reform Government’s economic strategy is clear in can make the biggest difference to encourage giving equal importance to tackling inequality change, recovery and renewal. and stimulating economic competitiveness. A wellbeing economy aims to achieve a fair Hamish Trench distribution of wealth, health and power. Chief Executive Strategic Plan 2020-23 03 Why land matters Land matters because we all use and need it. The way we own and use land influences Land, the economy many parts of our lives: and inequality the price and availability of housing, our access to greenspace, effects of derelict sites in the heart of our communities, our ability Land is central to Scotland’s economy, and Markets which work efficiently deliver to meet our climate targets, and whether to our economic recovery from Covid-19. real benefits for society. But market people have the means and confidence We must make better use of our land as failure is widespread, with land being to build businesses and communities. a resource to deliver value for the people sold for much more than the economic of Scotland. Alongside employment and value or not being sold at all due to low We have a fixed amount of land, but investment, land has a vital role in driving land values. Without reform, Scotland the list of demands on that land is a productive economy. Job and investment will not be as successful as it could be. ever increasing. We need to share markets are regulated and regularly reformed, We can make markets work better, the benefits from Scotland’s land but there is a pressing need to modernise improving their efficiency and fairness, more widely across our growing our land markets, the ways we value and by looking at where they are failing and changing population. exchange land rights between parties. and taking action to create and share value that would otherwise be lost. Arkle, Assynt How to make the most of our land – a fixed resource – is essentially an economic It is now widely recognised that question. The fixed location of land means inequality has reached a level that is it is possible for the people who control it affecting economic growth. Dealing to earn a higher return than they would be with inequality is important for economic able to achieve in a competitive market. as well as social reasons – putting land This has led to an increasing concentration back at the heart of our economic model of wealth in society leading to poorer social is an effective way to do this. and economic outcomes. Strategic Plan 2020-23 04 Land and human rights Land and climate change Scotland’s land reform If the ways we own and use Land use is key to meeting some of it may require new programme is rooted in a land provide – rather than Scotland’s ambitious climate governance arrangements to human rights framework. We restrict – opportunities for targets. The UK Committee secure the public interest in must consider property rights – more people to benefit from on Climate Change sets out the way land is used. a critical part of our economy good quality housing and the critical role of land use, – alongside the public interest environment, employment, particularly in relation to As with any period of change in realising economic, social, economic activity and creating woodland, restoring and transition, new risks and cultural rights. empowered communities, peatland and creating green and opportunities will arise, this shows we are making infrastructure, and identifies as do new questions about The six principles in Scotland’s progress in achieving the the opportunity for Scotland to who benefits and who is able Land Rights and Responsibilities economic, social and cultural lead and reform in the move to influence change. We Statement set out how the human rights which the to a net zero economy. Some shall be ready to implement relationship between land and Scottish Parliament has of this will require a change Scotland’s Land Rights and people should help achieve put at the heart of Scotland’s to the way land is used, some Responsibilities Statement rights, share responsibilities approach to land reform. of it will require innovation to guide a just transition to and benefits among a wider in business practice, and meeting climate targets. range of people. Strategic Plan 2020-23 05 Land reform and the Scottish Land Commission Land reform means making changes to the framework of land Who we are and what we do rights, ownership and use, and the way land markets work. It is We are the Scottish Land Commission. Our Our work has provided significant evidence role is to stimulate fresh thinking and change and insight into the reforms that will support about changing laws and policy, in how we as a nation own and use land, Scotland’s economic recovery and renewal. as well as culture and practice. and to advise the Scottish Government on an The focus of this plan for the next three Land reform is relevant to all of ongoing programme of land reform. As well years is guided by our work and findings as providing advice and recommendations to date, together with stakeholder and Scotland’s land and people, in for law and policy, we provide leadership for public engagement. both urban and rural areas. change in culture and practice. The way we own and use land must keep We are a non-departmental public body, pace with changing needs and expectations. set up in April 2017 by the Land Reform This is particularly relevant at times like (Scotland) Act 2016 (the Act). Our board is this when our society and needs are made up of five Land Commissioners and one changing rapidly. Tenant Farming Commissioner, all appointed by Scottish Ministers and supported by a small Scotland’s leadership in land reform is team of core staff. The Land Commissioners’ internationally recognised. Over the last and Tenant Farming Commissioner’s statutory 20 years the Scottish Parliament has functions are set out in the Act. delivered an ongoing series of reforms to modernise land ownership and This is our second strategic plan. Our first broaden the distribution of benefits Strategic Plan, ‘Making More of Scotland’s from Scotland’s land. Land reform Land,’ was approved by Ministers in is a continuous process and there September 2017. Over the last three years The Land Commissioners: (left to right) we have delivered a substantial programme Megan MacInnes, Professor David Adams, is more to do. The Land Rights and Andrew Thin (Chair), Dr Bob McIntosh Responsibilities Statement published of research and public engagement, making (Tenant Farming Commissioner), by the Scottish Government in 2017 recommendations for significant changes Dr Sally Reynolds and Lorne MacLeod provides a powerful framework to in law and policy, and promoting more guide this reform. immediate changes in culture and practice. Strategic Plan 2020-23 06 Our strategy Our vision ‘A fair, inclusive and productive system of ownership, management and use of land that delivers greater We contribute to The outcomes set out opposite contribute to benefit for all the people of Scotland.’ the following Scottish Government