News / Crofters’ election reminder
ELIGIBLE candidates wanted to stand at the forthcoming Crofting Commission election are reminded that the deadline for returning nomination papers is 4pm on Thursday 26 January.
Six people will be elected by crofters to represent their interests on the new Crofting Commission, which will replace the Crofters Commission as of 1 April.
Another three commissioners, Susan Walker, William Swann and Sandy Cross, have been appointed by the Scottish Government.
The electoral area is divided into six constituencies, each returning one member.The constituencies are: Shetland; Orkney and Caithness; East Highlands (East Sutherland, Easter Ross, East Inverness and Moray); Western Isles; West Highlands (West Sutherland, Wester Ross, Skye and Lochalsh); and South West Highlands (Lochaber, Argyll and Bute, Arran and Cumbrae, Small Isles).
Elected commissioners will receive remuneration of £7,440 per annum and are expected to devote a minimum of four days each month to Commission work.
To be eligible, candidates must be aged 16 years or over and either have their name entered on the Register of Crofts as a crofter or owner-occupier crofter or have been nominated by an elector.
Nomination forms and other documents relating to the election can be downloaded from the Highland Council website; obtained on request by email to elections@highland.gov.uk or by phoning the elections helpdesk on 01349 886657.
The elections will be conducted using a postal ballot. The count will take place in Inverness at The Highland Council headquarters on Friday March 16.
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.
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.
Already a supporter? Sign in to hide this message.
