Land Rights and Responsibilities Statement review: consultation

4. Implementation and awareness

Implementation of the Land Rights and Responsibilities Statement

4.1. The SLC launched its Good Practice Programme in 2019 to encourage good behaviour, culture and practice with straightforward and practical advice on the Land Rights and Responsibilities Statement. The Programme was developed by drawing on the successful experience of the Tenant Farming Commission[9]. Adherence to the Statement is voluntary, and the SLC has been working to embed its use in land ownership and management on this basis. This is in contrast to the Tenant Farming Commission's Codes of Practice, which have a statutory basis[10].

4.2. The SLC has published eight Land Rights and Responsibilities Protocols to date, containing practical expectations to help explain how to put the Statement into practice. The Protocols were developed in conjunction with key stakeholders, including the Good Practice Advisory Group[11], and have been widely disseminated. The protocols were downloaded over 900 times in the first 6 months after publication and are utilised for ongoing reference by many landowners. They form one part of the SLC's Good Practice Programme alongside guidance, toolkits, training and one-to-one advice and help provided by their Good Practice Team.

4.3. Through the Good Practice Programme in 2019-2020 the SLC has provided support to over 150 landowners and communities in putting the protocols into practice in both rural and urban Scotland, including private landowners, public bodies, community landowners, environmental NGOs and faith organisations. The SLC delivered 16 training events and webinars to 570 people specifically on Land Rights and Responsibilities. Of surveyed participants, 86% identified specific changes their organisations could make to improve practice, including engaging on and publishing management plans. The SLC produced 35 case studies and a range of guidance and toolkits to further support the sharing and implementation of good practice across a wide range of subjects. As part of a pilot project, 23 landowners have completed a Land Rights and Responsibilities self-assessment, identifying areas of good practice and actions for development. Whilst this programme continues to develop, several landowners reported substantial benefits from undertaking the self-assessment, including helping them to identify new opportunities and recognising existing good practice.

4.4. The SLC have undertaken ongoing communications activity supporting the Good Practice Programme and raising awareness of land rights and responsibilities. This has included media coverage, blogs, newsletters, advertising and also activity targeting members of the Good Practice Advisory Group.

Q5 Do you have any proposals as to how to measure change as a result of implementation of the Statement, including suggestions for indicators of progress? Please provide details.

Q6 Do you think that there is a need for regular reporting on implementation of the Principles of the Statement?

Yes/No

Q7 If you think that there is a need for regular reporting, how do you think this should be done and by whom?

Call for case studies

4.5. In the first Land Rights and Responsibilities Statement, each principle is demonstrated through a case study. In reviewing the Statement, we want to ensure that the examples included are as representative as possible. We are therefore issuing a call for case studies. We are seeking examples that demonstrate effective implementation of the principles, or ways in which sector representatives have encouraged adoption of the statement. We would like to compile a selection of case studies for publication as part of any revisions to the Statement and include others in a case study library to provide further examples of effective implementation. If we think that your case study may be suitable, we will contact you to seek permission to use it in either of these ways.

Q8 If you would like to submit a case study, please provide details of a specific example. You may submit more than one case study.

Structure of the document

4.6. The Advisory Notes are intended to expand on the principles and set them in context. The context in Scotland has changed significantly since the last Statement, and the Advisory Notes may need updating.

Q9 Are there any changes that should be made to the Advisory Notes to make it more clear, relevant or reflective of current context? If your comment relates to a specific principle please flag which one.

Q10 Do you have any comments on the layout of the Statement?

Bridging gaps in awareness

4.7. We are aware that there are differences across sectors both in terms of landowners' awareness of the Land Rights and Responsibilities Statement and their adoption of it. For example, many people think of Land Reform and the Statement as rural issues, when in fact it applies equally to urban land, buildings and structures. We want to make sure that all those with land rights know that the Statement is relevant to them, but in order to do so we need a clearer picture of the gaps in awareness. We would like to know if you have evidence of which sectors are less engaged, and any suggestions of ways to reach these sectors.

Q11 Please tell us about any sectors you perceive to have lower awareness of the Statement.

Q12 Do you have any suggestions of ways to engage with sectors who do not currently see the Statement as relevant to them?

Q13 Do you have any ideas for other ways that adoption of the Statement could be promoted?