The Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee has a role in reviewing appointments to the Scottish Land Commission.

What is the Scottish Land Commission?

The Scottish Land Commission was established under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016 with a wide range of powers on matters relating to land use in Scotland.

The Commission also advises the Scottish Government on land reform policy and legislation.

The Commission is made up of 6 members. 5 Land Commissioners, including a Chair, and a Tenant Farming Commissioner.

Members stay on the Scottish Land Commission for up to 5 years.

Find out more about the current membership of the Scottish Land Commission

Appointments to the Scottish Land Commission: role of Net Zero Energy and Transport Committee

The Scottish Government makes the appointments to the Scottish Land Commission.

However, appointees must also be formally approved by the Scottish Parliament.

Proposed appointments are normally referred to the relevant Parliamentary Committee, in this case the Net Zero Energy and Transport Committee, to enable them to make a recommendation to Parliament about the proposal.

Consideration of current nominees

On 15 April, the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands wrote to the Committee with some background to the upcoming appointments process for a new Tenant Farming Commissioner and two new Land Commissioners.

At its meeting on 23 April, the Committee agreed its approach to future consideration of appointments to the Scottish Land Commission.

The Committee agreed to:

• Receive information on the proposed candidates from the Scottish Government
• Consider and come to a view on whether the process followed, and the proposed appointments are satisfactory; and make this view known to Parliament prior to a Chamber motion on the approval of candidates
• Review the draft application pack and any other materials pertaining to the appointment ahead of the applications process
• Consider information on the proposed candidates from the Scottish Government
• Reserve the option of hearing from proposed candidates once identified
• Consider and come to a view on whether the process followed and the proposed appointments are satisfactory; and make this view known to Parliament prior to a Chamber motion on the approval of candidates.