Crofting Inquiry - Rannsachadh Croitearchd

The Committee of Inquiry's work will fall into four main areas:

Phase 1. Establishment of the Committee

1. Appointment of the Committee memebers and initial meetings
2. Agreement of the approach and work programme/project plan
3. Establishment of the secretariat as a "virtual office"
4. Agreement of stakeholder engagement plan, communications strategy and appointment of communications consultant
5. Commission papers on - analysis of changing context; distinctive features of crofting; crofting's current contribution; assessment of statistical base.
6. Identification of further evidence to be commissioned including consideration of whether to review relevant international experience.
7. Website established and Call for Evidence

Phase 2. Engagement with Crofting Communities

1. Visists to crofting areas - public meetings and events,
2. Meetings with stakeholder organisations and networks,
3. Futures seminar for Committee
4. Collection of additional evidence by a variety of means
5. Papers commissioned during Phase 1 to report
6. Preparation of working papers for discussion by Committee during Phase 3

Phase 3. Deliberations of the Committee

1. Consideration of Phase 2 evidence submitted and collated
2. Development of an agreed Vision for the future of crofting
3. Discussion of means of realising this vision
4. Formulation of draft recommendations
5. Commissioning of economic analysis of the impact of the proposals

Phase 4. Testing proposals and reporting

1. Engaging again with crofting communities to test ideas
2. Refining and amending proposals as appropriate
3. Drafting and agreeing final report by March 2008
4. Publication of Final Report
5. Launch event

The Committee's full workplan can be downloaded here.