MSPs call for action over Crofting Commission failings

"Significant and persistent weaknesses in leadership and governance arrangements" have seen the Crofting Commission fall below the standards expected of a public body, according to a committee of MSPs.

In a report published today, Holyrood’s Public Audit Committee says it is extremely concerned that these failures, identified by Audit Scotland run a report last autumn, resulted in a breakdown of trust at the Commission.

The MSPs state that neither the Scottish Government nor the Crofting Commission acted to address serious concerns first raised in an independent external governance review requested by ministers in 2016. These included differences of opinion and a lack of shared objectives amongst Commissioners.

They also highlight a lack of clarity of roles and responsibilities which led to weaknesses in its business planning and a breakdown of trust in the last year between the chief executive and the board. A vote of no confidence in the chief executive was withdrawn late last year following a change of convener along with changes in and clarification of roles.

The committee is dismayed that performance issues concerning the former convener, identified by the Auditor General, were not detected and acted on by ministers at the time. They call on the Scottish Government to confirm that effective oversight and monitoring arrangements are now in place.

A further concern raised relates to the Commission’s comments that ongoing tensions exist with the Scottish Government as a result of the Commission being asked to retrospectively agree and implement actions in the National Development Plan for Crofting.

Committee convener Richard Leonard MSP commented: "It is incredibly disappointing that neither the Scottish Government nor the Crofting Commission took sufficient action to avoid the recurrence of serious concerns first highlighted as far back as 2016.

"The committee remains gravely concerned that these issues will continue to recur unless, this time, lessons are learned and learned fast.

"We welcome the fact that there is now an action plan in place to turn things around but what we are also demanding is a culture change."

He added: "When the new board is elected next month, it must forge strong relationships with the Scottish Government and steer clear of the day to day running of the Commission – instead focusing on being transparent, open and accountable to the crofting communities they serve."