Project Review Seminars - numbers 2 & 3

A buzz of activity in Great Glen House, Inverness

The second and third seminars took place in Inverness and Edinburgh on 3 November and 12 November, respectively. As for the first seminar in Perth, both seminars attracted just short of 40 delegates, who represented many different interest groups.

It was a feature of all the seminars that the discussion was lively but respectful, and we have received much positive feedback from delegates. I believe that everyone benefited from discussing what can often be seen as sensitive issues in small, cross-sector groups.

I attended all three seminars and although each had its own character, there was a good buzz around all of them. I think everyone learned something from the experience, and certainly left with a better understanding of what the project is seeking to achieve.

I would like to thank the delegates for attending and contributing so much to the success of the seminars. At the seminars the Research Group was represented by: Steve Redpath, Chris Wernham, Juliette Young, Gill Ainsworth and Mark Wilson and I should congratulate them for delivering three very good seminars. 

Gill Ainsworth gathering opinion in Silvan House, Edinburgh

However, the job is far from done and the next steps will be for the Research Group to complete the full draft of the project report ready for circulation to the Steering Group and the Review Panel on 9 December. Comments will be requested by 6 January 2016, and the final report will then be prepared to be available for circulation on 1 February 2016.

Aileen McLeod, MSP, Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform, will launch the report at Battleby on 8 February, and the report will be presented to MSPs at Holyrood, on 25 February 2016.

A vast amount of information has been collected and synthesising this into the final report will be no easy task. However, I believe that the project is developing something of real value and the active engagement by stakeholders is adding a whole new dimension to the work. 

I look forward to being able to promote the final report.