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Crofters Commission
01/07/2008
The Crofters Commission today welcomed a new face on board following the resignation of Robin Callander on health grounds.
Dr Isobel MacPhail, who has been a member of the Commission for five years, has been appointed to succeed Mr Callander who served for just over six months. In that short time, however, he brought new insights and ideas to the organisation and covered the Argyll area as an Area Commissioner.
Dr MacPhail, whose appointment runs until April 30, 2011, operates a crofter in Stoer, Sutherland, serves as the grazing Clerk for her township and was elected by the township as their Director to the Board of Assynt Crofters Trust. She is Project Manager for the MacKay Country Project and a Research Mentor for the Scottish Community Action Research Fund (SCARF).
This post is part-time and attracts a remuneration of £7,087 for a time commitment of four days per month. Dr MacPhail does not hold any other Ministerial appointments.
The Crofters Commission is a public body established by the Crofters (Scotland) Act 1955 to re-organise, regulate and develop crofting, promote the interests of crofters, review all matters relating to crofting and advise Ministers on crofting matters.
Ministerial public appointments are made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments in Scotland's Code of Practice.
All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees' political activity (if there is any to be declared) to be made public.
Dr MacPhail has declared no political activity within the last five years.