Post by maree on Nov 5, 2008 13:15:13 GMT 1
The housing survey carried out in Northmavine by the Northmavine Community Development Company (NCDC) generated, amongst other things, interest in self-build, taking on a croft tenancy and how to split/divide crofts. In a bid to answer some of the queries people may have regarding this, the NCDC is having a drop in session in the Sullom hall on Monday night from 7.30 – 9.30pm. As well as information on croft land and croft builds, there will also be someone to answer queries on the SRDP and CAGS. Information will also be available on where to look for help with home heating and insulation costs.
Over a cup of tea, folk from the Crofters Commission, including Chairman Drew Ratter and Mary Ross, Crofting Services Officer, will be on hand with leaflets and information on a range of subjects from becoming a crofter to creating new crofts and a number of subjects in between. As you are all aware, vacant croft tenancies are not all that common, so it's important that anyone in Northmavine who is keen to take on a vacancy, registers an interest with the Crofters Commission. The New Entrant Scheme is currently closed so, as Drew Ratter explained, at present there is no formal registration scheme, but the Crofters Commission currently keeps a list of anyone interested should a new scheme be launched. As well as this, there will also be information on the current home improvement grants and building grants available to croft tenants.
For people in Northmavine who have an interest in splitting or dividing croft land to help create new crofts, Mary Ross will be available to offer one-to-one advice and information. Although a croft was once, perhaps aptly, described as “a small piece of land surrounded by red tape” it is also an important rural development tool in our bid to retain and increase the number of folk living in rural areas. Whilst collating the results of the Northmavine housing survey, it was encouraging to find a number of young people who are interested in taking over a croft.
Whether we like it or not, the new SRDP scheme is here to stay and it’s essential that crofters and communities find their way around this important funding stream. Bob McIldowie from the SGRPID local area office in Lerwick will also be on hand to try and debunk some of the SRDP myths and give advice and information to anyone on Rural Priorities. Bob will also have information on the current Crofting Community Agricultural Grant Scheme (CCAGS)
In addition to the crofting information, thanks to Avril from the One Stop Shop at Hjaltland Housing Association, there will also be enquiry forms for people who may qualify for help with home heating costs and fuel poverty grants to assist with home repairs and improvements. The Energy Savings Trust also offers energy efficiency/renewable energy information and fund advice to private householders and the website at www.energysavingtrust.org.uk is a great source of information.
The NCDC will also provide sign post information on Rural Home Ownership Grants (RHOGs). RHOGs are mainly intended to help people living in rural areas on low or modest incomes to become first time homeowners - usually by building a house, but also by buying a suitable property. The RHOG is meant to fill the gap between the maximum level of mortgage the applicant can raise and the cost of a modest starter home. Hjaltland Housing Association, through its One Stop Shop, acts as agents for Rural Home Ownership Grants. The Shetland Islands Council website has a wealth of useful information under the housing section. This can be accessed at www.shetland.gov.uk/housing/ Avril at the One Stop Shop has a range of information and advice for people and if folk can’t get along to the open night, she’d be happy to hear from you during office hours. Contact her on (01595) 741368
If this has whetted your appetite for further information on any of the above, please drop along to the Sullom hall on Monday night from 7.30-9.30pm.