National Forest Land Scheme Evaluation Panel

 

The decision whether to approve a purchase or lease of National Forest Land is made by the Director of Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS).  The Director receives a recommendation from an independent evaluation panel made up of eight voting members chosen for their expertise. 

The panel are all members of the Regional Forestry Forums, and are paid for their time spent on panel business.  FCS provides the panel with a non-voting secretary. 

Meeting minutes

• Minutes of the 26th November 07 evaluation panel meeting (PDF 27k)
• Minutes of the 30th August 07 evaluation panel meeting (PDF 25k)
• Minutes of the 18-19 January 06 evaluation panel meeting (PDF 39k).

Panel members

The current members of the National Forest Land Scheme Evaluation Panel are:

• Priscilla Gordon-Duff (Chair), Chair of the Grampian Regional Forestry Forum and a landowner with considerable experience of working with communities
• Ian Johnson of the South Scotland Regional Forestry Forum and manager of the Ayrshire Joint Structure Plan
• Diana Gilbert of the Highland and the Islands Regional Forestry Forum and a forestry and environmental land management consultant
• Chris Badenoch of the South Scotland Regional Forestry Forum and a former area manager for Scottish Natural Heritage
• Donald McPhillimy of Perth & Argyll Regional Forestry Forum and a forestry and access consultant
• Jon Hollingdale of the Highland and the Islands Regional Forestry Forum, chair of the Community Woodlands Association and community forestry manager of the Dunnet Forestry Trust
• Bill Ritchie of Highland and the Islands Regional Forestry Forum, heavily involved in the Assynt Crofters' buy out and the recent community right to buy by the Assynt Foundation. 
• Bob Stubbs of Highland and the Islands Regional Forestry Forum, independent Rural and Forest Industries Consultant and Chairman of the Scottish Forest Industries Advisory Board.