East Sutherland and Edderton Ward Forum to discuss Scotland Rural Development Programme

The next Highland Council East Sutherland and Edderton Ward Forum will meet at 7.30pm on Monday 2nd March in Rogart Hall to discuss the Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP).

The SRDP brings together a wide range of formerly separate support schemes including those covering the farming, forestry and primary processing sectors, rural enterprise and business development, diversification and rural tourism. It includes measures to support and encourage rural communities and delivers the LEADER initiative for local innovation in rural areas.

Murdo Mackenzie from Scottish Government Rural Payments and Inspections Directorate (SGRPID) and George Hamilton, Highland Council’s Countryside, Heritage and Natural Resources Manager have been invited to come and talk about the programme. The audience will hear about the current review of the SRDP and will have the opportunity to raise issues and ask questions.

As with all Ward Forums, there will also be an opportunity to discuss any issues of concern that members of the public wish to raise.

Cllr Ian Ross, who will be chairing the Forum said: “The Ward Forum presents an ideal opportunity for people to hear about the implementation of the SRDP in East Sutherland and Edderton and to raise any issues or concerns they have. I am looking forward to hearing about the progress of the review, and understanding local land use issues with regard to the SRDP.”