Crown Estate devolution on the agenda

Orkney MSP Liam McArthur and Shetland MSP Tavish Scott will today meet with Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham to discuss the devolution of the Crown Estate.

The Scottish Government launched a 12 week consultation on the management of Crown Estate assets at the start of January.

In 2014, the cross-party Smith Commission unanimously agreed that the seabed should become the responsibility of the islands once Crown Estate powers were devolved to Scotland.

During the meeting, the MSPs will press the need for immediate implementation of the recommendation.

Commenting, Mr McArthur said: “Our island and harbour authorities have been waiting for these powers for more than two years. I will be making sure the Cabinet Secretary is under no illusions about the importance of delivering these powers, which her party promised to do in their manifesto.

“Crown Estate Scotland will soon be up and running. What we need now is action from the government.”