Explanatory note
(This note is not part of the Scheme)
This Scheme revokes and replaces the Crofting Counties Agricultural Grants (Scotland) Scheme 1972. The Scheme provides that the Secretary of State may make grants to crofters and certain other occupiers of land in the crofting counties—
in respect of specified operations carried out by them for the purpose of aiding and developing agricultural production on crofts or holdings (paragraphs 4 and 8(1) and the Schedule); and
in respect of contributions made by them under such agreements as are referred to in section 47 of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 towards the expenses of providing cattle-grids for the said purpose (paragraphs 9 and 11).
This Scheme differs from the 1972 Scheme in that it allows assistance in respect of the erection or improvement of farm buildings and in respect of other livestock in addition to cattle and sheep (paragraphs 1, 8 and 9 of the Schedule). The Scheme also makes provision for changes in the rates of grant. An overall limit of £20,000 eligible expenditure on which grant may be paid is introduced, which restricts the amount of grant available to any one business over a two year period.
The Scheme provides that the Crofters Commission shall act as agents for the Secretary of State in the administration of grants applied for or made under the Scheme (paragraph 12).
In terms of section 12(5) of the Crofting Reform (Scotland) Act 1976, if any person, for the purposes of obtaining a grant for himself or any other person, knowingly or recklessly makes a false statement, he shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale (at present £2,000).