What has been decided in the light of the recent consultation on the Policy and Financial Management Review of the Crofters Commission.

The recent review identified the need for modernising the Commission's constitutional arrangements, to meet new standards of public accountability, by converting the Commission into a modern NDPB or into an Agency. In the light of the balance of views expressed in the responses received, and following discussions with the Crofters Commission, I have concluded that the NDPB model is the appropriate one. When we have the opportunity we shall legislate to recast the Crofters Commission with a modernised Board structure and its own staff and budget. There will be scope for existing staff to opt to keep their current civil service status and to remain in post on a secondment basis. These are technical changes that will not change the essential character of the Commission.The other issue was whether the Commission's development functions should be integrated with other support from Highlands and Islands Enterprise. The consultation process has demonstrated a strong preference for maintaining separate specialist support for crofters, and accordingly I am content that these functions stay with the Commission. At the same time, however, I expect the Commission and HIE to work increasingly closely together.