POLICY CHAIRS How well do you know the new SRPBA Policy Chairs? Here we learn more about the


Under the Spotlight


HOUSING AND COMMUNITIES Chair Andrew Bradford has run Kincardine Estate since 1979 and, from that experience, has made a particular study of affordable rural private rented housing. He has represented the interests of housing for the SRPBA, and previously the SLF, since the 1980s.


Vice Chair Daye Tucker runs a diversified farm business in West Stirlingshire. Daye is Convenor of Killearn Community Futures Company and sits on the local area Community Planning Forum and its Economic Development Sub-group.


Andrew Bradford and Daye Tucker


WHY DID YOU AGREE TO BECOME CHAIRMAN/VICE CHAIR? AB: I have always felt that through talking sense on housing, the SRPBA had the best chance of gaining support and understanding far beyond its membership and especially with politicians.


LEGAL AND FISCAL David Houldsworth, Legal & Taxation Group Chair, has been a partner with Brodies since 1981. David acts for some of Scotland’s biggest landowners and farming businesses. Taxation Sub-group Chair Jamie Younger is a partner at Chiene + Tait, having been a senior tax manager with PwC in its high net worth private client/landed estates tax planning department.


WHY DID YOU AGREE TO BECOME CHAIRMAN? DH:I am impressed by the commitment and expertise of the SRPBA team. I am delighted that we can help other policy groups to access the best of legal and tax advice. JY: I felt able to make a useful contribution.


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DT: I am passionate about the potential of sustainable communities and you cannot have one without the other. It is vital that those who wish to remain and work in their local area have access to affordable housing.


WHAT ARE THE MAIN ISSUES FOR HOUSING AND COMMUNITIES? AB: First, to build upon the progress we’ve made in the last 20 years and get significant material support from governments for the rural private rented sector. Secondly, to ensure that landowning businesses and rural communities work together for mutual benefit. Finally, to meet the challenges of climate change and the coming oil crisis. DT: Identification and mapping of existing housing stock and local needs, along with flexibility and buy-in from local planning authorities.


WHAT ARE THE ISSUES FOR THE LEGAL AND FISCAL POLICY GROUP? DH:To highlight the main principles and likely impact of changes in the law and tax regulations affecting SRPBA members at a time of unprecedented change. JY: The annual lobbying letter and helping the SRPBA challenge unwelcome tax legislation.


WHAT’S THE BIGGEST CHANGE YOU HAVE MADE TO YOUR BUSINESS OPERATION? DH: The integration of Brodies’ rural property business with the remainder of Brodies’ property has produced great benefits, with the increased focus of rural-based clients into commercial and other non-traditional businesses. JY: Training and recruiting more staff.


WHAT’S THE BIGGEST CHANGE YOU HAVE MADE TO YOUR BUSINESS OPERATION? AB:The engagement of professional factors, which has given us access to wider experience and a more robust management. DT:Reacting to the effects of climate change in this wet area. Production has had to be changed to sheep and permanent pasture. Other land uses will have to be explored, perhaps fruit, outdoor rare breed pigs etc. All this is more labour intensive, therefore I have needed to explore social farming.


David Houldsworth and Jamie Younger


IF I WAS FIRST MINISTER/PRIME MINISTER/EU COMMISSIONER FOR THE DAY? AB: I would pass a law that all three parliaments could not introduce a new regulation unless it got rid of twice as many existing ones. I would ensure that landlord enterprises were regarded as businesses for tax purposes. DT: I would issue a directive that every nation must have someone with generational and practical experience


LANDBUSINESS ISSUE 36 JUNE-JULY 2010


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