Arran / Basc
- Thread starter Cranhill
- Start date
It's been covered elsewhere on SD and on the Arran Stalking FB page but basically, BASC did not accept FLS' offer of an extension as it was too costly. BASC remain hopeful of winning the new lease which apparently is due imminently for tender (the first attempt being withdrawn due to errors). A number of us emailed Martin Edwards back in April - his reply is appended below:
I apologise that there has been some confusion regarding the Arran stalking scheme. I was unable to delve into too much detail as some of it could be classed as commercially sensitive.
Let me update you and I would ask you to share the detail on the arran facebook page.
The current lease for the Arran stalking scheme was originally agreed in 2015 and was due to expire in 2017. From 2018 onwards we have been operating under an annual agreement based on this original lease. Unfortunately, our operating costs have risen substantially over this period to the extent that the scheme has operated at a considerable loss over the last 2 years. I notified FLS of this and indicated that I wanted to renegotiate the fee paid for our deer licence on Arran as part of our overall review of costs.
In February of this year FLS offered another extension to the lease at an increased price. I met with FLS in March and was told that they were not in a position to renegotiate our fee. It was therefore agreed that the only way forward would be for FLS to re-tender the deer management permission, which they said would be in early summer 2024.
The BASC stalking schemes are managed on a break-even basis to provide opportunities for our deerstalker members and as such are not subsidised by the overall membership. Unfortunately, as mentioned above the BASC Arran scheme was operating at a considerable loss for the last 2 years and it was decided that this was untenable under the current arrangement with FLS.
We are hopeful that we will be in a good position to win the tender whenever it goes public and will be able to offer the Arran experience to members again in the future.
Bob advised yesterday that he understood "that the lease is about to be put out to tender for culling to start 1 Oct" - he didn't say which year but I'm hoping it's 2024!
I apologise that there has been some confusion regarding the Arran stalking scheme. I was unable to delve into too much detail as some of it could be classed as commercially sensitive.
Let me update you and I would ask you to share the detail on the arran facebook page.
The current lease for the Arran stalking scheme was originally agreed in 2015 and was due to expire in 2017. From 2018 onwards we have been operating under an annual agreement based on this original lease. Unfortunately, our operating costs have risen substantially over this period to the extent that the scheme has operated at a considerable loss over the last 2 years. I notified FLS of this and indicated that I wanted to renegotiate the fee paid for our deer licence on Arran as part of our overall review of costs.
In February of this year FLS offered another extension to the lease at an increased price. I met with FLS in March and was told that they were not in a position to renegotiate our fee. It was therefore agreed that the only way forward would be for FLS to re-tender the deer management permission, which they said would be in early summer 2024.
The BASC stalking schemes are managed on a break-even basis to provide opportunities for our deerstalker members and as such are not subsidised by the overall membership. Unfortunately, as mentioned above the BASC Arran scheme was operating at a considerable loss for the last 2 years and it was decided that this was untenable under the current arrangement with FLS.
We are hopeful that we will be in a good position to win the tender whenever it goes public and will be able to offer the Arran experience to members again in the future.
Bob advised yesterday that he understood "that the lease is about to be put out to tender for culling to start 1 Oct" - he didn't say which year but I'm hoping it's 2024!
David Barker
Well-Known Member
Sadly all FLS leases have run at a loss and the members of the said lease run them to stay involved in deer management. I see no reason why BASC or any other organisation should feel they could run at a profit or brake even. They are lucky to get offered a lease as most leases have been closed down in favour of contractors.
BASC is 'not for profit organisation ' so what they spend is member subscriptions. Not sure how many members would be happy to subsidise the few that could get to Arran.
David Barker
Well-Known Member
I agree so the ones that go to Arran should pay a bit more to balance the book,s or just let it go. It is a shame that FLS do not keep this scheme and others going as it is a real benefit to the local economy as was stated to the Scottish government. My feelings are they should have opened up more schemes and all other organisations should have had similar schemes. Sadly the Scottish government are tied to Highland game and must give them at least 33.000 deer a year. That does not leave room for any not for profit areas given to others to learn there trade or to become valuable to the Scottish economy.
This is all about to change as the Venison contract has been put out to tender, I believe it is split into 10 regions. Will be interesting who gets what,unfortunately for Arran no one will want because of the ferry & transport costs.
Who else is there apart from Highland Game .. do they actually have any competitors set up to handle a FLS contract .
One year 'deer management' opportunity arises on the Isle of Arran
The opportunity will give the successful business an initial one-year permission with a possibility of extension.
www.ardrossanherald.com
fixedwheel
Well-Known Member
One would wonder how much they are planning to pay to the successful applicant, seeing they want to retain the carcasses as well....One year 'deer management' opportunity arises on the Isle of Arran
The opportunity will give the successful business an initial one-year permission with a possibility of extension.
David Barker
Well-Known Member
I read the original tender and it was set up in a way that only BASC met the criterion. Look at the amount of time a business has to get ready i am sure this is the same. Just trying to look as if they are all inclusive when in reality there not. Good luck to BASC on this one and i would if i were them tie it up for a few years who would invest so much time and money if they had a chance of loosing it after one season.
Deer management opportunity on Arran
forestryandland.gov.scot
JCS
Retaining the carcasses would be a major headache, it would involve the hiring of a larder and transport, better to let FLS have that problem.
Not much time to submit a tender!?RegardsDeer management opportunity on Arran
JCS
Last I was there a few years back, it was the Sannox estate, we used it after Bob's larder rail & ceiling was brought down by the hanging deer.
Cranhill
Well-Known Member
Thanks
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