In a move to uncover potential revenue streams, the Highland Local Authority is launching an ambitious £410,000 Terra Tracker project, delving into records dating back over four centuries. The initiative aims to extract valuable insights regarding the authority’s extensive land and building portfolio, potentially addressing a forthcoming £62 million budget shortfall.
Acknowledging the absence of a comprehensive database detailing the authority’s vast property holdings, the Highland Local Authority is taking a cue from other large organizations facing a similar challenge. The proposed Terra Tracker project is set to navigate through historical deeds, some tracing back to 1617, and possibly encountering documents scripted in medieval Latin.
Facing economic challenges exacerbated by the pandemic and other financial strains, the authority is actively seeking alternative means to generate additional income. As part of this effort, the Terra Tracker project aims to pinpoint properties with untapped potential, either for direct monetization or cost-saving measures.
A considerable portion of the authority’s property portfolio has roots in various former district, regional, county, and burgh councils. The lack of centralized registration poses a significant hurdle, with most of these properties not officially registered but catalouged in older registers.
Among these registers, the General Register of Sasines stands out as the world’s oldest national public land register, commencing its records in 1617. The complexity of establishing ownership from Sasine deeds, however, is underscored by challenges ranging from deciphering medieval records to grappling with vague land descriptions.
A recently released authority report highlighted the intricacies of the situation, stating, “The majority of land and buildings owned by the Highland Local Authority are not registered but are still recorded in one of several older registers. Establishing ownership from Sasine deeds can be challenging for various reasons.”
The proposed Terra Tracker project, allocated a budget of £410,000, represents a proactive step towards addressing this challenge. The project seeks approval from authority members, who are set to deliberate on the matter in an upcoming meeting. If given the go-ahead, a dedicated Terra Tracker team will be formed to lead the ambitious initiative.
The historical significance of the General Register of Sasines, initiated in 1617 and continuing into the present, adds a layer of complexity to the task at hand. Previous attempts at creating a national register of land and property ownership, such as The Secretary’s Register, with records spanning from 1599 to 1609, underscore the enduring challenge of consolidating and catalouging centuries-old information.
The ambitious nature of the Terra Tracker project reflects the authority’s commitment to leveraging its historical records for present and future financial gains. By investing in this comprehensive initiative, the Highland Local Authority aims not only to bridge its budget deficit but also to unlock the latent potential within its extensive property portfolio.
The proposed team’s role in navigating through medieval records and decoding vague land descriptions demonstrates the dedication required to extract valuable insights from the depths of historical archives. As the project advances, it is expected to shed light on forgotten or underutilized assets, paving the way for strategic decisions that can fortify the authority’s financial resilience.
While the financial landscape for local authorities remains challenging, the Terra Tracker project stands out as a forward-thinking approach to fiscal responsibility. By embracing the historical richness of its land and building records, the Highland Local Authority is positioning itself to adapt and thrive in the face of economic uncertainties.
As authority members convene to decide on the fate of the Terra Tracker project, the potential impact on the authority’s financial outlook looms large. If approved, this ambitious undertaking could set a precedent for other local authorities grappling with similar challenges, providing a blueprint for leveraging historical records to secure a more robust economic future.
