Parliamentary questions
Sarah Boyack
2,373 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
27 Apr 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it expects the energy efficiency action plan to contribute to its target for reducing emissions by 2010.
Answer · Jim Mather: The Energy Efficiency Action Plan is due to be published before the end of 2009. A number of actions which will be included in the plan are already in operation, or due for launch during the course of this year. These actions are expected to contribute to the…
22 Apr 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what evidence it is aware of that some landlords may be evading houses in multiple occupation licensing requirements by claiming that properties are being let on a short-term basis and that tenants have principal residences elsewhere.
Answer · Alex Neil: Local authority officials, at a meeting of the Scottish Houses in Multiple Occupation Networking Group and in direct contact, have informed the Scottish Government of concerns, based on their experience, that some landlords may be evading the requirements for…
22 Apr 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-22155 by Alex Neil on 9 April 2009, whether it considers that holiday lets are covered under Part 7 of the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004.
Answer · Alex Neil: Part 7 of the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004 (the 2004 Act) provides that a local authority can issue an Antisocial Behaviour Notice (ABN) on the landlord of a relevant house where the tenant or occupant is engaging in antisocial behaviour. We …
22 Apr 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-22158 by Alex Neil on 19 March 2009, what it would define as a genuine holiday let.
Answer · Alex Neil: Within the context of the licensing of houses in multiple occupation, if there were to be any changes to the definition of a licensable property, a legal definition of a holiday let would be drafted if that proved necessary to distinguish such a property from…
22 Apr 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive which of the issues in relation to antisocial behaviour and the licensing process for houses in multiple occupation highlighted by Sarah Boyack MSP in her speech on the antisocial behaviour framework on 2 April 2009 (Official Report c. 16538) it considers need to be addressed and what act…
Answer · Alex Neil: In her speech on 2 April 2009, Sarah Boyack MSP referred to an alleged loophole in the licensing process for houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), because that regulatory regime does not cover short-term lets, in which antisocial behaviour may take place.</p>…
22 Apr 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it envisages preventing antisocial behaviour by people using short-term holiday lets.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-22157 on 1 April 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/B…
22 Apr 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-22157 by Fergus Ewing on 1 April 2009, whether it will consider amending houses in multiple occupation legislation as a measure to prevent antisocial behaviour by people using short-term holiday lets.
Answer · Alex Neil: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-23136 on 29 April 2009 All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/B…
20 Apr 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to introduce measures to encourage the operation of salary sacrifice schemes for public sector workers.
Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government''s Public Sector Pay Policy encourages a total reward approach to public sector pay, including non-pay rewards such as salary sacrifice schemes.</p> <p >Salary sacrifice schemes for other public sector workforce groups in Scotland are…
20 Apr 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to encourage people to make greater use of bus services.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Government is committed to promoting the use of bus services in Scotland and over the last 10 years there has been an increase in bus patronage of 14%. We are taking forward a number of initiatives with local government partners and bus operators…
20 Apr 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to promote salary sacrifice schemes for bus passes.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Government Travel Plan includes a commitment to increase the percentage of staff commuting to work by walking, cycling and public transport. In March 2009 we implemented a salary sacrifice for the purchase of bicycles for the commute to work for …
20 Apr 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many research and development posts will be created by the Energy Technology Partnership and the Scottish European Green Energy Centre.
Answer · Jim Mather: The Energy Technology Partnership (ETP) is a partnership of Scotland''s universities dedicated to collaborative research across the energy field. The partnership''s members currently employ 250 academics and 650 researchers across several higher education ins…
20 Apr 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many jobs will be created by the Energy Technology Partnership and the Scottish European Green Energy Centre.
Answer · Jim Mather: The Energy Technology Partnership (ETP) is a partnership of Scotland''s universities dedicated to collaborative research across the energy field. The partnership''s members currently employ 250 academics and 650 researchers across several higher education ins…
20 Apr 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-21484 by Jim Mather on 13 March 2009, whether its renewables action plan will provide a more exact figure for the number of renewable energy-related jobs to be created over the next decade.
Answer · Jim Mather: The Scottish Government is working with Scottish Enterprise and key industry stakeholders to provide range estimates by sector for the number of jobs associated with harnessing the potential of Scotland''s renewable energy resource.</p> <p >The action plan w…
20 Apr 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-21484 by Jim Mather on 13 March 2009, whether its renewables action plan will include an analysis of the (a) types of jobs and (b) industries that will benefit from the actions outlined in the plan.
Answer · Jim Mather: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-23076 on 5 May 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Bus…
20 Apr 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce the qualifying criteria for the energy efficiency programme agreed in the 2009 budget.
Answer · Alex Neil: During his Budget speech on 4 February 2009, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth announced proposals for the first stage of an ambitious area based Home Insulation Scheme supported by £15 million of new government funding in 2009-10 plus …
20 Apr 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce details of the selection of areas for the energy efficiency programme agreed in the 2009 budget.
Answer · Alex Neil: During his budget speech on 4 February 2009, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth announced proposals for the first stage of an ambitious area based Home Insulation Scheme supported by £15 million of new government funding in 2009-10 plus …
20 Apr 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-21785 by Jim Mather on 25 March 2009, when its “significant loan mechanism” to promote energy efficiency will be available to householders.
Answer · Jim Mather: Proposals for low interest loans, interest-free loans or equity based loan schemes for a range of purposes, including investing in homes energy efficiency measures, will come forward later in the year.</p>
20 Apr 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-21785 by Jim Mather on 25 March 2009, when its proposals for a “significant loan mechanism” to promote energy efficiency will be published.
Answer · Jim Mather: Proposals for low interest loans, interest-free loans or equity release schemes for a range of purposes, including investing in homes energy efficiency measures, will come forward later in the year.</p>
20 Apr 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-21785 by Jim Mather on 25 March 2009, how much will be available and what the eligibility criteria will be for its “significant loan mechanism” to promote energy efficiency.
Answer · Jim Mather: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-23072 on 6 May 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Bus…
2 Apr 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-22033 by John Swinney on 27 March 2009, what the energy performance certificate grade was of each of the 78 buildings referred to.
Answer · John Swinney: Legislation on the energy performance of buildings was introduced under the Energy Performance of Buildings (Scotland) Regulations 2008 as a result of an EU Directive. This legislation came into force for existing buildings on 4 January 2009. Energy performan…
2 Apr 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-22032 by John Swinney on 27 March 2009, what the energy performance certificate grade was of each of the six buildings referred to.
Answer · John Swinney: Legislation on the energy performance of buildings was introduced under the Energy Performance of Buildings (Scotland) Regulations 2008 as a result of an EU Directive. This legislation came into force for existing buildings on 4 January 2009. I refer the memb…
2 Apr 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it agrees with the head of the European Environment Agency that tougher targets are needed before the end of this year to avert catastrophic climate change.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: If dangerous climate change is to be averted it is imperative that ambitious commitments and actions to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions are agreed at the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change conference in Copenhagen in December.</p> <p >The 80% e…
24 Mar 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what it regards as the maximum desirable occupation standards for rented accommodation.
Answer · Alex Neil: The statutory definition of overcrowding is contained in Part VII of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987. Local authorities have various powers and duties in relation to overcrowded houses and their occupants, including carrying out inspections to identify overcr…
24 Mar 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has considered amending houses in multiple occupation legislation to include short-term holiday lets.
Answer · Alex Neil: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-22158 on 30 March 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/…
24 Mar 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how standards for rented accommodation should be enforced.
Answer · Alex Neil: The Scottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) was introduced in 2004 to give Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) and Local Authorities a minimum standard to aim for in improving housing stock. All social landlords are expected to produce Standard Delivery Plans…
24 Mar 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether holiday lets are liable for council tax and business rates.
Answer · Alex Neil: Properties which are made available for letting on a commercial basis for 140 days or more in a year (or where the intention is to make them available) may be liable for business rates and if not, they will be liable for council tax.</p>
24 Mar 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what correspondence it has exchanged with the City of Edinburgh Council regarding the operation of houses in multiple occupation legislation with regard to holiday lets.
Answer · Alex Neil: The City of Edinburgh Council has confirmed that it does not consider antisocial behaviour amongst tenants of holiday lets to be a widespread problem in the city and that it considers existing powers to tackle noise nuisance sufficient for dealing with distur…
24 Mar 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what research has been undertaken to ascertain the number of properties in Edinburgh operating as holiday lets.
Answer · Alex Neil: There is no recent research to ascertain the number of properties operating in Edinburgh as holiday lets. However, the Edinburgh and the Lothians Visitor Accommodation Audit 2006 identified 646 self-catering properties in Edinburgh.</p> <p align=left >The f…
24 Mar 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received identifying a loophole in the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation) Order 2000 relating to problems being experienced by residents and communities in Edinburgh as a result of holiday lets.
Answer · Alex Neil: We have received letters from three Members of the Scottish Parliament claiming that there is a loophole in the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation) Order 2000, in that the regulatory regime established by that Ord…
24 Mar 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish the (a) dates and (b) minutes of the meetings it had with representatives of Community Service Volunteers regarding changes to funding for the voluntary sector.
Answer · Jim Mather: A three year grant to Community Service Volunteers for its Retired and Senior Volunteers Programme came to its planned and expected conclusion at the end of March.</p> <p >On 5 February 2009, I met the Director Scotland and a board member of CSV to discuss t…