Seòmar agus comataidhean

Thanks for that, Gail. I have some questions about the £1.3 billion that will be transferred to local government from other portfolios during 2022-23. I know that there has been a long-standing request for some of the consequentials that relate to social care to go to local government, as opposed to always going to health. Is that money welcomed? To what extent will that be ring fenced? Is that the right thing to do? How does that work in practice, if that money is coming from other portfolios into local government?

I refer everyone to my entry in the register of members’ interests: I am still a serving councillor on East Ayrshire Council.

Nicola Robison from Police Scotland told the committee on 14 December that Police Scotland is broadly supportive of the licensing scheme and welcomes the inclusion of the fit and proper person test to ensure the safeguarding of guests and neighbours. She told the committee about criminal exploitation arising from a lack of regulation. Do you recognise the risk of criminal activity? How would the licensing scheme help to combat that?

Can you reassure us that the licensing authorities will not be able to use the licensing scheme as a means of revenue generation and that fees applied will cover their own costs only? Can you confirm that you will provide guidance—we have already heard a lot about that—to licensing authorities on parameters for setting the fees, and on other issues that require local flexibility? As you have already said, local authorities know their communities best.

Tourism stakeholders have raised concerns about the application process being a de facto ban. They alluded to what is happening in Dublin where there is uncertainty about whether the licensing renewal process might stymie their business. How would you respond to those concerns? Are they well founded?

It is clear to me that local authorities must balance the needs and concerns of the communities that they serve with the needs of the wider tourism sector and owners of local short-term let accommodation. Although short-term lets are a flexible option for individuals, we must balance that with the issue of overall safety, the loss of residential housing stock, the antisocial behaviour that we have seen and the potential for criminal activity to occur, while creating a level playing field across the sector.

On balance, I do not think that a licensing scheme would be overly onerous, and I propose that we agree to the motion.

Thank you. That last comment was particularly helpful, Andrew.

Before I ask my questions, I refer members to my entry in the register of members’ interests. I am still a serving councillor at East Ayrshire Council.

My first question is directed at Chief Inspector Nicola Robison and Andrew Mitchell. The committee has heard that powers already exist to deal with the illegal or antisocial behaviour that is associated with a small number of short-term lets. Have those powers proved to be effective in practice? I am thinking particularly of the evidence in Police Scotland’s letter. I am concerned about the possibility of women being trafficked across the country into prostitution; I am also worried about county lines drugs activities as well as the potential for puppy farming.

I think that the committee would appreciate it if you sent us the evidence that you provided to the Government.

The committee has heard concerns that local authorities might not have sufficient staffing or resourcing to effectively administer the licensing scheme or to take prompt enforcement action. Do you share those concerns? If so, how could they be best overcome? I direct that to Tony Cain and then to Andrew Mitchell.

I have a question for David Weston. It has been argued that traditional B and Bs should be exempt from any such licensing scheme. How would that be done in practice? It could create a loophole whereby people could provide breakfasts in order to avoid the need to obtain a licence.

I refer everyone to my entry in the register of members’ interests. I am a councillor on East Ayrshire Council.

What are your views on the changes that have been made to the draft licensing order since the version that was presented to our predecessor committee in February?