Seòmar agus comataidhean

Stephanie, do you have any more questions?

Do you want to say a little bit about why LVT would be better than council tax and NDR?

Thank you. Does anybody else want to come in on Stephanie’s initial question about the connection to the Scottish Government’s long-term housing aims under “Housing to 2040”? In a way, we have talked around it, but there is an opportunity for witnesses to say something, as we have a bit of time in hand.

If not, I will ask a question on grant funding, which Timothy Douglas brought up—I thought that that was interesting—then I will bring in Mark Griffin. Timothy brought up the idea that, as well as having a grace period, we should move the agenda on around empty homes. You suggested grant funding, and you mentioned that Wales has a £50 million grant fund to get empty homes back into use. You also had the idea of a first-time buyer fund.

Maybe this is not a question for Timothy, but is for the councillors. What do you think about the idea of money going to support people who have bought empty homes? I do not know whether it would be possible legally—we might need legislation—but could there be a grant fund to incentivise bringing property back into use, with the local authority somehow getting a percentage of the money that is made from homes after the grant is invested?

Rather than just giving away our public money all the time, we need to think about how we might incentivise what we want to happen while also seeing returns to local authorities.

Great. Timothy Douglas, I see that you want to come back in, so please do so, then Fergus Walker can answer the question on ADS.

That would be an interesting policy to pursue.

Good morning, and welcome to the 28th meeting in 2023 of the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee. I remind all members and witnesses to ensure that their devices are on silent and that all notifications are turned off during the meeting.

We have received apologies from Miles Briggs and Pam Gosal. Stephanie Callaghan will be joining us online this morning.

Agenda item 1 is a decision on taking business in private. Do members agree to take item 3 in private?

Members indicated agreement.

That detail was helpful.

I put the same question to Timothy Douglas and Eilidh Keay. What are your views on the current pattern of second home ownership and the effects on local communities in general?

Fergus Walker, what is your perspective?

Thank you—that was useful.

I will bring in Eilidh Keay, and I see that Councillor Lobban has indicated that he wants to come back in.

Are you going to go for the 100 per cent premium?