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Gareth Waterson, how about in Orkney?

Thank you for that.

I have a follow-up question for you. It is great that you recognise the need for balance. From data from your members, do you have any awareness of particular areas in Scotland where there is more pressure and more impact from second homes?

Agenda item 2 is an evidence-taking session on the draft Council Tax (Variation for Unoccupied Dwellings) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2023. We are also joined online by Timothy Douglas, head of policy and campaigns, Propertymark; Fergus Walker, revenues and benefits manager, Argyll and Bute Council; and Gareth Waterson, corporate director, enterprise and sustainable regeneration, Orkney Islands Council. We are joined in the room by Eilidh Keay, who is a representative of Living Rent; and Councillor Bill Lobban, convener, Highland Council.

We will try to direct all our questions to a specific witness initially, but if anyone else wishes to come in, they should indicate as much to me or the clerks. If you are online, please indicate that you want to come in by typing R in the chat function. You do not need to operate your microphones—we will do all of that tech stuff for you so that you can focus on what you want to say.

I will start with a couple of general questions, the first of which is for our three council participants. I would be interested in getting your sense of the pattern of second home ownership in your council area and its impact on local communities.

Gareth Waterson, what is the view from Orkney?

Thank you very much—that is really helpful.

Okay; thanks. Gareth Waterson, what about in Orkney?

I will stick with you and tuck in another question. Has there has been discussion in the Argyll and Bute area about whether you will charge a premium for second homes and what process you will undertake to make final decisions? Do you have an estimate of the likely income from the increase?

Timothy Douglas wants to come in.

I will bring in Marie McNair.

As no one else wants to come in on that question, Stephanie, you can move on.