The Official Report is a written record of public meetings of the Parliament and committees.
All Official Reports of meetings in the Debating Chamber of the Scottish Parliament.
All Official Reports of public meetings of committees.
Displaying 598 contributions
Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee
Meeting date: 5 December 2023
Pam Gosal
Thank you for that response, but councils are going through really challenging times. I have, over the past couple of weeks, had the opportunity to speak to many council representatives who have spoken about budget cuts and pressures.
More than 200,000 people are on the social housing waiting list, including 100,000 children. What should the Scottish Government do that is different, in order to ensure that those lists are drastically reduced? You mentioned that you are looking at councils, but the councils are looking to the Scottish Government for support and help. Do you feel that there is anything that the Scottish Government could do differently?
Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee
Meeting date: 5 December 2023
Pam Gosal
Thank you, convener. Good morning, panel. I have two supplementary questions. You mentioned 14 councils. Three councils have declared a housing emergency so far, and many are breaking statutory duties every day. Is it time for the Scottish Government to declare a housing emergency?
Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee
Meeting date: 5 December 2023
Pam Gosal
May I come back in with a supplementary question, please?
Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee
Meeting date: 5 December 2023
Pam Gosal
It is great to hear that you are doing so much stuff, Mr Cameron, but, earlier this year, the UK Government passed Awaab’s law in memory of two-year-old Awaab Ishak, who died in 2020 due to poor housing conditions, to force social landlords to fix damp and mould within strict limits. Should similar legislation be passed in Scotland?
Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee
Meeting date: 5 December 2023
Pam Gosal
Thank you.
Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee
Meeting date: 5 December 2023
Pam Gosal
The Verity house agreement will, hopefully, relax a lot of the ring fencing of funding for local authorities. In this area, do you propose to ring fence the money in order that it can be spent in certain ways, or is it completely up to local authorities whether they take it on and how they spend it?
Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee
Meeting date: 5 December 2023
Pam Gosal
Following on from what Willie Coffey said about what the buildings are constructed of, I note that we need to see not just what they are constructed of, but whether they are compatible with the new regulations on electric vehicle charging points, whether they are provided in an underground car park or one that is right next to the building. We need to consider the application of new technologies and whether the construction and materials of buildings are suitable.
Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee
Meeting date: 5 December 2023
Pam Gosal
You have said that, sometimes, the complainer can be the same, with complaints in the four areas or challenges that you have talked about. How often does that happen? Do you get a lot of repeat complainers rather than different—I would not say “new”—complainers?
Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee
Meeting date: 5 December 2023
Pam Gosal
Good morning, panel. In the past seven years, complaints regarding the services of the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman have doubled. The SPSO has largely put that down to the backlog, which is in the process of being cleared. What steps does the ombudsman plan to take to lower the volume of complaints? That question is for you, Rosemary.
Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee
Meeting date: 14 November 2023
Pam Gosal
Could I come back in, please, convener?