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All Official Reports of meetings in the Debating Chamber of the Scottish Parliament.
All Official Reports of public meetings of committees.
Displaying 1153 contributions
Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee
Meeting date: 21 February 2023
Miles Briggs
The committee has heard evidence and calls from organisations such as Festivals Edinburgh for home sharing and home letting to be fully exempt from the legislation and the licensing scheme, especially when supporting major events. You have touched on the order being a piece of health and safety legislation, at heart. What is your view on that call? Will the Government consider it as part of the review?
Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee
Meeting date: 21 February 2023
Miles Briggs
In terms of the legislation being delivered and applied, would it not make sense for those individuals not to be part of the current approach and perhaps to form part of a future phase? To date, City of Edinburgh Council has processed only 40 applications, so there is real concern from the festivals that the six-month period will not be enough to meet the demand that is coming, if applications are not being made for next year’s festival period. In the Government’s thinking, where does it make sense—for health and safety reasons, too—for people who are going to be in such a property, not to be part of the legislation? Why did you not look at that in more detail at this stage, given the six-month extension and the re-opening of the legislation?
Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee
Meeting date: 21 February 2023
Miles Briggs
As no one else who is online wants to come in on that, I will move on.
You have already mentioned the potential impact of the legislation on future funding decisions and on the rewriting of business plans. Is it fair to say that that has destabilised the social rented sector in Scotland, and does the Government now understand that? Do any of the witnesses who are online want to come in on that?
Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee
Meeting date: 21 February 2023
Miles Briggs
Do you have an example of anywhere in the world where a rent controls policy has delivered such outcomes?
Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee
Meeting date: 21 February 2023
Miles Briggs
Looking at the impact that controls are having in Ireland, currently—which I raised during a previous session—do you think that there will be the same outcome in Scotland?
Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee
Meeting date: 21 February 2023
Miles Briggs
Finally, the legislation requires ministers to ensure that tenants who are affected by the rent cap and evictions moratorium receive appropriate information. How has that been provided to private landlords to ensure that tenants are aware of the legislation and the support and advice that are available? Do you have examples of good practice?
Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee
Meeting date: 7 February 2023
Miles Briggs
Does Gary Somers want to add anything, or do you have the same rationale?
Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee
Meeting date: 7 February 2023
Miles Briggs
Thanks for that clarification. I want to move on to floor plans. I have become our committee’s floor-plan man on this piece of work. One of the key concerns that has been expressed to us is that some local authorities require applications to be supported by detailed floor plans. With regard to simplicity, the legislation has perhaps been misinterpreted. What is your understanding? For example, is a simple hand-drawn plan of a property, rather than a full architect’s drawing, acceptable? I will bring Gary Somers and Gillian McNaught back in on that.
Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee
Meeting date: 7 February 2023
Miles Briggs
That is helpful, thank you.
Gary Somers, do you have anything to add? We have been asking individual councils for their view, to find out why some applicants are told that they need an architect’s drawing.
Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee
Meeting date: 7 February 2023
Miles Briggs
I note the specific call in your evidence for an amendment for Edinburgh during August, as well. Fiona—do you have anything to add?