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Official Report: search what was said in Parliament

The Official Report is a written record of public meetings of the Parliament and committees.  

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Dates of parliamentary sessions
  1. Session 1: 12 May 1999 to 31 March 2003
  2. Session 2: 7 May 2003 to 2 April 2007
  3. Session 3: 9 May 2007 to 22 March 2011
  4. Session 4: 11 May 2011 to 23 March 2016
  5. Session 5: 12 May 2016 to 5 May 2021
  6. Current session: 12 May 2021 to 8 January 2025
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Displaying 1153 contributions

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Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee

Subordinate Legislation

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

Subordinate Legislation

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

Subordinate Legislation

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

Subordinate Legislation

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

Subordinate Legislation

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

Subordinate Legislation

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

Subordinate Legislation

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

Subordinate Legislation

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

Subordinate Legislation

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

Subordinate Legislation

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?