Seòmar agus comataidhean

Management of the Caerlaverock National Nature Reserve is an operational matter for Scottish Natural Heritage. No discussion regarding wildfowling in Caerlaverock has taken place between the Scottish Government and Scottish Natural Heritage.

The most recent research conducted on this matter ( Impact of Wind Turbines on House Prices in Scotland, by ClimateXChange in October 2016) found no evidence of a consistent negative effect on house prices. This finding was similar to the findings of the other research published by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors in march 2007 We are not aware of any new evidence which would warrant a review of this issue.

The Scottish Government is aware of the recent changes to park home legislation in Wales. While we have no plans to make further changes to park home legislation in Scotland we will monitor the development of the changes in Wales as we continue with the implementation of the new licensing regime for residential mobile home sites in Scotland under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2014.

Police Scotland are responsible for recording accidents on the trunk road network. By law the Police are only required to record damage only accidents, and the public to report them, if a criminal offence occurs or there is damage to crown property. Damage only accidents are not recorded consistently or to the same standard as personal injury accidents and therefore are not considered to be a reliable data source.

Through our annual assessment of trunk road safety performance we have identified the A701 for further investigation this financial year. Next steps are dependent on the outcome of the investigation, however mitigation measures arising from this will be prioritised and delivered as appropriate.

We have recently modified the traffic signals at Heathhall in Dumfries to moderate speeds through the junction on the A701 approaches and are planning vegetation clearance in the Parkgate area.

From April 2017-April 2018 the Scottish Government has invested £2,215,639 maintaining the A76. This figure includes all aspects of maintenance including major resurfacing, drainage improvements and routine maintenance activities such as vegetation clearance and grass cutting. It also includes targeted road safety measures, maintenance of bridges and structures and winter service.

The assessment methodology used to produce Energy Performance Certificates for existing buildings does not consider hydro-electric generation as such systems are an exceptionally uncommon feature in buildings.

The Scottish Government has not undertaken analysis of the effectiveness of Energy Performance Certificates (EPC).

In late 2017, we commissioned research to report on comments on the EPC methodology made in responses to consultations undertaken as part of the development of the Energy Efficient Scotland Programme. Within our consultation on the Route Map for the Programme, which closed last month, we are also seeking views on the EPC process.

This research and responses to the current Route Map consultation will inform review of energy assessment and certification under the Programme.

The eligibility criteria for a Blue Badge do not focus on whether an individual has a particular kind of medical condition. Instead, the criteria are designed to assess the impact on a person’s mobility. We have no plans to change this arrangement. It means that people can get a blue badge regardless of what condition they have.

The current eligibility criteria (for those who do not automatically passport to a badge because of their social security benefits) are whether someone is unable to walk, virtually unable to walk or poses a risk to themselves or others in traffic. Decisions on whether people meet these criteria in individual cases are for local authorities. We keep the criteria under continual review, as shown by our extension to cases where someone poses a risk in traffic. In shaping Blue Badge policy, we are guided by the views of disabled people and welcome ideas and representations from all quarters.

The Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Group and Social Bite recently commissioned a report from Heriot Watt University to better understand temporary accommodation in Scotland. This report was used, in conjunction with other sources of information, to support the recommendations made by the Action Group in May on transforming the use of temporary accommodation.

These recommendations focus on preventing the need for temporary accommodation in the first place. They also recommend that the right support and standards are in place where it is needed which will play a vital role in meeting our commitment to end homelessness and transform temporary accommodation. This is backed by our £50 million ending homelessness together fund

The Homelessness Prevention and Strategy Group, which I co-chair, will oversee plans for taking agreed recommendations forward to implementation. We look forward to working with partners on this programme of work.