Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee
This report details the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee's consideration of the following instruments —
Low Emission Zones (Emission Standards, Exemptions and Penalty Charges) (Scotland) Regulations 2021 [draft] and
National Bus Travel Concession Scheme for Young Persons (Scotland) Order 2021 [draft].
The Committee agreed to recommend to the Parliament that it approves these instruments.
The Committee reports to the Parliament as follows—
On 20 January 2021, the Low Emission Zones (Emission Standards, Exemptions and Penalty Charges) (Scotland) Regulations 2021 [draft] regulations were laid before the Parliament. The regulations are subject to the affirmative resolution procedure.
The purpose of the instrument is to make provision for the operation of low emission zone schemes. Provisions include setting out (1) the emission standards with which vehicles must comply for those vehicles to be driven within a low emission zone and any applicable exemptions (2) the imposition of penalty charges as a consequence of contravening the terms of a low emission zone scheme (3) the enforcement of the scheme by the local authority, or authorities, operating it and (4) the offences associated with the interference with the operation of a low emission zone scheme.
The Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee considered this instrument at its meeting on 9 February 2021. The Committee agreed to draw this instrument to the attention of the Parliament on the general reporting ground on the basis that there is a cross-referencing error in regulation 4 of the instrument.
At its meeting on 17 February 2021, the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee took evidence on this instrument from Michael Matheson, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity, and Scottish Government officials.
The Cabinet Secretary subsequently moved the following motion in his name—
Motion S5M-23926— That the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee recommends that the Low Emission Zones (Emission Standards, Exemptions and Penalty Charges) (Scotland) Regulations 2021 [draft] be approved.
The Committee agreed the motion without division.
Full details of the Committee's consideration of the instrument can be found in the Official Report of the meeting.
The Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee recommends to the Parliament that the Low Emission Zones (Emission Standards, Exemptions and Penalty Charges) (Scotland) Regulations 2021 [draft] be approved.
On 21 January 2021, the National Bus Travel Concession Scheme for Young Persons (Scotland) Order 2021 [draft] regulations were laid before the Parliament. The regulations are subject to the affirmative resolution procedure.
The Transport (Scotland) Act 2005 enables Scottish Ministers to make national travel concession schemes. This instrument will enable creation of a National Bus Travel Concession Scheme for young people aged 5 – 18 years.
The instrument also amends the National Bus Travel Concession Scheme for Older and Disabled Persons (Scotland) Order 2006 to establish that the percentage of each full adult fare payable to bus operators under the scheme will remain at 55.9% and to cap the overall budget at £226,100,000 in 2021 – 2022. Finally, the Order amends the National Bus Travel Concession Scheme for Older and Disabled Persons (Eligible Persons and Eligible Services) (Scotland) Order 2006 to clarify eligibility criteria for people with sight impairments and their travelling companions, and introduces free travel for adults accompanying children aged under 5 years with severe disabilities or sight impairment.
The Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee considered this instrument at its meeting on 2 February 2021.
The Committee agreed to recommend to the Parliament that it approves the instrument.
At its meeting on 17 February 2021, the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee took evidence on this instrument from Michael Matheson, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity, and Scottish Government officials.
The Cabinet Secretary subsequently moved the following motion in his name—
Motion S5M-23952— That the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee recommends that the National Bus Travel Concession Scheme for Young Persons (Scotland) Order 2021 [draft] be approved.
The Committee agreed the motion without division.
Full details of the Committee's consideration of the instrument can be found in the Official Report of the meeting.
The Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee recommends to the Parliament that the National Bus Travel Concession Scheme for Young Persons (Scotland) Order 2021 [draft] be approved.