Local Government and Communities Committee

Meeting date: Wednesday, March 29, 2017

Official Report 506KB pdf

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Subordinate Legislation

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Non-Domestic Rates (District Heating Relief) (Scotland) Regulations 2017 (SSI 2017/61)

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Representation of the People (Absent Voting at Local Government Elections) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2017 (SSI 2017/64)

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Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004 (Remuneration) Amendment Regulations 2017 (SSI 2017/66)

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Non-Domestic Rates (Transitional Relief) (Scotland) Regulations 2017 (SSI 2017/85)

Under agenda item 3 the committee will consider the four Scottish statutory instruments that are listed on the agenda. They were laid under the negative procedure, which means that their provisions will come into force unless the Parliament votes to agree a motion to annul them.

SSI 2017/85, on non-domestic rates, has been laid fewer than 28 days before coming into force; it will come into force on 1 April. A letter from the Scottish Government to the Presiding Officer explaining the reasons for the delay in its being laid is included in the papers. At this point, it might be useful if I put on the record what the Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee said in bringing the matter to our attention. It said:

“The Committee finds the failure to comply with section 28 to be acceptable in the circumstances, as outlined in the letter from the Local Government & Analytical Services Division in the Scottish Government to the Presiding Officer dated 16 March 2017 supplemented by a written response to the Committee on the Regulations.”

I note that no motion to annul has been lodged. No members have indicated that they wish to speak, which suggests that no member has any significant comments or concerns. Does the committee agree that it does not wish to make any recommendations on the instruments?

Members indicated agreement.

Thank you for that. We move into private session for agenda item 4.

11:22 Meeting continued in private until 12:32.