Meeting of the Parliament

Meeting date: Thursday, January 12, 2012

Official Report 1127KB pdf

---

Scottish Executive Question Time

---

General Questions

---

Wind Farms

1. To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to prevent an overconcentration of wind farms in particular areas. (S4O-00539)

Scottish planning policy paragraphs 187 to 189 outline the Scottish Government’s policy on spatial planning and cumulative impacts. Scottish Natural Heritage will shortly be publishing updated guidance on assessing cumulative effects and has previously published the document “Siting and Designing windfarms in the landscape”, which offers a steer on strategic planning for cumulative effects.

On Monday I visited the southern border of West Lothian. The council planning officer who accompanied me showed me three operational sites, another with consent and yet another four that are in the planning system. Will the minister visit that area with me to see how the current free-for-all is losing wind farms all credibility in the communities that are affected by overconcentration?

When ministers are invited to visit a constituency they do not do so in order to assess the preconceived conclusion of another MSP. They accept a visit in order to hear the views of local people—they do not do so on the basis of preconceptions. I suggest to the member that he carefully examine the Scottish planning policies that I referred to in my original answer, to which he did not allude. Those planning policies have largely been in place since the Labour-Liberal Administration held sway in this place.

Much has been said this morning about listening to civic Scotland. I have more than 200 letters in my office from communities throughout Scotland expressing disquiet about overconcentration of wind farms and related matters. Will the minister reconsider the situation and consider a moratorium on future developments?

I am not sure whether that is the official Labour Party policy from the front bench because if it is, many communities that broadly welcome the creation of renewable energy projects—for example, communities in the Highlands and Islands—will not receive those projects, nor the benefits that they bring, such as the increased payment of up to £5,000 per megawatt that was announced by Scottish and Southern Energy just a few weeks ago.

In any event, as the member knows from an answer that I gave him in a previous debate and from my original answer to Neil Findlay, SNH is shortly to publish updated guidance on assessing cumulative effects. Such effects are increasingly a factor in determining onshore wind development proposals and, logically, their relevance will continue to grow. Correspondingly, they are a factor that the Scottish Government takes very seriously indeed.

I call John Pentland.

To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Housing and Transport last met the Scottish Housing Regulator—

I am sorry, Mr Pentland. I thought that you wanted to ask a supplementary—you pressed your button.

Sorry.

We will come to your question later.

I call Patrick Harvie.

Does the minister accept that a greater role for public and community ownership of renewable energy developments would help to undermine those who seek to feed and stir up unnecessary resentment and hostility towards wind power developments?

I think that I accept that point in principle. Moreover, Mr Harvie makes a point that I understood was accepted by at least the front-bench spokespeople of all parties in the chamber. I work and will continue to work with members in trying successfully to promote community renewable energy schemes.

Perhaps as well as a stake of ownership for communities, the best upshot from such developments—particularly for communities that are off gas grid and which do not have access to the same options as communities elsewhere in Scotland—is that those communities will have access to lower-cost electricity and heating bills and that there will be fuel justice, perhaps for the first time ever, in rural and island communities in Scotland.

This Government will of course work with other members such as Rhoda Grant, who—in my understanding, at least—has been leading on the matter for the Labour Party in an official front-bench capacity. I very much hope that that will continue to be the policy of all parties in the chamber this year, when the matter will receive great priority from this Government.

Will the minister ensure that the views of local communities and councillors are listened to? There is currently a belief that any wind farm application referred to the Government will be approved despite the strongly held views of many local communities.

Of course we will. It is axiomatic to say that every case is dealt with on its merits. Each case is different and turns on its facts, and as the minister I will continue to deal with each case under the law, on the basis of the case and taking regard of all the representations that are made. I therefore think that the point of principle that Mary Scanlon makes is correct and one with which I have no hesitation but to agree.

---

Social Housing (Adaptations)

2. To ask the Scottish Executive what sanctions are available to deal with social landlords that do not adhere to the Scottish Housing Regulator’s performance standard AS2.4 on adaptations. (S4O-00540)

I asked Michael Cameron, chief executive of the Scottish Housing Regulator, to respond. His response is as follows:

“The Scottish Housing Regulator has statutory powers under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 to intervene if it is of the view that a social landlord is failing to deliver for its tenants and other service users. In so doing, it will have regard to the Performance Standards.”

Can the minister tell me why two constituents of mine are waiting for adaptations in their homes? They are elderly, vulnerable people who need the work to be done. They have been assessed as needing the work, but the social landlords tell me that, due to changes introduced by the minister’s Government, they do not have resources available and those vulnerable people will have to wait. Will the minister look into those cases and ensure that the system does not prevent those vulnerable people from getting the help that they need?

If the member writes to me with details of the cases, I will be happy to see what I can do to assist.

---

Bankruptcy and Insolvency (Support)

3. To ask the Scottish Government what assistance it provides to people who are facing the prospect of bankruptcy and insolvency. (S4O-00541)

We provide funding for advice through the national debtline and local authorities, as well as funding for the training of free sector money advisers throughout Scotland. The Government also provides access to alternative debt management tools such as the debt arrangement scheme.

The minister will be aware of the recent report by the accountancy firm PKF, which stated that 20,000 people will be declared insolvent in 2012. What further actions can the Scottish Government take to assist people who are declared insolvent? Does the Scottish Government have the full range of powers at its disposal to deal with both pre and post-insolvency issues?

Bankruptcy has always offered individuals who are struggling with their debts the opportunity of a fresh start and therefore a method of relieving the extreme personal tensions and family pressures that can come from extreme debt. Bankruptcy exists in a civilised society for that primary purpose.

We want to encourage those who can pay to pay their debts. That is why the debt arrangement scheme, which is being used by increasing numbers of people, is important.

With regard to the second part of the member’s question, it would certainly help us to achieve all those objectives more effectively if this Parliament had all the necessary powers in respect of insolvency, both personal and corporate.

---

Drink Driving and Domestic Violence Campaigns

4. To ask the Scottish Executive what its assessment is of how successful campaigns to combat drink driving and domestic violence over the Christmas period were. (S4O-00542)

It is too soon to evaluate the success of those campaigns, but the stark reality is that we have seen hundreds of individuals who are prepared to take a gamble on other people’s lives by getting behind the wheel of a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. Those actions are reckless, totally unacceptable and put lives at risk.

During the campaign, a total of 478 drivers were caught driving while over the legal alcohol limit—the figure is 12 per cent higher than last year. Some of those drivers may now have their vehicles seized as a result of the extension of the vehicle forfeiture scheme.

The consequences of drink driving can be severe and sometimes tragic. People can lose their licences, risk imprisonment, a criminal record and substantial fines, and may also lose their vehicles for good.

Strathclyde Police has launched its latest domestic abuse campaign, which focuses on urging victims of domestic abuse to report incidents, particularly when children are involved. The violence reduction unit and Children 1st launched their letter to Santa campaign, which encouraged anyone who was concerned about a child experiencing violence in the home to contact parentline Scotland.

It is as yet too soon to evaluate the success of those particular campaigns.

Because of worrying levels of underage teenage drinking in Dundee, the police have trialled a scheme involving the electronic tagging of bottles, which enables them to be traced back to the retailer who sold them and got them into the hands of those teenagers. Would the cabinet secretary support the extension of that scheme across Scotland?

That is, fundamentally, an operational matter for the police. I do not know as much about the electronic tagging scheme as I do about the bottle marking schemes, which have been used by every force in Scotland and have been part of a concerted campaign to deal with the problems of underage drinking and with those who seek to exploit their right to sell alcohol by allowing it to fall into the hands of underage drinkers.

I would be more than happy to encourage police forces to consider ways of building on the existing non-electronic bottle marking scheme as part of our campaign to deal with the problems that we face as a result of the abuse of alcohol.

Does the cabinet secretary believe that the barriers to securing prosecutions for driving under the influence of drugs must be addressed? Does he join me in welcoming the news that a panel of scientists is to be appointed to consider introducing drug-driving limits across the United Kingdom?

Yes, I do. The member raises an appropriate point. There is a problem with people driving under the influence not only of alcohol but of drugs. Those matters and the powers relating to the law of drink driving are reserved to Westminster. However, we are aware that, on 4 January 2012, the Department for Transport announced that it is establishing an expert panel to consider the technical aspects—I think that that is what the member is referring to.

Although the issues are reserved and are not within our domain or control at present, the issue that the member raises is certainly one on which we are more than happy to work and co-operate with Westminster, as it has to be addressed. Just like those who drive under the influence of alcohol, those who drive under the influence of drugs put lives at risk.

---

Scottish Housing Regulator (Meetings)

5. To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Housing and Transport last met the Scottish Housing Regulator and what was discussed. (S4O-00543)

I last met the chair of the new Scottish Housing Regulator, Kay Blair, on 22 August 2011. That was our first meeting since the creation of the body and Ms Blair’s appointment as its chair. At the meeting, we discussed the body’s preparations for assuming on 1 April this year its full responsibilities as regulator of Scotland’s social landlords.

Is the minister aware that housing associations, tenants organisations and others have expressed great concern about the proposals to restrict people from standing for election and to introduce payments for board members? I am sure that those concerns will have been expressed at the consultation events, although only the regulator’s presentations and speeches have been published. Will the minister ensure that a record of the responses that were made at those events will also be published and that all views expressed will be taken into account?

I understand that the publication of information on activities surrounding the consultation will be a matter for the regulator, who, the member will understand, is independent of Government. However, I will be happy to take up that issue to see whether it can be resolved.

I am well aware of some of the concerns that the member has referred to, which have been expressed to the regulator as a result of the consultation. The Scottish Government has made its own response to the consultation and, if the member likes, I will be happy to give him details of that response, some of which reflect the concerns to which he has referred.

---

Housing Standards (Temporary Accommodation)

6. To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that all temporary accommodation offered to families is of a suitable standard. (S4O-00544)

Ensuring appropriate, good-quality accommodation and support for those who are experiencing homelessness is a priority for the Scottish Government and we have seen great progress. Fewer homeless families are in unsuitable temporary accommodation such as bed and breakfasts than at any time since 2007.

It is clear that councils should not use the least suitable forms of temporary accommodation for children and pregnant women. If they do, they will be in breach of the unsuitable accommodation order. Breaches are very unusual and are one of the measures that the Scottish Housing Regulator considers when it reviews local authority performance.

The Scottish Government is not complacent about the issue and will continue to support local authorities and to work with stakeholders in ensuring that all temporary accommodation is of a suitable standard.

As I am sure that the cabinet secretary is aware, regrettably Shelter Scotland estimated that around 6,000 children in Scotland had to spend Christmas in temporary accommodation. Does he believe that there is scope to introduce consistent standards across the board to ensure that all temporary accommodation is suitable?

The most recent figures that are available from the Scottish Government, which are used by Shelter, are not from Christmas, but from 31 March 2011. They reveal that progress is being made on what is an important issue. There were 4,988 children in temporary good-quality social rented housing, while a small number—51 in total—were in bed and breakfasts. That is 51 children too many, but it amounts to less than 1 per cent of children in temporary accommodation. Back in 2006, the figure was 3 per cent. We will continue to improve the situation to the best of our ability.

---

Ferries Strategy

7. To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce its ferry strategy. (S4O-00545)

Ministers published “Scottish Ferry Services: Draft Plan for Consultation” on 21 December 2011. The closing date for responses is 30 March 2012, which means that there will be a consultation period of 14 weeks. Following consideration of responses to the consultation, the final ferries plan will be published later in 2012.

The test for any strategy is not what looks good in the ivory tower of the ministerial office but what happens when strategy meets reality.

Will the minister fully fund a replacement ferry for the northern isles during NorthLink’s dry-dock period? Ferry connections to Orkney and Shetland are lifeline services, and the local communities are rightly concerned about the prospect of a nine-week reduction in service. Will he intervene and speak today to the conveners of Orkney Islands Council and Shetland Islands Council to allay their fears?

I acknowledge that situation and have been in discussions with Shetland Islands Council and others about it, but it is not part of the ferry services plan. It is worth mentioning that the lengthy dry-dock period of nine weeks is a direct result of the tender process that was overseen by the previous Scottish Executive. I have undertaken to ensure that that does not happen again in the next tender period. We will continue to have conversations with people in the northern isles to see how we can get round that legacy of the previous tender process.

As part of the consultation on the strategy, the minister has indicated that the road equivalent tariff might be rolled out to cover services to the Orkney Islands some time after 2016. Why is it that, in the interim, while all the islands that are served on the west coast will benefit from the RET as part of a pilot, Orkney must wait until after 2016 to do so?

That is because that is what we said in our manifesto we would do. We will go further. The member will see in the ferries plan that we intend to base all ferry fares across Scotland on the RET. Although it is the case that there could be substantial benefits to people in Orkney from the inclusion of the Orkney Islands in the RET scheme, depending on the form that it takes, it is also true that inclusion in the scheme could result in increases in fares to Shetland. That issue is worth considering. We are following through on our manifesto commitment, which I think is the right thing to do.

---

Blue Badge Renewal

8. To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it has given to local authorities in the past year regarding the renewal of blue badges. (S4O-00546)

We have been working with local authorities on blue badge reform since 2009. Last year, we held various workshops and issued a detailed code of practice. Legislation does not allow automatic renewal of blue badges. Badge holders have to apply for a new badge on expiry of their existing badge.

A number of residents in the north-east have complained that, on applying for renewal of their blue badge, they have been told that the badge will not be renewed based on the fact that they have personally noted their limited ability to walk a short distance. In some cases, doctors’ supporting notes that state that limited ability have not been taken into account. Will the minister agree to write to local authorities to ensure that assessment does not leave elderly and disabled residents disadvantaged and isolated?

I am happy to look into the situation that the member describes, although the move that we have made is consistent with that which is being made in England and Wales, and with trying to get some consistency and uniformity into the process. As I said, however, I am happy to look into the issue.

Before we come to First Minister’s question time, members will wish to join me in welcoming to the gallery the ambassador of Denmark, Her Excellency Anne Steffensen. [Applause.]