SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
General Questions
Affordable Housing (Highlands)
To ask the Scottish Executive how it will address the shortage of affordable housing in the Highland Council area. (S2O-12455)
We recognise the housing pressures that face a growing Highlands and are doing a great deal to provide affordable housing. Just last week, I announced that next year we will provide £36.5 million for new housing supply in the Highlands. That is a six-fold increase in 10 years, and will enable around 500 new affordable homes to be started in the Highlands and the successful homestake shared equity scheme to be extended.
I thank the minister for her commitment to address the housing shortage in the Highland Council area and, particularly, for introducing an innovative way of promoting affordable home ownership.
Tackling climate change and sustainability must be at the centre of everything that we do. After all, we are building the houses and communities of the future now, so we must ensure that they are sustainable.
Does the minister agree that affordable housing requires significant additional investment? Does she support the introduction of a £100 million a year trust that, by offering grants to prospective homeowners, would significantly help first-time buyers throughout Scotland—and, indeed, in the Highlands and Islands—to get on to the property ladder?
The member will be aware of the homestake shared equity scheme, which the Executive introduced in order to help first-time buyers to get on to the property ladder. For example, on a recent visit to Inverness, I met Janet MacMillan, a 25-year-old nurse, who, through homestake, has been able to buy a house for the first time. Although I am sure that the Conservatives feel that their proposal represents the best way forward, we feel that the shared equity model gives best value for money by, for example, giving the potential for funding to come back to housing associations when houses are sold.
Homeless Persons (Unsuitable Accommodation) (Scotland) Order 2004 <br />(SSI 2004/489)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it monitors compliance by local authorities with the provisions of the Homeless Persons (Unsuitable Accommodation) (Scotland) Order 2004 and its associated code of guidance. (S2O-12449)
The Executive monitors compliance with the order in the following ways. First, data on local authorities' breaches of the order are gathered and consist of snapshot data for the last day in March, June, September and December. The latest data on breaches were published on 13 March. Secondly, Communities Scotland inspects local authorities' homelessness services to monitor compliance with their statutory duties, including compliance with the order. In addition to those routine activities, the Executive undertook a pilot study with local authorities to track their ability to comply with the order over a six-month period, from August 2005 to February 2006. The report on the study was published in September 2006.
Is the minister aware that, 9 months ago, I raised in the Parliament the systematic breach of the legislation and guidelines by numerous councils in respect of one particular premises in my constituency, where what I can only call the dumping of homeless people without professional support was taking place? The problems persist. Therefore, will the minister instruct an investigation into that chronic and substantial problem?
We are aware of the issue for Glasgow and neighbouring authorities—it has been brought to ministers' attention by the homelessness monitoring group and by direct correspondence from the leader of Glasgow City Council. I know that Charlie Gordon takes the issue seriously. The issue is serious, which is why we are pleased that Glasgow City Council and the neighbouring authorities have agreed a protocol to address it. Glasgow City Council reports quarterly to ministers on progress. The reports show a significant reduction in the number of households that are being placed out of area. Some authorities have stopped making such placements and others have reduced the numbers dramatically and are making alternative arrangements in their areas. However, we are aware of the issue. I am happy to discuss with Charlie Gordon what further action can be taken to reduce the number of placements.
Does the minister accept that part of the reason for some local authorities' disappointing compliance levels as regards housing the homeless tracks back to the shortage of accommodation that is suitable not only for single homeless people, but for families? Will she consider approaching the Chancellor, whoever he may be, to have money restored to the local authorities whose tenants voted against stock transfer and which are now toiling to produce affordable housing?
Margo MacDonald will of course be aware that we have more than doubled the funding for affordable homes. I recently announced record funding for affordable homes in Scotland. We believe that everybody has the right to a decent, warm and affordable home. We believe that we are approaching the matter in the right way, using a combination of the social rented stock and houses that are available for first-time home ownership. Some councils have taken the route of stock transfer and have had their debt written off. We think that that is a good way to go for many councils. Other councils have approached the issue differently. Councils must decide what the best route is for their tenants.
Nigg Construction Yard <br />(Compulsory Purchase Powers)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will support Highland Council in exercising compulsory purchase powers in relation to land adjacent to the former Nigg construction yard. (S2O-12476)
It is for the local authority to decide whether it wishes to use its powers of acquisition under the Acquisition of Land (Authorisation Procedure) (Scotland) Act 1947. If the authority decided to use its powers, the Scottish ministers would thereafter be required to consider whether to confirm the compulsory purchase order. It would not, therefore, be appropriate to indicate at this stage whether ministers would support such action.
Is it not a disgrace that one landowner can hold to ransom the future of the yard, which has benefited people in the past, myself included, and which could offer employment for the future? Is it not a disgrace that one man can jeopardise all that? Will the minister go further and tell me that, if Highland Council approaches the Executive on the matter, he and his colleagues will give full support to the compulsory purchase of the land?
I refer the member to my previous answer.
I acknowledge the minister's difficulty; he has a statutory position and cannot commit himself in advance. My understanding is that, as part of the strategic plan for Scotland, the Cromarty firth will be identified as of strategic significance, not just to the Highlands, but to the wider Scottish economy. Although he cannot rule in supporting compulsory purchase, can he not rule out supporting it if the case is strong enough?
That it is exactly the kind of situation that we might be considering when we come forward with streamlining processes for CPOs. I am happy to say to Peter Peacock that nothing will be ruled in or out.
The Cromarty Firth Port Authority Order Confirmation Act 1973 was set up under a Tory Government. It precluded the compulsory purchase of the Wakelyn Trust ransom strip and, by December 1980, had ended other CPO powers for the Cromarty Firth Port Authority. Is it not time to redress the balance and authorise not Highland Council, but Highlands and Islands Enterprise with compulsory purchase powers to step in and break the deadlock, in order to gain control of the ransom strip, in the public interest, so that a private trust cannot strangle the development of that major yard in the Highlands?
I would have thought that, on the whole, CPOs were more appropriate for the local authority than for the enterprise agency. I do not often agree with Conservative initiatives, but the removal of compulsory purchase powers from port authorities is one that the Conservatives might have got right.
Does the minister agree that, in a local economy such as Invergordon, it is important for all agencies to work openly and positively with local businesses, especially to avoid displacement of employment and resources? Is he content that that is happening in Invergordon in relation to the former Nigg construction yard?
I suppose that I am responding to questions on the planning issues. Planning powers should be used to facilitate economic growth, which is why the Executive has moved forward with the Planning etc (Scotland) Act 2006. There is an urgent need to reconsider the CPO arrangements in that context. As I said in response to a previous question, that is what the Executive is currently doing.
Coastal Pollution
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to protect Scotland's coasts from industrial pollution. (S2O-12442)
The Pollution Prevention and Control (Scotland) Regulations 2000 (SSI 2000/323) are the primary means of reducing pollution and controlling emissions from industrial processes to water, including Scotland's coasts. Implementation of the regulations is the responsibility of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. In addition, in 2006 the Scottish Executive introduced a new regulatory regime under the Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2005 (SSI 2005/348), which provides for SEPA to regulate any discharges from industrial sources into Scottish coastal waters not covered under the PPC regulations.
I thank the minister for that comprehensive response. She will be well aware that there have been substantial changes of use in and around the Firth of Forth over the past couple of decades. There have been changes in how we deal with agricultural waste; changes in water treatment and sewerage; and changes in industrial use. Given those improvements, ship-to-ship oil transfer has no place on the modern Forth. Does the minister support the aim of all the local authorities surrounding the Forth, and Fife and Lothian MSPs, to ensure that the proposal by Forth Ports plc does not go ahead?
I do not think that the member would expect me to answer the detail of that question in the terms in which he has posed it. I will be absolutely clear. The Executive wants the European Union habitats directive to be fully upheld by Forth Ports, which has accepted that it is the competent authority under that European regulation. I reassure the member that the Executive has repeatedly pressed Forth Ports to ensure that it takes its full responsibility under the directive. There is no lesser test for a private organisation in discharging its responsibilities than there is for a public sector organisation.
Local Income Tax (Clydesdale)
To ask the Scottish Executive what impact local income tax proposals, capped at 3p in the pound, would have on the revenue available to South Lanarkshire Council for investment in public services in Clydesdale. (S2O-12447)
A local income tax capped at 3p in the pound would raise significantly less income than council tax. It follows that the funding available to South Lanarkshire Council for the provision of vital services would be significantly reduced.
As well as removing local decision making—a key part of local government—the proposals would jeopardise free access to leisure activities for the over-60s, free use of outdoor facilities—[Interruption.] SNP members laugh, but those are serious matters. They want to take away from local decision makers the ability to make decisions locally. Most important, will the minister indicate to the people of Clydesdale how the proposals will put at risk the ambitious, exciting school building programme, funded from conventional finance, that has already seen new primary schools open in Law, Carluke and Lanark, with further new primary schools planned across South Lanarkshire in the years ahead? All that will be put at risk by this stupid SNP policy.
The policy would put that programme most at risk because, when Scotland previously experienced a poll tax, vital services were placed under significant pressure. I have spent my political life describing the nationalists as tartan Tories. If they introduce poll tax 2 and seek to strip local government of its authority and independence, we will find ourselves in the same dire circumstances in which we were 10 or 15 years ago.
Does the minister not recognise that a proposal to abolish the council tax—I repeat, to abolish the council tax—and to introduce an alternative based on income and the ability to pay would lead to a massive reduction in local taxation for thousands of pensioners in South Lanarkshire and other parts of Scotland? In case the minister was not listening the first two times that I said it, we propose to abolish the council tax. Is that not preferable to the inevitable revaluation of properties that will take place if the Labour Party is returned to office and keeps the council tax?
I am happy to tell the chamber what I recognise. The SNP wants to abolish council tax, but it wants to keep council tax benefit. That sums up the hypocrisy of the Scottish National Party: SNP members want to be independent subsidy junkies. Although under their proposals council tax would disappear, they still want £380 million from an Exchequer in London. Can they explain to us why, if council tax no longer exists, they will need £380 million from an English Exchequer? To the SNP's hypocrisy is added its foolishness. It is a party that talks about economic independence but that would be happy for the Bank of England—a foreign nation—to set Scotland's interest rates and to control its monetary policy. What other nation in the developed world would want a competitor nation to have its hand on one of the strongest levers of economic policy? That is nonsense.
Swimming Facilities (Aberdeen)
To ask the Scottish Executive what business case has been received from Aberdeen City Council in relation to the construction of a 50-metre swimming pool in the city. (S2O-12443)
Aberdeen City Council wrote to me on 30 August 2006 with a proposal for a 50-metre swimming pool. I replied to that letter on 15 October. I have not published my response, but I am considering a request for me to do so under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002. In my reply I recognised the need for a 50-metre pool in the north-east but expressed concern about the funding that was requested by Aberdeen, which was in excess of the awards that are available through sportscotland's building for sport programme and the national and regional sports facilities programme. I suggested that the council discuss the matter further with sportscotland, in order to develop a realistic, viable and affordable proposal. I remain supportive of an affordable bid for a 50-metre pool, if the case is made.
The minister's answer is welcome. Will she assure me that sportscotland and her officials are willing to meet Aberdeen City Council to discuss the expeditious drawing up of a workable business plan for the pool? Does she agree that it is irresponsible and counterproductive to call for the fast-tracking of such an important project without reference to a business plan or to how the project will be funded, as local Scottish National Party representatives have done?
There have been informal meetings between my officials and Aberdeen City Council and between sportscotland and the council, and there is a proposal to have a tripartite meeting, at which we can try to get some sense into the situation and make progress.
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