Private Rented Housing (Scotland) Act 2011 (Implementation)
A range of important provisions in the act have commenced, including increased fines for offences under houses in multiple occupation licensing, and landlord registration. Section 32, which clarifies the law on premiums, will commence tomorrow. That means that landlords and letting agents will be permitted only to charge a tenant rent and request a refundable deposit.
Does the minister agree that local authorities must continue proactively to ensure that landlords are registered properly and that they understand their responsibilities to the communities in which they let properties? Will she assure me that the Scottish Government will continue to monitor the implementation of the legislation and take further action if and when required?
I agree with James Dornan that both local authorities and landlords have a responsibility to improve standards in the sector. The Scottish Government has also offered support to local authorities in their work to tackle the issues in the private rented sector. For example, we have recently provided a third year of funding to Glasgow City Council for landlord registration enforcement activity in Govanhill and surrounding hotspots in recognition of the unique combination of issues in the area. We are also in dialogue with the local authority to ensure that it has the powers that it needs to address the issues.
Apart from meetings of the implementation group, what steps are being taken to increase public awareness of the legislation?
The Scottish Government has undertaken communication activity to raise awareness of the legislation. That includes working with local authorities to ensure that landlords are aware of their duties relating to housing, houses in multiple occupation and landlord registration.
Sewer Network (Guidance to Scottish Water)
Sewer flooding resulting from lack of capacity in the sewer network is important. In the 2010 to 2015 investment period we have directed Scottish Water to tackle instances when properties are at risk of internal sewer flooding. Scottish Water has made good progress with that programme and it has reduced the numbers of affected properties by more than 60 per cent since 2002. Other improvements in the investment programme mean that a further 300 properties at risk of external sewer flooding have been addressed.
The minister may be aware of the severe flooding that has been experienced by my constituents in Elmvale Row in Springburn over many years, and my constituents have experienced a similar situation a short distance away on Hawthorn Street. I am also supporting constituents who have experienced flooding in Scaraway Street in Milton. All those incidents have occurred because of incapacity in the sewer system and, although not all result in internal damage to properties, many of those properties are being damaged externally, as are outbuildings and cars, for example. Is the guidance on the prioritisation of internal flooding appropriate? Are sufficient resources being provided to address the problem?
As I said in my initial answer, over the 2010 to 2015 investment period we have prioritised internal flooding, but that is not in any way to diminish people’s real concerns about external flooding. I am aware of the particular issues in parts of Patricia Ferguson’s constituency, including in Scaraway Street and Elmvale Row. I understand that Scottish Water has written to her in respect of both those locations to provide her with information on the investigations that it has carried out. If the member would like to discuss the matter further with me, I would be very happy to meet her—and I am sure that representatives of Scottish Water would be happy to attend as well—in order that a discussion about what more may be possible can be taken forward.
Commercial Radio (Office of Communications)
The Scottish Government regularly meets Ofcom to discuss a range of media issues. Earlier this week, I met Global Radio to discuss its plans for Scotland, particularly in light of its recent acquisition of the Real Radio stations. In those discussions, I pressed Global Radio on its plans for local content, music and news.
I thank the cabinet secretary for that answer. My concern is indeed the ownership of Real Radio by Global. As she will be aware, Global already owns what started life in Scotland as Beat 106, which was a distinctive Scottish radio station, but now the only Scottish content that it broadcasts is its drive-time show and breakfast show. Does she agree that Maria Miller was wrong not to refer Global’s bid for Real Radio to the Competition Commission and that Ofcom should be doing more to ensure that Scotland has its own distinctive commercial radio?
I believe that Ofcom should carry out its duties appropriately. Currently, the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Government do not have powers over those areas.
I have worked in most of those stations. I hope that the minister is aware that the assurances that she has been given about Scottish content means only a Scottish presenter; it does not actually mean that Scottish words will be spoken. The news content is usually trimmed to news bulletins on the hour, which means that there is a very small news staff. I think that she must do more in pressing for much more advantageous decisions by Ofcom as far as Scotland is concerned.
Clearly, if we had powers over Ofcom in respect of radio obligations, we could certainly do that. I will absolutely hold Global Radio to account on its content and its news content, and I think that the member is absolutely right that this is not just about the presentation of news that is made elsewhere, but about Scottish words and Scottish content. That is why I took an early opportunity to meet Global Radio—precisely to press it on its commitments in that regard.
Trunk Road Maintenance (South-west Scotland)
On 28 November 2012, I announced that Scotland TranServ had been awarded the trunk road maintenance contract for the south-west unit. The commencement of service is 1 April 2013.
I am grateful to the minister for that reply. He will be as aware as I am that, of course, that is under legal challenge, so I cannot ask any further questions about it.
The formal contract is in place. It is not subject to a legal challenge that could prevent it from going ahead. The suspension has been lifted by the court, so the contract will go ahead. An action to seek compensation may still be taken by one of the bidders, but that will not prevent the contract from going ahead. I can give the assurance that the contract will go ahead. The current provider of those services is bound by contract to provide them right through until April next year, so there should be no threat to the local businesses that Alex Fergusson mentioned.
Trunk road maintenance is a key issue not just in south-west Scotland, but throughout Scotland. As we come up to the winter period, when roads can come under severe pressure because of inclement weather, what discussions has the minister had with councils about providing them with support for road gritting as part of road maintenance programmes?
A great deal of support has been provided and a great deal of joint working has been done to ensure that we have the salt stocks that we require. The Government holds strategic salt reserves in case any council or other body gets into difficulties with stock. Along with councils, we currently hold in stock more salt than we used during the entire winter two years ago, which was an extremely severe winter.
Question 5 has not been lodged. We regret that no explanation has been provided.
Crofting Townships
The Scottish Government is committed to the development of crofting townships through increasing the number of crofters in a township and supporting townships’ plans for growth. Highlands and Islands Enterprise has helped townships across the region in planning their growth development. Implementation of those plans is currently being delivered by various townships. The Crofting Commission has encouraged the development of new crofts through better regulation.
Does the minister agree that the Crofting Commission and HIE need to have a close working relationship to further the interests of the crofting community, particularly in the light of the Crofting Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 and the fact that some notices of eviction are being served?
I agree with Jean Urquhart that it is important for the Crofting Commission and HIE to engage in good partnership working, and I am confident that that will be the case, particularly with the appointment of Susan Walker as convener of the Crofting Commission. From her experience in her community of Camuscross and Duisdale, she has good knowledge of the importance of the community development function that HIE has now taken on responsibility for in relation to crofting. I am very confident that the partnership working between HIE and the Crofting Commission will help to address the issues that the member rightly raises.
I remind members that all parties supported the Crofting Reform (Scotland) Act 2010. Will the minister ensure that communications between the Crofting Commission and crofting townships as regards development proposals and an exchange of views on neglect and absenteeism are straightforward, so that a sustainable future for croftlands and crofters can be supported?
I agree with Rob Gibson that good communication channels are needed. As I set out in my response to Jean Urquhart, we have a great opportunity, because the Crofting Commission’s convener, Susan Walker, is keen to engage with Highlands and Islands Enterprise, given her experience of development issues.
Will the minister give an update on the progress that the Crofting Commission is making on creating a simple and practical template form for grazings committees to use as part of their duty to report under the 2010 act?
I recognise the issue that Jamie McGrigor raises and I know that there have been tensions in relation to common grazings. Discussions are on-going between the Crofting Commission and my officials with the aim of having a streamlined process and reducing the perception that the duty will be onerous on grazings committees. I would be happy to meet him to outline the action that we are taking to progress the issue.
There is concern in townships that, if grazings clerks are seen to police activities, that will break down the working relationships between grazings clerks and other crofters. Will the minister take that seriously and, if need be, change the legislation to remove the onerous task from grazings clerks?
As I said in reply to Jamie McGrigor, I recognise the point that Rhoda Grant makes about tensions and the grazings committee members’ perception that an onerous task has been put on them. I am confident that we can reach a conclusion that will mean less risk that the situation is a problem, but I am happy to meet Rhoda Grant along with Jamie McGrigor to see whether we can address their concerns.
Common Agricultural Policy (Reform)
The Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, Richard Lochhead, has had a number of meetings with Commissioner Ciolos—the most recent was in Edinburgh on 20 September. There is also regular contact between Scottish Government officials and European Commission officials.
I understand that Ireland receives over £500 million more in financial support for its farmers from the CAP than we in Scotland receive. Will the minister explain why that is the case? Can the imbalance between what happens in Scotland and in Ireland be changed in the forthcoming negotiations? If not, why not?
Bruce Crawford is right: like the vast majority of the other countries in Europe, Ireland receives a far better deal through the CAP budget than Scotland does. We receive the fourth-lowest share of the pillar 1 budget, which is the single farm payment, and the lowest pillar 2 payment. Given Scotland’s distinct agricultural needs, that issue must be addressed. The cabinet secretary is doing his utmost to gain the UK Government’s support for making that a priority. I hope that the whole Parliament and not just my colleagues in government will support the cabinet secretary’s efforts to ensure that our farmers and crofters have a future in agriculture.
Given what the minister just said, will he please explain why Scottish National Party members of Parliament in Westminster voted to slash the CAP budget?
He won’t find that in his notes. [Laughter.]
The Scottish Government supports the European Commission proposal that would mean a real-terms cut of about 10 per cent in the CAP budget. However, we oppose the additional cuts that the UK Government and now Mr Van Rompuy want, which would mean further cuts to CAP receipts.