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Chamber and committees

Official Report: search what was said in Parliament

The Official Report is a written record of public meetings of the Parliament and committees.  

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Dates of parliamentary sessions
  1. Session 1: 12 May 1999 to 31 March 2003
  2. Session 2: 7 May 2003 to 2 April 2007
  3. Session 3: 9 May 2007 to 22 March 2011
  4. Session 4: 11 May 2011 to 23 March 2016
  5. Session 5: 12 May 2016 to 5 May 2021
  6. Current session: 12 May 2021 to 20 July 2025
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Displaying 1007 contributions

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Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee

Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland Annual Report and Accounts 2021-22

Meeting date: 10 January 2023

Marie McNair

Good morning. The committee is keen to continue to explore the possible barriers to people taking up local elected office. Is there any evidence that the complaints system in Scotland is deterring people from standing or standing again for local elected office? What impact does the process have on councillors who are being investigated, and is support in place to help councillors during the process? Is there evidence of vexatious complaints being made and, if so, what more can be done to discourage those?

Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee

Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland Annual Report and Accounts 2021-22

Meeting date: 10 January 2023

Marie McNair

I asked about the percentage of complaints that relate to interactions on social media. If you do not have that figure to hand, can you forward it to the committee? That would be helpful.

Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee

Scottish Housing Regulator “Annual Report and Accounts 2021-22”

Meeting date: 20 December 2022

Marie McNair

Your recently published report on RSLs’ financial forecasts showed that their financial performance should remain robust but that the outlook continues to be challenging, as you have already mentioned. Can you say more about the financial challenges that RSLs face and about how you will work with them and their tenants to address the challenges?

Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee

Scottish Housing Regulator “Annual Report and Accounts 2021-22”

Meeting date: 20 December 2022

Marie McNair

That is helpful information.

Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee

Scottish Housing Regulator “Annual Report and Accounts 2021-22”

Meeting date: 20 December 2022

Marie McNair

As you know, the Scottish Government will announce its approach to social sector rents for 2023-24 by mid-January. That will include whether rents will be frozen or increases limited. What impact might a rent freeze or a cap on rent increases have on social landlords’ business plans and on their responsibilities to their tenants?

Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee

Scottish Housing Regulator “Annual Report and Accounts 2021-22”

Meeting date: 20 December 2022

Marie McNair

How might a rent freeze or a capped rent increase for social landlords impact your regulatory approach?

Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee

Local Governance Review

Meeting date: 13 December 2022

Marie McNair

As someone who has been a councillor, I noticed that myself.

If nobody else wants to come in, I will move on to my next question. Do you believe that local authorities would like to raise more of their own revenue? If so, what mechanisms would they use? What is currently preventing councils from raising more of their own income? Are there any UK or international methods or arrangements that you would like to see replicated here?

I will start with Councillor Ross.

Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee

Local Governance Review

Meeting date: 13 December 2022

Marie McNair

Good morning. Do you have any comments on the contribution that community councils can make and on whether a review of their role is required, given that they are the most local tier of statutory representation? They are the third tier of government in Scotland but, obviously, they have limited resources, powers and influence. Councillor Stockan and Councillor Nicoll have touched on that slightly already.

What is your experience of community councils and other bodies such as development trusts driving and delivering local empowerment? Councillor Stockan, you might want to add a wee bit more about community councils in your area.

Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee

Local Governance Review

Meeting date: 13 December 2022

Marie McNair

Do you believe that a review of their role is required?

Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee

Local Governance Review

Meeting date: 13 December 2022

Marie McNair

Thank you. I will pop that question out to the rest of the panel, if anybody wants to come in.