Chamber and committees

I want to pick up on my colleague Evelyn Tweed MSP’s earlier line of questioning. I do not know the ins and outs of the complaints that were made, but it sounds to me like there were allegations of bullying and that you required more detail to investigate. Is it not the point of an investigation to get the details? How specific would an allegation have to be in order for you to feel the need to investigate? Bullying is quite a specific allegation when it is about a person who is named.

Specific legislative provisions would be beneficial and welcomed.

Given the evidence that has been mentioned so far, in which witnesses have expressed feeling a bit fearful of the regulator, would you accept anonymous complaints and allegations and be able to investigate where appropriate?

The SFHA, among others, has suggested that there is a need for a truly independent appeals process for the Scottish Housing Regulator. Will you explain in more detail the appeals process, how often it is used and how you work towards the Scottish regulators’ strategic code of practice?

Patrick, is there anything else that you want to say to expand on your concerns about having accusations against the regulator investigated and how that situation could be improved?

Does anyone have any other comments to make about any aspects of the regulator’s functions, or how the regulator carries them out, that might help it to meet its statutory objectives?

My question is for Alan Stokes. The committee has heard some evidence suggesting that there is no effective appeals process for regulatory decisions. Your submission recommends having an independent appeals mechanism. How does the current appeals process work and how could it be made more independent?

The committee has received some evidence about the reduction in the number of community-based housing associations in Scotland, and some are suggesting that the regulator has been instrumental in that change. The regulator has denied that, arguing that it regulates individual landlords and has no remit to

“effect sectoral change or restructuring or consolidation”.

What are the witnesses’ views on that matter? Is there a need to strengthen protections for community-controlled housing in Scotland?

Thank you. That is really helpful.

Good morning. I want to pick up on the comments about exemption discussions with the City of Edinburgh Council. I am aware that Living Rent has raised concerns about exemptions being granted for most of the year for festivals and major events. I have to stay here in Edinburgh during the week quite a bit, and it seems that there is always an event. During events such as the Taylor Swift concerts, there were sofas going for four figures a night. Does the minister recognise that operators can easily make most of the money that they would make in an entire year during such events alone? Therefore, is it in the spirit of the scheme for exemptions to be granted in such circumstances?