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Chamber and committees

Question reference: S5W-05272

  • Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
  • Date lodged: 1 December 2016
  • Current status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 13 December 2016

Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to support local authorities with the reported increase in the volume of building warrant applications that they are receiving.


Answer

Each of the 32 local authorities is responsible for resourcing their building standards services appropriately.

I have become aware that since the economic downturn of 2008 there have been situations where experienced Building Standards Managers and staff have either retired or taken voluntary exit arrangements from local authorities. At the same time there appears to have been little corresponding intake of trainee or apprentice Building Standards Officers in many areas of Scotland. I understand that as the volume of building projects has been increasing some local authorities have had difficulty in recruiting and replacing staff. The Scottish Government is currently consulting on Building Warrant Fees which includes a proposal to increase fees to provide additional funding to local authorities.