- Asked by: Pauline McNeill, MSP for Glasgow Kelvin, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 11 May 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Alex Neil on 20 May 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it monitors the number of prosecutions of landlords for illegally operating houses in multiple occupation.
Answer
The Scottish Government does not monitor the number of prosecutions of landlords for illegally operating houses in multiple occupation (HMOs). However, we discuss progress on enforcement of the HMO licensing requirements, including prosecutions, with local authorities.
- Asked by: Pauline McNeill, MSP for Glasgow Kelvin, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 11 May 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Alex Neil on 18 May 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to implement Part 5 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 in relation to the increase in fines by the end of 2009.
Answer
We will draw up a timetable for implementation of Part 5 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 following consultation with stakeholders regarding the options for implementation and taking into account the drafting of statutory guidance and decisions on transitional arrangements. The increases in maximum fine levels for offences relating to houses in multiple occupation could not be implemented separately from the rest of part 5.
- Asked by: Pauline McNeill, MSP for Glasgow Kelvin, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 11 May 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Alex Neil on 18 May 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive what meetings it has had in relation to implementation of Part 5 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 regarding the increase in fines.
Answer
Officials of the Scottish Government have had discussions on various aspects of the implementation of Part 5 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 with local authority officials, including within the context of the Scottish Houses in Multiple Occupation Networking Group.
- Asked by: Pauline McNeill, MSP for Glasgow Kelvin, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 11 May 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Alex Neil on 18 May 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive when it last discussed with Glasgow City Council the implementation of Part 5 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006.
Answer
Officials of the Scottish Government last discussed the implementation of Part 5 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 with officials from Glasgow City Council and other local authorities at the most recent meeting of the Scottish Houses in Multiple Occupation Networking Group on 12 May 2009.
- Asked by: Pauline McNeill, MSP for Glasgow Kelvin, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 11 May 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Alex Neil on 18 May 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has assessed the impact of implementation of Part 5 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 as it relates to an increase in fines for failure to have a house in multiple occupation licence.
Answer
The increase in the maximum fine for operating a licensable house in multiple occupation (HMO) without a licence is intended to address concerns that the current level of fines does not provide an adequate deterrent to landlords operating unlicensed HMOs. There has not been an assessment of the precise effect of this change on the number of unlicensed HMOs being operated.
- Asked by: Pauline McNeill, MSP for Glasgow Kelvin, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 06 April 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Russell on 7 May 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive whether Creative Scotland will offer loans to artists.
Answer
As I said in my statement to the Parliament on 2 April 2009, the way in which support is provided to artists and creative practitioners in Scotland must be modernised. The detail of this work will be an operational matter for Creative Scotland who will explore additional funding models to improve the way in which the cultural sector is supported as well as maintaining grant funding facilities.
- Asked by: Pauline McNeill, MSP for Glasgow Kelvin, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 06 April 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Russell on 7 May 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it expects the public services reform Bill to be introduced by May 2009.
Answer
The public services reform Bill will be introduced to Parliament in late May. It will include provisions for the establishment of Creative Scotland, the simplification of the public services landscape and organisational changes to health, social work and social care scrutiny bodies.
- Asked by: Pauline McNeill, MSP for Glasgow Kelvin, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 06 April 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Russell on 7 May 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider using the word artist in the public services reform Bill.
Answer
The wording of the Creative Scotland provisions in the Public Services Reform Bill will be made available to the Parliament on the Bill''s introduction. As previously indicated, the use of the word artist could lead to difficulties of legal interpretation but the intention will be to enshrine creativity and the place of the creative individual at the heart of cultural policy.
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- Asked by: Pauline McNeill, MSP for Glasgow Kelvin, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 06 April 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Russell on 7 May 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive when it last discussed the public services reform Bill with regard to the establishment of Creative Scotland with Scottish Enterprise.
Answer
I discussed Creative Scotland, its establishment and its role in supporting creative industries with the Creative Industry Framework Agreement Implementation Group on 24 March 2009. The group includes Scottish Enterprise and its Chief Executive, Jack Perry, attended the meeting. That group is tasked with developing the operational delivery of the Creative Industries Framework Agreement.
- Asked by: Pauline McNeill, MSP for Glasgow Kelvin, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 06 April 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Russell on 7 May 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive what financial costs would be associated with Creative Scotland other than transitional costs.
Answer
As I said in my statement to the Parliament on 2 April, there are two additional smaller costs which, though not directly arising from the transition, are still germane to it. They are a one-off payment of a maximum of £340,000 which may be required on current estimates for pension arrangements, and a potential revenue loss of up to £300,000 per year relating to the Scottish Arts Council''s loss of charitable status.
