Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government currently has no plans to make changes to rights of appeal in the planning system.

A number of amendments that sought to introduce a third party right of appeal were considered, and rejected, by the Scottish Parliament during consideration of the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019.

Covid-19 support for contractors through the Affordable Housing Supply Programme was a discretionary award dependent on the circumstances of the of individual organisations, developments and contractual arrangements.

Cunninghame Housing Association submitted 2 applications for assessment in March 2021 and both were assessed in line with published guidance. One claim was successful and the housing association was informed of the outcome in September 2021. A revised offer of grant was issued and all additional funding has been claimed.

There is already a Cabinet-level ministerial position focused on housing and tackling homelessness: the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice.

In addition, the appointment of a dedicated minister for housing demonstrates the Scottish Government’s continued commitment to delivering good, safe, secure and warm homes. The Minister for Housing will work alongside the new Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice to achieve ambitions set out in the Housing to 2040 strategy and in our Ending Homelessness Together action plan.

Our seas must remain a source of economic prosperity for the nation, especially in our remote, coastal and island communities. We are determined that those who may be affected by these proposals are involved from the outset.

The proposed criteria by which Highly Protected Marine Area (HPMA) site proposals will be developed are set out in our draft Site Selection Guidelines , which were published on 12 December 2022. These have been produced jointly by our statutory nature advisors, NatureScot and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC).

The approach we have taken to the process is to involve stakeholders from the outset, by consulting at the earliest possible stage before any site selection and implementation. We want the site selection process to be based on established principles, allowing for participation at every step and to be part of a just transition, with meaningful community engagement. The consultation on our overall approach to HPMAs, including the proposed criteria for determining where sites will be, closed on 17 April. We are currently analysing the responses we have received and will be carefully considering the feedback provided.

Urmas Paet MEP and I held a positive meeting in June last year, in which we spoke about Scotland maintaining close relationships with Northern European neighbours on a range of issues such as energy, innovation and cohesion.

The subject of Scottish independence was not an agenda item in discussions, however Scottish ministers will always be polite enough during international meetings to answer any questions put to them about the Scottish Government's stated policies, including a legal, constitutionally sound referendum, as set out in our Programme for Government.

The Ambassador and I had a constructive meeting last year during which we discussed renewable energy and trade, and UK-France relations.

The subject of Scottish independence was not an agenda item in discussions. However, Scottish ministers will always be polite enough during international meetings to answer any questions put to them about the Scottish Government's stated policies, including a legal, constitutionally sound referendum, as set out in our Programme for Government.

Our Accessible Housing and Independent Living Stakeholder Group will meet a minimum of twice yearly, to advise on the relevant commitments in the Scottish Government’s Housing to 2040 strategy document in relation to housing for older people and disabled people.

The Terms of Reference have yet to be agreed but a draft will be considered by the group at their next meeting which is scheduled to take place in June. The agreed Terms of Reference will be published on the Scottish Government website once they have been considered and approved by the group.

The Scottish Government acknowledges the impacts of the M8, including noise, and the recent motion passed by Glasgow City Council to trial lower speed limits on the city centre motorway. I have asked Transport Scotland to liaise with Glasgow City Council regarding these proposals and explore opportunities to mitigate the impact of the M8 on the surrounding area.

We meet regularly with the Welsh Government to discuss Building and Fire Safety issues and the delivery of the Cladding Remediation Programme. The safety of residents and homeowners in buildings with potentially unsafe cladding is our absolute priority. On that basis Scottish Government is identifying and assessing buildings through our Single Building Assessment Programme; focusing public funding on remediating so called ‘orphan’ buildings and pressing developers to do the right thing and take responsibility for funding the remediation of their buildings. We will assess the effectiveness and impact of the Building Safety Developer Loan Scheme to consider its applicability in Scotland.

The Scottish Government remains committed to providing a resilient infrastructure solution to address the landslip risk at the Rest and Be Thankful. The preferred option for a medium-term solution was announced on 23 December 2022. A detailed programme for the proposed improvements is now being developed and it is expected that these works will be carried out on a phased basis starting later this year.

At the same time, Transport Scotland continues to take forward the necessary design and assessment work at pace with a view to announcing a preferred route option for the long-term solution this Spring.

I absolutely share the urgency communities and businesses place in maintaining and improving connectivity of this vital route, and remain absolutely committed to ensuring continuity of access to Argyll and Bute so that the region remains open for business.