Chamber and committees

We move to questions from Mark Griffin.

The third item on our agenda is consideration of a negative instrument. There is no requirement for the committee to make any recommendations on the order. As no member has any comments, does the committee agree that it does not wish to make any recommendations in relation to the instrument?

Members indicated agreement.

As we agreed earlier, we will consider item 4 in private.

We move on to questions from Miles Briggs.

Thank you for sharing your perspective.

Concerns have been raised about the uncertainty—and the associated impact on future bookings—that would be caused by the need to obtain and renew a short-term let licence, as witnesses have already said. What is the source of those concerns? Do you have any evidence of significant business disruption being caused by licence renewal in other licensed industries?

I believe that we have come to the end of our questions. I thank the panel for joining us to give evidence.

I want to follow up Willie Coffey’s questions with a supplementary on rural issues. The survey responses that were submitted to the committee raise concerns that the proposed legislation is designed to tackle issues that are experienced principally in central Edinburgh. Considering that, I would like to hear your views on how short-term lets and housing demands interact in a rural and island context.

Good morning and welcome to the 14th meeting in 2021 of the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee. I ask all members and witnesses to ensure that their mobile phones are on silent and that all notifications are turned off during the meeting.

Our first item this morning is consideration of whether to take item 4 in private. Item 4 will be an opportunity for members to reflect on the evidence on short-term lets that they will hear in the meeting. Do members agree to take item 4 in private?

Members indicated agreement.

Absolutely. Do not worry—we must never be sorry in relation to the technical realm; there are always tech glitches.

Concerns have been raised about the uncertainty—and the associated impact on future bookings—that would be caused by the need to obtain and renew a short-term let licence, as some of you have already expressed. What is the source of those concerns? Do you have any evidence of significant business disruption being caused by licence renewal in other licensed industries?

Witnesses in the previous panel said that there needs to be a joined-up approach across all agencies to tackle climate mitigation and adaptation and biodiversity issues simultaneously. Terry A’Hearn has just talked about SEPA’s more systems-based approach, but are the organisations represented by the panel endeavouring to work together in a joined-up way? If so, could you provide some examples? Secondly, what can the Parliament do to help you to support rural sectors in responding to the climate and nature emergencies?

I am spoiled for choice, but perhaps we can start with Grant Moir, as we have not heard from him for a while.