Chamber and committees

Thank you. Before I move to Jonathan Carr-West, I will come back to you, Professor Gallagher. You talk about a set of procedures to be followed. One can easily put down on paper a set of procedures and one can easily sign that, as with the Verity house agreement, but how does one make sure that someone complies? Will penalties be put in? Are you aware of any such frameworks or policies having been used before? It is important to know how we make sure that this is followed. If the Scottish Government were to break the agreement again, who will be liable and who will be responsible? I know that these are heavy words, but we do not want just words. How can we help firm it up a little bit more?

Earlier, we were speaking about ring fencing. We have heard from more than half of the local authorities, which have spoken about issues around ring fencing time and again. The Verity house agreement envisages a fiscal framework with a presumption against ring fencing. Is it likely that that approach can be delivered, particularly when ring fencing continues to be emphasised in relation to areas such as teacher numbers—an area that most of the local authorities chose to highlight? Obviously, they welcome the removal of ring fencing so that they can make decisions locally. However, they are talking about teacher numbers and other areas where ring fencing might not be removed. What is your view on ring fencing in that regard?

Before I ask the same question of Professor Hall and Professor Gallagher, do you believe that completely removing ring fencing would open up more doors? I am hearing from you that innovation plays a role in how services can be delivered more efficiently and effectively, and, probably, more in line with today’s technology.

Good morning, panel. The UK Government has so far provided the Scottish Government with £97 million to identify and remove dangerous cladding from buildings. However, so far, less than £5 million has been spent through the single building assessment programme. What actions is the Scottish Government undertaking to speed up that process?

Considering the highly divisive and frequently personal discussions that are currently taking place, when does a disagreement turn into disrespect? Does the code of conduct explicitly state what conduct on social media is and is not acceptable? What kind of training on that subject have the commissioner and his office given to council members?

Thank you.

Do you envisage any problems ahead? You have said that you are on a trajectory where basically things are getting better, but do you foresee any problems in spending more money?

Thank you.

Good morning, panel. What level of interest is there in the Standards Commission’s activity at the local and national levels? In what ways does the commission ensure that the public are informed about decisions that affect their council members?

In 2021-22, 12,000 incidents of damp and mould were recorded in social homes across Scotland. We heard, in our previous evidence session, the ombudsman mention that complaints around that had quadrupled. Do you need to do more work in that area to ensure that good practice is widespread and that tenants live in safer homes? What support should the Scottish Government offer to ensure that social homes are warm enough to prevent the re-emergence of damp and mould?