Chamber and committees

The recent Heat in Buildings Strategy confirmed our intention to consult upon and deliver regulations by 2025 setting minimum energy efficiency standards equivalent to EPC Band C across private housing, where this is technically feasible and cost effective. We have proposed backstop dates for meeting these standards of 2028 for Private Rented Sector housing and 2033 for Owner Occupied housing.

In relation to enforcement, we will be considering a number of options ahead of a detailed consultation on proposals for regulation during summer 2022, in line with the commitment in our Heat in Buildings Strategy.

On 30 November we launched a call for evidence for a National Public Energy Agency which may have a role on delivery of our proposed heat and energy efficiency standards. However, this is one of a number of alternatives, and subject to detailed investigation and consideration.

Next year’s consultation will also consider proposals for the ways in which any new energy efficiency standards may dovetail with the housing market and conveyancing processes. Our aim will be to work with the market, and to reduce disruption as much as possible.

The Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (NDRHI), which supported district heating development, closed to new applicants on 31 March 2021. However provisions were made to allow some applicants to commission up to 31 March 2022, in response to disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Through the Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme (LCITP) we have awarded over £20 million of capital grant funding to help unlock seven heat network projects, all of which intended to apply for the NDRHI. Since the closure of the NDRHI to new applications the LCITP has provided grant support for the development of Investment Grade Business cases for zero emission heat networks being taken forward without RHI support.

A Non-Domestic Rates Relief of 90% for new heat networks run by renewable sources was introduced in April 2021, around the same time that the Non-Domestic RHI closed to new applicants. This relief will remain in place until 31 March 2024. This is in addition to the existing 50% relief for all heat networks which has been extended to remain in place until 2032.

As set out in our Draft Heat Networks Delivery Plan, we are committed to providing capital support to heat networks. The successor to the LCITP will launch this year, and we have committed to investing at least £400 million through this programme for large-scale heat infrastructure including heat networks.

The Tenant Hardship Loan Fund has not been administered by local authorities so I have assumed that you are referring to the £10m Tenant Grant Fund announced in June and have responded to your question on that basis.

The following table sets out the allocation each local authority has received from the Tenant Grant Fund:

The Tenant Hardship Loan Fund has not been administered by local authorities so I have assumed that you are referring to the £10m Tenant Grant Fund announced in June and have responded to your question on that basis.

The purpose of the Tenant Grant Fund is to mitigate the short to medium term financial challenges being experienced by tenants adversely impacted by restrictions and regulations introduced since March 2020, to control the spread of Covid-19.

The fund enables local authorities to prevent homelessness and sustain tenancies by directly reducing, alleviating or paying off rent arrears altogether where a tenant is in either the social or private rented sectors, and has faced difficulties due to Covid-19.

On timings, the non-statutory guidance issued to support local authorities in their administration of the grant fund sets out that it is to be used specifically to help repay rent arrears that have arisen due to the Covid-19 pandemic between 23 March 2020 and 9 August 2021; and that arrears before 23 March 2020 cannot be covered.

However, local authorities have discretion as to payment in individual cases and should consider whether the payment is a necessary or justified action to avoid the tenant becoming homeless. This recognises the experience that local authorities have in supporting people in a housing crisis, and will help identify where funding would be most effectively provided.

The Tenant Hardship Loan Fund and the PRS Landlord (non-business) Covid-19 Loan will close to new applications at the end of December allowing final loans to be paid before the end of 31 March 2022, in line with the allocation of the Tenant Grant Fund.

The Scottish Government wants individuals and organisations to see energy efficiency and low and zero emissions heating as a positive choice, to understand the options available, and know where they can get help and trusted advice. The new National Public Energy Agency, as set out in our 2021/22 Programme for Government, will lead on a programme of public engagement to raise awareness and understanding of the changes that people need to make.

In the Heat in Buildings Strategy, the Scottish Government committed to developing and implementing a bespoke public engagement strategy for heat in buildings, with a focus on raising the profile of energy efficiency and zero emissions heating options so that people are aware of the benefits, as well as enabling people to actively participate in shaping the development of policy. This will be underpinned by an inclusive, people centred approach. We have also committed to developing a quality assurance policy statement which will outline our actions for quality assurance and consumer protection in relation to domestic energy efficiency and heat retrofit work in Scotland.

The Scottish Government currently provides significant support to both domestic and non-domestic groups through Home Energy Scotland (HES) and the Energy Efficient Business Support (EEBS) service (Business Energy Scotland from April 2022) respectively. HES is a single point of access for householders, providing free, bespoke, impartial advice and support on energy efficiency, renewable heating and fuel poverty support in Scotland. EEBS currently provides a substantial, free advice and support offering targeted to Scottish SMEs to uptake energy efficiency measures and zero emission heating.

As we accelerate the transformation of Scotland’s homes and workplaces, as well developing plans for the National Public Energy Agency, we are investing in growing our advice services and continuously improving them to meet the needs of householders and businesses.

The process for declaring an interest is outlined in the SPCB staff conduct rules. 

The purpose of the Code of Conduct is to set out standards of behaviour required of SPCB staff.  The Code of Conduct is a tool for ensuring that SPCB staff meet their contractual obligations and for enabling managers to manage staff conduct.

All staff are required under the Code of Conduct to inform their Head of Office/Group if they have a private interest which may impact on the conduct of their duties. The responsibility rests with the individual member of staff who must declare all interests of a personal, financial, political or professional nature which may compromise or be reasonably perceived to compromise that person’s ability to perform their role in an impartial or objective manner.  

The Code of Conduct requires managers and staff to take steps to mitigate for the risk of a potential conflict of interest so that it, or the perception of a conflict, can be removed.  Management action can include requiring the member of staff to withdraw from the work where the conflict has or may arise, referring decisions to others or requiring the member of staff to withdraw from the activity giving rise to the actual, potential or perceived conflict.

The People and Culture Office maintains a central record of interests.  This is a live register which is updated regularly.   This means that new interests can be added as and when they arise, and interests can be removed as they cease to be relevant.   For example, when a member of staff ceases to carry out an activity which gave rise to a potential conflict of interest the activity is removed from the register.  

The SPCB is aware that there is an increased level of scrutiny of standards in public life and that transparency is important to give re-assurance.  The current arrangements, including the central register of interests, have been in place since 2010.  The SPCB is currently reviewing the Code of Conduct and has asked officials to provide advice on this matter.  

The SPCB will publish the outcome of its review in line with the SPCB’s Publication Scheme and will notify the Member when it has done so. 

The costs and benefits of delivering Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) are set out in the Full Business Case (FBC) Addendum, published on 16 March 2020, which sets out the clear economic case for DRS. It is available here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/deposit-return-scheme-scotland-full-business-case-addendum/documents/ .

We are aware that some in industry have been exploring alternative values for some of the assumptions set out in the FBC Addendum. We have not had the opportunity to assess the evidence for these alternative assumptions in detail. However, where the figures appear credible we are analysing them and will respond in due course.

In line with the principle of producer responsibility, the operating costs of DRS will be borne by the drinks producers who supply the Scottish market.

The payment of sustainable rates to providers in the private, third and childminding sector to deliver funded early learning and childcare (ELC) is a key aspect of Funding Follows the Child. To support this the landmark multi-year funding agreement reached by Scottish Government and COSLA in April 2018 to fully fund the expansion to 1140 hours includes funding to enable local authorities to pay sustainable rates to providers delivering funded ELC.

In August 2021 alongside the Financial Sustainability Health Check the Scottish Government published updated information ( Overview of local authority funding and support for early learning and childcare providers ) on the sustainable rates that services currently receive from their local authorities. In light of this report and the findings from the Health Check we are working with COSLA and local authorities to progress the actions set out in the Health Check to strengthen the processes by which local authorities set local sustainable rates.

In designing the new service yard and garage, both the safety of the overall operating system and the safety of those using and accessing the garage were fully considered and assessed.   

Design assessments were made in relation to users’ safety and these assessments included: 

·        A design specification, setting out the safety requirements of the new system.  

·        An access report, covering the proposed flow of vehicle travel in the system.  

·        A design risk assessment.  This was carried out by the gate manufacturer to reduce or eliminate risks from gates and barriers with appropriate safety measures.   

·        Safety features including automated traffic controls and safety sensors on all moving parts, including all barriers and gates. 

·        A health and safety review which resulted in updated health and safety arrangements in the service yard area. 

The design process set out the safety standards the component parts of the new vehicle entry system was required to comply with.  These included the European Standards relating to the safety of security gates and barriers.  These were therefore installed and commissioned to appropriate European Directives.  This process was carried out in conjunction with the Parliament’s Health and Safety Adviser. 

In addition, a review of existing health and safety arrangements in the service yard area was carried out as part of the new system design.  Existing arrangements include a 5mph speed limit in the service yard, annual training including vehicle movement toolbox sessions, marked pedestrian walkways and the requirement for pedestrians to wear hi-vis clothing at all times in this area. These existing assessments are considered appropriate in addressing any safety risks in the area. 

The Climate Emergency Skills Action Plan (CESAP) published in December 2020 sets the Scottish Government’s approach to ensuring our workforce has the skills to support Scotland’s transition to net zero. This approach includes raising awareness amongst employers of all sizes of the need to change behaviours and workplace practices to contribute to the transition to net zero and of the options available for upskilling and retraining.

The implementation of the CESAP requires a collaborative approach to action and investment across employers, local and national government, and its skills agencies.

The Scottish Government does not however hold information on the number of businesses that have undertaken training developed by Keep Scotland Beautiful.