Chamber and committees

Fatal Accidents on Roads in Dumfries and Galloway, by Month and Road

People Killed in Accidents on Roads in Dumfries and Galloway, by Month and Road

As has been publicised, the intention is to begin to pay annual recurrent claims for Rural Priorities in early 2010, as soon as possible after the end of the scheme year. This in line with arrangements for previous agri-environment schemes, where such payments were also made after the end of the scheme year, which is January to December for Rural Priorities.

The timing is also informed by the need to comply with European requirements for all inspections for land-based activities to be carried out before payments can be made.

My officials will of course make every effort to ensure payments are made as soon as possible.

In itself, widening the eligibility criteria for Stage 4 of the Energy Assistance Package has no cost implications. The effect of including band E will be to nearly double the pool of households eligible for enhanced measures. Newly eligible households will have better energy efficiency ratings and therefore the cost of measures under Stage 4 may be less than those required for F and G band homes.

If a building or other structure were erected in relation to a business being run from a home, it would be a question of whether the size and nature of the building or structure and/or its use required planning permission.

Where someone was conducting a business from home without having obtained a planning permission, it would be a matter for the planning authority for the area, in the first instance, to consider whether a breach of planning control had occurred and whether enforcement action would be appropriate.

The Energy Assistance Package is supported by a budget of over £60 million in 2009-10. Fuel poverty budget spend to date is £15.728 million. This is in line with the expected profile as spend on installation measures is traditionally weighted towards the last two quarters of the financial year.

Following the recommendations of the independent Scottish Fuel Poverty Forum the Energy Assistance Package was introduced, a holistic package of services to tackle the three main causes of fuel poverty: low incomes; fuel prices; and energy inefficiency. Stage 4 of the package is targeted at those most likely to be fuel poor, including for the first time families with children under five or a disabled child under 16. Work is underway to raise awareness of the EAP and develop brand recognition.

The Scottish Fuel Poverty Forum is responsible for monitoring the Energy Assistance Package and following consideration of the first six months of operation recommended that the threshold for energy inefficiency dwellings be raised to cover more fuel poor households. Scottish ministers accepted this recommendation.

A procurement exercise to appoint a managing agent from 2010-2011 is currently underway. The revised contract will reflect the monitoring requirements of the Energy Assistance Package.