Chamber and committees

Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)
Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Urgent Questions aren't included in the Question and Answers search. There is a SPICe fact sheet listing Urgent and emergency questions.

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Question reference: S5W-01605

Asked by: Alex Rowley, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 22 July 2016
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 16 August 2016

To ask the Scottish Government what (a) estimated and (b) maximum level of support will be provided each year through Housing Infrastructure Fund loans, broken down by (i) unit, (ii) development and (iii) developer, and how many it estimates will receive support.

We are working with local authorities to finalise this information. Up to £50 million is available in 2016-17 for the Housing Infrastructure Fund for both loans and grant and we are working closely with local authorities as part of the Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) process to identify strategically important projects that could be supported by the fund in 2016. We have also invited local authorities, as part of their SHIP submissions, to identify projects they would wish to prioritise for consideration for funding over the five year period.

Question reference: S5W-01615

Asked by: Alex Rowley, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 22 July 2016
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 16 August 2016

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will adopt an “infrastructure first” approach to development and, if so, whether it will fully-fund this.

Infrastructure investment is central to the Scottish Government’s economic strategy and our vision for a prosperous, fair and well-connected Scotland. The Infrastructure Investment Plan 2015, published 16 December 2015, builds on the achievements delivered through our previous infrastructure plans and sets out a refreshed programme of long-term investment.

As set out in the Infrastructure Investment Plan 2015, the Scottish Government is fully committed to supporting and facilitating the delivery of infrastructure.

Question reference: S5W-01614

Asked by: Alex Rowley, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 22 July 2016
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 16 August 2016

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will use (a) a national or regional infrastructure levy and (b) other new funding mechanisms to support an “infrastructure first” approach to development.

The Scottish Government is commissioning research to explore options for the introduction of an infrastructure charging mechanism within Scotland. This research project will inform a white paper, which we intend to fully consult on in winter 2016.

Earlier in 2016 the Scottish Government announced the introduction of a five year Housing Infrastructure Fund, to enable the delivery of housing on strategically important sites. More information on the operation of the fund is available at:

http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Built-Environment/Housing/supply-demand/housing-infrastructure-fund.

Question reference: S5W-01612

Asked by: Alex Rowley, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 22 July 2016
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 16 August 2016

To ask the Scottish Government how many schools have been delivered by (a) local authorities, (b) the Scottish Futures Trust, (c) independent schools and (d) other developers through housing development section 75 agreements in each year since 2011, broken down by local authority area.

Question reference: S5W-01602

Asked by: Alex Rowley, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 25 July 2016
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 16 August 2016

To ask the Scottish Government what the level of (a) capital and (b) other expenditure has been in each local authority planning department in each year since 2011.

Question reference: S5W-01606

Asked by: Alex Rowley, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 22 July 2016
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 16 August 2016

To ask the Scottish Government what (a) estimated and (b) maximum level of support will be provided each year through Housing Infrastructure Fund grants, broken down by (i) unit, (ii) development and (iii) developer, and how many it estimates will receive support.

Question reference: S5W-01603

Asked by: Alex Rowley, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 25 July 2016
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 16 August 2016

To ask the Scottish Government how many planning practitioners have been employed in each local authority in each year since 2011.

Data on planning authority staffing have only been collected since 31 March 2013 as part of Planning Performance Frameworks. The information collected is staffing at all levels across planning authorities including planning staff, planning technicians and administrators. Not all authorities have provided information.

Staffing Numbers

Authority	2015-16	2014-15	2013-14	2012-13
Aberdeen City	57.9	58.5	53.5	58
Aberdeenshire	134.7	162.2	95	108
Angus	33	33.5	33	N/A
Argyll and Bute	43	44.5	44.5	49.5
Cairngorms NP	10	11	9.5	10
Clackmannanshire	7	6.5	7.5	N/A
Dumfries and Galloway	40.9	40.9	46.75	50.25
Dundee City	24.5	25.5	25.5	30.5
East Ayrshire	N/A	32.5	32.5	28
East Dunbartonshire	28	29	32	N/A
East Lothian	26	24.6	24.6	24.2
East Renfrewshire	29.5	27.3	24.3	30
Edinburgh	N/A	151	165	137
Falkirk	36.7	41	44.5	43
Fife	67.5	79	66	73.4
Glasgow City	97.5	112.4	119.95	148
Highland	N/A	87	84	N/A
Inverclyde	20	20	21	20
LLTNP	17	18.6	20.6	23.2
Midlothian	29.63	27.83	27.4	54
Moray	27.5	27.5	27.5	25.5
Na h-Eileanan Siar	16.6	16.5	16.5	19.5
North Ayrshire	22.2	22.2	22.2	22.2
North Lanarkshire	54	56.5	82.8	71
Orkney	20.9	20.3	20.3	20.3
Perth and Kinross	55	51	53	53
Renfrewshire	N/A	N/A	28.3	35.5
Scottish Borders	70	72	31	N/A
Shetland	26.5	23.97	25	22.97
South Ayrshire	N/A	30.5	30.5	27.5
South Lanarkshire	55	53	59	60
Stirling	28.8	27.8	27.8	21
West Dunbartonshire	15.5	14.5	14.5	18
West Lothian	24.02	23.02	30	25
All Scotland	1118.9	1471.6	1445.5	1308.5

Question reference: S5W-01600

Asked by: Alex Rowley, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 25 July 2016
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 16 August 2016

To ask the Scottish Government what mechanism will be used to allocate financial assistance to local authorities to strengthen their skills and capacity in housing delivery.

The Scottish Government has committed over £3 billion of grant funding to support the delivery of 50,000 affordable homes in Scotland (35,000 for social rent), during this parliamentary session. As part of its on-going engagement with local authorities in their role as strategic housing authorities, the Scottish Government has recently held discussions to identify any areas where more support could be provided to strengthen skills and capacity on housing delivery in the short term. The Scottish Government is currently considering the outcome of these discussions and the range of support it may provide, including, where appropriate, financial assistance. Further details on this, including any financial assistance that has been identified, will be set out this autumn.

Question reference: S5W-01604

Asked by: Alex Rowley, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 25 July 2016
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 16 August 2016

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will prioritise development of brownfield land through its Housing Infrastructure Fund.

Question reference: S5W-01596

Asked by: Alex Rowley, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 25 July 2016
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 16 August 2016

To ask the Scottish Government whether the Housing Infrastructure Fund can be used to establish (a) renewable electricity and (b) district heating solutions in off-grid locations.