Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government does not usually have a role in considering what is a significant environmental effect for strategic environmental assessments carried out by other Responsible Authorities. Where SEPA is carrying out a strategic environmental assessment, they are required to: reach their own view whether environmental effects are likely to be significant and whether therefore an SEA is required; seek the opinions of the two other Consultation Authorities (SNH and Historic Environment Scotland) on that view; and undertake public consultation on their Environmental Report where appropriate.

Presently there are operational Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) in 22 local authority areas. The table below lists local authorities with established BIDs.

Energy efficiency has been a long-term priority for the Scottish Government. By the end of 2021, we will have allocated over £1 billion pounds since 2009 on tackling fuel poverty and improving energy efficiency. This year alone we have allocated £145 million to improving the energy efficiency of Scotland’s building stock, and we recently announced a two-year extension, worth an additional
‎ £38 million, to our Warmer Homes Scotland Scheme which helps those on low incomes improve their homes.

Our investment to date has resulted in clear improvements in energy efficiency ratings in the housing sector. Information from the Scottish House Condition Survey about EPC ratings is in the public domain at: https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-house-condition-survey-2017-key-findings/pages/5/ . Under SAP 2009 (which allows comparisons over a longer time frame), 46% of dwellings were rated C or better in 2017, up from 24% in 2010. In addition, the number of dwellings rated below band D reduced from 27% in 2010 to 13% in 2017.

In 2015 the Scottish Government designated the energy efficiency of buildings as a National Infrastructure Priority, and Energy Efficient Scotland – a 20-year programme – is the cornerstone of this. The Route Map for Energy Efficient Scotland published in May 2018 sets out our vision that by 2040, all our buildings will be warmer, greener and more efficient. We are also currently consulting on the impact of bringing forward the target date of the long term target for homes from the current date of 2040. The consultation closes on 17 June. We will consider the responses with our partners in local government and where we can move faster whilst supporting a Just Transition to a low carbon economy across Scotland then we will do so.

Estimates of the number of additional dwelling transactions and the gross Additional Dwelling Supplement (ADS) revenues due according to the local authority in which the relevant property is located are provided annually by Revenue Scotland in Figures 17 and 18 of their publication, Annual Summary of Trends in the Devolved Taxes (2017-18). The transactions and revenue figures can be found at the following link: https://www.revenue.scot/about-us/publications/statistics .

The latest 5-year revenue forecasts for Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) covering the period 2019-20 to 2023-24 were published by the Scottish Fiscal Commission on 12 December 2018. A summary of their tax forecasts can be found in Table 9 of Scotland’s Economic and Fiscal Forecasts, December 2018 which is available at: http://www.fiscalcommission.scot/media/1196/scotlands-economic-fiscal-forecasts-publication.pdf .

To ensure that its decisions are impartial and in line with international best practice, Revenue Scotland operates independently of the Scottish Ministers in its role and is directly accountable to the Scottish Parliament. I have asked the Chief Executive of Revenue Scotland to write to the member on this matter.

For LBTT purposes, transactions are either residential or non-residential. The numbers of LBTT returns received for residential and non-residential property transactions are published on a monthly basis by Revenue Scotland on its website at: https://www.revenue.scot/about-us/publications/statistics

The recent completion of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route including the section from Balmedie to Tipperty has delivered a significant upgrade to the A90 trunk road network in the North East. In addition, the design work on improvements to the A90/A937 at Laurencekirk continues to move forward with the next stage, the publication of draft Orders, planned for later in 2019.

The Strategic Transport Review (STPR), published in 2008, recommended a programme of on-going route management for the A90. This included targeted improvements which would contribute towards the need to maintain and safely operate the trunk road network. These localised improvements continue to be delivered through Transport Scotland’s annual maintenance programme.

The second Strategic Transport Projects Review is now well underway and this will allow us to reassess any previously recommended interventions that have not yet been progressed, such as the A90 at Dundee. This will ensure that they remain relevant to delivering the vision and outcomes of the new National Transport Strategy and continue to be the correct decisions for the public purse.

SEPA has investigated and mitigated the oil pollution event working with Scottish Water and Angus Council, but was unable to locate its source. SEPA determined there was no impact on watercourse ecology from the oil spill.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-23027 on 16 May 2019. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx ”.