Chamber and committees

The NCR is continuously learning across its network, and compiling a portfolio of evidence that can support climate change adaption work and mitigation plans for communities. It does this through the commissioning of research, delivery of practical projects, and knowledge exchange. The centre facilitates collaborative projects that contribute key evidence for policy decision making and consideration for national strategy. It commissions research and projects through grant awards, and works closely with its grant awardees. The centre also positions itself to be able to respond to demand-led research, and provides access to a network of academics and appropriate academic consideration that can support a range of activities such as the Scottish Risk Assessment, and the Scottish Government’s annual planning cycle. The NCR provides key support to academics, effectively helping to translate and disseminate project outputs, and maximise the impact of scientific research.

Its recent work on climate change and adaptation includes:

• Research into building resilience, to interacting extreme weather driven hazards and cascading impacts.
• Research into tools that assess the impact of rainfall on urban resilience and iconic cultural heritage.
• A variety of published papers including work on community resilience in response to extreme events, a digital flood evacuation modelling the role of local business in community resilience to natural hazards, and the transition from response to recovery.

A full portfolio of published material is on the NCR website.

It has also worked with key partners to deliver best practice, and has funded training modules for professionals and communities in areas such as:

Flooding good practice guidance

• Flooding Resilience training in collaboration with the Conservation Volunteers for schools and the voluntary sector.
• A property flood resilience action plan for communities and householders

Typical of its extensive work in the field of climate change, the NCR was heavily involved in the COP 26 Climate Action in South Scotland Conference, where it brought together senior leaders to explore a diverse range of issues.

In short, the NCR is ideally situated, with a growing portfolio of knowledge to inform policy and practice of evidence-based knowledge and solutions that can help address climate change adaption and mitigation plans for communities, through the ongoing delivery of its strategic objectives, building on its extensive networks and the body of work that it has already carried out, published and enabled.

The Scottish Government remains absolutely committed to ensuring that victims of domestic abuse feel supported throughout the justice system, including court proceedings. A number of measures are in place to support survivors of domestic violence during court proceedings. For example, the court can take extra steps, called 'special measures', to help vulnerable witnesses give the best evidence they can. In criminal courts, deemed vulnerable witnesses (including those in domestic abuse cases) are automatically entitled to special measures including a screen in the courtroom; a TV link to somewhere outside the courtroom; and a supporter who can sit with the witness while they give evidence.

The Scottish Government recognises the key role that advocacy services play in helping victims come forward and engage with the justice process. As such, in the first 100 days of this Government we allocated an additional £5m to fourteen specialist support organisations including Scottish Women’s Aid to bolster the vital services they provide and help ensure those who need support are able to access it.

We are aware that some manufacturers may be affected by difficulties with imported components. Other manufactures have stock availability and specialist retailers are also able to meet demand, subject to logistical challenges. However, I would emphasise that when the legislation comes into force, it says that work should be done within a reasonable period, which takes into account individual circumstances. No home owner will be penalised if they are unable to do the work by 1 February 2022.

The Scottish Government provides the policy and legislative framework for community engagement in the Scottish planning system. Whilst not providing an advocacy service for communities, the Scottish Government provides financial assistance to PAS (Planning Aid for Scotland), an independent charity, to provide a free advice service on planning and environmental matters for communities and the public at large, through its professional planner volunteers.

The following table shows the poundage, property rate supplements, and property rate thresholds (rateable value) for each year from 1999-2000 to 2022-2023:

Table 1: Poundage and Property Rate Supplements

The Scottish Budget continues to deliver the lowest poundage in the UK for the fourth year in a row, with a below inflation increase to 49.8p proposed in 2022-23. Compared to maintaining the poundage at the current rate of 49p, we estimate that this a will raise an additional £45 million.

Table 1 shows the estimated loss in gross non-domestic rates income (£57.9m) from freezing the poundage at 49p compared to raising it to 49.8p.

Table 1 presents a breakdown by property class as the Scottish Government does not hold property-level data on industry sectors. Property class is a classification used by Scottish Assessors to describe the type of property, and may not necessarily accurately reflect the use of a property.

Due to the application of a £27,500 cap per ratepayer on retail, hospitality and leisure relief in 2022-23, it is not possible to robustly estimate the breakdown of these net figures by property class at this time.

Table 1: Estimated loss to NDR income of freezing the poundage at 49p compared to 49.8p by property class

The Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 provides local authorities with a discretionary power to set up workplace parking licensing (WPL) schemes. The discretionary power to set up workplace parking licensing (WPL) schemes is intended as a tool for local authorities to use among a suite of measures when developing their local transport strategies. Depending on local circumstances, WPL schemes have the potential to encourage the use of more sustainable travel modes, reducing congestion, improving air quality and reducing emissions.

As set out in our Climate Change Plan Update, we have continued to progress policy development to inform the regulations and guidance which will underpin local authorities’ WPL schemes, should they wish to take forward a scheme. Regulations were laid in Parliament yesterday (12 January 2022) setting out the regulatory framework and this will be followed by guidance for local authorities in the first half of 2022.

It will then be for local authorities to decide whether they wish to implement WPL locally and to shape proposals to suit local circumstances. It will be for local authorities to determine the timing of when they take schemes forward, if they choose to do so, and the detail of their local schemes. Local authorities will be required to undertake a public consultation and impact assessments before implementing a WPL scheme.

The Scottish Government is currently finalising its response to the consultation on a Sectoral Marine Plan for offshore wind for Innovation and Targeted Oil and Gas decarbonisation (INTOG), which will be published in the first quarter of 2022 .

Further to the answer to question S6W-00511 on 21 June 2021, the Scottish Government has had no discussion regarding the use and release of imidacloprid-based treatments in Scotland’s marine environment with SEPA, the Veterinary Medicines Directorate and Benchmark. No applications have been received for imidacloprid use or release.

Ministers granted permission (subject to conditions) on 21 December for the proposed Hoy and Quanterness wind farms in Orkney, on the basis that they are justified by their benefits, including their contribution towards the case for a new electricity interconnector to export renewable energy from Orkney to the Scottish mainland.

The decision letters are available to view at www.dpea.scotland.gov.uk/Document.aspx?id=814579 (Quanterness) and www.dpea.scotland.gov.uk/Document.aspx?id=814699 (Hoy).

The decision letters set out in full the grounds for the decisions. Ministers cannot comment beyond what is set out in the decision letters.