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Latest: Welcome to the BEFS e-Bulletin.
This Bulletin includes links to the report on the
National Planning Framework published by the Scottish Parliament's Local
Government and Communities Committee; report and initiative by CABE on
responding to climate change; to summary information on single outcome
agreements provided by SCVO; and to the recent debate on the marine bill
consultation, to which BEFS' Marine Bill Historic Environment Taskforce
provided a briefing (www.befs.org.uk/issues.htm)
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sections:- Consultations | Publications |
Scottish Government news releases | News
releases | Recent parliamentary questions | Recent parliamentary answers | Other
parliamentary activity | Events | Training
| Job vacancies
Consultations
Message
from the Getty Conservation Institute:
The Getty Conservation Institute (GCI) is currently
engaged in an effort to expand our focus on Historic Urban Settlements and
Cities. As part of our research, we are asking for your participation
in a survey that will help us to identify the priority issues facing the
leaders and professionals involved in the conservation of historic urban
areas. If you have already filled out the survey, thank you very much
for your time and attention. If not, we would very much appreciate
your input and assistance with this project.
As urbanization and development continue, the treatment of this urban
fabric is of increasing global concern. Your expertise and experience
working in a historic urban environment will provide valuable feedback for
this important project. You can access the survey at:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=rv86s0l59RAQjLuW0jWyWA_3d_3d.
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Publications
REPORT ON
NATIONAL PLANNING FRAMEWORK PUBLISHED (SP 25/02/09)
The Local Government and Communities Committee today published its report
on the Scottish Government's plans for the overall development of Scotland
to 2030.
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/nmCentre/news/news-comm-09/clgc09-s3-001.htm
Processing Planning Applications for National and Major Developments (SG
16/02/09)
The research reviews existing processes for handling national and major
planning applications and identifies best practice and makes
recommendations for improving efficiency in this area.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/02/10131548/0
(Research)
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/02/10131505/0
(Findings
Scottish Planning Series: Planning Circular 1 2009: Development Planning
(SG 16/02/09)
Operation of the development planning system.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/02/13153723/0
Hallmarks
of a sustainable city (CABE 05/03/09)
CABE urges shift to spur effective local climate response. In this
report CABE sets out four policy proposals could spur local and central
government to develop a much quicker and more effective response to climate
change.
http://www.cabe.org.uk/default.aspx?contentitemid=3047
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Scottish Government news releases
Carbon
effective buildings (SG 27/02/09)
New Scottish buildings will soon be among the most carbon efficient in
Europe. New building standards for homes and non-domestic buildings will
reduce carbon emissions by 30 per cent beyond current standards.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2009/02/27100945
Scottish
Archaeological Finds Allocation Panel (SG 23/02/09)
Minister for Culture, External Affairs and the Constitution Michael Russell
has announced the appointment of two new members, the reappointment of the
Chair and reappointment of a lay member to the Scottish Archaeological
Finds Allocation Panel.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2009/02/20105203
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News releases
CABE
urges shift to spur effective local climate response (CABE 05/03/09)
Four policy proposals could spur local and central government to develop a
much quicker and more effective response to climate change. These are set
out in CABE's new report, Hallmarks of a sustainable city.
http://www.cabe.org.uk/default.aspx?contentitemid=3047
CABE
launches Sustainable Cities (CABE 04/03/09)
Dealing with climate change is the most pressing sustainability challenge
facing us in the UK. Going low carbon can deliver progress on other crucial
fronts such as energy security, affordable homes, new jobs and
regeneration.
So CABE has launched a major new initiative, Sustainable Cities, for the
people responsible for planning, designing and managing towns and cities.
http://www.cabe.org.uk/default.aspx?contentitemid=3044
£1.8
MILLION FOR REGION'S HISTORIC PLACES OF WORSHIP (EH 02/03/09)
English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) today (Tuesday, 3
March) pledged £1.8 million for urgent repair work to 16 Grade I and II*
listed places of worship in Yorkshire and the Humber.
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.15835
Single Outcome
Agreements - a review of publications (Feb 2009) (SCVO 27/2/09)
This summary has been written with the Scottish voluntary sector
specifically in mind. It reviews some of the key documents relating to
Single Outcome Agreements (SOAs) - principally policy, guidance and
research -
http://www.scvo.org/scvo/Information/ViewInformation.aspx?al=t&from=LA&Info=1873
Eco-towns
public consultation deadline extended (DCLG 26/02/09)
The consultation on the draft Planning Policy Statement (PPS) and
Sustainability Appraisal on eco-towns has now been extended to Thursday 30
April, meaning it will run for more than five months.
http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/1158627
Vulnerable
war memorials saved (EH 18/02/08)
English Heritage and the Wolfson Foundation today (18 February 2009)
announced 12 grants worth nearly £50,000 to help save England's war
memorials in need of conservation and repair.
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.15811
Heritage
at Risk from Nighthawking (EH 16/02/09)
A national survey commissioned by English Heritage and supported by its
counterparts across the UK and Crown Dependencies has revealed that the
threat to heritage posed by illegal metal detecting, or nighthawking, is
high but arrest or prosecution remains at an all time low and penalties are
woefully insufficient.
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.15724
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Recent parliamentary questions
Answers
will appear in a subsequent Bulletin, with questions reproduced. Questions marked
with a triangle are initiated by the Scottish Executive in order to
facilitate the provision of information to the Parliament.
Questions
in which a member has indicated a declarable interest are marked with an
"R".
S3W-21431
Des McNulty: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will seek agreement
with local authorities that volunteering activity will be recognised and
supported through the inclusion of a targeted local outcome under national
outcome 11 in single outcome agreements between local authorities and the
Scottish Government. (SP 27/02/09)
S3W-21276
Murdo Fraser: To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review
building standards for domestic dwelling houses. (SP 25/02/09)
S3W-21309
Murdo Fraser: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is content with the
scope of the Beauly Denny Public Inquiry now that it has received the final
report. (SP 25/02/09)
S3W-21003
Mary Mulligan: To ask the Scottish Executive which section of the Scottish Government
will oversee the allocation of the Town Centre Regeneration Fund. (SP 16/02/09)
S3W-20993
Willie Coffey: To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration has been
given to the introduction of compensation payments for adjacent owners
where planning applications, for wind turbines or other developments, are
judged to have had an adverse impact on the value of their properties. (SP
16/02/09)
S3W-20944
Hugh Henry: To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to ensure
that the £60 million announced for the Town Centre Regeneration Fund is
spent on town centre regeneration. (SP 16/02/09)
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Recent parliamentary answers
Q
S3W-20733 - Peter Peacock : To ask the Scottish
Executive what practical policies Forestry Commission Scotland has put in
place to optimise the use of the national forest estate for carbon
sequestration and mitigation and what policies it expects to continue. (SP
09/02/09)
A
Answered by Roseanna Cunningham (23/02/09): Forestry Commission Scotland
published its Climate Change Action Plan (2009-2011) on 2 February (www.forestry.gov.uk/ccapscotland),
setting out what it will do to increase the contribution and response of
Scottish forestry to the challenges of climate change. Effort will focus on
protecting and managing existing forests, creating new woodland, using
woodland for renewable energy, replacing other materials with wood and
planning to adapt to our changing climate. These directions will be
embedded in the Forest Enterprise Scotland Framework Strategic Plan
(2009-2013) and Forest District Strategic Plans, all of which are now being
reviewed following extensive public consultation in 2008 (www.forestry.gov.uk/fesplans).
Specific actions, within the context of sustainable forest management and
supporting the forestry sector''s significant contribution to meeting the
government''s emission reduction targets, include Forest Enterprise
Scotland maximising the potential for wind farms on the national forest
estate; purchasing sufficient land to create around 6,000 hectares of new
woodland over a three-year period, and making one half to three quarters of
a million cubic meters of timber available for the biomass market each
year.
Such actions are continually reviewed as part of the Comprehensive Spending
Review process and will also be informed by the review of the FCS Climate Change
Action Plan in 2011.
Q
S3W-20729 - Peter Peacock : To ask the Scottish
Executive whether it considers the National Performance Framework to be a
qualifying plan, programme or strategy for the purposes of the
Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 and what the reasons are for
its position on this matter. (SP 09/02/09)
A
Answered by John Swinney (04/03/09): The National Performance Framework can
be considered a qualifying plan, programme or strategy, under Section 5(4)
of the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005.
Q
S3W-20624 Sarah Boyack: To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish
the responses to its consultation on Permitted Development Rights for
Domestic Microgeneration Equipment, which closed on 12
May 2008. R (SP 06/02/09)
A
Answered by Stewart Stevenson (02/03/09): The responses were published on
the Scottish Government website in August 2008. A summary of the responses
to the consultation on PD rights for domestic micro-generation equipment
were published on Monday 9 February 2009. They can be viewed on the government
website at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/publications/2008/08/28101947/0.
Q
S3W-20659 Lewis Macdonald: To ask the Scottish Executive how it will assess
the needs of cities, towns and villages in relation to allocations made
from the Town Centre Regeneration Fund. (SP 060/2/09)
A
Answered by Alex Neil (02/03/09): I refer the member to the answer to
question S3W-20618 on 26 February 2009. All answers to written
parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the
search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx
Q
S3W-20660 Lewis Macdonald: To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the
Town Centre Regeneration Fund will be available in (a) 2009-10 and (b)
2010-11. (SP 06/02/09)
A
Answered by Alex Neil (02/03/09): £60 million will be available in 2009-10.
We have no current plans for provision in 2010-11.
Q
S3W-20663? Shirley-Anne Somerville: To ask the Scottish Executive when it
expects to lay before the Parliament the amendment order
that will grant permitted development rights for microgeneration on
domestic buildings. (SP0 9/02/09)
A
Answered by Stewart Stevenson (0902/09): I am pleased to announce that the
relevant Amendment Order [the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted
Development) (Domestic Microgeneration) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2009]
was laid before the Scottish Parliament on Friday 6 February 2009 [SSI
2009/34]. It will now be considered by the Subordinate Legislation
Committee and the Local Government and Communities Committee. The Order
will enable householders to install certain energy generating equipment,
such as solar panels, on their houses or in their gardens without applying
for planning permission. Removing the barriers of cost and time will encourage
greater uptake of micro-generation equipment, which will increase renewable
energy generation and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Removing the
barriers will also support the development of the micro-generation industry
therefore contributing to the government''s efforts to ensure that
Scotland''s planning system increases sustainable economic growth.
Q
S3W-20697 Jeremy Purvis: To ask the Scottish Executive when the roll-out
across Scotland of the £60 million Town Centre Regeneration Fund will (a)
begin and (b) be completed. (SP 09/02/09)
A
Answered by Alex Neil (02/03/09): I refer the member to the answer to
question S3W-20618 on 26 February 2009. All answers to written
parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the
search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.
Q
S3W-20698 Jeremy Purvis: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will
detail how the Town Centre Regeneration Fund will be rolled out across
Scotland, including (a) funding stream, (b) method of allocation and (c)
prioritisation. (SP 09/02/09)
A
Answered by Alex Neil (02/03/09): I refer the member to the answer to
question S3W-20618 on 26 February 2009. All answers to written
parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the
search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.
Q
S3W-20699 Jeremy Purvis: To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it
will give, and to whom, on the utilisation of resources under the Town
Centre Regeneration Fund. (SP 09/02/09)
A
Answered by Alex Neil (02/03/09): I refer the member to the answer to
question S3W-20618 on 26 February 2009. All answers to written
parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the
search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.
Q
S3W-20706 Jeremy Purvis: To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it
has had with relevant partners concerning the roll-out of the town centre
regeneration fund; which partners were involved, and when these discussions
took place. (SP 09/02/09)
A
Answered by Alex Neil (02/03/09): The Scottish Government has engaged with
a wide range of stakeholders to consider the key challenges facing our town
centres and the action that might be taken to promote their regeneration
and growth. Discussions have taken place with local government, private
sector and community representatives including COSLA, the Scottish Retail
Consortium, the Federation of Small Businesses and Business Improvement
District Managers.
Along with previous engagement, the Town Centres and Local High Streets
Learning Network was launched on 12 February. This
provided delegates (including Local Authority staff, private sector
representatives, town centre managers and community representatives) an
opportunity to feedback their thoughts and suggestions in relation to the
management and distribution of the fund.
Decisions on the roll out of the new Town Centre Regeneration Fund are
being informed by these discussions.
Q
S3W-20745 Liam McArthur: To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions
have taken place with local authorities and representatives of local
planning officers on the interpretation and implementation of the proposed
permitted development rights for domestic microgeneration equipment. (SP 10/2/09)
A
Answered by Stewart Stevenson (02/03/09): Local authorities and
representatives of local planning officers were able to respond to the
consultation paper relating to permitted development rights for domestic
microgeneration. Nineteen responses were received from planning and
national park authorities.
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Other parliamentary activity
Motions
*S3M-3584
Duncan McNeil on behalf of the Local Government and Communities Committee: National
Planning Framework for Scotland 2 - Proposed Framework-That the Parliament
agrees that the Local Government and Communities Committee's 5th Report,
2009 (Session 3): National Planning Framework for Scotland 2: Proposed
Framework (SP Paper 218), together with the Official Report of the
Parliament's debate on the report, should form the Parliament's response to
the Scottish Government on the Proposed Framework. (SP 03/03/09)
*S3M-3579
Bob Doris: Cities and the Town Centre Regeneration Fund-That the Parliament
notes the importance of vibrant town centres up and down Scotland in
increasing sustainable economic growth; recognises the importance of town
centres for local residents and in attracting others to spend their money
in the local community; welcomes the Scottish Government's £60 million Town
Centre Regeneration Fund, which will provide a much needed boost to town
centres that are feeling the ill effects of the current economic downturn;
notes that many city-based town centres suffer from the draw of a large
city centre and from out-of-town shopping centres, often leaving the most
socially excluded residents in the area using a poor range of facilities;
welcomes the Minister for Housing and Communities' agreement to explore the
prospect of city areas being able to apply for money from this fund, and
believes that locations in Glasgow such as Springburn Shopping Centre and
Victoria Road are just some examples of areas that could benefit. (SP
02/03/09)
S3M-3564 Jim Mather: The Draft Renewables Obligation (Scotland) Order 2009-That the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee
recommends that the draft Renewables Obligation (Scotland) Order 2009 be
approved.
Supported
by: John Swinney* (SP 27/02/09)
*S3M-3528
Richard Lochhead: Marine Bill Consultation-That the Parliament notes the
Scottish Government's commitment to deliver a Scottish Marine Bill to drive
sustainable economic growth and improve the stewardship of the seas around
Scotland; acknowledges the positive response to the consultation, Sustainable
Seas for All, and the widespread support for the proposals, and further
notes the recent agreement with the UK Government to secure executive
responsibility for marine nature conservation and planning in the offshore
zone.
Supported by: Roseanna Cunningham* (SP 25/02/09)
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Events
Social
partnership in practice - how the Irish voluntary sector helps develop
government policy
12 March 2009, 6pm at Augustine
Church Centre, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh, EH1 1EL
Deirdre Garvey, CEO of The Wheel,
Eire's equivalent of SCVO will be giving a talk on social partnership in
practice. This event forms part of SCVO's lecture series.
Cost free to SCVO members, non members £15
Contact helen.swatton@scvo.org.uk
or 0141 225 8019
Creating
a sustainable third sector: opportunities and challenges
17 March 2009. all day,
Roxburgh Hotel Edinburgh
This conference is for anyone with an interest in the Thirds Sector in
Scotland Conference fee £113.85 - £286.35
http://conferences.holyrood.com/content/view/925/142/
Design
and use of bio-mass fuel systems in urban areas
Wednesday 18th March 2009 PLEASE NOTE
CHANGE OF DATE!
0930 - 1300hrs Balmoral Room, Queens Hotel, Perth
A round table discussion on issues surrounding the design, specification,
current legislative environment for and choice of bio-mass systems featuring
current examples and contributions by clients/ users, designers,
installers, suppliers, local authorities
Places are limited; Booking Essential!
Reservations/ Enquiries to Mary Kelly, email: mary@segalselfbuild.co.uk
The
Scottish Stone Liaison Group is currently taking bookings for
DECONSTRUCTING BUILDING STONE, its Programme of CPD seminars for building
professionals, delivered in association with Historic Scotland, the RIAS,
IHBC and CIOB.
Standards, Sustainability & Specification -
18th March 2009, City Halls, Glasgow
For architects, planners and practitioners working in the urban or rural
environment, this event offers a reappraisal of the issues involved in
procuring and using stone.
There are still places available.The cost for attending is £75 per event.
If you are interested in attending the events above, please complete the
booking form (attached) and post or email to the address given. Or contact
the SSLG at sarah.bailey@sslg.co.uk
ESRC,
SCVO & SG Public Policy Seminar: Innovation and the Third Sector
20 Mar 09 10:00, Augustine Church Centre, 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh,
EH1 1EL, Free event
SCVO in collaboration with the Economic and Social Research Council and
with support from the Scottish Government are organising a series of public
policy seminars on the third sector. The third and final event is on the
Third Sector and Innovation
contact - Marzena Bien, email - knowledgetransfer@esrc.ac.uk,
phone - 01793 413137
http://www.scvo.org/scvo/SCVOEvents/ViewSCVOEvents.aspx?al=t&EID=1007&from=EventHome
Regeneration:
Sustaining Development Through the Recession
Wednesday 20 May, Edinburgh, Venue TBC
This timely conference, in association with the Scottish Urban Regeneration
Forum (SURF), will also examine wider issues facing regeneration projects
in light of current economic, environmental and practical developments.
Project
and Programme Management Scotland 2009: Delivering Success
25th March 2009 Our Dynamic
Earth, Edinburgh
Supported by the Association for Project Management Scotland Branch. This one
day networking conference will bring you a strong line-up of speakers from
across the public sector in Scotland, and is an ideal
opportunity to meet and discuss the discipline of project management with colleagues
and fellow professionals within Scotland.
Further information is available from Public service web site. Allocated a
special discounted rate of £195 + VAT to The Built Environment Forum Scotland's members
http://www.publicserviceevents.co.uk/main/programme.asp?event_ID=82
ParkCity
24 March 2009 9.30am - 25 March 2009, Dexter House, No 2 Royal Mint Court,
Tower Hill, London EC3N 4QN
ParkCity is a two-day conference sponsored by CABE and Natural England, the
Government's advisors on urban design and the natural environment.
A ground breaking conference on the emerging role of green infrastructure
in creating sustainable towns and cities and successful places.
http://www.cabe.org.uk/default.aspx?contentitemid=2925
Homeowners
renovating and revamping:Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) - It's time to
clear the air
Free Safety and Health Awareness Day (SHAD), Wed 01 April 2009, City
Chambers, Edinburgh
For more information please contact admin@scotlime.org
or tel: 01383 872722.
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Training
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Job vacancies
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Information
in the Bulletin is extracted from a number of websites; including the
Scottish Government (SG); the Scottish Parliament (SP); Architecture
and Design Scotland (A+DS); Historic Scotland (HS); Scottish Natural
Heritage (SNH); Scottish Council for Voluntary
Organisations (SCVO); English Heritage (EH); Commission for Architecture
and the Built Environment (CABE); Department of Communities and Local
Government (DCLG); Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS);
Department of Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA); National Assembly for
Wales (NAW); Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS); Scottish Building
Standards Agency (SBSA). For further
information, links are provided to the relevant documents. Back copies of
the Bulletin are available approximately one month after publication on the
BEFS website.
If you have any questions or comments on the above, or would like to submit
information to be included, please get in touch with Anne Wilkinson awilkinson@befs.org.uk or call
the BEFS Office on 0131 220 6241. We hope that you find the Bulletin useful,
however if you wish to be removed from the circulation list, please get in
touch.
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