e-Bulletin no.13  11th Feb 2008

Short-cut to sections:-  Consultations | Publications | Scottish Government news releases | News releases | Recent parliamentary questions | Recent parliamentary answers | Other parliamentary activity | Events | Training  | Job vacancies

Consultations 

Climate Change: Consultation on Proposals for a Scottish Climate Change Bill (SG 29/01/08)
Consultation on proposals for a Scottish Climate Change Bill.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/01/28100005/0

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Publications

Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005: Permitted Development Rights for Domestic Microrenewables - Consultation Paper: Strategic Environmental Assessment- Screening Report (SG 25/01/08)
Screening Report.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/01/24130338/0

Scottish Vacant and Derelict Land Survey 2007 (SG 31/01/08)
Scottish Vacant and Derelict Land Survey 2007
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/01/24150145/0

Planning Performance Statistics 2004-2007 (SG 31/01/08)
Planning Performance Statistics
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/01/31114430/0

National Planning Framework Newsletter: National Planning Framework 2: Discussion Draft - Have Your Say! No. 5 Jan 2008 (SG 04/02/08)
NPF 2 Newsletter January 2008.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/02/04111709/0

Implementation of Aspects of SPP17 Planning for Transport (SG 04/02/08)
A review of the implementation of aspects of SPP17 Planning for Transport
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/01/30135702/0

Timetable for Implementation of the Planning etc. (Scotland) Act 2006: updated: February 2008 (SG 05/02/08)
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/02/05092008/0
 

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Scottish Government news releases

Budget approved by MSPs (SG 06/02/08)
The first Budget of the new Scottish Government has received the support of Parliament. Finance Secretary John Swinney said "I am delighted that the budget passed today will ensure we can deliver policies that will freeze the Council Tax, increase funding for local government, secure jobs and boost investment in the voluntary sector, as well as delivering vital infrastructure projects and support for Scottish business.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2008/02/06140751

Transforming towns and city centres (SG 04/02/08)
Support for projects designed to breathe new life into Scottish town and city centres is to be extended. Cabinet Secretary John Swinney said: "Our town and city centres should be the beating heart of Scotland's economic revival - the drivers of economic growth both locally and nationally." Building on the Government's plan to reduce and for some companies to remove business rates, from April 1, towns around Scotland will be able to apply for a one-off grant to help launch their own Business Improvement Districts (BIDs).
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2008/02/04113356

Simplifying public services (SG 30/01/08)
First Minister Alex Salmond has set out plans to abolish or merge 52 bodies - reducing the number of national public organisations in Scotland to 121 within the lifetime of this Parliament - the lowest number since before devolution. The plans build on the Government's drive to have fewer, better structured national public bodies, and transparent and clear decision-making. A more integrated approach on national policy on planning, design, architecture and building standards forms part of the proposals, with the integration of the Building Standards Agency into Scottish Government, bringing it together with architecture and planning policy in a new Built Environment Directorate. The Historic Environment Advisory Council and the Building Standards Advisory Committee are to be abolished.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2008/01/30142848

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News releases

Ensuring independent scrutiny of the historic environment (BEFS 31/01/08)
In his recent statement on simplifying Scotland's public services, the First Minister outlined a number of significant proposals that will have implications for improving the quality of our built environment. The Chair of BEFS welcomed engaging with Government on adopting a more integrated approach to the built environment into policy areas across Government. In relation to the abolition of the Historic Environment Advisory Council for Scotland (HEACS), BEFS advocated a continuing need for external scrutiny of matters relating to our built heritage. http://www.befs.org.uk/08.01.31.pressrelease.publicsectorreform.pdf

A+DS Responds to 'Firm Foundations' (A+DS 25/01/08)
Architecture + Design Scotland (A+DS) has responded to 'Firm Foundations' - the Scottish Government's consultation on the future of housing in Scotland. A+DS has welcomed the call in Firm Foundations for housing development to focus on delivering quality places. A+Ds welcomes the Scottish Government's strategic consideration of housing and reinforces the good quality housing, forming attractive places to live and work in, is vital for creating sustainable communities.
http://www.ads.org.uk/news/231_a-ds-responds-to-firm-foundations

Debate on School Buildings Welcomed (A+DS 31/01/08)
Raymond Young CBE, Chair of Architecture + Design Scotland (A+DS), has welcomed the Scottish Parliament debate on school buildings. Speaking after the debate Mr Young said: "Today's robust debate on school buildings provided a welcome opportunity for A+DS to brief MSPs of the successes and failures of school projects that we have assessed. We outlined that there are a number of factors for ensuring successful school buildings, but we also identified the most common failings. Among the potential pitfalls are issues that can arise due to the procurement method employed".
http://www.ads.org.uk/news/232_debate-on-school-buildings-welcomed

Design steps up in the fight against obesity (CABE 25/01/08)
The case for investing in decent design for streets and open spaces is getting stronger by the day. This week saw the publication of both new government strategy and independent public health guidance into how active lifestyles can be deisgned into streets, towns, and cities. Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives from the Department of Health outlines the government's plans to encourage healthier lifestyles. There are some great proposals for 'healthy towns' which prioritise walking and cycling, outdoor green spaces and community-based initiatives to promote good diet.
http://www.cabe.org.uk/default.aspx?contentitemid=2292

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Recent parliamentary questions

Answers will appear in a subsequent Bulletin, with questions reproduced.

S3W-9071 Rob Gibson: To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to lobby the UK Government to reduce or remove VAT on house repairs and improvements. (SP 28/01/08)

S3W-9247 Elaine Murray: To ask the Scottish Executive what revenue and capital costs were incurred by the Historic Environment Advisory Council for Scotland in (a) 2005-06 and (b) 2006-07. (SP 31/01/08)

S3W-9251 Elaine Murray: To ask the Scottish Executive who will provide independent strategic advice to Scottish ministers on issues affecting the historic environment after the abolition of the Historic Environment Advisory Council for Scotland. (SP 31/01/08)

S3W-9254 Elaine Murray: To ask the Scottish Executive which body will be responsible for providing it with advice on the development of building regulations after the abolition of the Buildings Standards Advisory Committee. (SP 31/01/08)

S3W-9497 Keith Brown: To ask the Scottish Executive what it considers that the role of Historic Scotland should be in planning applications near sensitive historical sites. (SP 06/02/08)

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Recent parliamentary answers

Q    S3W-8610 Karen Gillon: To ask the Scottish Executive which third sector organisations will be funded directly by the Scottish Government and how much each organisation will receive in (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10 and (c) 2010-11. (SP 18/01/08)
A    Answered by Jim Mather (28/01/08): The Scottish Government will support a number of third sector organisations over the coming spending period. The number and identity of organisations, together with associated levels of funding, cannot be determined at this stage as many funds are competitive in nature, open to organisations out with the third sector, or dependent on an application process. In addition, responsibility for some local delivery decisions will transfer to local authorities over the coming spending period as part of the single outcome agreement approach. The government has historically collated and published its levels of support to the sector retrospectively, and will continue to do so.

Q    S3W-8633 Patricia Ferguson: To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-5757 by Linda Fabiani on 6 November 2007, when it will make an announcement on the outcome of the review of legislation covering heritage protection. (SP 18/01/08)
A    Answered by Linda Fabiani (31/01/08): I responded to the Historic Environment Advisory Council for Scotland's reports on heritage legislation and local government on 21 December 2007, and this was supplemented with further information on 29 January 2008. I have asked my officials in Historic Scotland to forward copies of both responses to you for information.

Q    S3W-8643 Malcolm Chisholm: To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to protect archaeological artefacts, following the decision not to proceed with Part 4 of the draft Culture Bill. (SP 21/01/08)
A    Answered by Linda Fabiani (01/02/08): The government remains sympathetic to legislation which would create a criminal offence relating to dealing in tainted cultural objects. Should a suitable opportunity arise in our legislative programme, we will consider progressing this matter further.

Q    S3W-8648 Malcolm Chisholm: To ask the Scottish Executive when it will introduce its Creative Scotland Bill to the Parliament. (SP 21/01/08)
A    Answered by Linda Fabiani (28/01/08): We will introduce a bill to establish Creative Scotland as soon as possible in 2008.

Q    S3W-8799 Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to provide additional resources to assist local authorities that have a significant number of planning applications for windfarm developments to process these applications timeously. (SP 24/01/08)
A    Answered by Stewart Stevenson (01/02/08): The councils receive additional resources in the form of a fee with each application for a wind farm made under the Electricity Act or planning legislation. It is the responsibility of the councils to allocate resources to their functions as planning authorities. We are also providing additional resources through a consultant who is offering support and advice to planning authorities so that they can prepare up-to-date spatial frameworks and policies for wind farms which should help them to consider applications.

Q    S3W-8888 Elaine Murray: To ask the Scottish Executive how funding, previously allocated under the Cities Growth Fund, will be allocated in 2008-09, broken down by local authority and also expressed as a percentage of total funding for this purpose. (SP 25/01/08)
A    Answered by John Swinney (04/02/08): I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-8859 on 4 February 2008. 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/webapp/wa.search.

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Other parliamentary activity

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Events

National Planning Framework Roadshow
Scotland's National Planning Framework 2: Discussion Draft was published for consultation on 8th January 08. Written responses to the consultation are invited by 15th April 2008.
During the consultation period there will be National Discussion Conferences on the draft Framework in the following locations:
Dumfries - Easterbrook Hall Conference Centre, Crichton University Campus 13th February 2008
Glasgow - Royal Concert Hall 15th February 2008
Aberdeen - The Foyer 20th February 2008
Inverness - Ramada Jarvis 21th February 2008
Edinburgh - Victoria Quay 7th March 2008
To book a place contact: NPFTeam@scotland.gsi.gov.uk or call 0131-244 7610.

Workshop on the Digital Documentation of the Built Environment
26th February, 2008, House for an Art Lover, Bellahouston Park, Glasgow, 9.00 - 5.30pm, includes buffet lunch.
This one-day workshop, sponsored by Historic Scotland, Glasgow School of Art and Leica Geosystems, will explore the use of contemporary digital technologies such as laser scanning and 3D modeling in the documentation of heritage structures.
Cost £35 - places limited.
For more information, and to reserve your place, call 0141 353 4425 or email digitalheritage@gsa.ac.uk.

Joint Europa Nostra/AHSS Lecture: Saving the built heritage and the cultural landscape of Slovakia: a central European country in political and economic transition, Lecture by Professor Jaroslav Kilian.
Wednesday 27th February 2008, Glasite Meeting House, 33 Barony Street, Edinburgh, 6.30 - 8pm followed by wine reception.
Professor Kilian is a member of the Council of Europa Nostra and a Conservation Architect from Bratislava.  He has been an Adviser to the World Monuments Fund on its selection of World Monuments at Risk, is a consultant to UNESCO concerning the management of World Heritage Sites and Vice Chairman of the ICOMOS International Training Committee.
Admission: Europa Nostra and/or AHSS members is £6, and £8 for non-members. Tickets may be purchased at the door, but places can be booked in advance by contacting Dr Lester Borley, 0131 332 2364, e-mail: lesterborley@waitrose.com.

BEFS Workshop: Healthy Places - towards a mentally flourishing Scotland
Monday 17th March 2008, Edinburgh 9.30 - 1.45pm
The Government is currently developing its future direction on mental health improvement and is seeking views via the discussion paper 'Towards a Mentally Flourishing Scotland'  In partnership with the Scottish Government Health and Wellbeing Directorate and the Scottish Development Centre for Mental Health, the workshop will provide an overview of the discussion paper and research evidence.  It will seek views from stakeholders on how, from their perspective, the built environment contributes both positively and negatively to achieving good mental health. Having identified these aspects, it will go on to explore enablers and inhibitors towards achieving healthy places in Scotland.  This is your opportunity to input into the forward agenda on improving mental well-being in Scotland - from your perspective as a practitioner working with the built environment.
For further details and to register interest, email info@befs.org.uk or call 0131 220 6241.

Energy Efficiency in Historic Homes: Conference
Friday 2nd May 2008, The Hub, Edinburgh 10 - 3.30pm 
Scotland currently has over 47,000 listed buildings, many of which are homes. Improving the energy efficiency of historic buildings can be a complicated process. This is the subject of this FREE 1-day conference in the heart of Edinburgh. Numbers are limited, so book a place now! The day will include presentations covering a range of areas including: Energy - Consumption, waste & efficiency; Building conservation - Cultural & environmental impact; Technical Issues - Old buildings & modern technology; Planning - Requirements & consents; Environment - Sustainability and historic buildings.
To reserve a place at this conference, in the first instance contact the Sustainable Futures team at Changeworks on 0131 468 8657 or at events@changeworks.org.uk

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Training

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Job vacancies

National Trust for Scotland: New Surveying Team and Stonemason
Lead Surveyor £29,553, + Market Premium of £3,592 + car allowance
Surveyor £24,314 + Market Premium of £2,955 + car allowance
Assistant Surveyor £20,002
As part of a national buildings team you will be responsible for providing a comprehensive
professional service to an assigned group of Trust properties, including a wide range of routine and project tasks supporting conservation, repair and maintenance. Ranging from a Chartered member of an appropriate body (such as RICS, RIAS), ideally with an Accreditation in Building Conservation from that body, to someone who is beginning their career in buildings surveying, you will have a degree in a relevant architectural or building surveying discipline. You will also be well organised with excellent project planning and IT skills (including CAD) together with strong interpersonal and team working and leading skills.

Stonemason £20,002 + Market Premium payment of £2,431
Based at Culzean Castle and Country Park
With a relevant qualification in Stonemasonry and demonstrable practical experience as a stonemason working with historic buildings, you will: provide stonemasonry work to the highest possible standards throughout the Trust; operate the Stonemason's workshop; train apprentices; and provide advice and guidance to Trust staff and external bodies. To be successful in the role, you will also be highly organised with excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

For full details and an application form telephone 0131 243 9417 or email: joinus@nts.org.uk
Closing date: 21st March 2008.

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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 Jo Robertson jrobertson@befs.org.uk or call the BEFS Office on 0131 220 6241.