e-Bulletin no.14  25th 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 

Forthcoming Consultations

Scottish Climate Change Bill building measures consultation - winter 07/08

Forest Enterprise Scotland Framework Strategic Plan and Forest District Strategic Plans - winter 07/08

Implementing the Housing Scotland Act 2006 (Parts I and II) - winter 07/08

Consultations

Modernising Planning Appeals: Consultation Paper (SG 14/02/08)
Seeks comments on proposed changes to the planning appeal system in Scotland. The 2005 White Paper 'modernising the planning system' signalled the intention to introduce a step change in the process for reviewing planning decisions, while the Planning etc (Scotland) Act 2006 provided the powers necessary to introduce the changes. The consultation document 'Modernising Planning Appeals' now seeks views from stakeholders on the detailed procedures that should apply to review local planning applications, planning appeals and preparing schemes of delegation. Planning officers are often able to rule on an application under Delegated Powers. This is most often applied when there are no complex issues and the matter need not be referred to committee. Deadline: 14/05/08
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/02/13104117/0
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2008/02/14105858

Scottish Planning Policy SPP 23: Planning and the Historic Environment: Consultative Draft (SG 15/02/08)
Sets out the national planning policy for the historic environment with a view to its protection, conservation and enhancement. Deadline: 09/05/08
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/02/13134354/0

The Future of Flood Risk Management in Scotland: A Consultation Document (SG 13/02/08)
A framework document outlining sustainable flood risk management in Scotland. Deadline: 22/04/08
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/02/13095729/0

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Publications

ePlanning Newsletter: Issue 9 (SG 20/02/08)
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/02/20095644/0
 

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Scottish Government news releases

Review of Rural Policy (SG 20/02/08)
Independent rural policy experts have given a vote of confidence to the Scottish Government's approach to rural development. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) published its review into rural policy in Scotland, highlighting a number of key areas which the Scottish Government is already addressing.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2008/02/20092546

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News releases

Minister's response to HEACS report on legislation - Addendum (HEACS 06/02/08)
The Minister has provided an Addendum to her response to the HEACS report on the need to review heritage protection legislation in Scotland.
http://www.heacs.org.uk/documents/2008/minaddendum.pdf

Minister's response to HEACS report on skills and materials (HEACS 13/02/08)
HEACS has received a response from the Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture, Linda Fabiani, to the report on skills and materials it produced in 2006.
http://www.heacs.org.uk/documents/2008/minresp3.pdf

English Heritage and E. ON to promote energy efficiency (EH 05/02/08) English Heritage and leading energy supplier E.ON have begun a three-year collaboration to explore and deliver initiatives that will make a tangible contribution to the goal of reducing the impact of climate change in the communities in which they operate.  In the coming three years, the two organisations will work together on a wide range of initiatives to better understand how the historic environment can inform the way we build for tomorrow, promote advice to the public on how to adapt their homes in the face of a changing climate and make them energy efficient, conduct research to produce more comprehensive data about energy efficiency in traditionally constructed buildings, and look into how English Heritage properties can make a contribution to mitigating climate change.http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.13074

Valentine plea to architects and housebuilders (CABE 13/02/08)
With two thirds of new housing planning applications never coming into contact with an architect, CABE is this week playing Cupid and organising a 'speed dating' event to help developers and designers get to know each other better. Wayne Hemingway, designer and chair of Building for Life, supports CABE's call for the two groups to put aside their differences.
http://www.cabe.org.uk/default.aspx?contentitemid=2314

Building Futures game launched (CABE 19/02/08)
The Building Futures game - developed by CABE with Building Futures, the Royal Institute of British Architects' (RIBA) think tank and architecture practice AOC - aims to help people share their aspirations for communities. The game offers an accessible new approach to tackling planning and development. It helps participants work through their worries and aspirations for their community, and shows them the trade-offs and choices they have to make to achieve a great place to live.
http://www.cabe.org.uk/default.aspx?contentitemid=2322

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Recent parliamentary questions

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Recent parliamentary answers

Q    S3W-8621 Alison McInnes: To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has with regards to funding a second round of the Scottish Biomass Support Scheme. (SP 18/01/08)
A    Answered by Jim Mather (08/02/08): Following the spending review, substantial additional funding is available for microgeneration and community renewables, including biomass projects. The Scottish Government is currently considering future support for biomass projects outside these categories, and will take into account the potential to increase support for biomass under the Renewables Obligation as well as the progress made by projects under the current Scottish Biomass Support Scheme.

Q    S3W-8645 Malcolm Chisholm: To ask the Scottish Executive what legislative changes it believes are required to ensure that dealing in tainted cultural objects does not occur in Scotland. (SP 21/01/08)
A    Answered by Linda Fabiani (08/02/08): While we are not aware that Scotland has a problem with this type of illicit activity at present, the government remains sympathetic to such legislation and we are looking at the options available to us, including examining legislation that already exists such as the Dealing in Cultural Objects (Offences) Act 2003. This will assist ministers in determining how best to proceed.

Q    S3W-8817 Trish Godman: To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions have taken place with representatives of the UK Government and other interested parties anent the protection of wrecks and vessels on the seabed surrounding the Scottish mainland and islands. (SP 23/01/08)
A    Answered by Linda Fabiani (05/02/08): Historic Scotland officials have had discussions with the Department of Culture, Media and Sport and with the devolved administrations in Northern Ireland and Wales about the development of new legislation to protect the marine historic environment, and further, about Scottish ministers' decision to legislate on this devolved matter in the Scottish Parliament. To facilitate a wider debate on future strategy in this area, Historic Scotland arranged a seminar attended by 50 delegates from across the UK. Discussions on Scotland's most important historic wreck sites have taken place between Historic Scotland and the UK-wide Advisory Committee on Historic Wreck Sites and officials have secured, with their heritage agency partners, a new UK-wide contract for archaeological services to inform designation and licensing decisions from 2008-11.

Q    S3W-8842 Malcolm Chisholm: To ask the Scottish Executive what its policy is on returning cultural artefacts held in Scottish museums to their nation of origin. (SP 25/01/08)
A    Answered by Linda Fabiani (07/02/08): Decisions on the repatriation of cultural objects held by Scottish museums are for the Board of Trustees of each museum to take. The Trustees of National Museums Scotland recently agreed to requests to return a Tasmanian skull to Australia and other human remains to New Zealand. Under the National Heritage (Scotland) Act 1985, Scottish ministers approved the Australian Government and The National Museum of New Zealand as bodies to which National Museums Scotland could transfer objects from their collection.

Q    S3W-8904 Murdo Fraser: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to review the existing national planning guidance on renewable energy developments. (SP 25/01/08)
A    Answered by Stewart Stevenson (07/02/08): The Scottish Government believes that Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) 6 Renewable Energy provides a sound national policy context for addressing onshore wind development and there are no plans to review it. Since the publication of SPP6 and to facilitate its implementation, ministers have confirmed that additional support and guidance will be made available to planning authorities. A team of consultants were appointed by the Scottish Government at the beginning of 2008 for a period to 12 months to provide expert advice and support on the preparation of supplementary planning guidance for wind farms, including spatial frameworks. To further assist the authorities, national guidance on the preparation of the authorities' supplementary planning guidance will be issued in the near future.

Q    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. (28/01/08)
A    Answered by Stewart Maxwell (18/02/08): The setting of rates of VAT is a reserved matter, but the government is aware of concerns around these particular VAT rules and will consider bringing them to the attention of the UK Government. The government's national conversation on Scotland's constitutional future also provides an opportunity to consider whether decisions on these matters would be better taken in Scotland.

Q    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)
A    Answered by Stewart Stevenson (18/02/08): I have asked Dr Paul Stollard, Chief Executive of the Scottish Building Standards Agency (SBSA), to answer. His response is as follows: This will be discussed with the Building Standards Advisory Committee and other key stakeholders to ensure that robust and effective arrangements are in place.

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Other parliamentary activity

Motions

*S3M-1352# Murdo Fraser: New Energy Strategy for Scotland-That the Parliament believes that it is time for a new approach to national energy strategy giving due regard to Scotland's landscape; notes that a new renewable energy policy should incorporate criteria which define the type of landscape within which modern wind turbines can be accommodated and new guidelines setting out where it is appropriate and not appropriate to site a wind farm; understands that such guidelines are needed to end the numerous and speculative applications being submitted and threatening scenic areas and local economies in mid-Scotland and Fife and throughout Scotland; believes that large-scale wind farm projects which face local opposition should not be approved until a new energy strategy is put in place; further understands that Scotland's landscape is a resource of outstanding value to outdoor recreation, tourism and the wider economy, and welcomes the John Muir Trust, the Association for the Protection of Rural Scotland, the Scottish Wild Land Group, the Mountaineering Council of Scotland and the Ramblers' Association Scotland calling for a new energy strategy. (SP 18/02/08)

Current Petitions

PE911: Market led urban regeneration
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/petitions/docs/pe911.htm

PE1047: Coastal and marine environment protection
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/petitions/docs/PE1047.htm

PE1049: Maintenance of un-adopted open spaces
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/petitions/docs/PE1049.htm

PE 1013: Scheduled and listed buildings
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/petitions/docs/PE1013.htm

PE 1078: Protection of historic sites
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/petitions/docs/PE1078.htm

PE 1095: Protection from windfarm developments
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/petitions/docs/PE1095.htm
 

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Events

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Training

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Job vacancies

National Trust for Scotland: Archaeologist, St Kilda (Dual World Heritage Site and Scheduled Ancient Monument). Duties
Salary: £20,002 pa, 40 hours per week, some weekend and unsocial hours; 1 year (5-6 months on island); accommodation - shared on Hirta, St Kilda.
Duties: monitoring archaeological remains, undertaking practical interventions and advising volunteers and contractors as necessary, updating the SMR, producing reports and undertaking research, liaison with Historic Scotland and other stakeholders. Experience: self-care in remote environment, high level of fitness essential. A good communicator, team player and proven track record in field work and conservation. First aid training desirable.
For an application form, contact joinus@nts.org.uk, 0131 243 9417
Closing date - 3rd March 2008 (only applicants successfully short-listed for interview will be contacted)

Glasgow Building Preservation Trust: Project Development Officer
Salary: Up to £27,000 per annum + benefits
Glasgow Building Preservation Trust is expanding to enable us to maximise our contribution to the protection of Glasgow's historic buildings. We are looking for a knowledgeable professional with a passion for the built environment who can contribute through development of projects from inception to delivery. You will be part of small energetic and enthusiastic team working in a challenging and exciting environment.
To discover more and apply visit www.gbpt.org
Closing date Wednesday 19th of 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.