e-Bulletin no.21  9th Sept 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 

Action on Climate Change: Proposals for improving the energy performance of existing non-domestic buildings (SG 02/09/08)
Consultation containing proposals for primary legislation on the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions from existing non-domestic buildings.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/08/15155233/0
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2008/09/02133024

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Publications

Moving Scotland Forward: The Government's Programme for Scotland 2008-09 (03/08/09)
Scottish Government's programme for 2008-09.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/09/01093322/0

Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning 2008 (SG 02/09/08)
SAQP 2008 entries.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/09/02095816/0

Permitted Development Rights for Domestic Microgeneration Equipment: Consultation Responses (SG 29/08/08)
Consultation responses.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/08/28101947/0

SPP 23 - Planning and the Historic Environment - Consultation Responses (SG 25/08/08)
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/08/25143057/0

Consultation on Proposals for A Scottish Climate Change Bill: Analysis of Responses (SG 20/08/08)
This report presents the analysis of responses to a public consultation on proposals for a Scottish Climate Change Bill.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/08/15113442/0
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/08/15113313/0

Research to Assess the Cost and Benefits of the Government's Proposals to Reduce the Carbon Footprint of New Housing Development (DCLG 08/09/08)
It provides an analysis of the costs and benefits of the proposed policy options for all new homes being zero carbon from 2016. This research provided information to underpin the full Regulatory Impact Assessment published alongside the Building a Green Future Policy Statement on 23 July 2007 and will be updated to support a further consultation paper on the definition of zero carbon.
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/housingcarbonfootprint

 

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Scottish Government news releases

First Minister marks World Heritage Success (HS 03/09/08)
First Minister Alex Salmond has paid tribute to all the people who played a part in winning World Heritage Site status for the Antonine Wall. The First Minister said "With this wall added to Scotland's collection of internationally recognised historic sites, Scotland can be hugely proud that so much of our heritage is recognised not only for its impact on our own evolution and identity but for its contribution to the World."
http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/index/news/news_article.htm?articleid=20330

Orkney Consultation analysis revealed (HS 20/08/08)
Residents' views are helping shape the final management plan for the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site. A report analysing responses to the recent public consultation can now be seen on the Historic Scotland website.  The draft management plan is being reviewed and informed by the views that were expressed during this summer's public consultation. 
http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/news_search_results.htm/news_article.htm?articleid=20044

Minister announces seminar to promote historic properties (HS 19/08/08)
Culture Minister Linda Fabiani has visited one of Perthshire's historic gems to promote partnership working amongst heritage attractions. Speaking during her visit to Blair Castle, Ms Fabiani announced that a seminar held next month would consider how Scotland's historic properties can continue to enhance the country's tourism. The seminar will look at research already carried out across the heritage sector and identifies areas where work can improve the experience offered to visitors.  The seminar will bring interested parties to open up the debate over how best to promote these unique locations.
http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/news_search_results.htm/news_article.htm?articleid=20034

Cash to transform derelict land (SG 26/08/08)
Highland Council has been offered £4.5 million in funding to transform vacant and derelict land in the area. Vacant and Derelict Land Fund (VDLF) was established as part of the Executive's response to the Cities Review, which was published in 2003. Ministers have allocated £36.6 million to the VDLF for 2008-2011, of which £13.5 million is allocated to Glasgow, £7.65 million to North Lanarkshire, £5.25 million to Dundee, £5.7 million to South Lanarkshire, and £4.5 million to Highland, who will be receiving VDLF for the first time.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2008/08/26114353

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News releases

A+DS Provides Comment to Finance Committee (A+DS 22/08/08)
Chief Executive of Architecture and Design Scotland (A+DS) Sebastian Tombs has responded to a request from the Scottish Parliament's Finance Committee asking for further comment on A+DS's view on procurement and on the Scottish Government's Scottish Futures Trust (SFT). Sebastian Tombs said: "We have previously set out for the Finance Committee the A+DS view on the 3 principles that should guide procurement - that policy and delivery should be linked; that there should be public leadership of procurement processes; and that procurement processes should recognise and value design quality."
http://www.ads.org.uk/news/423_a-ds-provides-comment-to-finance-committee

A+DS Host National Design Champions' Summit (A+DS 15/08/08)
Architecture and Design Scotland (A+DS) have hosted a summit of neighbouring national bodies and representatives who work to promote excellence in place making. The summit was an opportunity for the representatives from England, Wales, Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland to share experiences and current work. Discussions covered shared issues such as the state of the housing market, planning reform, and developing policies on creating sustainable places.
http://www.ads.org.uk/news/420_a-ds-host-national-design-champions-summit

Major boost for housing design quality (CABE 26/08/08)
Local authorities are being urged to assess the design quality of all new housing schemes against Building for Life standards after they were endorsed by government. The move aims to help councils meet housing quality aspirations in planning policy statement 3 (PPS3). Matt Bell, director of campaigns at CABE, believes this sends a very clear message to planners that quality is as important as speed and volume.
http://www.cabe.org.uk/default.aspx?contentitemid=2738

CABE sets Olympic challenge for local authorities (CABE 18/08/08)
Launching its annual report for 2007/08, Richard Simmons, chief executive at CABE, said: "2012 will be a massive test of the quality of our public space. Not just in London, but right across the country when people gather in all the major civic spaces to watch and celebrate. To back this call for action, CABE is setting five gold standards for great public space, one for each of the Olympic rings, against which local authorities can judge their parks and squares.
http://www.cabe.org.uk/default.aspx?contentitemid=2711

Protection of heritage and environment gets new focus in fire and rescue service response (DCLG 28/08/08)
Hazel Blears has unveiled new guidance to the Fire and Rescue Services to integrate better protection for historic buildings and the environment into Fire and Rescue Service planning. Fires in historic buildings and the countryside can have devastating effects.  http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/944239

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Recent parliamentary questions

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

S3W-15838 George Foulkes: To ask the Scottish Executive which local authorities have produced their single outcome agreements under the concordat with local government. (SP 01/09/08)

S3W-15882 Sarah Boyack: To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it will make to encourage the UK Committee on Climate Change to allot sufficient time to considering policy and contextual issues specific to Scotland. (SP 01/09/08)

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Recent parliamentary answers

Q       S3W-15098 - John Lamont: To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to change building regulations to improve energy conservation in new houses. (SP 28/07/08)
A       Answered by Stewart Stevenson (25/08/08): A building standards advisory committee working party is presently reviewing the energy standards in building regulations. The intention is to consult on any proposed changes in 2009, with a view to introducing revisions in 2010.

Q      S3W-15100 - John Lamont: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has plans to expand and improve locally-based energy generation projects. (SP 21/07/08)
A       Answered by Jim Mather (20/08/08): The Scottish Government is committed to increasing the provision of locally-based energy generated in Scotland. We have tripled funding support for community and microgeneration projects for the next three years. In June we launched an £18.8 million Climate Challenge Fund with the aim of supporting communities across Scotland to take action to reduce emissions. Communities are already coming forward under this scheme to seek support for feasibility studies and capacity building activity to support renewable energy projects. Later this year we will seek views on how to increase locally-based energy generation as part of our draft framework for the development and deployment of renewable energy in Scotland. That document will set out a wide range of proposals, including, a draft action plan for renewable heat, and measures to support locally-based community renewable projects. We will also issue an action plan on energy efficiency and microgeneration in the near future.

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Other parliamentary activity

Petitions

PE1176 Review of criteria for listing historic buildings (SP 05/09/08)
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/petitions/docs/PE1176.htm

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Events

Consultation workshop: Scottish Climate Change Bill - Proposals for Improving the Energy Performance of Existing Non-domestic buildings
Monday 22nd September 2008, The Lighthouse, Glasgow.
The Government is currently consulting on its proposals for improving the energy performance of existing, non-domestic buildings. As part of the consultation process, Thirdwave, BEFS and the Association for the Conservation of Energy (ACE) are jointly facilitating a participative working session, to debate the key issues and gather views directly from stakeholders on the Government's proposals. The consultation raises a number of measures for examination, including: how building performance will directly contribute to carbon reductions; how the mechanisms (including the role of Energy Performance Certificates), roles and responsibilities can be evolved for making improvement; and how we assess, address and improve our historic fabric.
For further details contact: awilkinson@befs.org.uk, 0131 220 6241.

SSLG Seminar series: Deconstructing Building Stone
This seminar series, designed for building professionals, addresses the sustainable use of stone in construction. The seminars will cover the main aspects of repair and maintenance, the use of stone in new build and changes to standards, including a review of the new Scottish Building Standards guidance - Natural Stone Masonry in Modern Scottish Construction: A Guide for Designers and Constructors. For architects, planners and practitioners working in the urban or rural environment, Deconstructing Building Stone offers a reappraisal and fuller understanding of the often complex issues involved in procuring and using a material whose qualities have stood the test of time.
For further details visit: http://www.sslg.co.uk/events_sslg.html 

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