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Welcome to
the ninth edition of the BEFS e-Bulletin.
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Publications
| Scottish Government News Releases | News
Releases | Recent Parliamentary Questions
| Recent Parliamentary Answers | Motions,
Debates and Bill Progress |
Events Training
Job Vacancies
Consultations
Forthcoming consultations:
Draft Regulations on the Planning Hierarchy (Autumn 2007)
Proposals for a Scottish Climate Change Bill (Autumn 2007)
This consultation seeks responses on proposals for inclusion in
a Scottish Climate Change Bill, including: the setting of a target
for reducing emissions by 2050; setting interim targets and
reporting; providing for a source of independent advice and
monitoring and creating provisions to help reduce emissions or to
adapt to climate change.
SPP3 - Planning for Housing review (Winter 2007-08)
SPP3
provides direction to planning authorities on the provision of
sufficient land for housing in the right places through the planning
system, and on related qualitative issues such as housing design and
layout, density, open spaces, provision, energy efficiency and the
creation of mixed communities.
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Publications
Timetable for Implementation of the Planning etc. (Scotland) Act
2006 (SG 29/11/07)
Timetable updated November 2007.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/11/28103827/0
Interim Report from the Scottish Renewables Heating Pilot -
Research Findings (SG 23/11/07)
This summary, based on interim
pilot and evaluative reports, describes progress from a 2 year study
of the viability of including renewables technologies in the Central
Heating Programme.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/11/21152714/0
Improving Payment Practices in the Construction Industry
Consultation on proposals to amend Part ll of the Housing Grants
Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 and the Scheme for
Construction Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 1998 (SG 21/11/07)
Responses to the consultation on Improving Payment Practices in
the Construction Industry
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/11/16132331/0
Housing Statistics for Scotland 2007 (SG 20/11/07)
Updated
housing statistics have been released by Scotland's Chief
Statistician. Published online, the new Housing Statistics for
Scotland web pages include comprehensive time series data to allow
in-depth analyses of housing activity in Scotland up to June 30,
2007. The web launch is accompanied by the publication of a key
trends summary. The Housing Statistics in Scotland web tables
replace the quarterly Housing Trends in Scotland bulletins and will
be updated regularly as new data becomes available.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Housing-Regeneration/Datasets
Publication Programme Update (SG 16/11/07)
Programme update
of proposed Planning Directorate publications.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/11/15151157/0
Planning White Paper Consultation Government Response to
Consultation Replies (DCLG 27/11/07)
This document summarises
the results of the consultation on the White Paper, and sets out the
Government's overall response on key issues emerging from the
consultation on the Planning White Paper and next steps in relation
to the Planning Bill.
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/pwpgovernmentresponse
The Future of the Code for Sustainable Homes - Making a
Rating Mandatory: Summary of Responses (DCLG 16/11/07)
This
document provides a summary of responses to the July 2007
consultation on this proposal and sets out the Government's final
policy. The principle message is that as a result of consultation,
the Government will be proceeding with the implementation of
mandatory rating against the Code for all new homes.
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/sustainablehomes
Housing and Regeneration Bill - Impact Assessment (DCLG 16/11/07)
This document assesses the impact of each of the provisions
contained within the Housing and Regeneration Bill.
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/housing/handrbill
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Scottish Government News Releases
Renewable energy potential (SG 27/11/07)
A new target to
generate 50 per cent of Scotland's electricity from renewables by
2020, with an interim target of 31 per cent by 2011, has been set.
The Scottish Government's previous renewable target was 40 per cent
by 2020. Energy Minister Jim Mather said: "In setting this ambitious
50 per cent target, the Scottish Government is encouraging the
development of low carbon technologies such as renewable energy,
micro-generation, combined heat and power, carbon capture and
storage while pursuing greater energy efficiency savings."
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2007/11/27095600
Housing Supply Task Force (SG 27/11/07)
A new body charged
with tackling obstacles that are hampering the provision of more
homes has met to discuss how it can help improve the delivery of
housing in rural areas. Communities and Sport Minister Stewart
Maxwell also revealed that increasing rural housing featured in
recent discussions with the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and
the Environment Richard Lochhead, signaling the importance the
Scottish Government places on addressing this issue.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2007/11/27133334
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News Releases
Grant boost for Scotland's historic landmarks (HS 26/11/07)
Some of the most famous historic buildings in Scotland are set
to benefit from a new grants scheme. The Maintenance Plan Grants
scheme, funded by Historic Scotland and developed in conjunction
with the Historic Houses Association for Scotland, will enable
owners of the country's most impressive properties to develop vital
repairs programmes. John Graham, Chief Executive of Historic
Scotland, said: "This scheme will make a real difference to the
outstanding castles, country houses, mansions and gardens that
contribute so much to Scotland's tourist industry and identity as a
country.
http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/news-full-article.htm?articleid=27708
Halls for All Petition hits Parliament (SCVO 19/11/07)
A
petition that demands a better deal for Scotland's village halls has
been formally presented to the Scottish Parliament. The Halls for
All petition gathered a remarkable 1,250 signatures on the
Parliament's e-petition web page, and a further 5,000 people signed
paper copies which were circulated through out rural Scotland. The
petition calls for the setting up of a Scottish Halls Fund to
refurbish or modernise community buildings to increase the level of
community use and improve the range and quality of services
provided. http://www.scvo.org.uk/scvo/TFNPR/ViewTFNPR.aspx?pr=6609&from=Home&al=t
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Recent Parliamentary Questions
Written questions awaiting answer are given below. See 'recent
parliamentary answers' for new questions (raised since circulation
of BEFS e-Bulletin 8) that have already been answered.
S3W-6639 Duncan McNeil: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it
has any plans to bring forward planning regulations to modify
statutory neighbour notification requirements and, if so, within
what timescale (SP 20/11/07)
S3W-6640 Duncan McNeil: To ask the Scottish Executive when it
will bring forward legislation to modify the structure and operation
of community councils. (SP 20/11/07)
S3W-6738 Malcolm Chisholm: To ask the Scottish Executive why the
budget for culture for 2007-08, including Historic Scotland, is
stated on page 145 of Scottish Budget: Spending Review 2007 as being
£232.8 million while the budget for culture outlined on pages 80 and
82 of the same document amounts to £229.4 million. (SP 21/11/07)
S3W-6780 Christopher Harvie: To ask the Scottish Executive
whether it has any powers of intervention when contested urban
development has become deadlocked. (SP 22/11/07)
S3W-6942 Des McNulty: To ask the Scottish Executive what targets
it will set for new buildings to reduce their carbon footprint and
when it anticipates that these targets will be met. (SP 26/11/07)
S3W-6944 Des McNulty: To ask the Scottish Executive what target
it will set for its buildings or those of its agencies to reduce
their carbon footprint by 2011, expressed as a reduction in (a)
percentage and (b) tonnage of carbon terms. (SP 26/11/07)
S3W-6945 Des McNulty: To ask the Scottish Executive what
amendments to planning legislation it is considering to tackle
climate change. (SP 26/11/07)
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Recent Parliamentary Answers
S3W-6281: Answered by Stewart Stevenson (19/11/07): The primary
purpose of the Housing Supply Task Force is to tackle blockages that
are preventing the construction of housing of all types across
Scotland. The Task Force is taking evidence from a range of
stakeholders on the issues to be addressed to support delivery of
more housing in the short term and will form its work programme
accordingly. I also refer the member to the question S3W-6037
answered on 12 November 2007, in respect of PAN74.
S3W-6050: Answered by Stewart Stevenson (19/11/07): The future of
the Planning Development Programme has been considered as part of
this year's Spending Review.
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Motions, Debates and Bill Progress
Debate on the Scottish Government's Economic Strategy (SP
21/11/07)
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-07/sor1121-02.htm#Col3559
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Events
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Training
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Job Vacancies
Policy Manager, The National Trust for Scotland (ref N34),
Central Edinburgh
Salary: £28,709, Full-time post
The Policy
Manager, senior in a team of three, will support the Director of
Policy & Communications on policy matters. S/he will
advocate the Trust's work and will represent the Trust to key
external stakeholders. With the other two Policy Officers,
s/he will undertake background research, consult with Trust staff
and other experts, produce draft internal policy papers, and draft
responses to external Consultations and enquiries.
For further
details, e-mail: joinus@nts.org.uk or telephone
0131 243 9417
Strictly by our application form, closing date
10.00am Friday 7th December 2007.
Interviews to take place in
Edinburgh Tuesday on 11th December 2007.
Communications Manager, The National Trust for Scotland, Central
Edinburgh
Salary: £28,709, Full-time post
The Communications
Manager will fulfil the senior role amongst the Communications team,
which will also include a Communications Officer. Together with a
Policy team of three, the role reports to the Director of Policy and
Communications. The role supports the Director on communications
matters and predominantly focuses on external communications with
the media and the Trust's many stakeholders, increasing the profile
and enhancing the reputation of the Trust.
For further details,
e-mail: joinus@nts.org.uk or
telephone 0131 243 9417
Strictly by our application form,
closing date 10.00am Thursday 13th December 2007.
Interviews to
take place in Edinburgh on Thursday 20th December 2007.
Communications Officer, The National Trust for Scotland, Central
Edinburgh
Salary: £23,619, Part-time (20hrs: days/hours
flexible) - potential for expansion to full-time
The
Communications Officer will play a crucial role amongst the
Communications team, working alongside a Communications Manager and
policy team and reporting to the Director of Policy and
Communications. The role focuses on internal communications,
including: staff, volunteers, Governance, support groups. The
Officer will have lead responsibility for uplifting information onto
the Trust's intranet, feeding information to the internet, and
overseeing a co-ordinated approach to internal newsletters and
briefing notes.
For further details, e-mail: joinus@nts.org.uk or telephone
0131 243 9417
Strictly by our application form, closing date
10.00am Thursday 13th December 2007.
Interviews to take place in
Edinburgh, provisional date: Thursday 20th December 2007.
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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.
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.
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