BEFS News

The issues around places of worship are gaining significant interest as closures/sales/repurposing become part of many communities’ experiences. There are several recent articles covering this subject, such as Church closures Scotland: ‘Existential crisis’ as up to 700 churches predicted to close across Scotland by end of the decade. It seems extremely timely that the BEFS/SPAB CPD Conference, Scotland’s Churches in Transition: Planning for the future, bringing together interests from both planning and conservation, looking at what good decisions for the future can look like, is at the end of this month.

Next week BEFS Director will be giving evidence (with a number of sector stakeholders) to the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture – Parliamentary Committee in relation to the new strategy for Scotland’s historic environment, Our Past, Our Future. You can read the recent Committee report on pre-budget scrutiny for Culture – with clear recommendations, here.

When it comes to finances and decision-making for our places, the sector and OPIT (and we do mean OPIT) Built Heritage Investment Group worked collaboratively on the Sustainable Investment Tool. The Tool will soon launch, supporting the sector, communities, and the new strategy, Our Past, Our Future – do keep your eyes peeled. You can remind yourself of the earlier work and development, here.

As supporting members of the Climate Heritage Network (CHN), BEFS have been proud to sign the CHN Call to Action ahead of COP28 in Dubai. This calls for cultural voices uniting to ensure that climate negotiators put cultural heritage, arts, and creative industries at the heart of climate action. You can sign-up as an individual or as an organisation here.

Historic Environment Scotland have published Managing Change in the Historic Environment: Fire and Historic Buildings – their non-statuary guidance note sets out the principles of fire safety in historic buildings. And, for voluntary organisations Make Your Mark launched their Inclusive Volunteering Toolkit & Report.

The State of the Profession 2023 report from Royal Town Planning Institute has analysed information on the 22,000 planners in the UK that make up profession, and how they play an essential role in tackling the modern challenges of the 21st century, from climate change adaptation to the housing crisis.

When considering the state of the nation, it’s not just the professions that matter – but the residents across the nation. In the last Bulletin we brought you the CIOB survey which noted that many can’t afford, or are not informed, about energy upgrades. As you’ll see by examining the Parliamentary Questions section below, there’s a great deal of MSP interest in this information!

And, if you want to help support further research and opinion, The Participation and Communities Team (PACT) of the Scottish Parliament are inviting tenants and landlords in the private rented sector to participate in respective lived experience housing panels. The outcomes of the panels will be used as recommendations to Members of the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee who will scrutinise Scottish Government proposals to change housing laws. The Committee are seeking a diverse participant pool to represent a wide range of people in the UK. Tenants who are interested in participating should follow this link and landlords who are interested in participating should follow this link.

Across the UK we note that there have been big changes in the UK Government with a significant Cabinet reshuffle (please note, the Parliament website is still being updated), welcoming in the 16th Housing Minister since 2010; as well as the first King’s Speech. As matters specifically pertaining to BEFS work, be that planning, housing, culture, or net-zero goals are devolved (or set by the Scottish Government), we hope our readers are happy to explore these matters across a range of media in their own time.

And finally, BEFS thanks Bobby Jewell for all his work at BEFS over the last few months, and wishes him continuing success in his freelance career – we’ve been delighted to work with you.

CONSULTATIONS

Management of burial grounds, application for burial, exhumation, private burial and restoration of lairs: regulation in Scotland
Scottish Government
The consultation paper sets out a range of proposals and approaches with the aim of clarifying and streamlining existing burial practices as well as introducing new provisions; including the management of burial grounds and restoration of lairs.
Closes 17 November 2023

Draft Transformation Action Plan Consultation
Construction Leadership Forum
This consultation seeks feedback to develop a Transformation Action Plan. A Transformation Action Plan is intended to support the Just Transition to Net Zero, construction quality, improved construction procurement, investment in jobs, training and ongoing CPD, developed MMC knowledge, and a digitally enabled industry.
Closes 17 November 2023

The Agricultural and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill Consultation
The Rural Affairs and Islands Committee
This consultation seeks input on the Bill which would be used as a framework for Scottish ministers to better develop the support that farming and rural communities need. The committee planning to take oral evidence from late November through to early February before reporting to the Scottish Parliament with its recommendations in spring 2024.
Closes 24 November 2023

*LAST CALL* Call for Ideas on Planning System Ambitions
The Improvement Service / Scottish Government
This consultation seeks to obtain the views on proposed increases to the building warrant fees required to deliver change to strengthen the building standards system and the development of a new building warrant fees model in Scotland.
Closes 30 November 2023

*NEW* Housing (Cladding Remediation) (Scotland) Bill
The Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee has launched a consultation on the Housing (Cladding Remediation) (Scotland) Bill.
Closes 8 December 2023

*NEW* Education Bill provisions: consultation
Scottish Government
A consultation on a new national qualifications body and a new approach to inspection of education in Scotland, including elements of the proposed Education Bill.
Closes 18 December 2023

Proposed Desecration of War Memorials (Prevention) (Scotland) Bill
Scottish Parliament
This consultation relates to a draft proposal lodged as the first stage in the process of introducing a Member’s Bill in the Scottish Parliament, to ensure that war memorials in Scotland receive the protection that they deserve by creating the specific offence of desecration of a war memorial.
Closes 19 December 2023

Outline Strategic Plan for Holyrood Park
Historic Environment Scotland (HES)
This survey on the Outline Strategic Plan for Holyrood Park will gather public views to help deliver a new future for the Park that reflects community aspirations, the needs of the City and the inherent value and sensitivity of Holyrood Park.
Closes 19 December 2023

National Parks in Scotland
Scottish Government
The Scottish Government invites individuals, communities and organisations to develop and submit formal nominations for their area to become Scotland’s next National Park.
Closes 29 February 2024

CONSULTATIONS RESPONSES

Scottish Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs) consultation: Scottish Government response (Scot Gov 07/11/2023)

Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs): consultation analysis – final analysis report on the responses to the consultation on Scottish Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs) which ran from 12 December 2022 to 17 April 2023. (Scot Gov 07/11/2023)

Local Living and 20 Minute Neighbourhood – draft planning guidance: consultation analysis (Scot Gov 09/11/2023)

NEWS RELEASES

Enter the sustainability category for the Museums + Heritage Awards 2024 (Heritage Fund 01/11/2023)

Minister Noonan launches €9 million in funding for 2024 built heritage schemes (Government Ireland 02/11/2023)

Decarbonising the built environment celebrated at A to Z Awards (Scottish Construction Now 03/11/2023)

Scottish Liberal Democrat Conference calls for government support for removing dangerous concrete (Scot Lib Dems 04/11/2023)

UK museums agree to collective action to tackle the climate crisis (The Guardian 06/11/2023)

Scottish Government confirms ‘very disappointing’ delay to climate change plan (The Independent 07/11/2023)

hub South West forum discusses barriers facing Scotland’s construction sector (Project Scotland 09/11/2023)

CIOB welcomes Scottish legislation to tackle unsafe cladding (Construction Management 13/11/2023)

Fuel poverty dataset added to Improvement Service Spatial Hub (Improvement Service 13/11/2023)

Latest UK Heritage Pulse results: Governance (UK Heritage Pulse 14/11/2023)

New planning guidance for Tall Buildings in Glasgow city centre being developed (Glasgow Gov 15/11/2023)

PUBLICATIONS

It’ll Be Great When It’s Finished – Film charting the birth of Glasgow Building Preservation Trust and sets it within the wider context of changing attitudes and approaches to heritage 40 years on (Glasgow Buildings Trust 24/10/2023)

Managing Change in the Historic Environment: Fire and Historic Buildings. Non statuary guidance note sets out the principles of fire safety in historic buildings (Historic Environment Scotland 31/10/2023)

Toward a Wellbeing Economy: The Distribution of Wellbeing in the UK. Report looking at how wellbeing varies between different parts of the UK and what drives these differences. (BiGGAR Economics 03/11/2023)

RTPI State of the Profession 2023 – The UK Planning profession in numbers. Report looking at the 22,000 planning professionals are working in the UK and how they play an essential role in tackling the modern challenges of the 21st century, from climate change adaptation to the housing crisis. (RTPI 06/11/2023)

The economic impact of university research funding – report focusing on the return of investment for public research and development in the UK, comparing Scotland to other regions in the UK, and outlining different approaches to estimating the return of investment in research. (Fraser of Allander Institute 09/11/2023)

Make Your Mark – Inclusive Volunteering Toolkit & Report. Toolkit and report to support voluntary organisations to be more inclusive. Part of Our Place in Time and Scotland’s Volunteering Action Plan. (Make Your Mark Volunteering Action Group 11/11/2023)

SCOTTISH & UK: GOVERNMENTAL & PARLIAMENTARY PUBLICATIONS

Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee [Draft] (Scot Parl 31/10/2023)

Housing (Cladding Remediation) (Scotland) Bill: the Presiding Officer requires a financial resolution for the Housing (Cladding Remediation) (Scotland) Bill under Rule 9.12 (Scot Parl 01/11/2023)

Letter from Minister for Community Wealth and Public Finance (Scot Parl 01/11/2023)

The Housing (Cladding Remediation) (Scotland) Bill has been introduced (Scot Parl 01/11/2023)

Environmental principles policy statement (UK Gov 01/11/2023) Devolved matter in Scotland.

Delegated powers in the Circular Economy (Scotland) Bill at Stage 1 report (Scot Parl 02/11/2023)

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee: pre-budget scrutiny 2024-25 and the Circular Economy (Scotland) Bill (Scot Parl 02/11/2023)

National Transition Training Fund (NTTF): year two report Scot Gov 03/11/2023)

Green Heat Finance Taskforce minutes (Scot Gov 03/11/2023)

Education and Skills Reform: Education Secretary statement by Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, Jenny Gilruth (Scot Gov 07/11/2023)

Planning permission appeals: housing development statistic – Planning permission appeal statistics for housing developments involving 10 or more houses since January 2015 (Scot Gov 07/11/2023)

Pre-budget Scrutiny 2024-25: Funding Our Culture – Report detailing the challenges, innovations and How the ‘perfect storm’ facing the culture sector has evolved over the last 12 months (Scot Parl 07/11/2023)

Scottish Government Draft Climate Change Plan – Letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Net Zero and Just Transition (Scot Parl 07/11/2023)

Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill Committee Public Paper (Scot Parl 07/11/2023).

Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee – Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill Meeting Notes (Scot Parl 07/11/2023)

The Public Audit Committee has written to the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee regarding how parliamentary committees can work together to scrutinise the Scottish Government’s draft Climate Change Plan (Scot Parl 07/11/2023)

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee 31st Meeting, 2023 (Session 6) Tuesday, 7 November 2023 Circular Economy (Scotland) Bill (Scot Parl 07/11/2023)

Proposed Wellbeing and Sustainable Development (Scotland) Bill final draft consultation summary (Scot Parl 07/11/2023)

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee meeting minutes (Scot Parl 07/11/2023)

Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee [Draft] (Scot Parl 07/11/2023)

Education Reform: A Consultation on the provisions of the Education Bill (Scot Parl 07/11/2023)

Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee [Draft] (Scot Parl 07/11/2023)

Energy Security and Net Zero Committee Oral evidence: A flexible Grid for the future (UK Parl 08/11/2023)

PE2063: Increase funding for local authorities to enable better management and protection of conservation areas (Scot Parl 08/11/2023)

Government response to the Environment and Climate Change Committee report ‘An extraordinary challenge: Restoring 30 per cent of our land and sea by 2030’ (UK Parl 08/11/2023)

Scottish Government response to the Committees report on Culture in Communities (Scot Parl 09/11/2023)

The Value Added Tax (Refunds to “Do-It-Yourself” Builders) (Amendment of Method and Time for Making Claims) Regulations 2023 – Statutory Instrument (UK Gov 10/11/2023)

How is Scotland Performing? Scotland’s performance measured against the National Performance Framework (SPICe Scot Parl 13/11/2023)

Aggregates Tax and Devolved Taxes Administration (Scotland) Bill (Scot Parl 14/11/2023)

Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee meeting (Scot Parl 14/11/2023)

Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee – Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill meeting(Scot Parl 14/11/2023)

Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee – Council Tax Freeze meeting (Scot Parl 14/11/2023)

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee (Scot Parl 14/11/2023)

Building standards approved energy assessment software: guidance
(Scot Gov 14/11/2023)

Council Tax Reduction: local authority tables and charts – April 2013 to September 2023
(Scot Gov 14/11/2023)

Modern methods of construction – what’s gone wrong? Oral evidence from Dr Suzanne Peters and Prof Jonatan Pinkse (Scot Parl 14/11/2023)

Education, Children, and Young People Committee report by James Withers on the Independent Review of the Skills Delivery Landscape (Scot Parl 15/11/2023)

OPINION & COMMENT

Who pays the price of long short-termism? (David Hume Institute 02/11/2023)

What a retrofit-first approach offers the UK (RICS 03/11/2023)

Five things we learned from Scotland’s Housing (Cladding Remediation) Bill (Inside Housing 06/11/2023)

Business leaders warns SNP ministers against ‘sacrificing’ investment in skills (The Scotsman 06/11/2023)

Shetland: ‘We must build better’ architect says as he moves into new Passive House (Scottish Beacon (07/11/2023)

SNP-Green Government poised to delay climate change plan (The Herald 07/11/2023)

Culture still in middle of “perfect storm” (All Edinburgh Theatre 07/11/2023)

Scottish cultural traditions ‘at risk of being lost’ to time (The National 07/11/2023)

‘Desperately disappointing’ and ‘missed opportunity’: sector responds to King’s Speech(Inside Housing 07/11/2023)

Housing: Use old buildings to tackle crisis, says charity (BBC News 08/11/2023)

Edinburgh Council ‘at odds’ with Scottish Government over STL control area, court hears(Edinburgh News 09/11/2023)

Church closures Scotland: ‘Existential crisis’ as up to 700 churches predicted to close across Scotland by end of decade (The Scotsman 11/11/2023)

National Portrait Gallery head says museums ‘can’t afford to be activists’ (The Times 12/11/2023)

New planning guidance for Tall Buildings in Glasgow city centre being developed (Project Scotland 14/11/2023)

Devil will be in detail of the Scottish Government’s new Housing Bill (The National 14/11/2023)

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Questions marked with a triangle (?) are initiated by the Scottish Government to facilitate the provision of information to the Parliament. Questions in which a member has indicated a declarable interest are marked with an “R”.

Willie Rennie, MSP for North East Fife, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: 07/11/2023
S6W-22628
To ask the Scottish Government how many households (a)(i) were eligible for and (ii) received support in each year of phase one and (b)(1) are eligible for and (2) will receive support in each year of phase two, of the Warmer Homes Scotland scheme.
Current status: Answer expected on 21 November 2023

Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 06/10/2023
S6W-22067
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its work to take forward a review of the expressive arts curricular area, as set out in its response to the recommendations from the National Partnership for Culture. 
Current status: Answer expected on 06 November 2023

Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 11/10/2023
S6W-22090
To ask the Scottish Government what support it has provided for town centre regeneration in each year since 1999.
Current status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 06 November 2023. 

Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 24/10/2023
S6W-22384
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consult on proposals to establish a Future Generations Commissioner by the end of 2023. 
S6W-22385
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-07586 by Patrick Harvie on 7 April 2022, whether it will set out proposals for a Wellbeing and Sustainable Development Bill by the end of 2023. 
Current status: Answered by Shona Robinson on 06 November 2023. 

Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 06/11/2023
S6W-22683
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has any plans to increase the funding available to preserve the heritage of Scotland’s churches and chapels, in light of the reported announcement by the Church of Scotland that it is to close and sell up to 40% of its churches.
S6W-22684
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has any plans to introduce an equivalent scheme to the Community Facilities Programme in Wales, which provides small and large grants to community and voluntary sector organisations to improve community facilities that are well used by local people, such as churches, post offices and community shops.
Current status: Answers expected on 20 November 2023

Jackie Dunbar, MSP for Aberdeen Donside, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: 06/11/2023
S6W-22775
To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making with the UK Government on climate policy, and whether there it will provide an update on the timing of its draft Climate Change Plan.
Current status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 7 November 2023

Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 06/11/2023
S6W-22701
To ask the Scottish Government when the Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development last met with COSLA to discuss culture; what was discussed at this meeting, and when the Minister will next meet with COSLA to discuss these issues.
Current status: Answers expected on 20 November 2023

Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 06/10/2023
S6W-22063 R
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to introduce a similar scheme in Scotland to the Museum Estate and Development Fund (MEND) delivered by Arts Council England, which is an open-access capital fund for non-national accredited museums and local authorities to apply for funding to undertake vital infrastructure and urgent maintenance that are beyond the scope of day-to-day maintenance budgets. 
Current status: Answered by Christina McKelvie on 3 November 2023

Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 01/11/2023
S6W-22592
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment has been made of (a) the use and (b) any potential fire risks of spray insulation in buildings.
Current status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 14 November 2023

Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 01/11/2023
S6W-22600
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to introduce a register of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete held and inspected by all public sector bodies.
Current status: Answer expected on 15 November 2023

Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 01/11/2023
S6W-22607
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to whether the introduction of a Building Safety Levy would be an obstacle to investment in the construction sector.
S6W-22608
To ask the Scottish Government what modelling it has undertaken of any wider economic impact of the introduction of a Building Safety Levy.
Current status: Answers expected on 15 November 2023

Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 24/10/2023
S6W-22356
To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to its £500 million strategic investment to help create thousands of green jobs and deliver the full economic potential of offshore renewables projects, as announced on 17 October 2023, whether it will propose the scheduling of time for a ministerial statement, or use other appropriate means, to update the Parliament on its plans. 
Current status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 31 October 2023

Brian Whittle, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 02/11/2023
S6W-22644
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-21208 by Patrick Harvie on 26 September 2023, what the (a) smallest, (b) median and (c) largest (i) grant and (ii) loan issued under the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan scheme was in the period from September 2022 to date, broken down by (A) local authority area, (B) household income and (C) council tax band.
S6W-22645
To ask the Scottish Government what key performance indicators it uses to measure the success of the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan scheme, in terms of the improvements to energy efficiency delivered by funded works.
S6W-22646
To ask the Scottish Government what information it holds on how many Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) certified installers are employed within Scotland, broken down by local authority area.
S6W-22647
To ask the Scottish Government how many students who have completed energy efficiency qualifications have remained in Scotland and are currently employed within the energy efficiency sector.
S6W-22648
To ask the Scottish Government how many students are currently pursuing energy efficiency qualifications.
S6W-22649
To ask the Scottish Government what information it holds on the number of registered heat pump installation businesses in Scotland, and how many qualify as SMEs.
S6W-22650
To ask the Scottish Government what information it holds on the number of registered energy efficiency businesses in Scotland, and how many qualify as SMEs, broken down by local authority area.
S6W-22651
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-21208 by Patrick Harvie on 26 September 2023, how many households have received the rural uplift within the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan scheme in each month since September 2022.
Current status: Answers expected on 16 November 2023

Brian Whittle, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 02/11/2023
S6W-22656
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to creating a funding scheme to assist with ongoing maintenance costs of renewable heating solutions installed under the current government capital support schemes for (a) housing associations, (b) private homeowners and (c) landlords.
S6W-22657
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential impact of future demand for servicing of renewable heating solutions on market rates for (a) labour and (b) parts.
Current status: Answers expected on 16 November 2023

Brian Whittle, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 02/11/2023
S6W-22660
To ask the Scottish Government whether regular maintenance and servicing are included as terms in the contracts for the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan scheme.
S6W-22661
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the suitability of (a) whole-house renewable heating systems and (b) other renewable solutions for retrofitting on existing housing stock, and how many existing homes it estimates there currently are that are not suitable for retrofitting these systems.
S6W-22662
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to a survey by the Chartered Institute of Building, which reportedly found that 39% of respondents had not heard about Home Energy Scotland schemes.
S6W-22663
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to increase awareness of Home Energy Scotland schemes among people aged over 55.
S6W-22664
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the importance of ensuring that the fabric of homes is repaired prior to completing insulation works.
S6W-22665
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the importance of ensuring that homes are insulated to standard prior to completing any installation of renewable heating systems.
S6W-22666
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the effectiveness of the current supply chain for heat pump maintenance, including (a) parts, (b) labour and (c) its ability to grow to meet any increasing demand.
S6W-22667
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to prepare future supply chains for heat pump maintenance, including in relation to (a) parts and (b) labour.
S6W-22668
To ask the Scottish Government how many applications in total for loans or grants for energy efficiency measures or clean heating systems were approved in the 2022-23 financial year.
S6W-22669
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide (a) further information on the demographics of the 6,000 applications to the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan scheme since its launch in August 2023 and (b) a breakdown by (i) the age of applicants, (ii) the median household income of applicants and (iii) local authority area.
S6W-22670
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide (a) further information on the demographics of the 1,900 funding offers through the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan scheme since its launch in August 2023 and (b) a breakdown by (i) the age of applicants, (ii) the median household income of applicants and (iii) local authority area.
S6W-22671
To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many people there are in Scotland who are qualified to undertake heat loss surveys, broken down by local authority area.
S6W-22672
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reported statements from industry that current funding for energy efficiency retrofit projects needs to be more flexible and distributed from fewer sources.
S6W-22673
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the current construction skills landscape, and what plans it has to target and develop particular sectors within the construction industry based on any such assessment.
S6W-22674
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its publication, Heat in Buildings: progress report 2023 , how much funding was available for the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan scheme, and what the total spend in the form of grants and loans was, in the 2022-23 financial year.
S6W-22675
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that sufficient numbers of qualified insulation contractors are available to meet demand.
Current status: Answers expected on 16 November 2023

Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 02/11/2023
S6W-22629
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve awareness of home energy upgrades and retrofit schemes, in light of reported data from the Chartered Institute of Buildings, which found that two in five residents cannot afford these upgrades and that 39% of those surveyed had not heard of any Scottish Government incentive schemes.
S6W-22630
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reported problems with affordability and low awareness of home energy upgrades and retrofit schemes.
Current status: Answer expected on 16 November 2023

Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 02/11/2023
S6W-22636
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the overall risk of fire in relation to Scotland’s pre-1945 building stock.
Current status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 10 November 2023

Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 02/11/2023
S6W-22639
To ask the Scottish Government what information it holds on how many (a) public sector buildings, (b) privately-owned homes and (c) housing association homes have double glazing that was installed before 2002.
Current status: Answer expected on 16 November 2023

Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 29/09/2023
S6W-21919
To ask the Scottish Government how many applications it has received for the second round of funding for the Just Transition Fund.
S6W-21920
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on whether the £20 million that was allocated in the first round of the Just Transition Fund has been distributed in its entirety.
Current status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 1 November 2023

Pam Gosal, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 23/10/2023
S6W-22265
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of the decision to reinstate the £6.6 million reduction of the Creative Scotland budget.
Current status: Answered by Christina McKelvie on 1 November 2023

Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: 06/10/2023
S6W-22077
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the contribution of its latest Infrastructure Investment Plan to meeting Scotland’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets.
S6W-22078
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on (a) its position on aligning its Infrastructure Investment Plan (IIP) with Scotland’s pathway for achieving net zero and (b) whether it has discussed creating a new methodology for assessing the contribution of individual infrastructure projects within the IIP to greenhouse gas reduction efforts.
Current status: Answered by Shona Robison on 2 November 2023

Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 24/10/2023
S6W-22355
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has set any targets on the number of jobs to be created through the £500 million strategic investment to help create thousands of green jobs and deliver the full economic potential of offshore renewables projects, as announced on 17 October 2023.
Current status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 2 November 2023

Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 08/11/2023
S6W-22779
To ask the Scottish Government what work it has undertaken to provide for exemption schemes in the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill for people undertaking respite breaks.
S6W-22780
To ask the Scottish Government what work it has undertaken to provide for exemption schemes in the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill for children and young people.
S6W-22781
To ask the Scottish Government what work it has undertaken to provide for exemption schemes in the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill for workers and business travellers.
S6W-22782
To ask the Scottish Government what work it has undertaken to provide for exemption schemes in the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill for school, college and university trips.
S6W-22783
To ask the Scottish Government what work it has undertaken to provide for exemption schemes in the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill for outward bound education visits.
S6W-22784
To ask the Scottish Government what work it has undertaken to provide for exemption schemes in the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill for youth groups.
S6W-22785
To ask the Scottish Government what work it has undertaken to provide for exemption schemes in the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill for people resident in the local authority area where a visitor levy is in place.
S6W-22786
To ask the Scottish Government what work it has undertaken to provide for exemption schemes in the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill for charities and third sector workers.
S6W-22787
To ask the Scottish Government what work it has undertaken to provide for exemption schemes in the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill for medical professionals working in Scotland.
S6W-22788
To ask the Scottish Government what work it has undertaken to provide for exemption schemes in the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill for military personnel working in Scotland.
S6W-22789
To ask the Scottish Government what work it has undertaken to provide for exemption schemes in the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill for refugees staying in temporary accommodation in Scotland.
Current status: Answers expected on 22 November 2023

Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 08/11/2023
S6W-22387
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-15639 from Elena Whitham on 6 March 2023, whether it will provide an update on (a) what action it will take and (b) the timescales for any such action, in response to the finding by the Aarhus Convention Compliance Committee that Scotland was not in full compliance with access to justice requirements of the Aarhus Convention.
Current status: Answer expected on 22 November 2023

Jackie Dunbar, MSP for Aberdeen Donside, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: 20/10/2023
S6W-22325
To ask the Scottish Government how much has been spent on rail infrastructure in each local authority area in each of the last 10 years.
Current status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 7 November 2023

Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 13/10/2023
S6W-22224
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-12681 by Mairi McAllan on 13 December 2022, whether the second National Marine Plan (NMP2) will require Regional Marine Plans that set specific areas, bounded by grid coordinates, for individual uses of marine space or specific combinations of such uses. S6W-22224
S6W-22225
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-12681 by Mairi McAllan on 13 December 2022, whether the second National Marine Plan (NMP2) will require Regional Marine Plans to be produced by a set date.
Current status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 7 November 2023

Neil Bibby, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 30/10/2023
S6W-22536
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the First Minister’s announcement of an additional £100 million for the arts and culture sector on 17 October 2023, how this figure was arrived at; how the funding will be distributed over the next five years, and whether it will be attributed on an annual rolling basis or using a multi-year approach.
S6W-22537
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish a timeline outlining when decisions about the distribution of the additional £100 million for the arts and culture sector will be made, and, if so, when.
Current status: Answered by Angus Robertson on 7 November 2023

Neil Bibby, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 30/10/2023
S6W-22538
To ask the Scottish Government what the additional £100 million of funding for arts and culture includes, and, in particular, whether it includes an explicit increase to the national performing companies annual budget line for the next five years.
S6W-22539
To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture was first made aware of the First Minister’s decision to announce an additional £100 million for the arts and culture sector on 17 October 2023.
Current status: Answered by Christina McKelvie on 7 November 2023

Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 8/11/2023
S6O-02716
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what plans it has to restore a reported £6.6 million reduction in funding to Creative Scotland for 2024-25.
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on 15 November 2023

Kaukab Stewart, MSP for Glasgow Kelvin, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: 8/11/2023
S6O-02718
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its commitment to increase funding for the arts and culture sector.
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on 15 November 2023

James Dornan, MSP for Glasgow Cathcart, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: 8/11/2023
S6O-02729
To ask the Scottish Government what preparations are being made to implement the recommendations of the Independent Review of the Skills Delivery Landscape.
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on 16 November 2023

Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: 25/10/2023
S6W-22414
To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of the housing stock in each local authority area is comprised of homes within buildings constructed before 1914.
S6W-22415
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S6W-21728 and S6W-21745 by Patrick Harvie on 23 and 24 October 2023 respectively, what discussions it has had with Historic Environment Scotland on approaches to retrofitting traditional and listed buildings.
S6W-22416
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S6W-21728 and S6W-21745 by Patrick Harvie on 23 and 24 October 2023 respectively, which stakeholders it (a) has had and (b) plans to have discussions with on approaches to retrofitting traditional and listed buildings.
S6W-22417
To ask the Scottish Government what research it (a) has conducted and (b) plans to conduct into the results of various energy efficiency interventions on traditional and listed buildings.
S6W-22418
To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of the housing stock in each local authority area is comprised of homes within traditional buildings.
Current status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 8 November 2023

Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 31/10/2023
S6W-22594
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill, what work has been undertaken to provide for exemption schemes for people visiting family members in hospital.
S6W-22595
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill, what work has been undertaken to provide for exemption schemes for people visiting family members in prison.
S6W-22596
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill, what work has been undertaken to provide for exemption schemes for people providing personal care for a family member.
S6W-22597
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill, what work has been undertaken to provide for exemption schemes for artists and technicians working at festivals.
S6W-22598
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill, what work has been undertaken to provide for exemption schemes for people attending a funeral.
Current status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 8 November 2023

Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 26/10/2023
S6W-22461
To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its analysis of the consultation responses on Highly Protected Marine Areas, which was launched in December 2022.
Current status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 8 November 2023

Sharon Dowey, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 31/10/2023
S6W-22574
To ask the Scottish Government what plans are in place to review non-domestic rates, particularly for hospitality businesses.
Current status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 8 November 2023

Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 10/11/2023
S6W-22778
To ask the Scottish Government what review it has undertaken of the impact of Regulation 6 of the Town and Country Planning (Fees for Applications) (Scotland) Regulations 2022, which provides planning authorities with the power to levy a surcharge of up to 25% on retrospective applications as a means of recovering the costs of undertaking enforcement investigations.
Current status: Answer expected on 24 November 2023

Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 10/11/2023
S6W-22791
To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many people have been charged up to double the normal council tax rate for homes that have been empty for 12 months or more, or 24 months where the property is being actively marketed for sale, in each year since 1999, also broken down by local authority.
Current status: Answer expected on 24 November 2023

Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 10/11/2023
S6W-22796
To ask the Scottish Government, further to previous commitments by its ministers, how much funding in total it has allocated to each City Region Deal to date, also broken down by project.
Current status: Answer expected on 24 November 2023

Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 10/11/2023
S6W-22842
To ask the Scottish Government what funding it is providing for colleges to deliver courses on the traditional trades.
S6W-22843
To ask the Scottish Government what funding it is providing for college courses in the traditional crafts, particularly stonemasonry, at colleges in Edinburgh.
Current status: Answers expected on 24 November 2023

Willie Rennie, MSP for North East Fife, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: 26/10/2023
S6W-22487
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-12674 by Mairi McAllan on 14 December 2022, whether it will provide an update on which of the 42 formal flood protection schemes or engineering works are (a) under construction and (b) at the planning or other stage of development, broken down by (i) the expected completion date, including the reason for any date being beyond the 2021 timeframe, (ii) the number of properties that will be protected and (iii) the (A) initial forecast and (B) final expected cost of each.
Current status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 9 November 2023

Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 31/10/2023
S6W-22599
Miles Briggs (Lothian) (Con): To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to undertake a review of legislation relating to the Home Report.
Current status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 10 November 2023

Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 13/10/2023
S6W-22209
To ask the Scottish Government how much total funding it allocated to (a) improve energy efficiency and (b) decarbonise the heating of homes in (i) social, (ii) owner-occupied and (iii) private rented housing in (A) 2021-22, (B) 2022-23 and (C) 2023-24.
S6W-22210
To ask the Scottish Government how much of the £1.8 billion Heat in Buildings funding has been spent to date, and what the forecast trajectory is of spending to the end of the current parliamentary session.
S6W-22211
To ask the Scottish Government how much funding has been allocated to (a) Warmer Homes Scotland, (b) Home Energy Efficiency Programmes for Scotland (HEEPS) area based schemes, (c) Home Energy Scotland grants and loans for energy efficiency and zero emissions heating and (d) Home Energy Scotland advice and support services, in (i) 2021-22, (ii) 2022-23 and (iii) 2023-24.
Current status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 10 November 2023

Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 06/11/2023
S6W-22701
Monica Lennon (Central Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Government when the Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development last met with COSLA to discuss culture; what was discussed at this meeting, and when the Minister will next meet with COSLA to discuss these issues.
Current status: Answered by Christina McKelvie on 10 November 2023

Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 02/11/2023
S6W-22636
Paul Sweeney (Glasgow) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the overall risk of fire in relation to Scotland’s pre-1945 building stock.
Current status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 10 November 2023

Kate Forbes, MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: 30/10/2023
S6W-22531
To ask the Scottish Government as part of its post-implementation review into short-term let licensing, whether it plans to undertake any stakeholder engagement and consultation ahead of the review, and what the nature of any stakeholder involvement in the review will be.
S6W-22532
To ask the Scottish Government when it will commence its post-implementation review into short-term let licensing; what the scope, remit and nature of this work is; what the timeline is for the completion of the review, and when it plans to report to (a) ministers and (b) the Parliament on its findings.
Current status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 13 November 2023

MOTIONS

Designation of Lead Committee
S6M-11147
Submitted by: George Adam, Paisley, Scottish National Party.
Date lodged:  07/11/2023
That the Parliament agrees that the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee be designated as the lead committee in consideration of the Housing (Cladding Remediation) (Scotland) Bill at stage 1.

Borders Student Wins National Young Roofer of the Year Award
S6M-11131
Submitted by: Rachael Hamilton, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party.
Date lodged: 08/11/2023
That the Parliament congratulates Hamish Morgan, of Hume Roofing and Property Maintenance in Hawick, on receiving the National Federation of Roofing Contractors Scottish Young Roofer of the Year title; notes that this award was given to Hamish at the recent awards ceremony in Glasgow; understands that Hamish had received the highest available grading by the college staff in his studies and was also awarded Apprentice of the Year at Edinburgh College; further understands that Hamish also won the Scottish heat of SkillBuild, which is the largest multi-trade skills competition in the UK for construction trainees and apprentices, and wishes the Borders student every success in Milton Keynes when he represents Scotland in the UK final of SkillBuild later in November 2023.

Culture in Communities: The Challenges and Opportunities in Delivering a Place-based Approach
S6M-11153
Submitted by: Clare Adamson, Motherwell and Wishaw, Scottish National Party.
Date lodged: 08/11/2023
That the Parliament notes the conclusions and recommendations contained in the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee’s 4th Report, 2023 (Session 6), Culture in Communities: The challenges and opportunities in delivering a place-based approach (SP Paper 431).

Council Tax (Variation for Unoccupied Dwellings) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2023 [draft]
S6M-11186
Submitted by: Tom Arthur, Renfrewshire South, Scottish National Party.
Date lodged: 10/11/2023
That the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee recommends that the Council Tax (Variation for Unoccupied Dwellings) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2023 [draft] be approved.

EVENTS

Heritage Trust Network – Rescue, Reuse & Regenerate Series
Date & Time: Ongoing series, next Thursday 16 November; 2:30-4pm
Location: Online
What do we need to do to ensure a future for our town and city centres? Where are the successful initiatives and partnerships? See how independent community-led organisations are working with local authorities to bring life back to our high streets. Join Heritage Trust Network for an online event series that will explore case studies and expert opinions on how we can Rescue, Reuse and Regenerate our town centres.

The Institution of Engineering and Technology – Powering Net Zero Week
Date & Time: 14-17 November 2023
Location: Crowne Plaza, Glasgow
A forum for engineers, planners and innovators to meet, learn, and discuss all the most pertinent issues relating to engineering solutions to net zero. Topics for learning and discussion include the latest wind, solar PV and hydropower technologies, infrastructure planning and investment, demand side management, energy storage and EV charging integration with the grid, electrification load forecasting, battery technology for electric transport and energy storage, and fuel cell development.

RSA Fellows’ MCICH Network – Arts & Culture at the Core of Cultural Philanthropy
Date & Time: Tuesday 21 November; 6-7:30pm
Location: Online
An online event, exploring arts and culture in relation to philanthropy. Speakers include Lucia Patuzzi (Philea, Italy) and RSA Fellows Shonaig Macpherson (Culture Summit), Graham Bell (Cultura Trust and Europa Nostra) and Dr Rupert Graf Strachwitz (Maecenata Institute, Germany).

The Improvement Service and Planning Aid Scotland – Improvement Service for Community Councils – Local Place Plans
Date & Time: Tuesday 21 November; 6-7pm
Location: Online
Local Place Plans are a new right enshrined in planning legislation for communities to prepare a plan for their own place. The webinar will provide an overview of Local Place Plans, and how they are different from other types of community-led plan. It will also look at what the key requirements are in terms of preparing a Local Place Plan, and at some examples of Local Place Plans that have already been prepared. There will be plenty of time for discussion so please come along with any questions.

Architecture & Design Scotland – Place Forum: Thinking big, thinking beyond
Date & Time: Wednesday 22 November; 11am-1pm
Location: Online
Join Architecture and Design Scotland for the next Place Forum where they will be looking at whole place design and collaborative approaches. The question they ask is ‘How do we explore and collaborate with place and people to help embrace the ‘scale’ of vision required for the future’ Confirmed speakers include: Brendan Turvey of NatureScot, Lisa MacKenzie and Anais Chanon of ESALA and Alistair Shaw of Falkirk Council.

Edinburgh Futures Institute – Conservation and heritage buildings archetype & low-carbon heating approach
Date & Time: Friday 24 November; 9:30-1:30pm
Location: Edinburgh Climate Change Institute (Conference Room)
Workshop 3: Conservation and heritage buildings archetype and low-carbon heating approach. Part of the Workshop series on Scottish building. In a facilitated discussion, we will explore current approaches to this challenge, future visions and potential opportunities related to novel ways of gathering data, maximising data efficiency, utilising citizen science, and galvanising stakeholders.

RSA Fellows’ MCICH Network – Perspectives on International Cultural Relations
Date & Time: Tuesday 28 November; 6-7:30pm
Location: Online
An online event exploring different perspectives on international cultural relations. Speakers include Svetlana Sequira Costa FRSA (Arts Cabinet), Dr Ines Fialho Brandao FRSA (Calouste Gulbenkian Museum, Lisbon), Sylwia Spooner (Polish Consulate, Edinburgh) and Professor Gayle Macpherson FRSA (UWS).

Historic Environment Scotland – Ar Dàimhean is Dualchas / Our Relationships and Heritage
Date & Time: Tuesday 28 November; 6:30-8pm
Location: Online
An online, interactive workshop to explore how we can improve the ways we work together to protect and promote local heritage practicess.

Scotland’s Towns Conference 2023: Delivering Towns for All
Date & Time: Wednesday 29 November; 9am-5pm
Location: Apex Hotel, Dundee
Join Scotland’s Towns Partnership and around 200 industry stakeholders for this year’s Scotland’s Towns Conference – Delivering towns for all. Scotland aims to deliver places for all – a wellbeing economy – creating equality and opportunity for an economy that ensures our towns, neighbourhoods and communities are thriving, engaging and viable for all.

BEFS/SPAB – Scotland’s Churches in Transition: Planning for the Future
Date & Time: Wednesday 29 November; 9:30am-4pm
Location: The Ramshorn, 98 Ingram Street, Glasgow
SPAB and BEFS are delighted to jointly host this CPD Conference for decision makers across the planning and built environment sector. A huge number of churches are in transition, with some in the process of being assessed and sold on the open market. Changes of use and ownership such as these may often mean the sites will no longer be covered by Ecclesiastical Exemption.

Glasgow City Heritage Trust – Annie’s Loo: Flushing Out the Past & Retrofitting for the Future
Date & Time: Wednesday 29 November; 7-8pm
Location: Fairfield Heritage, Govan, G51 4XS
Join Raymond Young, who wrote the book on Annie’s Loo, and Carmen Lean from Loco Home Retrofit to hear more about the history of Annie’s Loo and how we can make tenement retrofit accessible.

Icon Scotland Group – 2023 AGM
Date & Time: Thursday 30 November; 5:30-6:15pm
Location: The Engine Shed, Stirling
Join the Icon Scotland Group committee to discuss everything we’ve been doing in 2023, and everything we have planned for 2024. Tickets are free and you can join us whether you’re an Icon member or considering joining.

Icon Scotland Group – 26th Annual Plenderleith Memorial Lecture
Date & Time: Thursday 30 November; 6:30-8:30pm
Location: The Engine Shed, Stirling and Online
Join Icon Scotland for a lecture in memory of Dr Harold Plenderleith, one of the key founders of modern conservation. Our invited speaker is Professor Christina Young, Director of the Kelvin Centre for Conservation and Cultural Heritage Research, University of Glasgow. Christina will reflect on how the Kelvin Centre addresses issues facing the conservation landscape in Scotland and helps promote and support the conservation profession.

Heritage Trust Network – Local Authority Information Session with Heritage Trust Network
Date & Time: Tuesday, 5 December 10-11am
Location: Online
The Heritage Trust Network are running a free information session to share how the Heritage Trust Network might be able to support you or the groups you work with. There will be a short presentation on our work, including a discussion on Buildings at Risk, followed by a case study from one of HTN members and a relaxed discussion.

TRAINING

Scottish Civic Trust – Inclusive heritage training
Date & Time: Wednesday 29 November; 1-2:15pm
Location: Online
Join the Scottish Civic Trust for a free inclusive heritage training session for local civic, heritage and community groups in Scotland. The session will cover key terms related to inclusion, the benefits of engaging more diverse audiences, mapping possible partners and how to build mutually beneficial partnerships with excluded audiences.

VACANCIES

Scottish Historic Buildings Trust – Director
Salary: Competitive salary commensurate with experience
Status: Full-time
Location: Edinburgh.
Scottish Historic Buildings Trust (SHBT) is a dynamic and innovative charity which plays a unique role in preserving and promoting the nation’s heritage, with over 40 years’ experience delivering complex projects that regenerate neglected historic buildings and give them a sustainable future. SHBT holds a property portfolio of important historic buildings that are available to lease or hire for offices, events and functions. SHBT are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Director to lead this Building Preservation Trust, providing strategic vision, financial management and leadership.

Heritage Trust Network – Scotland Trustee
Salary: Voluntary w/ expenses covered
Status: Mix of in-person & online meetings including four board member meetings and annual conference
Location: Scotland
The Heritage Trust Network is currently recruiting for a Scotland Trustee position. ‘We are recruiting a new trustee to ensure continuity, bring in new experiences and perspectives, and diversify our board.’

BEFS News

The team had a visit to BEFS Members The Ridge Foundations, a fantastic charity serving Dunbar and the surrounding villages in East Lothian with jobs, training and support around local heritage, you can read BEFS Director’s personal reflection on the visit, here.

As the clocks go back and weather gets colder the resilience of our buildings becomes ever more apparent. A new survey by the Chartered Institute of Building reports that two in five Scottish residents can’t afford energy upgrades. Whether old or new, there can be housing issues, the poor state of Britain’s new housing is reported in The Guardian and a new BBC documentary series.

This week the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act has received Royal Assent. You can read The Heritage Alliance’s briefing for the Bill in formation, here. It seems that on Assent the Act does have heritage specific clauses, although these may be part of a staged process, and some actions will, in due course require secondary legislation in due course.

BEFS bring you a wealth of events and training this month, including the BEFS/SPAB CPD Conference, Scotland’s Churches in Transition: Planning for the Future. The Heritage Alliance’s Heritage Debate 2023 puts Careers in the spotlight asking, ‘How Can We Future-Proof the Heritage Sector Workforce?’. If you’re interested in heritage careers, have a look at the BEFS/THA/Heriot Watt Heritage Career Guide updated earlier this year. The Scottish Civic Trust are also hosting free Inclusive heritage Training for local civic, heritage and community groups in Scotland.

Consultations of note include: The Improvement Service Call for Ideas on planning system ambitions, and from the Scottish Parliament The Agricultural and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill which will be used to better develop the support that farming and rural communities need. There has already been some small success with lobbying from CIfA and other Members in the sector to get the historic environment acknowledged within the Bill, this can be seen in Part 4 – Power to Provide Support.

And finally, BEFS Conservation Officers Group welcomes new chair Dr Alison McCandlish. You can read more on our blog here and a huge thanks go to outgoing, and foundation, Chair Mark Douglas.

Consultations

Management of burial grounds, application for burial, exhumation, private burial and restoration of lairs: regulation in Scotland
Scottish Government
The consultation paper sets out a range of proposals and approaches with the aim of clarifying and streamlining existing burial practices as well as introducing new provisions; including the management of burial grounds and restoration of lairs.
Closes 17 November 2023

*NEW* Draft Transformation Action Plan Consultation
Construction Leadership Forum
This consultation seeks feedback to develop a Transformation Action Plan. A Transformation Action Plan is intended to support the Just Transition to Net Zero, construction quality, improved construction procurement, investment in jobs, training and ongoing CPD, developed MMC knowledge, and a digitally enabled industry.
Closes 17 November 2023

*NEW* The Agricultural and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill Consultation
The Rural Affairs and Islands Committee
This consultation seeks input on the Bill which would be used as a framework for Scottish ministers to better develop the support that farming and rural communities need. The committee planning to take oral evidence from late November through to early February before reporting to the Scottish Parliament with its recommendations in spring 2024.
Closes 24 November 2023

*NEW* Call for Ideas on Planning System Ambitions
The Improvement Service / Scottish Government
This consultation seeks to obtain the views on proposed increases to the building warrant fees required to deliver change to strengthen the building standards system and the development of a new building warrant fees model in Scotland.
Closes 30 November 2023

Proposed Desecration of War Memorials (Prevention) (Scotland) Bill
Scottish Parliament
This consultation relates to a draft proposal lodged as the first stage in the process of introducing a Member’s Bill in the Scottish Parliament, to ensure that war memorials in Scotland receive the protection that they deserve by creating the specific offence of desecration of a war memorial.
Closes 19 December 2023

Outline Strategic Plan for Holyrood Park
Historic Environment Scotland (HES)
This survey on the Outline Strategic Plan for Holyrood Park will gather public views to help deliver a new future for the Park that reflects community aspirations, the needs of the City and the inherent value and sensitivity of Holyrood Park.
Closes 19 December 2023

National Parks in Scotland
Scottish Government
The Scottish Government invites individuals, communities and organisations to develop and submit formal nominations for their area to become Scotland’s next National Park.
Closes 29 February 2024

Survey Buildings at Risk Register (BARR)
Historic Environment Scotland (HES)
HES have commissioned Harlow Consulting, a leading research agency in the heritage sector, to undertake an extensive survey to help HES to understand who uses the Buildings at Risk Register, and the impact it is having.

Consultation Responses

Enhancing the accessibility, adaptability and usability of Scotland’s Homes (BEFS 19/10/2023)
BEFS statement supports measures that increase the accessibility and usability of Scotland’s dwellings, improving quality of life and enabling people to stay in their homes for longer – positively contributing to the continued use and occupancy of existing buildings. For any interventions and decisions which impact on traditionally constructed homes and the historic environment, BEFS points to existing guidance on the adaptation of historic or designated properties.

Council tax for second and empty homes, and thresholds for non-domestic rates: consultation analysis (Scot Gov 24/10/23)

Building Community Wealth in Scotland: consultation analysis (Scot Gov 26/10/23)

Mandatory Training on Planning for Elected Members (BEFS 26/10/2023)
BEFS fully supports the proposal for mandatory training on planning for elected members. We would consider that good decision making for people and places recognises the National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) view that ‘Scotland’s rich heritage, culture and outstanding environment are national assets which support our economy, identity, health and wellbeing’, delivering against the spatial principles within NPF4.

News Releases

European Commission opens calls to invest in data spaces for cultural heritage and tourism (Network of European Museum Organisations 09/10/2023)

Scotland’s plumbing and heating apprenticeship to undergo ‘comprehensive’ review (Project Scotland 19/10/2023)

Patrick Harvie reaffirms commitment to Passivhaus standard (Scottish Housing News 20/10/2023)

Two in five Scottish residents can’t afford energy upgrades says Charted Institute of Building survey (CIOB 25/10/2023)

Call for Papers – The Public Country House: ‘Treasure of Quiet Beauty’ or a Site for Public Histories (V&A 27/10/2023)

The Improvement Service has teamed up with LANDCLAN to help bring its Spatial Hub data to the commercial market (Improvement Service 27/10/2023)

Scottish home on RIBA House of the Year shortlist (Scottish Housing News 31/10/2023)

Publications

Youth participation in cultural heritage management: a conceptual framework (International Journal of Heritage Studies 16/10/2023)

Heat Pump Supply – The Social Market Foundation has published a report on the UK heat pump supply chain (Social Market Foundation 18/10/2023)

One Life Two Cultures – African and Caribbean Elders in Scotland have published their new book of experiences of African and Caribbean Scots over the past 50 years. Its publication was supported by the Scottish Civic Trust Diverse Heritage Project and the Year of Stories 2022 Community Stories Fund. (Scottish Civic Trust 23/10/2023)

Applying the Robbins Principle to Further Education and Apprenticeships report on further education, apprenticeships, and inequality (The Resolution Foundation 24/10/2023)

Learning to grow: How to situate a skills strategy in an economic strategy – report focusing on strategically important sectors to the UK, including finance and business, creativity and culture, life sciences, AI, and clean technology. (The Resolution Foundation 24/10/2023)

Glasgow 2030 Tourism Strategy (Glasgow Tourism and Visitor Plan 27/10/2023)

CIPD report; Devolution and evolution in UK skills policy – report comparing and analysing the labour market in across the four nations, with a focus on skills development policy. Notably, the report analyses the plummet of apprenticeship starts in SMEs in England since the introduction of the apprenticeship levy. (The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development 31/10/2023)

Watt’s the plan? – report highlighting the major infrastructure challenges in the UK and and makes recommendations for a new institutional framework to support investment and delivery. (The Resolution Foundation 01/11/2023)

SFT Outcomes – report disseminating the outcomes corresponding to the business objectives outlined in Scottish Future Trust’s 2019-24 Corporate Plan. The report includes new case studies and analyses of infrastructure needs, investments, innovative construction, technology-enabled construction, and more. (Scottish Futures Trust 02/11/2023)

Scottish & UK: Governmental & Parliamentary Publications

Guidance for custodians on how to deal with commemorative heritage assets that have become contested (UK Gov 05/10/2023) Devolved matter in Scotland.

Letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills (Scot Gov 23 October 2023)

Modern methods of construction – what’s gone wrong? The Built Environment Committee has launched an inquiry into the future of modern methods of construction (MMC) (UK PARL Built Environment Committee 24/10/2023)

Letter from Minister for Community Wealth and Public Finance (Scot Gov 25 October 2023)

Ending homelessness together: annual report 2023 (Scot Gov 26/10/2023)

Heat in Buildings: progress report 2023 (Scot Gov 27/10/2023)

Scotland’s Land Use Strategy Annual Progress Report – 2022/2023 (Scot Gov 27/10/2023)

Letter from the Convener to the Minister for Local Government Empowerment and Planning (Scot Parl 27 October 2023)

Building standards: national annual verification performance report 2022 to 2023 (Scot Gov 31/10/2023)

Letter from the Minister for Housing (Scot Gov 31 October 2023)

Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee meeting on the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill (Scot Gov 31 October 2023)

Opinion & Comment

Concrete crisis: What is Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC)? (Twentieth Century Society 06/09/2023)

Why is Keir Starmer ignoring the concrete and steel elephant in the room? (Architects Journal 12/10/2023)

Trads Forget the Past at Their Peril (Failed Architecture 06/10/2023)

How local authorities can benefit from working with the community heritage sector (Heritage Trust Network / ACES Terrier Autumn 2023)

Famous Gallowgate tenement from 1771 now comes with climate control (The Herald 10/10/2023)

Britain’s Housing Crisis: What Went Wrong? (BBC Two 17/10/2023)

Cracked tiles, wonky gutters, leaning walls – why are Britain’s new houses so rubbish? (The Guardian 21/10/2023)

More focus needed on climate and social impact of dull buildings – top designer (The National 21/10/2023)

Sue Bridge: Are the purposes of the green belt still relevant for the 21st century? (RTPI 23/10/2023)

Culture secretary fails to clear up confusion over promise to ‘more than double’ arts funding in Scotland (Scotsman 25/10/2023)

Second National Infrastructure Assessment: the good, the bad and the next steps (RTPI 26/10/2023)

Patrick Harvie Scottish Green Autumn Conference Speech (Scottish Greens 30/10/2023)

City of Edinburgh Council set to declare housing emergency (BBC News 02/11/2023)

The Big Read: What can we do to save Scotland’s towns? (The Herald 02/11/2023)

Parliamentary Questions & Answers

Questions marked with a triangle (?) are initiated by the Scottish Government to facilitate the provision of information to the Parliament. Questions in which a member has indicated a declarable interest are marked with an “R”.

Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: 18/10/2023
S6O-02633
To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making on implementing the recommendations on the skills delivery landscape in the report, Fit for the Future: developing a post-school learning system to fuel economic transformation.
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on 26 October 2023

Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 20/10/2023
S6W-22334
To ask the Scottish Government when any revisions to its onshore wind carbon calculator will be published.
S6W-22335
To ask the Scottish Government how much peatland has been excavated, according to data within onshore wind applications consented to by the Energy Consents Unit, within the last 10 years.
S6W-22336
To ask the Scottish Government how much peatland has been restored, according to data within onshore wind applications consented to by the Energy Consents Unit, within the last 10 years.
S6W-22337
To ask the Scottish Government how much carbon has been emitted as (a) a direct and (b) an indirect result of development on peatland, according to data within onshore wind applications consented to by the Energy Consents Unit, within the last 10 years.
S6W-22338
To ask the Scottish Government what processes are in place to ensure the accuracy and reliability of data inputted into its onshore wind carbon calculator by a prospective developer
Current status: Answers expected on 17/11/2023

Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: 25/10/2023
S6W-22345
To ask the Scottish Government with which organisations it has consulted regarding the development of a Green Industrial Strategy, as committed to in its Programme for Government 2023-24.
S6W-22346
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide more information on how the First Minister’s commitment to “invest up to £500 million to anchor a new offshore wind supply chain” will be delivered.
S6W-22347
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a timeline for when it expects to deliver the First Minister’s commitment to “invest up to £500 million to anchor a new offshore wind supply chain”.
S6W-22348
To ask the Scottish Government how it will engage with the renewable energy industry in the delivery of the First Minister’s commitment to “invest up to £500 million to anchor a new offshore wind supply chain”.
S6W-22349
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will outline how the First Minister’s commitment to “invest up to £500 million to anchor a new offshore wind supply chain” will be delivered in conjunction with the £500 million Just Transition Fund.
S6W-22350
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the development of a Green Industrial Strategy, as committed to in its Programme for Government 2023-24.
Current status: Answers expected on 08/11/2023

Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: 29/09/2023
S6W-21882
To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to ensure that the key stakeholders in the private sector are aware of the issue of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete and know where to go for advice, as referenced in the minutes of the meeting of the Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) Cross Sector Working Group on 14 August 2023.
S6W-21883
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the meeting of the Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) Cross Sector Working Group on 14 August 2023, what action it has taken to “signpost and share information which supports effective assessment and reporting on RAAC as a potential building defect”.
Current status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 20 October 2023

Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: 25/10/2023
S6W-22414
To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of the housing stock in each local authority area is comprised of homes within buildings constructed before 1914.
S6W-22415
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S6W-21728 and S6W-21745 by Patrick Harvie on 23 and 24 October 2023 respectively, what discussions it has had with Historic Environment Scotland on approaches to retrofitting traditional and listed buildings.
S6W-22416
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S6W-21728 and S6W-21745 by Patrick Harvie on 23 and 24 October 2023 respectively, which stakeholders it (a) has had and (b) plans to have discussions with on approaches to retrofitting traditional and listed buildings.
S6W-22417
To ask the Scottish Government what research it (a) has conducted and (b) plans to conduct into the results of various energy efficiency interventions on traditional and listed buildings.
S6W-22418
To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of the housing stock in each local authority area is comprised of homes within traditional buildings.
Current status: Answers expected on 08/11/2023

Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: 25/10/2023
S6W-22436
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what plans it has to support grassroots music venues across Scotland.
S6W-22437
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what assessment it has made of any additional revenue raising tools, such as ticket levies on large music events and areas, to support grassroots music venues and the talent pipeline.
Current status: Answers expected on 08/11/2023

Ben Macpherson, MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party
S6W-22486
Date lodged: 26/10/2023
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the progress of its Heat in Buildings Strategy.
Current status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 27 October 2023

Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 27/10/2023
S6W-22459
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason Govan Graving Dock was granted £2.4 million for its restoration, and whether any such grants are being considered for other dry docks in similar states of disuse.
Current status: Answer expected on 10/11/2023

Kate Forbes, MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: 30/10/2023
S6W-22531
To ask the Scottish Government, as part of its post-implementation review into short-term let licensing, whether it plans to undertake any stakeholder engagement and consultation ahead of the review, and what the nature of any stakeholder involvement in the review will be.
S6W-22532
To ask the Scottish Government when it will commence its post-implementation review into short-term let licensing; what the scope, remit and nature of this work is; what the timeline is for the completion of the review, and when it plans to report to (a) ministers and (b) the Parliament on its findings.
Current status: Answers expected on 13/11/2023

Neil Bibby, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 30/10/2023
S6W-22536
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the First Minister’s announcement of an additional £100 million for the arts and culture sector on 17 October 2023, how this figure was arrived at; how the funding will be distributed over the next five years, and whether it will be attributed on an annual rolling basis, or using a multi-year approach.
S6W-22537
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish a timeline outlining when decisions about the distribution of the additional £100 million for the arts and culture sector will be made, and, if so, when.
S6W-22538
To ask the Scottish Government what the additional £100 million of funding for arts and culture includes, and, in particular, whether it includes an explicit increase to the national performing companies annual budget line for the next five years.
S6W-22539
To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture was first made aware of the First Minister’s decision to announce an additional £100 million for the arts and culture sector on 17 October 2023.
Current status: Answer expected on 13/11/2023

Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 30/10/2023
S6W-22527
To ask the Scottish Government how many groups are currently being supported by the Community and Renewable Energy Scheme, broken down by local authority area.
S6W-22528
To ask the Scottish Government how much energy is currently generated in Scotland from community and locally owned sources.
S6W-22529
To ask the Scottish Government how much funding was allocated to groups through the Community and Renewable Energy Scheme in (a) 2019, (b) 2020, (c) 2021 and (d) 2022, also broken down by local authority area.
Current status: Answers expected on 13/11/2023

Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 28/09/2023
S6W-2185
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the Heat in Buildings Workforce Assessment Project outlined in its Heat in Buildings Strategy.
Current status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 24 October 2023

Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservatives and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 31/10/2023
S6W-22602
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions have taken place regarding the development of an infrastructure levy.
S6W-22603
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the transfer of powers required to implement its proposed Building Safety Levy.
S6W-22604
To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to publish its proposals for a Building Safety Levy.
S6W-22605
To ask the Scottish Government what work it has undertaken to estimate the costs required for cladding remediation of so-called “orphan” buildings.
S6W-22606
To ask the Scottish Government what formula it plans to use to calculate its proposed Building Safety Levy.
Current status: Answers expected on 14/11/2023

Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 19/09/2023
S6W-21465
To ask the Scottish Government how much it estimates will be the cost of the removal or remedial action required for reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete within the NHS.
Current status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 4 October 2023

Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 20/09/2023
S6W-21288
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its reported plans to amend the Energy Performance (EPC) system, what consideration it has given to how to deal with properties that are off grid, and whose EPC rating may change depending on gas costs, and whether any such properties will be penalised.
Current status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 4 October 2023

Tess White, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 19/09/2023
S6W-21458
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the national survey programme of the NHS estate to identify the use of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete in NHS buildings, including the number of buildings at risk and their location.
Current status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 4 October 2023

Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 29/09/2023
S6W-21921
To ask the Scottish Government when an updated Estates Condition Survey for the college sector will be conducted and completed, in light of the last survey, which was completed in 2017 and estimated that £360 million of work was required in the subsequent five years to bring the college estate to a generally sound (wind and watertight) condition.
S6W-21922
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what progress has been made in developing and delivering a fully costed infrastructure delivery plan for the college sector.
Current status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 27 October 2023

Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 31/10/2023
S6W-22599
To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to undertake a review of legislation relating to the Home Report.
Current status: Answer expected on 14 November 2023

Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 29/09/2023
S6W-21889
To ask the Scottish Government what the resource funding increase of £46 million for the college and university sectors, announced in the Budget statement on 15 December 2022, was specifically intended to be used for; whether it expects colleges and universities to still proceed with that work, in light of the funding being withdrawn, and, if not, what its position (a) was on the importance of this work in December 2022, in light of its decision to allocate an additional £46 million of funding for it at that time, and (b) is on whether this work is still necessary.
Current status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 30 October 2023

Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 03/10/2023
S6W-21970
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a list of the 30 police buildings that Police Scotland plans to dispose of, as detailed in its proposals submitted to the Scottish Police Authority.
Current status: Answered by Angela Constance on 30 October 2023

Alexander Stewart, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 03/10/2023
S6W-21929
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports that some local residents were required by Clackmannanshire Council to evacuate their homes, in a majority council-owned block of flats, and move into short-term accommodation due to reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete being found and the flats being deemed unsafe, what immediate action it can take to (a) help provide suitable long-term accommodation and (b) support any proposals for repairs of these properties.
Current status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 18 October 2023

Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 06/10/2023
S6W-22065
To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its refreshed Culture Strategy Action Plan, in light of it being delayed from summer 2022 and spring 2023.
Current status: Answered by Angus Robertson on 18 October 2023

Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 04/10/2023
S6W-22012
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to develop an artificial intelligence strategy in relation to the culture sector, and how it plans to ensure that any such strategy is safe and ethical in its implementation.
Current status: Answered by Christina McKelvie on 19 October 2023

Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 03/102023
S6W-21989
To ask the Scottish Government whether it anticipates any workforce pressures in relation to skilled stonemasons in the next 10 years.
Current status: Answered by Christina McKelvie on 19 October 2023

Pam Gosal, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 23/10/2023
S6W-22265
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of the decision to reinstate the £6.6 million reduction of the Creative Scotland budget.
Current status: Answered by Christina McKelvie on 01 November 2023

Alexander Stewart, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 05/10/2023
S6W-22038
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding short-term let licensing, what its position is on whether holiday accommodation providers that have multiple similar premises types on the same site should be required to pay a licence fee for each individual accommodation that they provide.
Current status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 20 October 2023

Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 06/10/2023
S6W-22068
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its plans to work jointly across the health and culture portfolios to ensure that culture is represented in social prescribing discussions, as set out in its response to the recommendations from the National Partnership for Culture.
Current status: Answered by Christina McKelvie on 20 October 2023

Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 29/09/2023
S6W-21918
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason its Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan, which had previously been due to be published in Spring 2022, will now not be available until summer 2024.
Current status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 23 October 2023

Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: 25/09/2023
S6W-21719
To ask the Scottish Government how many properties have had energy efficiency measures installed through funding from the Private Rented Sector Landlord Loan scheme since it was introduced.
Current status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 23 October 2023

Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: 25/092023
S6W-21728
To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to apply its proposed energy performance certification reforms to listed buildings, including whether any consideration has been given to (a) exemptions for such properties and (b) changes to regulations governing listed building consent to facilitate net zero retrofitting measures.
Current status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 23 October 2023

Motions

Apprentice of the Year 2023 Named as Ayr’s Charlie White
S6M-10840
Submitted by: Sharon Dowey, South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party.
Date lodged: 16/10/2023
That the Parliament congratulates Ayr’s Charlie White on being awarded Apprentice of the Year at the Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) Awards; understands that Charlie was presented with this accolade at the APSE Building Maintenance Seminar, incorporating the APSE Apprentice Awards 2023; further understands that Charlie passed his Final Integrated Competence Assessment (FICA) at 98.55%, scoring 136 points out of 138; understands that Charlie is now a fully qualified tradesperson, having completed his four-year apprenticeship; congratulates Charlie on what it sees as a significant achievement, and wishes him the very best in his future career.

Ensuring Scotland’s Skills System is Fit for the Future
S6M-10922
Submitted by: Daniel Johnson, Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour.
Date lodged: 23/10/2023
That the Parliament notes the findings of the independent review of the skills delivery landscape, particularly that skills delivery has lacked clear leadership and direction, and substantial structural change is required to ensure that the skills system is fit for the future; regrets that Modern Apprenticeship starts are lower than in 2015-16 at a time when 70% of businesses are reporting skills shortages; is concerned that the proportion of people in employment who participated in job-related training is lower than it was in 2007; notes that net zero targets will require a step change in workforce skills but that the Scottish Government has only allocated 15% of its Just Transition Fund; considers that it is 21 months on from Audit Scotland’s conclusion that urgent action was needed on skills from the Scottish Government and that it is therefore disappointing that no reforms are yet planned; believes that Scotland urgently needs a vision for a flexible and responsive skills delivery system that is fit for the future, and calls, therefore, on the Scottish Government to set out its response to the review of the skills delivery landscape before the end of 2023 and to bring forward legislation on skills reform, as referenced in its Programme for Government, within the parliamentary year.

Supporting Scotland’s Culture Sector
S6M-10917
Submitted by: Neil Bibby, West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 23/10/2023
That the Parliament values greatly the enormous contribution of the arts and culture sector to Scotland’s national life and economy, noting that the creative industry is estimated to be worth nearly £4.5 billion and 80,000 jobs; recognises what many in the sector have described as a “perfect storm” of crisis in the sector, resulting from years of underfunding as well as the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the cost of living crisis; condemns the Scottish Government’s decision to break its promise to the sector not to cut Creative Scotland’s budget by 10%, and notes the furious reaction in response; notes the commitment from the Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture that Creative Scotland’s funding will be restored in 2024-25, but recognises with concern that Creative Scotland has stated that up to a third of its regularly funded organisations are at serious risk of insolvency in the short term, and over half are financially weak, which will require redundancies or other cost savings, and therefore considers that there is an urgent need for funding now; further notes the announcement made by the First Minister on 17 October 2023 to more than double arts and culture funding over the next five years, but believes that, in the current context, financial certainty for the sector is crucial; calls, therefore, on the Scottish Government to reverse the 10% budget cut to Creative Scotland with immediate effect; further calls on the Scottish Government to set out full details for its proposed increase in the arts and culture budget, including timescales for funding increases, and believes that it is essential that this is clarified ahead of the publication of a refreshed Scottish Government Culture Strategy.

Purchase of Hoy and Sanday Churches
S6M-10944
Submitted by: Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: 25/10/2023
That the Parliament congratulates Friends of Sanday Kirk on being awarded £83,730 from the Scottish Land Fund to purchase Cross Kirk on Sanday; understands that the group formed in 2022 after the Church of Scotland announced that Cross Kirk would be slated for closure; further understands that after initially winning a 12-month postponement in the closure of the kirk, a charity was officially formed for the purposes of seeking funds to purchase and renovate the building; commends the group’s intention to turn the building into a multi-use community facility and meeting space, providing a range of essential services for the residents of Sanday; understands that £93,802 from the Scottish Land Fund was also secured by Hoy Youth Hub to purchase and convert St Columba’s Church in Longhope, providing a dedicated space for young people on the island; believes that these projects and facilities will be of immense value to their local communities, and pays tribute to the hard work of all those involved in securing the future of what it sees as these important community assets in Sanday and Hoy.

Welcoming the Contribution of Rural Estates to Scotland’s Wellbeing Economy
S6M-11029
Submitted by: Finlay Carson, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 30/10/2023
That the Parliament welcomes the report, The Contribution of Rural Estates to Scotland’s Wellbeing Economy, by Scottish Land and Estates, which was published in February 2023; believes that this report, for which the research was carried out by BiGGAR Economics Ltd and Scottish Land and Estates, is an innovative example of a whole sector measuring its outputs against Scotland’s National Performance Framework’s National Outcomes, rather than just through traditional economic metrics; considers that the report describes and quantifies how rural estates drive local economic development through agriculture, forestry, tourism, sporting, recreation and renewable energy generation, act as stewards of the natural environment, protect and enhance biodiversity, support the transition to net zero, provide homes and create sustainable new communities, provide a gateway to nature, and function as anchors of communities and support community-led projects; further considers that the report also identifies areas in which there is scope for estates to increase their contributions across the National Outcomes, and provides an improvement framework to complement the research; recognises Scotland’s rural estates as, it considers, key delivery partners of the Scottish Government across a wide range of policy areas, including improving outcomes for people, jobs and nature across the country, including in the Galloway and West Dumfries constituency, and commends the sector for what it sees as its commitment to this innovative work.

Events

For further listings, please see our events calendar. 

Heritage Trust Network – A Future for Your Church: Creating a Church Plan
Date & Time: Friday 3 November; 9:30-11am
Location: Online via Zoom
Heritage Trust Network and Historic Churches Scotland are joining forces to host the next event in this series for any group contemplating the future of their church building. At this event Isobel Milne from The Churches Conservation Trust will explain the key elements of a Church Plan and how to create your own using a helpful template. A copy of CCT’s template will be provided for you to adapt and use at your own church.

Festival of Social Science – Wellbeing wander: Creative Community City Planning with your Senses
Date & Time: Saturday 4 November; 2pm-4pm
Location: Clarice Pears Building School of Health & Wellbeing, Glasgow G12 8TB
A two hour gently paced activity led by Dr Alison McCandlish including a short guided walk and workshop- get some steps in and spend some time using all of your available senses to see, hear and experience Byres Road, exploring and explaining explain urban planning issues which many communities face, with a social science eye. No prior drawing skills needed, all materials provided. Open to professional town planners and related built environment professionals or community activists.

IHBC – Retrofit Workshop with IHBC Scotland branch
Date & Time: Monday 6 November; 10:30am-3.30pm
Location: Glasgow City Heritage Trust, Glasgow
Workshop on retrofit in Glasgow by John Edwards (Edwards Hart – Consultants). Introducing the IHBC Retrofit Toolbox, the value of a holistic approach and of maintenance as well as interventions to meet the standards. Fee £20 includes lunch. Click on to the ‘events’ tab on the webpage to see this event.

Under One Roof – Property Repair and Maintenance Event
Date & Time: Tuesday 7 November; 5:30pm-7:30pm
Location: ESPC Property Information Centre, 107 George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 3ES
The aim of this event is to provide tenement owners with the tools required to ascertain building condition, carry out repairs and ensure correct maintenance of their properties. Changes to the law of tenement maintenance are coming – find out what you need to know at the event. Topics covered include property conditions, repair and maintenance processes, funding options, and neighbourhood collaboration.

Scottish Historic Buildings Trust – Cardross Seminary: Fate, Failure or Tragic Myth?
Date & Time: Wednesday 8 November; 6:30pm-8:30pm
Location: Riddles Court, Edinburgh
Dr Diane Watters will summarise the sixty-odd year history of Cardross Seminary as outlined in her book of 2016, and place Cardross within the wider religious, architectural and preservation movements of which it formed an important symbolic part. Its history divides neatly into two: the story of its design and use, and the story of its decline and salvage.

RTPI – Sustainability and resilience through planning – building adaptability to future challenges
Part of the World Town Planning Online Programme
Date & Time: Wednesday 8 November; 8:30am-9:45am
Location: Online
On World Town Planning Day planners and communities all over the world come together to celebrate how good planning improves the lives of people and benefits society at large, creating places where to live, work and play together. You are invited you to join our special online webinar programme as part of our pre National Planning Conference programme.

RTPI – Grampian AGM and Quiz
Date & Time: Thursday 9 November; 5:30pm-9:30pm
Location: Advocates Library, Aberdeen
This in-person AGM will take place in the Advocates Library. The AGM will be followed by the Quiz and an opportunity to catch up with colleagues. Light bites and refreshments will be provided. Please sign up as individuals but teams will be a maximum of four. If you can’t make up a team we can coordinate one.

Society of Antiquaries of Scotland – Changing His Tune: Robert Bruce, Ireland and the Papacy
Date & Time: Thursday 9 November; 6pm
Location: Online
Robert Bruce had been on a mission for over a decade by 1318, intent on forcing a peace treaty out of England acknowledging Scottish independence and his own rights as king. After Bannockburn, ever more extravagant military options were pursued to try to force the issue, a priority that required avoiding direct engagement with Pope John XXII who was determined to stop the violence. The death of Bruce’s heir, his brother Edward, in Ireland in October 1318 changed all that. Join historian Fiona Watson and the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland to hear more about this crucial period in the reign of Scotland’s warrior king.

Institution of Civil Engineers – The Burrell Collection Refurbishment
Date & Time: Thursday 9 November; 6pm-8pm
Location: University of Strathclyde, Lecture Theatre TL455
A presentation by the structural engineer and architect on the Burrell Renaissance project.

The Heritage Alliance – Heritage Debate 2023 Careers at a Crossroads
Date & Time: Wednesday 15 November; 11am-1pm
Location: Online
Now in its 13th year, Heritage Debate brings sector leaders, professionals, volunteers and students together for cross sector insight, connection and to find solutions to key challenges facing the sector. This year’s Heritage Debate is: ‘Careers at a Crossroads: How Can We Future-Proof the Heritage Sector Workforce?’

The Improvement Service and Planning Aid Scotland – Improvement Service for Community Councils – Local Place Plans
Date & Time: Tuesday 21 November; 6pm-7pm
Location: Online
Local Place Plans are a new right enshrined in planning legislation for communities to prepare a plan for their own place. The webinar will provide an overview of Local Place Plans, and how they are different from other types of community-led plan. It will also look at what the key requirements are in terms of preparing a Local Place Plan, and at some examples of Local Place Plans that have already been prepared. There will be plenty of time for discussion so please come along with any questions.

Architecture & Design Scotland – Place Forum: Thinking big, thinking beyond
Date & Time: Wednesday 22 November; 11am-1pm
Location: Online
Join Architecture and Design Scotland for the next Place Forum where they will be looking at whole place design and collaborative approaches. The question they ask is ‘How do we explore and collaborate with place and people to help embrace the ‘scale’ of vision required for the future’ Confirmed speakers include: Brendan Turvey of NatureScot, Lisa MacKenzie and Anais Chanon of ESALA and Alistair Shaw of Falkirk Council.

Scotland’s Towns Conference 2023: Delivering Towns for All
Date & Time: Wednesday 29 November; 9am-5pm
Location: Apex Hotel, Dundee
Join Scotland’s Towns Partnership and around 200 industry stakeholders for this year’s Scotland’s Towns Conference – Delivering towns for all. Scotland aims to deliver places for all – a wellbeing economy – creating equality and opportunity for an economy that ensures our towns, neighbourhoods and communities are thriving, engaging and viable for all.

BEFS/SPAB – Scotland’s Churches in Transition: Planning for the Future
Date & Time: Wednesday 29 November; 9:30am-4pm
Location: The Ramshorn, 98 Ingram Street, Glasgow
SPAB and BEFS are delighted to jointly host this CPD Conference for decision makers across the planning and built environment sector. A huge number of churches are in transition, with some in the process of being assessed and sold on the open market. Changes of use and ownership such as these may often mean the sites will no longer be covered by Ecclesiastical Exemption.

Icon Scotland Group – 2023 AGM
Date & Time: Thursday 30 November; 5:30pm-6:15pm
Location: The Engine Shed, Stirling
Join the Icon Scotland Group committee to discuss everything we’ve been doing in 2023, and everything we have planned for 2024. Tickets are free and you can join us whether you’re an Icon member or considering joining.

Icon Scotland Group – 26th Annual Plenderleith Memorial Lecture
Date & Time: Thursday 30 November; 6:30pm-8:30pm
Location: The Engine Shed, Stirling and Online
Join Icon Scotland for a lecture in memory of Dr Harold Plenderleith, one of the key founders of modern conservation. Our invited speaker is Professor Christina Young, Director of the Kelvin Centre for Conservation and Cultural Heritage Research, University of Glasgow. Christina will reflect on how the Kelvin Centre addresses issues facing the conservation landscape in Scotland and helps promote and support the conservation profession.

Training

Culture & Business Scotland – Going for gold – securing business sponsorships from start to finish
Date & Time: Tuesday 7 November; 9.30am-4pm
Location: Online, on Zoom
This practical course, led by Alice Samtoy, provides comprehensive training to deepen your knowledge and take your corporate fundraising to the next level.

Culture & Business Scotland – Effective copywriting: from blank page to impactful story
Date & Time: Tuesday 14 & Wednesday 15 November; 10am-1pm
Location: Online
Move from a blank page to a compelling case for support in the capable hands of professional copywriter, Allison Traynor. Packed with tips, tools and techniques and delivered in two live classroom online sessions over two days.

Scottish Civic Trust – Inclusive heritage training
Date & Time: Wednesday 29 November; 1pm – 2.15pm
Location: Online
Join the Scottish Civic Trust for a free inclusive heritage training session for local civic, heritage and community groups in Scotland. The session will cover key terms related to inclusion, the benefits of engaging more diverse audiences, mapping possible partners and how to build mutually beneficial partnerships with excluded audiences.

Vacancies 

Scottish Historic Buildings Trust – Director
Salary: Competitive salary commensurate with experience
Status: Full-time
Location: Edinburgh.
Scottish Historic Buildings Trust (SHBT) is a dynamic and innovative charity which plays a unique role in preserving and promoting the nation’s heritage, with over 40 years’ experience delivering complex projects that regenerate neglected historic buildings and give them a sustainable future. SHBT holds a property portfolio of important historic buildings that are available to lease or hire for offices, events and functions. SHBT are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Director to lead this Building Preservation Trust, providing strategic vision, financial management and leadership.

Historic Environment Scotland – Collections Officer
Salary: £23,971 – £26,842
Status: Full-time
Location: Edinburgh and the Lothians.
Historic Environment Scotland are looking for a Collections Officer to join the Collections & Applied Conservation team to manage daily operations at Trinity House Maritime Museum in Leith. You will work with internal and external stakeholders to open the house up to the public and community groups, ensuring a high level of collections care throughout.
Deadline: Monday 6 November 2023

UNESCO – Non-Executive, Culture
Salary: Unremunerated with reasonable expenses reimbursed.
Status: Minimum 20 days per year commitment.
Location: London/Flexible.
The UK National Commission for UNESCO is inviting applications for a pro bono Non-Executive Director (NED) with expertise and experience in the field of Culture (with a focus on World Heritage).
Deadline: Tuesday 14 November 2023

Royal Institute of Architecture Scotland – Head of Outreach
Salary: £38,000 – £42,000
Status: Full-time
Location: Edinburgh, flexible working.
The RIAS seeks a Head of Outreach, to play a pivotal role in driving the success of the RIAS by spearheading the development and implementation of robust public affairs, policy, communications, and awards program strategies.
Deadline: Thursday 16 November 2023

Image credit © Andrew Lee

BEFS News

Earlier this week the First Minister told the SNP Conference as part of his address that, “over the next five years we will more than double our investment in Scotland’s arts and culture. […] This is a huge vote of confidence in the future of our cultural sector […]”. He then went on to list a range of arts organisations and festivals, so only time will tell what this means for heritage – but it can be seen as positive intent for culture more broadly.

How we value and appreciate culture always changes, and the recent publication by Historic Houses highlights just that. From visitor attractions, to EPCs, and with asks relating topics as diverse as VAT and Landscape design, public benefit is at the heart of this new report.

If you also care about those places known to be more at risk, please complete the HES Buildings at Risk Survey. This survey is to help HES understand the kinds of individuals, organisations and communities that are using the Buildings at Risk Register (BARR), and the impact it is having. This survey builds on the findings of the previous survey of the Conservation Officers Group, findings from the current survey will be used to make evidence-based recommendations to inform long-term decisions about the BARR, and how best to bring buildings at risk back into use.

In the previous Bulletin we mentioned that BEFS Director, Ailsa Macfarlane, had given evidence to the Local Government Committee in relation to RAAC, the full report is now available here. Within the evidence the issue of data was highlighted – it is timely then, given that the recent consultation on EPC reform (you can see BEFS response here) considers a digital repository for EPC data within Scotland, that a new EPC data service has just been launched, covering all of the UK. More information can be found on the Cad Corp site. Further calls for the importance of data, particularly in relation to Building Passports can be seen in this recent article from Dr Charles Gillott – he clearly links the call for more information about our buildings with the ongoing investigations into where RAAC may be present.

A push for a greater understanding of our existing buildings has also been made through the Built Environment Carbon Database – a resource so useful BEFS have yet to explore it as the site is continually overwhelmed. Worth a look – once it’s up and running again!

In Tenement news, there is an update from the Scottish Law Commission. Unfortunately their work is taking longer than hoped and there is now an aim to publish a discussion paper in 2024. The work around tenemental property will not only provide safer, warmer, buildings – but it also helps to pave the way for further necessary retrofitting to be delivered. This is vital as a new report from the UK Green Building Council outlines. And closer to home, it’s fantastic to see Stirling City Heritage Trust roll out a new retrofit service.

It’s not just homeowners getting new resources this month. Architecture and Design Scotland have released a new resource package, Place skills for plan-making, to help planning authorities take on a place-based and collaborative approach to Local Development Plan preparations. Heather Claridge, Director of Design at Architecture and Design Scotland and Chair of the Key Agencies Group said: “This new resource package will be a valuable tool for planning authorities in Scotland as they implement the new Local Development Planning Guidance and start to prepare their new style Local Development Plans.”

Despite the name, Community Land Week (Scottish Land Fund and National Lottery Community Fund) has been positive for the built environment across Scotland, with places of worship – particularly those transitioning into community use – being particularly well represented. Whilst solutions such as this are good to see, a note of caution needs to be made that the scale of change across (particularly) the Church of Scotland estate means that these options will not be possible for all sites transitioning to new uses and ownerships. BEFS works with a number of stakeholders on this topic at strategic level through the Places of Worship Forum.

Consultation Responses

Motions

Training

Vacancies

BEFS News

BEFS are delighted to announce two new team members, and welcome both Bobby Jewell in his role as Senior Communication Lead, and Jonna Meredith as Policy and Communications Officer. You can read more about them both here. Those working with BEFS will hear from them soon, and we look forward to introducing them to Members and Associates in the near future.

Last month BEFS Bulletin noted that Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) was front and centre of the news – with interest only growing over the last month. This week, BEFS Director – Ailsa Macfarlane – gave evidence at the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee. The full session can be seen, here.

In further political news, the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee have released their report, “Culture in Communities: The challenges and opportunities in delivering a place-based approach”. BEFS and a number of Members contributed to the evidence within this report.

Earlier this year, in work led by CIfA, a number of BEFS Members lobbied in relation to the (then) forthcoming Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill. Mairi Gougeon has since introduced the Bill, which, if passed, will introduce a new payments framework – to be brought into law by secondary legislation – and will bring forward a five-year Rural Support Plan covering farming, forestry and rural development. CIfA have released a statement about the initial positive steps within the Bill which point towards the historic environment – “After lobbying Scottish Government, we are delighted that provision has been included in the draft Bill that will enable Scottish Ministers to fund the protection and enhancement of historic or cultural sites of interest.”

This week BEFS has been working with HES on one of the series of round-tables in relation to the Skills Investment Plan (SIP), it was great to see colleagues across the Architecture, Engineering, Planning and Surveying professions. This useful and productive workshop also facilitated shared knowledge across the sector. An example of which is the recently launched, RICS Whole life carbon assessment (WLCA) for the built environment. This 2nd edition builds upon the success of the existing RICS WLCA standard, having been extended to cover all buildings and infrastructure throughout the built environment life cycle.

In a time of challenging financial constraints, the recent evidence given in Pre-Budget Scrutiny to the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee, at the end of September makes for sobering reading. The reverse of fortunes for Creative Scotland as the Scottish Government withdraws previously agreed funding – and the delayed information and timing – should be notable to all across the sector.

And finally, the Updated NPF4 Delivery Programme has now been launched, and BEFS is keen to hear from Members and Associates how this will help to support delivery.

BEFS NEWS

Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) is front and centre of the news again this week. BEFS is a member of a cross-sector working group and will be following this topic carefully as it unfolds. A Ministerial Statement in the Scottish Parliament is scheduled for this afternoon (Thursday).

In more positive news, major funding announcements in August will provide a much-needed boost to the sector.

The announcement of £5.2m from UK charity, the Hamish Ogston Foundation to Historic Environment Scotland (HES) is extremely welcome, towards addressing the lack of specialist skills needed to conserve and maintain Scotland’s historic built environment. Craft Your Career will support vital skills training and includes 60 pre-apprenticeship training places, focusing on introductory construction and employability skills, initially delivered in partnership with Fife Council, Fife College and The Ridge social enterprise in East Lothian.

The latest round of funding from the National Heritage Memorial Fund is excellent news and the £4.4m will go towards protecting some of Scotland’s most important heritage, impacted by the pandemic.

In addition, The National Trust for Scotland has secured over £1m from the HES Partnership Fund to conduct vital work across its built heritage properties, whilst The Glasgow Building Preservation Trust and the Glasgow City Heritage Trust have received funding of £50,000 and £240,000 respectively from Glasgow City Council. Museums Galleries Scotland are also in receipt of £500,000 from the Scottish Government, to support the resilience of museums and galleries to continue their important work engaging with communities and telling the stories of their places and people.

In further funding news, after the success of its first round in 2022, Edinburgh World Heritage has announced the launch of the second round of the Climate Emergency Grant. The grant will provide funding to private owners and public, private and third sector organisations wishing to carry out targeted energy efficiency improvements or climate change adaptation interventions alongside conservation repairs in their traditional properties – specifically focusing on historic windows, doors and rainwater goods. Applications must be submitted by Sunday 24 September.

The Scottish Civic Trust’s My Place Awards 2024 are now open for entries. The awards for Community-led Projects recognise recent community-led built environment projects that have transformed their locality, including historic buildings or monuments that have been reused or refurbished; more information can be found here.

The 11^th Edinburgh Traditional Building Festival held in August proved to be a great success, attracting over 400 people to events varying from demonstrations on sash and case windows and lime rendering, to talks on energy efficiency in traditional buildings.

And finally, please save the date: Wednesday 29 November! SPAB and BEFS will be hosting a Places of Worship conference, for decision makers looking at the future of places of worship in transition. This event will bring together the interests of Places of Worship Forum (POWF), and the Conservation Officers Group (COG). The event will explore: What decisions will need to be made? What does best practice look like? How can we support good decision making for all our places? More information about the in person event, including location and how to book will be released soon.

CONSULTATIONS

RICS Retrofit Standards 2023
RICS
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) is gathering input from RICS members and industry professionals on the new RICS Residential Retrofit Standard for 2023. This new standard will be developed following the consultation, as a response to a demand for high quality, residential retrofit advice, spurred on by increasingly high energy prices and UK government net-zero targets.
Closes 12 September 2023

Effective Community Engagement in Local Development Planning Guidance
Scottish Government
This consultation concerns guidance on effective community engagement in the local development planning process, inviting views from planning authorities and communities on the clarity and helpfulness of the guidance in informing people when engagement will be most effective.
Closes 13 September 2023

Visitor Levy Bill – call for views
Scottish Parliament
The Scottish Government has proposed a new law which would allow local authorities to introduce an additional charge when someone pays for overnight accommodation. MSPs on the Scottish Parliament’s Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee are examining the details.
Closes 15 September 2023

Fairer Council Tax
Scottish Government
The Scottish Government and COSLA are inviting responses to this consultation on a fairer council tax system, which concerns the Council Tax charges (also referred to as multipliers) for properties in valuation Bands E to H.
Closes 20 September 2023

Call for Evidence: Restoration and Renewal Recall
UK Government
The Public Accounts Committee has previously reported on the failures of transparency and “wasteful, nugatory spending” in the Restoration and Renewal programme, and expressed serious concern about ongoing risks and hazards in the deteriorating UNESCO World Heritage Site. They are seeking written evidence submissions regarding the ‘real and rising risk” that the Palace of Westminster will be destroyed by a catastrophic event before it is restored.
Closes 6 October 2023

Energy Performance Certificate Reform Consultation
Scottish Government
The purpose of this consultation is to set out the Scottish Government’s final proposals for Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) reform and to seek stakeholder views ahead of the introduction of new legislation.
Closes 16 October 2023

Enhancing the accessibility, adaptability and usability of Scotland’s homes
Scottish Government
This consultation sets out proposed updates to Part 1 of the Housing for Varying Needs design guide and to building standards and guidance.
Closes 19 October 2023

Building Warrant Fees
Scottish Government
This consultation seeks to obtain the views on proposed increases to the building warrant fees required to deliver change to strengthen the building standards system and the development of a new building warrant fees model in Scotland.
Closes 24 October 2023

Mandatory training on planning for elected members
Scottish Government
The Scottish Government is intending to implement mandatory training on planning for elected members as part of a wider package of measures to improve the performance of the planning system as a whole. This consultation is seeking views on the proposed approach to implementing this training.
Closes 26 October 2023

Heat networks regulation: consumer protection
UK Government
The UK Government is seeking views on consumer protection requirements such as pricing, which will be introduced as part of the heat networks regulatory framework.
*NEW* Closes 27 October 2023

Management of burial grounds, application for burial, exhumation, private burial and restoration of lairs: regulation in Scotland
The consultation paper sets out a range of proposals and approaches with the aim of clarifying and streamlining existing burial practices as well as introducing new provisions; including the management of burial grounds and restoration of lairs.
Scottish Government
*NEW* Closes 17 November 2023

CONSULTATION RESPONSES

Circular Economy (Scotland) Bill (BEFS 01/09/2023)
BEFS response reiterates the important role that the existing built and historic environment can and should play in a sustainable circular economy.

Museums Galleries Scotland Response to Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee’s Budget Scrutiny 2024-25: Funding for Culture – call for views (MGS 24/08/2023)

Permitted Development Rights Review – Phase 3 (BEFS 23/08/2023)
BEFS recognises the intentions of the proposed changes, towards easing pressure on planning teams to deliver ambitious net zero targets, and to enable easier implementation of climate beneficial solutions within planning. This response urges caution however, as unintended consequences of some of the proposed exemptions should be considered, in particular around the proposals for replacement windows, solar panels and potential impacts on conservation areas and other designations.

Budget Scrutiny 2024-25: Funding For Culture (BEFS 18/08/2023)
BEFS considers that the importance of examining the budget is not just to look at what is within the cultural portfolio – but to understand how our cultural heritage can be eroded through a lack of investment in data, in planning, and in regeneration; many of the aspects that help to support genuine place-based approaches.The Culture Strategy as it stands speaks to a different time, with different pressures, different benefits, and a different social and economic outlook. What is needed is a mechanism that can leverage action for delivery and collaboration. BEFS questions whether another Strategy or Action Plan needs to be formed (or refreshed as it is phrased here), and whether the strategies within the sector could instead be supported to deliver effectively.

New National Parks – Appraisal Framework (BEFS 04/08/2023)
BEFS strongly welcomes the inclusion of cultural heritage and the historic environment as components but would suggest that presenting cultural heritage and natural heritage as separate criterion could undermine their fundamentally symbiotic nature.

NEWS RELEASES

RTPI appoints Dr Caroline Brown as Director for Scotland, Ireland and English Regions (RTPI 04/08/2023)

RTPI selects Grayling to battle misinformation (RTPI 07/08/2023)

University of Stirling teams up with National Trust for Scotland to boost heritage research (University of Stirling 17/08/2023)

Doors Open Days Launches Full 2023 Programme (Doors Open Days 17/08/2023)

Historic Environment Scotland launches new heritage professional learning programme (HES 29/08/2023)

Skills Development Scotland and Built Environment – Smarter Transformation form partnership to build critical construction skills for Net Zero target (BE-ST 29/08/2023)

PUBLICATIONS

The GIS for Climate Hub: resources for climate analysis and to develop more advanced workflows (Esri 2023)

National Trust – Making Climate Adaptation Matter (Public First June 2023)

European Cultural Heritage Skills Alliance Report: Identifying gaps and needs in the
educational and training programmes (Charter 30/06/2023)

Pointing the way to the future (HES 21/07/2023)
This position statement refers to Historic Environment Scotland’s role in the planning system and other decision-making processes for land management.

Online Heritage Community Directory (Historic England August 2023)

State of the Fair Work Nation Report (IPPR Scotland August 2023)

Museums Galleries Scotland – A look back  at 2022/23 (MGS August 2023)

Strong foundations: The value of regenerating social housing – and how we can pay for it (Social Market Foundation 04/08/2023)

Museums Galleries Scotland – Capital Resilience Fund 2023 Guidance (MGS 18/08/2023)

Home Improvement: A Triple Dividend – Part One: Boosting the British economy (Demos & Centre for Ageing 23/08/2023)
New study demonstrates a small fraction of the £1.9bn in housing funding handed back to the Treasury last month could deliver £10bn in economic benefits annually if spent on retrofit

Highlands & Islands Enterprise 5 Year Strategy (HIE 29/08/2023)

National Report on the Scottish Social Housing Charter: 2022-2023 (Scottish Housing Regulator 31/08/2023)

Committing to delivery: Certainty and leadership for a just transition to a net zero, climate resilient future for Scotland (Climate Emergency Response Group 31/08/2023)

Updated Strategy: 20 Minute Neighbourhoods (City of Edinburgh Council 31/08/2023)

SCOTTISH & UK: GOVERNMENTAL & PARLIAMENTARY PUBLICATIONS

2022 Heat Network Consumer and Operator Survey (UK Gov April 2023)
Report on the experiences of heat network consumers and operators following surveys from March to July 2022 and interviews from November 2022 to January 2023, ahead of consultation.

Net Zero Public Sector Buildings Standard and Document Suite (Scot Gov August 2023)

SPICe Spotlight: Update blog on the Scottish carbon capture and storage cluster (SPICe 02/08/2023)

Heat Networks Quarterly Report – July 2023 (Scot Gov 04/08/2023)

New plans for heat network customers to receive fairer prices for cleaner heating (UK Gov 04/08/2023)

Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme Quarterly Report – July 2023 (Scot Gov 04/08/2023)

Scottish Safer Buildings Accord: developer commitment letter (Scot Gov 08/08/2023)

Council tax base 2023: form and guidance (Scot Gov 16/08/2023)

Planning and environmental appeals: guidance for reporters (Scot Gov 21/08/2023)

Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete in education settings (UK Gov 31/08/2023)
Information on how to identify reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC), and what responsible bodies and education settings must do if it is confirmed in their buildings.

Overview of the UK heat network market and the opportunities it presents (UK Gov 01/09/2023)

Victoria Borwick appointed as Chair of VisitEngland Advisory Board (UK Government 01/09/2023)

Association of Construction Attorneys: revised scheme (Scot Gov 01/09/2023)

SPICe Spotlight: How is Scotland Performing? (SPICe 04/09/2023)

Education Secretary Statement to Parliament on RAAC in education settings (UK Gov 04/09/2023)

School Estates Statistics (Scot Gov 05/09/2023)

OPINION & COMMENT

Opinion: why hydrogen is not the solution to decarbonising our homes (Nesta 27/07/2023)

RICS: A Future-Thinking Outlook on Residential Retrofit with Historic England’s Hannah Reynolds #83 (RICS August 2023)

£4.4million for exceptional Scottish heritage impacted by the pandemic (NHMF 02/08/2023)

Can Britain’s churches still be saved? (Prospect Magazine 03/08/2023)

Understanding our homes is starting point for switching to clean heat (The Herald 03/08/2023)

Owners of vacant buildings in Glasgow could be forced to sell (The Herald 03/08/2023)

Edinburgh Council amends ‘unlawful’ short-term lets plan (BBC News 04/08/2023)

Back to the stone age: the sustainable building material we’ve all been waiting for (The Guardian 06/08/2023

Scottish visitor attractions struggle to open this summer as staff shortages bite (The Scotsman 06/08/2023)

Net zero: can cities become carbon-neutral on their own? Here’s what the evidence suggests (The Conversation 08/08/2023)

Your country needs you . . . to learn heritage craft skills (The Times 11/08/2023)

Creating a tipping point for radical change (Creative Carbon Scotland 11/08/2023)

Scotland’s history hidden behind high-security fencing (The Times 12/08/2023)

Historical buildings: Threatened by skills shortage (BBC News 13/08/2023)

Preserving the past shouldn’t adversely impact our future (The Herald 14/08/2023)

Blog: Are tenants and home-buyers looking for heat pumps? (UK Collaborative Centre for Housing Evidence 16/08/2023)

EPCs Scotland: What are they, what do they mean for home owners and landlords, and what is the proposed legislation? (The Scotsman 17/08/2023)

Rural housing stock in Scotland at risk with ‘totally unrealistic’ energy proposals, property experts warn (The Scotsman 18/08/2023)

Patrick Harvie’s heat pumps strategy in doubt as progress stutters (The Herald 20/08/2023)

Blog: NLHF Chief Executive, Eilish McGuinness, reflects on the latest milestones along the 10-year journey to a new strategy, Heritage 2033 (National Lottery Heritage Fund 21/08/2023)

Anger as Edinburgh tourism plan will close self-caterers (The Herald 22/08/2023)

‘Bodge job’ complaints over Warmer Homes Scotland scheme (BBC News 23/08/2023)

Scottish island communities are being ignored – and tourism may suffer (The National 26/08/2023)

Scottish Government confirms no extension for short-term lets licence deadline (BBC News 29/08/2023)

Fresh rockfall concerns at Edinburgh Castle lead to new remediation works (Ground Engineering 30/08/2023)

Thousands of pupils may have to start term online as over 100 schools affected by crumble-risk concrete (The Guardian 31/08/2023)

Blog: The short-term lets licensing scheme (The Fraser of Allander Institute 31/08/2023)

MSPs call for firms to use empty parts of vast office at Victoria Quay (The Herald 31/08/2023)

Scale of concrete risk in Scottish schools not yet known (BBC News 01/09/2023)

Organisers hail success of annual event celebrating traditional buildings (Project Scotland 01/09/2023)

SNP ministers seek more power over land sales to ensure communities benefit more from developments (The Times 01/09/2023)

Scottish universities and colleges find defective concrete in their buildings (The Times 04/09/2023)

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Questions marked with a triangle (?) are initiated by the Scottish Government to facilitate the provision of information to the Parliament. Questions in which a member has indicated a declarable interest are marked with an “R”.

Donald Cameron, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 03/07/2023
S6W-19722
To ask the Scottish Government what meetings it has had with National Records of Scotland since May 2021, and what the agreed outcomes were of any such meetings.
Current status: Answered by Angus Robertson on 4 August 2023

Mercedes Villalba, North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 14/07/2023
S6W-19951
To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many privately-owned land holdings over 500 hectares are used for (a) food production, (b) timber production, (c) energy generation, (d) carbon sequestration, (e) affordable housing, (f) flood reduction, (g) nature recovery and (h) natural heritage.
Current status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 4 August 2023

Sarah Boyack, Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 20/07/2023
S6W-20092
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the stakeholder responses to its public consultation on the draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan, and, if so, when it will do so.
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 7 August 2023

Sarah Boyack, Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 19/07/2023
S6W-20040
To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to homeowners who are dissatisfied with their property factor.
S6W-20041
To ask the Scottish Government whether its proposed Housing Bill will make any provisions regarding property factors.
S6W-20042
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has any plans to amend legislation covering the operation of property factors.
Current status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 8 August 2023

Sarah Boyack, Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 25/07/2023
S6W-20093
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the letter from the Chair of the Just Transition Commission to the then Minister for Just Transition, Employment and Fair Work, dated 15 February 2023, whether it will provide an update on the Supply Chain Development Programme, including further detail on (a) target sectors, (b) job-creation targets, (c) longevity for employment and (d) fair work criteria and objectives.
Current status: Answered by Neil Gray on 8 August 2023

Sarah Boyack, Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 12/07/2023
S6W-19919
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the cost of decarbonising all of Scotland’s schools, broken down by local authority area.
S6W-19920
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the cost to local authorities of decarbonising all of their buildings.
S6W-19921
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the cost to NHS boards of decarbonising all of their buildings.
S6W-19922
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the cost to universities of decarbonising all of their buildings.
S6W-19923
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the cost to all arm’s length external organisations of decarbonising all of their buildings.
S6W-19924
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the cost of it decarbonising all of its buildings.
S6W-19925
To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with COSLA regarding the cost of decarbonising all local authority buildings.
Current status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 9 August 2023

Liam Kerr, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 14/07/2023
S6W-19952
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it (a) has reportedly stopped offering interest-free loans for residential solar photovoltaic and battery energy storage systems and (b) decided not to accompany the cessation with any press release or publicity; what consultation was undertaken before withdrawing the loans, and for what reason it did not consider a grace period to be appropriate.
S6W-19953
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason solar PV and storage is not considered to be an installation that “will maximise decarbonisation of heat or reduce heat demand”, as stated in the announcement on the Home Energy Scotland website, in light of reported analysis stating that it can provide consumers with significant savings on carbon emissions and energy bills.
S6W-19954
To ask the Scottish Government how many loans and grants Home Energy Scotland provided in 2022-23; for what amount, and for which technologies.
Current Status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 9 August 2023

Monica Lennon, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 26/07/2023
S6W-19642
To ask the Scottish Government what consultation it undertook with the Educational Institute of Scotland Further Education Lecturers Association (EIS-FELA) on the recommendation in the final report of the independent review of the skills delivery landscape, Fit for the Future: developing a post-school learning system to fuel economic transformation, to establish a single national funding body, including any amalgamation of responsibilities from Skills Development Scotland, the Scottish Funding Council and the Students Awards Agency for Scotland.
Current status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 9 August 2023

Daniel Johnson, Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 19/07/2023
S6W-20049
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the integration of the Skills 4.0 model into work-based learning and the broader skills and education systems.
S6W-20051
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of its Skills and Training budget detailing (a) resources committed per programme, (b) staffing costs and (c) capital costs in each of the last five years.
S6W-20052
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of the number of (a) graduate, (b) foundation and (c) modern apprenticeships by (i) occupational grouping and (ii) employer size in each of the last five years.
S6W-20071
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a full list of employers that have at least one employee currently undertaking a graduate apprenticeship.
Current status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 9 August 2023

Sarah Boyack, Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 20/07/2023
S6W-20094
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the response from the Minister for Just Transition, Employment and Fair Work to the chair of the Just Transition Commission on 28 March 2023, which was published on 14 April 2023, whether it will publish further detail regarding the outstanding work required to deliver decarbonisation of one million homes by 2030, particularly in relation to (a) financing, (b) skills and (c) workforce capacity.
Current Status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 9 August 2023

Sarah Boyack, Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 20/07/2023
S6W-20097
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the definition of “green jobs” published by the Office for National Statistics, whether it will provide further detail on the allocation of its £100 million Green Jobs Fund, including the (a) amount already allocated and (b) outcomes to date.
Current Status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 9 August 2023

Sarah Boyack, Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 24/07/2023
S6W-20102
To ask the Scottish Government, following initiatives such as the 2016 Enterprise and Skills Review, its 2017 commitment to improving skills planning, and the 2022 Auditor General for Scotland report, Planning for skills, which stated that the “Scottish Government has not provided the necessary leadership for progress”, what assessment it has made of the reasons for the reported lack of progress in planning for workforce skills.
Current status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 9 August 2023

Martin Whitfield, South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 18/07/2023
S6W-20026
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the number of school buildings that currently pose a risk to life, (a) in total and (b) broken down by local authority.
S6W-20027
To ask the Scottish Government what the cost was of using external designers for school building projects, from 2016-17 to date, (a) in total and (b) broken down by local authority.
S6W-20028
To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of school buildings are currently believed to be past their estimated initial design life, which could be extended with adequate maintenance, broken down by local authority.
Current status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 14 August 2023

Carol Mochan, South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 19/07/2023
S6W-20063
To ask the Scottish Government what it considers to be an acceptable distance between existing residences and wind farm developments, and what its position is on whether the number of separate wind farms in proximity to a residential area should be taken into account when judging the suitability of a new wind farm development.
Current status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 14 August 2023

Monica Lennon, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 28/07/2023
S6W-20292
To ask the Scottish Government what information it holds on the number of listed buildings in Scotland that are currently undergoing retrofitting projects relating to energy efficiency improvements.
S6W-20294
To ask the Scottish Government whether it can provide an update on the number of listed buildings in Scotland that have been retrofitted with energy efficiency improvements since 1 January 2021.
Current status: Answered by Christina McKelvie on 14 August 2023

Martin Whitfield, South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 18/07/2023
S6W-20025
To ask the Scottish Government how many schools were in good or satisfactory condition, from 2016-17 to date, (a) in total and (b) broken down by local authority.
S6W-20029
To ask the Scottish Government how many pupils are currently learning in a school that requires major rebuilding or refurbishment, broken down by local authority.
Current status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 15 August 2023

Liam Kerr, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 19/07/2023
S6W-20046
To ask the Scottish Government when it last carried out risk assessments on each school building for which it is responsible and that contains reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete; whether it has published the outcomes of any such assessments, and if this is not the case, whether it plans to do so, and how regularly any such assessments will take place in the future.
S6W-20047
To ask the Scottish Government, in each case where a risk assessment has been carried out of school buildings that contain reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete, whether any recommendations made as part of the assessment have been undertaken and completed, and if this is not the case, what the reasons are for this not having been done.
S6W-20048
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has published all minutes of any discussions that relevant ministers have had with (a) officials and (b) local authorities regarding the issue of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete in school buildings.
Current status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 15 August 2023

Sarah Boyack, Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 20/07/2023
S6W-20095
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its announcement of the successful projects for year one, whether it will provide further detail on the allocation of the Just Transition Fund to ensure transparency and value for money.
Current status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 15 August 2023

Sarah Boyack, Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 20/07/2023
S6W-20100
To ask the Scottish Government how much private sector investment has been secured, to date, for Scotland’s transition to net zero, as part of the Green Growth Accelerator programme.
Current status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 15 August 2023

Maurice Golden, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 21/07/2023
S6W-20139
To ask the Scottish Government what research it has carried out into indoor air quality in public buildings, and what plans it has to carry out any further such research.
Current status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 15 August 2023

Sarah Boyack, Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 25/07/2023
S6W-20087
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the academic environmental research, Delivering net zero in the UK: twelve conditions for success, which was published on 10 July 2023, in particular in relation to any implications for net zero policy in Scotland of the research’s findings that (a) deploying low-regret solutions on a large scale, (b) engaging with communities, (c) taking an interdisciplinary and whole systems approach and (d) upskilling and capacity building in the workforce and government are among the conditions for success.
Current status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 15 August 2023

Sarah Boyack, Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 26/07/2023
S6W-20090
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the letter from the Chair of the Just Transition Commission to the then Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Just Transition and the Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy, entitled Further Advice on the Draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan, which was published on 17 April 2023, and when it will publish a response to the Commission.
Current status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 15 August 2023

Mark Griffin, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 02/08/2023
S6W-20379 R
To ask the Scottish Government whether its national acquisition programme will be subject to the Scottish Government’s Principles for Programme and Project Management, and what the programme’s relationship will be with the affordable housing supply programme.
Current status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 16 August 2023

Sarah Boyack, Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 20/07/2023
S6W-20096
To ask the Scottish Government what work it is undertaking to roll out initiatives similar to the Just Transition Fund, which is primarily focused in the north east and Moray, for communities across Scotland.
Current status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 17 August 2023

Sarah Boyack, Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 20/07/2023
S6W-20099
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the Green Growth Accelerator programme, including how much of the £200 million public sector investment has already been allocated.
Current status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 18 August 2023

Sarah Boyack, Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 20/07/2023
S6W-20101
To ask the Scottish Government when it will provide a detailed response to each of the 15 recommendations of the independent review of the skills delivery landscape.
Current status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 18 August 2023

Sarah Boyack, Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 25/07/2023
S6W-20098
To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to (a) people over 30, (b) single parents, (c) people on low incomes and (d) carers, to move into green jobs, including in relation to training and upskilling, in light of reports that such training requires significant time commitment and can result in a real-terms pay cut that many people cannot afford.
S6W-20233
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-19781 by Lorna Slater on 21 July 2023, what targets it has set to address any green skills shortages.
Current status: Answered by Lorna Slater on 22 August 2023

Alex Cole-Hamilton, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: 02/08/2023
S6W-20364
To ask the Scottish Government what plans are in place for the removal of any asbestos, where it is damaged or in a poor condition, across the NHS estate, and what the timeframe is for this work.
S6W-20365
To ask the Scottish Government what the budget has been for NHS estate maintenance in each of the last three years, and what plans it has to increase this funding.
S6W-20366
To ask the Scottish Government what funding is in place for the (a) management and (b) removal of any asbestos across the NHS estate in 2023-24.
Current status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 22 August 2023

Sarah Boyack, Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 09/08/2023
S6W-20500
To ask the Scottish Government how many jobs have been created as a result of the Energy Transition Fund awards that meet the Office for National Statistics definition of “green jobs”, which is “employment in an activity that contributes to protecting or restoring the environment, including those that mitigate or adapt to climate change”.
S6W-20501
To ask the Scottish Government when the next bidding rounds for the Energy Transition Fund will be announced.
Current status: Answered by Neil Gray on 24 August 2023

Ariane Burgess, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: 23/08/2023
S6W-20832
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress with delivering the Bute House Agreement commitment to ensure that community housing trusts are adequately funded so that they can support the delivery of enhanced rural home building plans.
Current status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Paul McLennan on 24 August 2023

Pauline McNeill, Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 28/07/2023
S6W-20265
To ask the Scottish Government what research it has commissioned on converting gas boilers to run on alternative fuels.
S6W-20266
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its engagement with the public regarding alternatives to domestic gas boilers.
S6W-20267
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-16060 by Patrick Harvie on 11 April 2023, whether it has commissioned, or plans to commission, updated research on the efficiency of heat pumps in domestic homes, since the evidence review of August 2021.
S6W-20268
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether its reported proposals to require households to improve their energy efficiency rating, including potentially penalising the use of gas boilers, is compliant with human rights legislation.
S6W-20269
To ask the Scottish Government what recent meetings it has had with stakeholders in the private housing sector regarding proposed changes to heating efficiencies regarding gas central heating.
Current status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 25 August 2023

Monica Lennon, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 28/07/2023
S6W-20293
To ask the Scottish Government by what date it expects that all listed buildings in Scotland will have been retrofitted with energy efficiency improvements.
Current status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 25 August 2023

Annie Wells, Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 31/07/2023
S6W-20323
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to promote the Home Energy Scotland grants scheme, which was announced on 2 December 2022, in the Glasgow region.
Current status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 25 August 2023

Monica Lennon, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 02/08/2023
S6W-20336
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to raise awareness of the reported greater levels of effectiveness of ground-source heat pumps compared with air-source heat pumps.
Current status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 25 August 2023

Mark Griffin, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 03/08/2023
S6W-20396 R
To ask the Scottish Government how its housing policies aid and promote downsizing in the social and private sectors.
Current status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 25 August 2023

Miles Briggs, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 08/08/2023
S6W-20453
To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it has allocated to (a) the Warmer Homes Scotland scheme, (b) Area-Based Schemes and (c) Home Energy Scotland in the 2022-23 financial year.
Current status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 25 August 2023

Alex Cole-Hamilton, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: 14/08/2023
S6W-20630
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-19674 by Shona Robison on 31 July 2023, which organisations it has contacted.
S6W-20633
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-19683 by Shona Robison on 31 July 2023, when the cross sector Working Group will be set up; who will be part of it, and what work has been undertaken so far.
Current status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 29 August 2023

Paul Sweeney, Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 07/08/2023
S6W-20449
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on when compulsory sales orders will be introduced in Scotland, in light of the reported announcement by the leader of Glasgow City Council on 3 August 2023.
Current status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 30 August 2023

Alex Cole-Hamilton, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: 23/08/2023
S6W-20827
To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that local communities are aware of their rights in terms of community land ownership, and are better supported to access those rights.
S6W-20828
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to make land ownership in Scotland more transparent, particularly where land may be held by those currently under UK sanction or by other hostile parties.
Current status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 31 August 2023

Alexander Burnett, Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 15/08/2023
S6W-20664 R
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how many homes there are in each parliamentary region, including a breakdown of how many homes have an EPC rating below grade C.
Current status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 4 September 2023

Mark Griffin, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 15/08/2023
S6W-20667
To ask the Scottish Government whether its More Homes Division is subject to a recruitment cap, and, if so, when any such cap was put in place and when it is expected to end.
S6W-20668
To ask the Scottish Government how many members of staff have (a) resigned and (b) retired from its More Homes Division in each quarter since May 2021, and how many are due to retire in the year to April 2024.
S6W-20669
To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) headcount and (b) FTE staffing level was of its More Homes Division in each quarter since May 2021.
Current status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 4 September 2023

Maurice Golden, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 16/08/2023
S6W-20691
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-20139 by Jenni Minto on 15 August 2023, whether it will provide an update on the composition and activity of the task group considering indoor air quality, as outlined in the report, Cleaner Air for Scotland 2.
Current status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 4 September 2023

Gillian Mackay, Central Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: 08/08/2023
S6W-20470
To ask the Scottish Government how much it received from the UK Government in relation to cladding issues following the Grenfell Tower fire; how much of this has been spent on removing dangerous cladding, and where this was.
S6W-20471
To ask the Scottish Government which buildings in (a) the Falkirk area and (b) Scotland have been identified as having issues with dangerous cladding, and when work on these buildings will be undertaken and any potential danger addressed and/or cladding removed.
Current status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 5 September 2023

Miles Briggs, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 15/08/2023
S6W-20651
To ask the Scottish Government how much has been raised from short-term let licence application fees in each local authority area since their introduction.
S6W-20652
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of the level of fees that have been applied for various short-term let licence applications in each local authority area since their introduction.
Current status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 5 September 2023

Mark Griffin, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 14/08/2023
S6W-20627 R
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-17172 by Patrick Harvie on 11 May 2023, whether it will provide (a) a breakdown of the 10 applications and the reasons that they have been rejected, invited to resubmit following feedback or referred to alternative funding sources and (b) details of any additional applications since the question was answered.
Current status: Answer expected on 11 September 2023

Alex Cole-Hamilton, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: 14/08/2023
S6W-20631
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-19778 by Graeme Dey on 25 July 2023, when the Scottish Funding Council guidance on reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete will be delivered.
S6W-20632
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-19677 by Shona Robison on 31 July 2023, when the scoping exercise will be completed.
Current status: Answer expected on 11 September 2023

Miles Briggs, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 15/08/2023
S6W-20653
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to exempt mid market rent properties from regulations in the Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) (Scotland) Act 2022.
S6W-20654
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to introduce land value capture.
S6W-20655
To ask the Scottish Government how much has been spent from the Social Housing Net Zero Heat Fund in each year since its creation.
S6W-20656
To ask the Scottish Government how many homes have been retrofitted through the Social Housing Net Zero Heat Fund in each year since its creation, also broken down by local authority area.
S6W-20657
To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to roll out the Winter Heating Payment to households in 2023-24.
Current status: Answer expected on 12 September 2023

Alexander Burnett, Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 15/08/2023
S6W-20665 R
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how many homes in each parliamentary region Warmworks Warmer Homes Scotland is planning to improve to at least EPC grade C; by what date this work will be completed; how many homes in each region have received such assistance to date; what other schemes are working alongside Warmer Homes Scotland to ensure that no homes are listed below EPC grade C, and by what date it anticipates that this target will be achieved.
Current status: Answer expected on 12 September 2023

Mark Griffin, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 15/08/2023
S6W-20670 R
To ask the Scottish Government how frequently its Innovative Finance Steering Group meets; on what dates it has met since it was established; what its full (a) remit and (b) membership is; whether its remit extends beyond the affordable housing supply programme, and where the minutes of its meetings can be accessed.
Current status: Answer expected on 12 September 2023

Mark Griffin, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 24/08/2023
S6W-20844 R
To ask the Scottish Government how many applications from (a) registered social landlords and (b) local authorities have been (i) received and (ii) approved for the National Acquisition Plan since it was announced on 19 July 2023.
Current status: Answer expected on 22 September 2023

Pam Duncan-Glancy, Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 25/08/2023
S6W-20851
To ask the Scottish Government what criteria it used to identify and nominate railway stations for the UK Government Department for Transport’s Access for All programme.
Current status: Answer expected on 25 September 2023

Mark Griffin, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 25/08/2023
S6W-20861 R
To ask the Scottish Government whether it anticipates that the £60 million for the National Acquisition Plan will be spent in full in 2023-24.
Current status: Answer expected on 25 September 2023

Sarah Boyack, Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 28/08/2023
S6W-20685
To ask the Scottish Government what information it holds on the total number of public sector buildings and their carbon footprints, broken down by public body responsible for managing the buildings.
S6W-20686
To ask the Scottish Government what the electricity consumption was of public sector buildings in (a) 2022, (b) 2019 and (c) 2018.
Current status: Answer expected on 26 September 2023

Paul Sweeney, Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 28/08/2023
S6W-20874
To ask the Scottish Government what the status is of the £9.6 million loan granted by the Scottish Partnership for Regeneration in Urban Centres (SPRUCE) fund in 2012 for the development of 110 Queen Street, Glasgow.
Current status: Answer expected on 26 September 2023

Rachael Hamilton, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 30/08/2023
S6W-20918
To ask the Scottish Government how the Energy Consents Unit assesses the potential impact on communities of battery storage sites that are to be built around them when approving or denying an application.
Current status: Answer expected on 28 September 2023

Sarah Boyack, Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 30/08/2023
S6W-20922
To ask the Scottish Government when the next bidding rounds for the Just Transition Fund will be announced.
Current status: Answer expected on 28 September 2023

Sarah Boyack, Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 04/09/2023
S6W-20958
To ask the Scottish Government when it became aware of the safety concerns regarding reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete.
S6W-20959
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how many public buildings in Scotland have been built with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete.
S6W-20960
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what action it is taking to ensure that public buildings that have been built with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete are safe to be used.
Current status: Answer expected on 19 September 2023

Paul Sweeney, Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 04/09/2023
S6W-20968
To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish a list of all hospital buildings that are (a) suspected and (b) have been confirmed to contain reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete.
S6W-20969
To ask the Scottish Government how many of the reported 255 NHS buildings that are suspected to contain reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete have been inspected by structural engineers.
S6W-20970 R
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish an inspection schedule for all NHS buildings that have still to be inspected for reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete.
Current status: Answer expected on 19 September 2023

EVENTS

Royal Society of Edinburgh – Curious Event
Dates & Times: Monday 4 – Sunday 17 September
The RSE’s two-week Curious event is on now, and features free talks, workshops, tours and exhibitions both online and in-person.
More information and Bookings

SPAB – Scotland’s Churches Lecture Series
Dates & Times: Friday 8 – Tuesday 26 September 2023
Location: Online
A series of 5 online lectures, and one building visit investigating the current issue of church closures in Scotland, and how these buildings and communities can be helped. Tickets can be purchased individually, or as a block booking. All lectures will be recorded, and links sent out following the event. If you cannot make the live talk, but wish to watch it on demand, advance booking is required – the live presentation will be recorded, and a separate link will be emailed to you after the recording is prepared (with viewing access of the recordings until 31 October 2023).

Dunbar CARS and The Ridge SCIO – Intro to Dendrochronology
Date & Time: Tuesday 12 September 2023; 1- 4pm
Location: 88 High Street, Dunbar EH42
Learn about dendrochronology and woodworking analysis and its application to historic buildings in Dunbar. Join Dr Coralie Mills and Hamish Darrah from Dendrochronicle for a presentation at No. 88 High Street followed by a buildings archaeology tour. Find out about tree ring dating, historic woodworking evidence, ship timbers, and more.
To book: email Lucy@the-ridge.org.uk

Under One Roof – Maintenance and management for tenement flat owners
Date & Time: Wednesday 13 September 2023; 1-3pm
Location: Community Room, The Dunbar Town House, High Street Dunbar EH42 1ER
This free and informative event hosted by Under One Roof, in partnership with East Lothian Council, is aimed at owner-occupiers and landlords who want to learn more about maintaining and managing their tenement flats. Topics covered will include tenement maintenance and management and communal repairs from Under One Roof’s tenement expert.

RTPI – NPF4 Policy 11. Energy: Solutions and Impacts
Date & Time: Tuesday 12 September 2023; 5:30-7:30pm
Location: Gillespie Macandrew, 5 Atholl Crescent, Edinburgh EH3 8EJ
Join the RTPI for a discussion on NPF4 Policy 11 – Energy: Solutions and Impacts. John Petrie Managing Director at Petrie Buchanan will discuss solutions in delivering renewable, low energy and zero emission technologies and will also highlight the impacts that these technologies have on existing infrastructure. This is followed by a Q & A session with Sandy Telfer, Planning Manager at Gillespie MacAndrew, and Bob Salter, Director at Geddes Consulting, joining the panel with John.

Dunbar CARS and The Ridge SCIO – Creating Virtual Dunbar
Date & Time: Saturday 16 September 2023; 2-3:30pm
Location: 88 High Street, Dunbar, EH42
John McCreadie will give an illustrated talk on the art and science of laser scanning. Find out how the technology is being used to create a digital model of medieval Dunbar, including a demonstration of how the laser scanner works. There will also be a demonstration of how to create accurate 3d models of objects found on site at the Black Bull Close using just your mobile phone.
To book: email Lucy@the-ridge.org.uk

CaCHE – Beyond Niddrie Road: Retrofit solutions for older housing
Date & Time: Tuesday 19 September 2023; 9:30am-4:30pm
Location: voco Grand Central Glasgow, 99 Gordon Street, Glasgow G1 3SF
Join the UK Collaborative Centre for Housing Evidence (CaCHE) for “Beyond Niddrie Road: Retrofit Solutions for Older Housing”, on September 19 2023. This free one-day event, held at voco Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow, aims to explore strategies for integrating retrofit across older housing in Glasgow, Scotland and the wider UK. Alongside the wider lessons from the evaluation of Niddrie Road, attendees will gain insights into key topics, among others, concerned with retrofitting older housing, including the Scottish Government’s Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing (EESHH) review, funding and delivery streams working at Glasgow, Scottish and UK government levels, thinking through incentives to speed up mass retrofit, and tenement strategies for achieving net-zero, while retaining our built environment heritage.

RTPI – Visit to North Whins, Findhorn
Date & Time: Thursday 21 September 2023; 2:30-4pm
Location: Findhorn
Representatives from Duneland and Green Leaf Architecture will provide a tour of a 9 unit terrace currently under construction as part of a wider expansion of the Park in Findhorn known as North Whins. Permission in Principle is in place for 38 residential units and 3 commercial units. The overall development seeks to incorporate high quality design, utilise eco-friendly materials and renewable energy in a manner that successfully integrates with the valued dune landscape. After the tour there will be an opportunity for questions and discussion. Core CPD Housing and Environmental Planning

Workshop: Scottish Non-domestic Buildings Archetype and Low-carbon Heating Approach
Date & Time: Friday 22 September 2023; 9:30am-1pm
Location: Edinburgh Climate Change Institute, High School Yards Conference Room, Edinburgh EH1 1LZ
After a successful first workshop, this event will focus on non-domestic buildings across Scotland.
This workshop series emerges from the need to develop an archetype and low-carbon heating approach that delivers Scotland’s net-zero targets. Discussions during this workshop will include the methods to improve our built heritage, the surrounding public and private space, and the communities that depend on future infrastructure upgrades. Workshop 3 (date tba) will consider conservations and climate change resilient retrofit of Scottish buildings through an archetype and low-carbon heating approach.

Under One Roof – Tenement maintenance and retrofit event
Date & Time: Tuesday 26 September 2023; 1-3pm
Location: Lochgilphead Baptist Church, Union Street Lochgilphead PA31 8LP
This free and informative event for tenement flat owners is hosted by Under One Roof and Argyll & Bute Council. Topics covered will include tenement management and maintenance, energy efficiency, and retrofit, as well as an update from James Lafferty on the Lochgilphead Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS). Presentations will be delivered by Under One Roof’s tenement expert and there will be the opportunity for a Q&A at the end.

Society of Antiquaries of Scotland – Rhind Lectures 2023: What Has Maya Archaeology Done for Us?
Date & Time: Friday 29 September – Sunday 1 October 2023
Location: Augustine United Church, 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh, EH1 1EL
Introducing Precolumbian Maya civilisation. These lectures, presented by Professor Elizabeth Graham, Emeritus Professor of Mesoamerican Archaeology, Institute of Archaeology, University College London will cover Maya intellectual achievements as well as Mesoamerican contributions to modern diet and health. As Maya urbanism has been a major research interest of Elizabeth for years, Lecture 2 – Stone Cities, Green Cities: What We Can Learn from Maya Urbanism will cover her work with a team who are drawing from Maya urbanism in planning housing and especially the integration of greenspace, and in some cases agriculture, in cities. Please note by booking an in-person ticket, this gives you access to all six sessions, but due to limited capacity please book early to avoid disappointment.

RIAS – Conservation 2023: Climate, Policy and Practice
Date & Time: Tuesday 31 October 2023; 1-4:30pm
Location: Online
Booking is now open for the RIAS online Autumn Conservation Seminar. Presentations will be from RIAS Conservation Accredited architects on: the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh Palm House restoration project and the historical research and carrying out of practical conservation at Invereshie House in the Cairngorm National Park. Learn about Historic Environment Scotland’s Climate Change policy in relation to the historic built environment and various aspects of retrofit, including issues of moisture, damp and condensation and other key issues.
Further information and bookings

TRAINING

Culture & Business Scotland – Introduction to Fundraising
Date & Time: Wednesday 20 September 2023; 10:30am-4:30pm
Location: Anderson Strathern, 1 Rutland Court, Edinburgh EH3 8ES
This comprehensive introductory course, led by Pam Judson, is perfect for anyone new to fundraising. It is designed to equip you with essential knowledge and insight into the Scottish funding landscape and provide you with case studies, examples and tools needed to get you started. Suitable for fundraisers, volunteers, board members.

Scottish Lime Centre Trust – Lime Pointing
Date & Time: Friday 29 September 2023; 9:30am-4:30pm
Location: Merryhill Training Centre, Charlestown, Dunfermline KY11 3DR
Would you like to undertake repointing works as part of a renovation project or simply as general maintenance to traditional masonry structures? This practical ‘hands on’ training day will give participants the skill to undertake repointing works with confidence. This course will provide a sound understanding of traditional building technology, repair techniques and the materials to use when carrying out repointing.

Historic Environment Scotland – An Introduction to Building Conservation
Date & Time: Tuesday 10 October 2023; 9:30am-1:30pm/9:30am-4pm
Location: The Engine Shed, Stirling
Join HES to explore the strategies and philosophies governing architectural conservation in Scotland. The course will examine the nature of traditional Scottish building materials, and outline how international standards of good conservation practice can be applied to offset or adapt to the impact of climate change on our historic built environment. A networking lunch will provide an opportunity to continue discussions and explore the Engine Shed and the full-day experience includes an afternoon site visit to Bannockburn House for a technical tour of this remarkable late 17th-century mansion and to identify conservation techniques in practice.

Historic Environment Scotland – Heritage Planning
Date & Time: Wednesday 18 October 2023; 9:30am-1:30pm/9:30am-4pm
Location: The Engine Shed, Stirling
Members of Historic Environment Scotland’s Heritage Team and Stirling Council will discuss how they manage change to Scotland’s built heritage, both in strategic terms as well as practical matters. This includes how proposals to alter listed buildings or build new developments in conservation areas are reviewed, considered and determined both fairly and transparently. A networking lunch will provide an opportunity to continue discussions and explore the Engine Shed and the full-day experience includes an afternoon tour through Stirling’s Old Town to discuss recent developments in the conservation area, key buildings of concern for the council and other matters affecting the significance of the city’s historic townscape.

VACANCIES

Stirling City Heritage Trust – Heritage Trainee
Salary: £23-25,000 pa
Status: Full-time; fixed term until 31 March 2025
Location: Stirling
Stirling City Heritage Trust have an exciting new Heritage Trainee post. The role is suitable for a recent graduate who is keen to develop a career within the heritage sector. They need to be a self-starter who has enthusiasm for traditional buildings, heritage and particularly energy efficiency and tackling the Climate Emergency, and will work with other team members to help promote and deliver the new Retrofit Project, organising of training events for contractors and delivery of outreach activities. The role requires someone with great communication and organisational skills, enthusiasm for traditional buildings and how we can improve their energy efficiency and a flexible, ‘can do’ attitude. The Trust will offer shadowing with the team, training and on the job experience of live heritage projects.
More information and applications
Closing date: Monday 11 September 2023

ALGAO: Scotland – Before the Museums Project Consultant/Contractor
Fee: Fixed rate of £11,600 inc. VAT
Status: Opportunity to Tender; project delivery date by 1 March 2025
ALGAO: Scotland is inviting tenders to help with the final phase of the ‘Before the Museums project’.  The overall project aims are to create a smooth transition of finds from their recovery during archaeological fieldwork through to their deposition at a museum in Scotland. The delivery phase of this project is divided into two interlinked delivery streams:
1 – Create standards and guidance for commercial archaeological contractors depositing archaeological assemblages with Museums.
2 – Agree and implement a processing fee which will accompany deposited assemblages.
Tenders are invited from consultants/ contractors to help with delivery. The winning tender will work with stakeholders from the museums sector; archaeological contractors and Local Authority Archaeologists to enable this.  More information and detailed brief.
Closing date: Tenders should be returned by Friday 29 September 2023

The National Trust for Scotland – Heritage Compliance Officer
Salary: £34,376-£38,027 (subject to experience)
Status: Full-time (flexible working possible)
Location: Hybrid working, available for meetings in Edinburgh
The National Trust for Scotland is looking to recruit a heritage compliance officer to help identify and manage the conservation and operations risks. This is a unique opportunity to work across all aspects of a major heritage organisation, liaising with colleagues in all disciplines.
All enquiries and applications should be addressed to: Diarmid Hearns, Head of Public Policy, Risk and Environment.