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.

BEFS NEWS

In July we let our Members and readers know how delighted we are to share news about BEFS – Fit for the Future, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund to Spring 2025. This award will enable BEFS to best meet sector need now and for the future, allowing us to enhance our climate support, and EDI (equality, diversity and inclusion) offer for the sector; as well as providing internal training and capacity to examine and develop our own robust business model. To read more, please see our full article.

BEFS are also hiring a Senior Communications Lead, and a Communications and Policy Officer – both roles close on Wednesday 9 August, and full details can be found here.

After the release of their strategy earlier this year, the Heritage Fund has published their first delivery plan, setting out how, across the next three years, they aim to invest £870m via National Lottery Grants for Heritage and a further £140m in strategic initiatives to make a decisive difference for places, nature and heritage in need. The plan provides details about budgets, priorities and changes to funding programmes.

Tickets are now available for the 11th annual Edinburgh Traditional Building Forum, which returns to the Festival Fringe this year. There is a wide range of activities to sign up for including walks and talks explaining how to look after everything – from sash and case windows to slate roofs; empowering homeowners to repair and maintain their traditionally built homes.

More summer activities can also be found across Scotland with the launch of Scottish Archaeology Month (SAM). SAM encourages people to interact with their archaeology, history and heritage by coordinating and promoting a varied programme of events all across Scotland. Full details can be found via Dig It!

Two sets of architecture awards are well worth a mention: RIBA has launched the Reinvention Award, celebrating the creative transformation of an existing building and projects highlighting vital improvements to environmental, social, or economic sustainability. Seems like a good idea for our times. And closer to home, RIAS has published the shortlist for the 2023 Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award.

There’s a lot of activity still taking place across the parliamentary recess. Here we can read how Patrick Harvie, Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, has outlined why the way we heat our homes needs to change and how to tackle the massive challenge ahead.

Considering the broader cultural-heritage sector, Culture Counts are seeking views on a number of issues to inform their contribution to the Scottish Parliament Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee’s scrutiny of the Scottish Government’s culture budget for 2024-25.

And in England our sibling organisation, The Heritage Alliance have launched their 2023 Heritage Manifesto, which asks all parties to put the past at the heart of plans for the future, as well as calling for support and VAT reform.

BEFS team are continuing to take advantage of the parliamentary recess, and holiday period. The next (bumper) Bulletin will be out on Thursday 7 September 2023.

CONSULTATIONS

Historic environment employers skills survey
HES
The sector is facing increasing challenges in regards to accessing skills provision and as an employer or organisation in the heritage sector, HES want your views on the skills and workforce challenges your organisation is facing, and the solutions your organisation needs.
Closes 14 August 2023

Culture Counts 24/25 pre-budget scrutiny
Culture Counts
This survey is to inform Culture Counts’ contribution to Scottish Parliament Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee’s scrutiny of the Scottish Government’s culture budget for 2024-25.
*NEW* Closes 15 August 2023

Budget Scrutiny 2024-25: Funding for Culture – call for views
Scottish Parliament – Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee
These views help the Committee to make recommendations to the Scottish Government ahead of its Budget for 2024-25.
Closes 18 August 2023

Circular Economy (Scotland) Bill – call for views
Scottish Parliament
The Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee is seeking views on the Circular Economy (Scotland) Bill.
Closes 20 August 2023

Review of Permitted Development Rights – Phase 3
Scottish Government
The Scottish Government is carrying out a review of permitted development rights (PDR) as part of a wider planning reform programme. The PDR review is being taken forward in phases, with each phase focussing on specific development types. Phase 3 of the review considers PDR in relation to renewables equipment, thermal efficiency improvements, development by electricity undertakers, reverse vending machines and the temporary use of land for shooting ranges.
Closes 23 August 2023

RICS Retrofit Standard Consultation 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.
*NEW* 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.
*Extended* 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.
*NEW* 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.
*NEW* 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.
*NEW* 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.
*NEW* 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.
*NEW* Closes 26 October 2023

CONSULTATION RESPONSES

Delivering Scotland’s Circular Economy – route map to 2025 and beyond: consultation analysis
Scottish Government

Heat networks target 2035: consultation response
Scottish Government

PETITIONS

PE2006: Review and simplify the legislation in relation to dismissal of property factors
Petitioner submission (The Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee 17/07/2023)

NEWS RELEASES

Reuse Me, Don’t Lose Me: 2023 Buildings at Risk New Entries List (Save Britain’s Heritage 28/06/2023)

Treshnish Isles join the Trust (National Trust for Scotland 10/07/2023)

200 charities, economists, businesses, and unions call on FM to turn Wellbeing Economy into reality (Wellbeing Economy Alliance Scotland 13/07/2023)
BEFS is a signatory of letter asking Scotland’s First Minister for a “robust plan” to turn Wellbeing Economy rhetoric into action.

The National Galleries of Scotland has announced that the Scottish galleries at the National will open to the public this coming September (National Galleries of Scotland 17/07/2023)

Launch of the Heritage Manifesto 2023 (The Heritage Alliance 19/07/2023)
The Manifesto is aimed at all major UK political parties, and urges them to not only protect heritage, but maximise the benefits it can bring to communities and the environment.

RIBA launches Reinvention prize to encourage refurbishment over demolition (RIBA 20/07/2023)
The Reinvention Award celebrates the creative transformation of an existing building and the project’s vital improvement to environmental, social, or economic sustainability.

RIAS reveals shortlist for the 2023 RIAS Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award (RIAS 27/07/2023)

National Heritage Memorial Fund award £4.4million for exceptional Scottish heritage impacted by the pandemic (NHMF 02/08/2023)

PUBLICATIONS

The Natural Stone Source Book (Stone Federation Great Britain 2023)

Resilience and Cultural Heritage in Urban Development – Guidance Paper on Integrated Risk Management (German Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development April 2023)

Young People’s Engagements with Heritage: tackling inequality & other opportunities for public policy (Institute for Community Research & Development and Arts Connect with Historic England May 2023)

Heritage Fund – Heritage 2033 Delivery plan 2023-2026 (Heritage Fund July 2023)

Community-led action on vacant and derelict land: a handy guide to finding out how you and your community can bring unloved places back into use (MyLand.Scot July 2023)

A Guide to Building Materials and The Environment (Stephen George Partners July 2023)

Report on The Skills for a Jobs Transition (The Future Energy Skills Programme July 2023)

Rethinking Communities, Land and Governance: Land Reform in Scotland and the Community Ownership Model (Community Land Scotland  04/07/2023)

Circular Opportunities in Scotland’s Energy Sector
Zero Waste Scotland Report: Mapping Material Demand in Scotland’s Energy Infrastructure (Zero Waste Scotland 05/07/2023)

What influences the choices of would-be apprentices? (The Sutton trust 06/07/2023)

Roadmap for a Scottish Green industrial Strategy (Ian Blackford MP 14/07/2023)

National Lottery Heritage Fund annual report and accounts 2022 to 2023 (NLHF 17/07/2023)

National Heritage Memorial Fund Annual Report and Accounts 2022-23 (NHMF 17/07/2023)

A policy plan for decarbonising home heating (Nesta 19/07/2023)

Pointing the Way to the Future (HES 21/07/2023)
The climate and nature crises and Historic Environment Scotland’s approach to regulatory and advisory services in the planning and other consenting systems.

2023 Rural & Islands Insights Report (NISRIE 31/07/2023)

SCOTTISH & UK: GOVERNMENTAL & PARLIAMENTARY PUBLICATIONS

Correspondence between the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee and the Scottish Tourism Alliance regarding their request for an extension to the Call for Evidence on the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill (Scot Gov 05/07/2023)

New grant funding to decarbonise public sector buildings (Scot Gov 10/07/2023)

Correspondence between the Minister for Housing and the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee regarding the Cladding Remediation Programme (Scot Gov 10/07/2023)

Community right to buy – Company Limited by Guarantee: model template and guidance (Scot Gov 10/07/2023)

Wellbeing Economy makes sound business sense (Scot Gov 15/07/2023)

Policy paper: Understanding climate adaptation and the third National Adaptation Programme (NAP3) (UK Gov 17/07/2023)

Building standards – building warrant fee model: research project (Scot Gov 18/07/2023)

Place Directors Factsheet (Scot Gov 19/07/2023)

Non-domestic rates: legislation (Scot Gov 20/07/2023)

Overseas travel and tourism, provisional: January to March 2023 (ONS 20/07/2023)

Single Building Assessment: Spending Information (Scot Gov 21/07/2023)

Planning and environmental appeals: complaints policy (Scot Gov 24/07/2023)

Correspondence between the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Net Zero and Just Transition and the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee to outline how the government engages with the public on climate change issues (Scot Gov 24/07/2023)

Approval and accreditation of vocational training courses – Scotland (UK Gov 24/07/2023)
The UK Government has published information on approval and accreditation of vocational training courses in Scotland

Scottish Energy Performance Certificates – new metrics: research (Scot Gov 25/07/2023)

Planning Applications Statistics, 2022/23: Annual and Quarterly – October 2022 to March 2023 (Scot Gov 26/07/2023)

SPICe Spotlight: Licensing of short-term lets (SPICe 27/07/2023)

Open Government action plan 2021 to 2025 – commitment 3: data and digital commitment (Scot Gov 28/07/2023)

OPINION & COMMENT

Scotland to explore policy incentives to push retrofit (Construction News 22/06/2023)

Call for national fund to make buildings safe amid concrete concerns (STV News 06/07/2023)

From pubs to churches, Britain is losing the buildings that glue us together (The Times 07/07/2023)

Acropolis now: crisis as soaring visitor numbers overwhelm Greek treasure (The Observer 09/07/2023)

Northstowe: The broken-promise new town built ‘with no heart’ (BBC News 12/07/2023)

Re:Permissioning the City — Unlocking cities’ growing underutilised spatial assets for an emergent civic economy (Dark Matter Laboratories 12/07/2023)

Passivhaus now: Scotland’s plan for tough new building standards (Inside Housing 13/07/2023)

Architects’ Showcase: Scotland’s first passive warehouse is a micro power station for energy, ideas and enterprise (Scottish Construction Now 14/07/2023)

Where are the cladding numbers? Don’t be fooled by cherry-picked figures (or, in Scotland, a lack of them) — the cladding crisis is not under control (The Times 16/07/2023)

Visa rules eased for building and fishing industry (BBC News 17/07/2023)
Skilled shortage list to be updated on 7 August to include bricklayers, plasterers and other roles within the building industry.

Tall buildings are robbing cities of precious heritage (The Times 19/07/2023)

We need a retrofit revolution to win the race to net zero (The New Statesman 21/07/2023)

New Deal for Business must extend to research (Fraser of Allender Institute 21/07/2023)
The recent report from the Scottish Government’s New Deal for Business Group highlighted the need for business to be given more of a voice into the early stages of policy development.

The answer to Britain’s housing crisis lies in its towns and cities – not the countryside (The Guardian 24/07/2023)

‘Over half’ of local planning decisions overturned by Scottish Government (Scottish Housing News 24/07/2023)

Huge bill hangs over Scottish NHS as dangerous concrete suspected in 250 buildings (The Times 25/07/2023)

UK Government says energy certificates need ‘fundamental reform’ in latest green shift (Financial Times 25/07/2023)

Pump up the Volume (Our Scottish Future 27/07/2023)
Dr Peter Wood’s blog on how Patrick Harvie’s plan to boost heat pump use is right – but the SNP-Green government is failing to deliver because of bad policy implementation

Scottish retailers urge rates review as shop vacancies rise (BBC News 28/07/2023)

Building Tomorrow: The Future of the UK’s Construction Sector (The House Magazine with CIOB 28/07/2023)

Half of Scots support Harvie’s plan to phase out fossil fuel boilers (The Herald 31/07/2023)

The new towns influenced by old settlements (The National 01/08/2023)

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-19716
To ask the Scottish Government whether it can confirm the total amount that Historic Environment Scotland has spent on advertising its sites, in each year since it was founded in 2015.
S6W-19717
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of the advertising spend that Historic Environment Scotland allocates to promote each of its sites.
S6W-19718
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has held any discussions with Historic Environment Scotland regarding any permanent closures of sites that it manages, and, if so, which sites were earmarked for closure.
S6W-19768
To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on whether Historic Environment Scotland awarded any performance payments to staff at executive level since 2015, broken down by year.
Current status: Answered by Christina McKelvie on 7 July 2023

Mark Griffin, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 20/06/2023
S6W-19298 R
To ask the Scottish Government what surveys it conducts that are comparable to the English Private Landlord Survey.
Current status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 11 July 2023

Michael Marra, North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 21/06/2023
S6W-19335
To ask the Scottish Government by what process it records which third sector organisations are in receipt of public funding, and how much money each of those organisations receives.
Current status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 12 July 2023

Donald Cameron, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 03/07/2023
S6W-19733
To ask the Scottish Government what meetings it has had with the Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland since May 2021, and what the agreed outcomes were of any such meetings.
Current status: Answered by Christina McKelvie on 12 July 2023

Beatrice Wishart, Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: 06/07/2023
S6W-19841
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to recruit and train carbon audit advisers in all local authorities to ensure that farmers and crofters receive advice from someone who has local knowledge and understanding.
S6W-19842
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports of a lack of accredited carbon audit advisers based in Shetland.
S6W-19843
To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to support farmers and crofters in Shetland to undertake carbon audits, in light of reports that there are currently no accredited advisers based in Shetland.
Current status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 13 July 2023

Donald Cameron, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 03/07/2023
S6W-19720 R
To ask the Scottish Government what meetings it has had with National Museums Scotland since May 2021, and what the agreed outcomes were of any such meetings.
Current status: Answered by Christina McKelvie on 17 July 2023

Donald Cameron, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 11/07/2023
S6W-19883
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-19718 by Christina McKelvie on 7 July 2023, whether the Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture has held any discussions with Historic Environment Scotland regarding any permanent closures of sites that it manages, and, if so, which sites were earmarked for closure.
Current status: Answered by Christina McKelvie on 17 July 2023

Liam Kerr, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 30/06/2023
S6W-19583
To ask the Scottish Government what impact taking a so-called “heat pump first” approach will have on grid capacity and supply.
Current status: Answered by Neil Gray on 18 July 2023

Rhoda Grant, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 07/07/2023
S6W-19845
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether key infrastructure is integral to ensuring the survival of Scotland’s cultural heritage, particularly in Gaelic-speaking communities, and what it is doing to ensure that the use of Gaelic increases.
Current status: Answered by Neil Gray on 18 July 2023

Pam Gosal, West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 04/07/2023
S6W-19811
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) COSLA and (b) Homes for Scotland regarding any need for the creation of data sets relevant to planning performance and housing need and demand.
Current status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 19 July 2023

Rhoda Grant, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 07/07/2023
S6W-19846
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recommendations of the Short Life Working Group on Economic and Social Opportunities for Gaelic, what it is doing to address affordable housing for young families and young people in rural communities.
Current status: Answered by Neil Gray on 19 July 2023

Miles Briggs, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 22/06/2023
S6W-19379
To ask the Scottish Government whether hotels are exempt from the Building Scotland (Amendment) Regulations 2022 regarding fire safety and cladding.
Current status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 19 July 2023

Jackie Baillie, Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 29/06/2023
S6W-19525
To ask the Scottish Government, following the publication of Lord Braid’s opinion on the judicial review of the City of Edinburgh Council’s short-term lets licensing policy, what discussions it has had with (a) COSLA and (b) local authorities regarding the possible implications for other short-term let licensing schemes in Scotland.
Current status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 19 July 2023

Craig Hoy, South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 22/06/2023
S6W-19366
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-18926 by Michael Matheson on 20 June 2023, (a) how many and (b) which properties that the desktop review has assessed need to be investigated.
Current status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 21 July 2023

Miles Briggs, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 04/07/2023
S6W-19587
To ask the Scottish Government on how many occasions local authorities have made an additional powers request to the Scottish Ministers in each year since 1999.
Current status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 21 July 2023

Sarah Boyack, Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 04/07/2023
S6W-19781
To ask the Scottish Government what urgent action it is taking to address any green skills shortages, in light of reported concerns that not doing so will undermine Scotland’s and the UK’s progress towards a green economy.
Current status: Answered by Lorna Slater on 21 July 2023

Maurice Golden, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 06/07/2023
S6W-19836
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has any plans to introduce (a) Whole Life Carbon Assessments and (b) Circular Economy Statements for large-scale developments.
Current status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 21 July 2023

Miles Briggs, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 23/06/2023
S6W-19387
To ask the Scottish Government what evaluation it has made of the Warm Home Prescription pilot in Aberdeenshire, and whether it is in a position to work with partners in the NHS, third sector and energy providers to extend the Warm Home Prescription model across Scotland, to support the health of more vulnerable individuals who are at risk of illness and hospitalisation, such as people with chronic kidney disease, because of a cold home.
S6W-19438
To ask the Scottish Government how many Warm Home Prescriptions have been prescribed in each year since the scheme’s introduction, and at what cost, broken down by NHS board area.
Current status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 24 July 2023

Monica Lennon, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 26/06/2023
S6W-18558
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its planned consultation on the Scottish Ministers’ proposed target for the amount of heat to be supplied by heat networks by 2035, which it is required to set by October 2023 under the Heat Networks (Scotland) Act 2021, and when it expects to report on any such consultation.
Current status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 24 July 2023

Claire Baker, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 29/06/2023
S6W-19538
To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to the decision to close the SME Loan Scheme for new solar PV applications, (a) when and (b) on what basis the decision was taken; on what date the decision came into effect, and whether the decision is permanent.
S6W-19540
To ask the Scottish Government what the average waiting time has been for processing SME Loan Scheme applications, broken down by application type in (a) 2022 and (b) 2023.
Current status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 24 July 2023

Richard Leonard, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 30/06/2023
S6W-19610
To ask the Scottish Government how many applications have been made to the (a) Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan and (b) Private Rented Sector Landlord Loan scheme for solar PV and/or energy storage systems, since the scheme was created, and how many applications have been successful.
Current status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 24 July 2023

Oliver Mundell, Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 28/06/2023
S6W-19506
To ask the Scottish Government whether it is the case that the Warmer Homes Scotland scheme does not fund ceiling insulation in flats, and, if so, what the reason is for this.
Current status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 25 July 2023

Richard Leonard, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 30/06/2023
S6W-19609
To ask the Scottish Government how many properties have received support from the (a) Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan and (b) Private Rented Sector Landlord Loan scheme for solar PV and/or energy storage systems where the household did not claim any qualifying benefits, since the scheme was created.
S6W-19611
To ask the Scottish Government how many applications have been made to the (a) Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan and (b) Private Rented Sector Landlord Loan scheme for a heat pump or high heat retention storage heaters, since the scheme was created, and how many applications have been successful.
Current status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 25 July 2023

Donald Cameron, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 24/07/2023
S6W-20171
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-12786 by Neil Gray on 12 December 2022, whether it will provide an update on the number of sites that are managed by Historic Environment Scotland that were (a) open and (b) closed in 2022-23.
Current status: Answered by Christina McKelvie on 26 July 2023

Pam Gosal, West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 04/07/2023
S6W-19810
To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to address the reported recruitment crisis in construction, in light of reports that the number of all new housebuilding starts fell by 25% from 2020 to 2023.
Current status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 27 July 2023

Liam Kerr, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 30/06/2023
S6W-19581
To ask the Scottish Government whether it considered exempting hydrogen-ready boilers from its proposed ban on gas boilers in new build properties.
S6W-19582
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has completed an assessment of how many homes in Scotland will be able to run a heat pump and use two electric car chargers simultaneously.
Current status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 28 July 2023

Richard Leonard, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 30/06/2023
S6W-19606
To ask the Scottish Government whether it approved the decision to change the funding criteria so that applications for solar PV and/or energy storage systems would no longer be considered unless they were part of a package together with a heat pump or high heat retention storage heaters, through the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan and Private Rented Sector Landlord Loan schemes.
S6W-19607
To ask the Scottish Government what the basis was for the decision for applications to the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan and Private Rented Sector Landlord Loan schemes for solar PV and/or energy storage systems to be ineligible unless the applicant is also applying for this as part of a package together with a heat pump or high heat retention storage heaters, from 27 June 2023.
S6W-19608
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has made an assessment of the number of properties that will no longer be eligible for support through the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan and Private Rented Sector Landlord Loan schemes for solar PV and/or energy storage systems because they are unable to have a heat pump or high heat retention storage heaters.
Current status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 28 July 2023

Mark Ruskell, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: 03/07/2023
S6W-19647
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what consideration it has given to introducing compulsory sale orders for vacant properties.
Current status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 31 July 2023

Alex Cole-Hamilton, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: 03/07/2023
S6W-19673
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will establish a register of public sector buildings that have been found to contain reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete.
Current status: Answered by Shona Robison on 31 July 2023
S6W-19676
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete in (a) public sector buildings and (b) privately owned buildings in Scotland.
S6W-19679
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete in private sector buildings, including those that were initially built for the public sector, and how it will raise awareness of any problems related to its presence.
Current status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 31 July 2023

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: Holding Answer by Angus Robertson on 31 July 2023

Willie Rennie, North East Fife, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: 18/07/2023
S6W-20031
To ask the Scottish Government what funding is available for homeowners or landlords of properties that have heat pumps installed, and who want to maximise the decarbonisation of their properties and decrease their energy bills by installing solar PV and battery storage systems.
Current status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 31 July 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: Answers expected on 9 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: Answer expected on 11 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: Answers expected on 11 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: Answers expected on 16 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: Answers expected on 16 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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: Answers expected on 17 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: Answer expected on 21 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.
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.
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: Answers expected on 22 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: Answer expected on 23 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: Answer expected on 23 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-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.
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: Answer expected on 25 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: Answer expected on 25 August 2023

EVENTS

Call out for Contributors: The Icon Scotland Group 
Dates: TBC possibly October 2023 and March 2024
Are you involved in the conservation of a building that was inhabited by women who loved other women? Have you been working on the care and conservation of an object that belonged to a trans person? Do you study the life of a gay artist whose paintings have recently been treated by conservators? Icon Scotland want to hear about it! Contributions are being sought for a series of 20-30 minutes online talks that connect conservation with LGBT+ collections and heritage.
The format and dates will depend on the responses – information and forms – to be submitted by 15 August 2023.

Community Ownership Support Service – Your church your community: Funding
Date & Time: Tuesday 15 August 2023; 10am-12pm
Location: Online
With the recent review of the Church of Scotland and other faith groups’ estates, many buildings have been identified as being surplus to requirements as places of worship. This interactive workshop will give an overview on funding community ownership and development. Covering the three main areas where you are likely to need funding during your project – start-up and development costs for professional support, capital funding to acquire the building, renovation, and development costs – this workshop will look at the main sources of funding available in Scotland; the eligibility criteria, any priority areas and types of projects that the individual funders are keen to support. (Do also look out for a further event on Church Buildings – due on 31 August)

RIAS – BookshopLATES… with journalist and author Peter Apps
Date & Time: Monday 21 August 2023; 6-7pm
Location: RIAS Bookshop, 15 Rutland Square, Edinburgh, EH1 2BE
Join Peter Apps for a discussion of Show Me the Bodies: How We Let Grenfell Happen at RIAS Bookshop, Edinburgh, hosted by Christina Gaiger PPRIAS. Peter Apps, deputy editor of Inside Housing, is the only journalist who has followed the story from the start. His reporting raised the risks of a cladding fire weeks before Grenfell, and ever since the 14 June 2017 he has been dedicated to uncovering the truth about what went wrong. The talk will include a Q&A session and be followed by a book signing.

Heritage Trust Network – Heritage Makes Glasgow!
Date & Time: Monday 21 August 2023; 9:30am-4:00pm
Location: Glasgow West Boathouse, Glasgow Green, Glasgow G1 5QA
Heritage Trust Network (HTN) and Glasgow Building Preservation Trust are joining forces to deliver the 2023 in-person event for the HTN Scotland branch. Presentations will be centred around regeneration activity in Glasgow, with top-tips for attendees to take away to their own projects. This event is open to any heritage professional or community group involved in regenerating historic buildings and places.

Edinburgh Traditional Building Forum – 2023 Fringe Festival
Dates & Times: Monday 21 – Friday 25 August 2023 (various slots)
Location: Various, across Edinburgh
The 11th annual Edinburgh Traditional Building Forum (ETBF) will return to the Festival Fringe this year. There is a wide range of activity to sign up for including walks and talks explaining how to look after everything from sash and case windows to slate roofs. ETBF represents a group of businesses and professions involved in looking after Edinburgh’s traditional buildings, particularly in the World Heritage Sites, and celebrates the skills used to maintain them.

Scottish Civic Trust – My Place Marketplaces
Date & Time: Wednesday 23 & 30 August 2023 (various slots)
Location: Online
Is your local heritage or civic group looking to engage a wider range of people in your activities? Due to popular demand, Scottish Civic Trust have organised additional My Place Marketplaces to support local heritage and civic groups with outreach and marketing. Groups can book one of the online slots where staff will be on hand to talk all things community engagement and promotion. Book now!

SPAB – Scotland’s Churches Lecture Series
Dates & Times: Tuesday 29 August – 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).

Building Limes Forum Annual Gathering – Simplicity, Quality, and Modernity: A Legacy of Lime
Dates: Friday 1 – Sunday 3 September 2023
Location: Lincoln, England
This year, the Building Limes Forum Annual Gathering will be focusing on the Simplicity, Quality, and Modernity: A Legacy of Lime. Each day will examine one of the three themes on lime and the topics within and around each as they pertain to building limes.

Heritage Trust Network – Restore, re-use, regenerate! Rethinking Town Centres in Scotland
Date & Time: Tuesday 5 September 2023; 9:30am-5pm
Location: CodeBase, 8-10 Corn Exchange Road, Stirling FK8 2HX
Join the Heritage Trust Network at the CodeBase Stirling, a learning hub situated in the heart of Stirling where the focus is on building culture, community and education that promotes and supports tech innovation. The day will be jam-packed with talks, tours and networking with those who have completed projects and those who are helping to shape the future of High Streets in Scotland and forms part of the Network’s Rethinking High Streets programme of events throughout the UK.

RTPI – NPF4 Policy 11. Energy: Solutions and Impacts
Date & Time: Tuesday 12 September; 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.

*Advance Notice* Registration Required: Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland – AGM weekend
Date & Time: Friday 3 – Saturday 4 November 2023
Location: WASPS Studio, Inverness & Cromarty
The AGM will be held on Friday 3 November, preceded by an afternoon visit to Fairburn Tower, the Landmark Trust’s latest restoration project, and followed by a talk on Alexander Ross by Calum Maclean, whose book on the leading Victorian architect of the Highlands is due out in September. There will be a weekend of other visits and talks based in Cromarty and to enable organisation, there needs to be an idea of numbers—both for the visit to Fairburn Tower and for seating for the AGM. Please email Mary Miers and the AHSS National Office  as soon as possible if you would like to come to some or all of the above and what your mode of transport will be.

TRAINING

Scottish Lime Centre Trust – Introduction to Stonemasonry
Date & Time: Tuesday 15 – Wednesday 16 August 2023; 9:30am-4:30pm
Location: Merryhill Training Centre, Charlestown, Dunfermline KY11 3DR
Taught by time-served Stonemasons, this two-day practical course is suitable for all abilities and covers an introduction to tools, techniques and uses of basic stonemasonry.
Learners can take away their practice stones at the end of the course.

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.

VACANCIES

Vacancies within BEFS team

• Senior Communications Lead
• Communications & Policy Officer

Two new roles have been created within BEFS team, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Full details and information on applications can be found here.
Closing date: 5pm on Wednesday 9 August 2023

Edinburgh World Heritage – Donor Engagement Manager
Salary: circa £32,000 p.a. pro rata
Status: Part-time (0.5/0.6 FTE); permanent
Location: Edinburgh/hybrid
Edinburgh World Heritage are seeking a Donor Engagement Manager to play a vital part in organisational core resilience, through ownership of international and corporate income targets, developing on a good early foundation in these engaging and impactful areas of work. This is a fantastic opportunity to work with a dynamic and energetic team striving to support a more entrepreneurial approach to securing a future as custodians of, and ambassadors for, Edinburgh’s outstanding world heritage. Further information on applications can be found here.
Closing date: 10am on Monday 7 August 2023

Chartered Institute for Archaeologists – Lay Director on the Board
Salary: Unremunerated; travel and expenses will be reimbursed
Status: 1 year initially, to be extended to 3 years on review, to a maximum of six years
Do you want to help the leading professional body representing archaeologists working in the UK and overseas? Do you have the governance skills required to help to direct a small but ambitious organisation? CIfA, is looking for a director from outside the archaeology profession, to bring new perspectives to the Board. Applications are invited from interested parties outside the archaeological profession who can contribute to the Board’s discussions and decisions in its duty to promote high professional standards and strong ethics, maximising the value that archaeologists bring to society and bringing recognition and respect to the profession. Desirable skills include governance, communication, ability to work collegiately, strategic growth, ambassadorship and integrating professional interests across professions.
Further information and applications or to arrange an informal chat with the Chair of the Board, please contact Alex Llewellyn
Closing date: Friday 11 August 2023

Heritage Trust Network – Heritage Trainee (Scotland)
Salary: £20,200 p.a. pro rata
Status: Full-time (37 hours p/w); fixed term for 6 months
Location: Working from home/an agreed shared workspace anywhere in Scotland.
The post-holder will be responsible for supporting all aspects of Heritage Trust Network activity in Scotland.  This exciting post has been designed to help the successful applicant develop on-the-job skills, knowledge and networks to provide early-career access to the heritage sector. Funded by the Partnership Fund at Historic Environment Scotland, this post will run for six-months each year, for the next three years, offering three people the opportunity to work for the Network and with grassroots heritage regeneration projects across the country. Working with the Development Officer for Scotland, the trainee will gain first-hand experience of the heritage regeneration sector, meeting members, shaping events, undertaking digital-focussed activities, and promoting the incredible achievements of Network members.
More information and applications
Closing date: Midday on Monday 14 August 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.

BEFS NEWS

Last week saw the launch of Our Past Our Future. The transition to net zero, resilient communities and places, and the wellbeing economy are at the heart of the new five-year strategy for Scotland’s historic environment. Launched by Christina McKelvie, Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development, Our Past, Our Future, was created following extensive consultation. BEFS Director helped launch the strategy in Glasgow, and noted that: “Our Past, Our Future demonstrates not only how and where the sector contributes today; but steers a course for the sector to be increasingly celebrated and valued as a contributor for the future, supporting skilled green jobs, the just transition to net zero, and with resilient places underpinning public wellbeing.” BEFS looks forward to working with the sector on strategy delivery over the next five years. Discover more here. This strategy will have a dedicated staffing resource. HES is now recruiting for a team to deliver the new national strategy. More details and to apply online.

BEFS are delighted to be able to share a project worked on in partnership with National Trust for Scotland – this Portfolio Review (scroll down the page to the appropriate section) and Built Estate Analysis set out to understand more about the complex and diverse NTS estate examining many aspects of building type and use. The learning from this work has also helped to inform the Sustainable Investment Tool, which will be launched this summer helping to support understanding, visualisation, and decision making across a range of sector related values.

When it comes to understanding more about the sector there are several surveys out that we’d like to bring readers’ attention to:
First, we know that the sector is facing increasing challenges in regard to accessing skills provision and as an employer or organisation in the heritage sector, HES want your views on the skills and workforce challenges your organisation is facing, and the solutions your organisation needs. This survey, closing on 14 August, is part of the work for refreshing the Skills Investment Plan (SIP). BEFS will be supporting one strand of the facilitation in the Autumn.

Towards a National Collection has commissioned an evaluation of the programme, inviting views from employees, volunteers, or students in the UK’s Galleries Libraries Archives and Museums and wider heritage (GLAM) sectors. This work will help shape the future of UK collections infrastructure and its future funding.

Visit Scotland are also inviting feedback via a consultation, to help shape the options for the next Themed Year. It aims to test potential engagement with a theme that has gained support in initial discussions, whilst allowing room for alternative theme options to surface.

SPICe spotlights are always helpful, and this one looks at the longer-term trends of public funding of culture by national and local government in the context of current cost pressures. The financial position of creative, heritage and arts sectors remains difficult due to a number of factors: increasing costs, a sometimes slow recovery of audiences following the pandemic, and longer-term funding pressures.

Dr Mary Macleod Rivett gives us a call to action, with a reminder (ahead of an impending Agriculture Bill) of the need to ensure that stewards of our land and historic environment are equally supported, emphasising the inextricable link between heritage and agriculture.  Advocacy activity, led by CIfA – and supported by the Landscape Institute, BEFS, Archaeology Scotland, NTS, and ALGAO is also ongoing.

Please also note that the National Church Awards are now open for nominations. With the future of many churches uncertain and under threat, there has never been a more important time to celebrate churches across the UK and their importance to communities. Nominations will close on 23 July 2023.

This latest Bulletin has an abundance of publications, consultations, news and more; with a plethora of parliamentary questions and publications – nothing like the start of summer recess to ensure many documents are released!

However, as school is out, the BEFS team are also taking a short break from the Bulletin later this month. We will return, reinvigorated, with another bumper edition at the start of August.

Keep your eyes open for any special Bulletin releases over the summer, and – as the end of June 2023 marked 20 years since BEFS Bulletin #1 – we hope to be able to share news of plans for our 20^th year soon too.

CONSULTATIONS

Council Tax for second and empty homes, and non-domestic rates thresholds
Scottish Government/COSLA
This joint public consultation with COSLA seeks views on giving local authorities the power to increase council tax on second homes and empty homes, as well as considering whether the current non-domestic rates thresholds for self-catering accommodation remain appropriate.
Closes 11 July 2023

Future of Scotland’s first National Park
Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park
Consultation on the Draft National Park Partnership Plan 2024-29, drafted to frame conversations about the future of the National Park. The National Park Partnership Plan guides how all of those with a role to play in looking after the National Park will work together to manage the Park and achieve a shared vision for the area.
Closes 19 July 2023

Local living and 20 minute neighbourhoods: draft planning guidance
Scottish Government
Consultation seeking views and comments on the draft planning guidance for local living and 20 minute neighbourhoods. It is expected to be of particular relevance in the preparation of Local Development Plans (LDPs), Local Place Plans (LPPs) and to support planning decision making.
Closes 20 July 2023

New National Parks – appraisal framework
Scottish Government
With a commitment to designating at least one new National Park in Scotland by the end of this Parliamentary session in 2026, a draft appraisal framework has been developed with proposed criteria for new National Parks in Scotland. Views and comments are being sought on this framework.
Closes 4 August 2023

Historic environment employers skills survey
HES
The sector is facing increasing challenges in regards to accessing skills provision and as an employer or organisation in the heritage sector, HES want your views on the skills and workforce challenges your organisation is facing, and the solutions your organisation needs.
Closes 14 August 2023

Budget Scrutiny 2024-25: Funding for Culture – call for views
Scottish Parliament – Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee
These views help the Committee to make recommendations to the Scottish Government ahead of its Budget for 2024-25.
*NEW* Closes 18 August 2023

Circular Economy (Scotland) Bill – call for views
Scottish Parliament
The Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee is seeking views on the Circular Economy (Scotland) Bill.
*NEW* Closes 20 August 2023

Review of Permitted Development Rights – Phase 3
Scottish Government
The Scottish Government is carrying out a review of permitted development rights (PDR) as part of a wider planning reform programme. The PDR review is being taken forward in phases, with each phase focussing on specific development types. Phase 3 of the review considers PDR in relation to renewables equipment, thermal efficiency improvements, development by electricity undertakers, reverse vending machines and the temporary use of land for shooting ranges.
Closes 23 August 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.
*NEW* Closes 1 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

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.
*NEW* Closes 19 October 2023

CONSULTATION RESPONSES

Analysis of the survey results on the Heritage Fund’s new strategy (NLHF 20/06/2023)

Agriculture Bill: consultation analysis (Scot Gov 22/06/2023)

Heat networks – thermal energy target 2035: consultation analysis (Scot Gov 03/07/2023)

PETITIONS

Scottish Government submission: PE1957/G: Home Reports – make surveyors more
accountable (Scot Parl 16/06/2023)

Scottish Government submission: PE2006/A: Review and simplify the legislation in relation to dismissal of property factors (Scot Parl 23/03/2023)

Under One Roof submission: PE2006/E: Review and simplify the legislation in relation to dismissal of property factors (Scot Parl 22/06/2023)

PUBLICATIONS

Year of Stories 2022 – Evaluation Report (Visit Scotland May 2023)
Discover the impact of Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022, with key insights, results and learnings.

Energy Efficiency and Historic Buildings: Assessing the Thermal and Hygrothermal Performance of Two Refurbished Dwellings (Historic England 26/05/2023)

For Churches – Our New Strategy (National Churches Trust 31/05/2023)

Your Church, Your Community: Guidance for communities exploring future uses for church buildings (Historic Churches Scotland; Heritage Trust Network; The Development Trust Association June 2023)

A National Metrics Library for the Built Environment: Strategy for Implementation (Scottish Futures Trust June 2023)

Architype climate action roadmap Q1 2023 (Architype 14/06/2023)

Portfolio Review – and related documents (National Trust for Scotland 15/06/2023)
BEFS in partnership with National Trust for Scotland produced the Portfolio Review (scroll down to read appropriate section) and Built Estate Analysis. These set out to understand more about the complex and diverse NTS estate, examining many aspects of building type and use.

Traditional Thatching Materials: Issues Affecting a Sustainable Future (Historic England 19/06/2023)

Places, Land and Community Wealth Building in Scotland: An Overview (SURF 21/06/2023)

Progress in reducing emissions 2023 Report to Parliament (Climate Change Committee 28/06/2023)

SCOTTISH & UK: GOVERNMENTAL & PARLIAMENTARY PUBLICATIONS

Trends in Funding for Culture (SPICe 12/06/2023)

Community right to buy (Scot Gov 13/06/2023)
Company Limited by Guarantee: model template and guidance
Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation: model template and guidance
Crofting – Company Limited by Guarantee (CLBG): model template

European Regional Development Fund: annual implementation report 2021 (Scot Gov 13/06/2023)

Circular Economy (Scotland) Bill: equality impact assessment (Scot Gov 14/06/2023)

Correspondence between the Keeper of the Registers of Scotland and the Economy and Fair Work Committee, providing follow-up evidence (Scot Parl 15/06/2023)

Constitution, Europe, External Affairs & Culture Committee Meeting, Session 6, National Outcomes (Scot Parl?15/06/2023)

Scottish Natural Capital Accounts: 2023 (Scot Gov 15/06/2023)

New roadmap to ensure Scotland’s people reap the benefits of rising land values and land use change (Scottish Land Commission 16/06/2023)

Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee meeting, Session 6, Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill (Scot Parl 20/06/2023)

Review of the National Outcomes 2023 – Back to the future? (SPICe 20/06/2023)

Climate Change Committee’s (CCC) annual progress report 2022 recommendations (Scot Gov 20/06/2023)

Tolerable standard guidance: satisfactory fire and carbon monoxide detection (Scot Gov 20/06/2023)

Just transition for the built environment and construction sector: a discussion paper (Scot Gov 20/06/2023)

National Strategy for Economic Transformation: annual progress report June 2023 (Scot Gov 21/06/2023)
First annual progress report on the delivery of the 10 year National Strategy for Economic Transformation (NSET).

Community Councils at 50 – the forgotten front-line of democracy? (SPICe 21/06/2023)

Whole House Retrofit and Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund Demonstrator: joint process evaluation (UK Gov 21/06/2023)

Households and Dwellings in Scotland, 2022 (National Records of Scotland 22/06/2023)

Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee. Community Planning: Post-legislative scrutiny of Part 2 of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 (Scot Parl 22/06/2023)

Correspondence between the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee and Paul McLennan on short-term lets (Scot Parl 23/06/2023)

Building standards fee income and re-investment in service delivery: review (Scot Gov 26/06/2023)

Chief Planner and Planning Minister letter: summer 2023 update (Scot Gov 26/06/2023)

Correspondence between Mairi Gougeon and the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee with an update on the forthcoming Agriculture Bill (Scot Parl 26/06/2023)

Regeneration Capital Grant Fund – stage one 2024 to 2025: application form (Scot Gov 26/06/2023)

Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA): annual review 2022 to 2023 (Scot Gov 27/06/2023)

Statement on call-in of planning applications by Scottish Ministers (Scot Gov 28/06/2023)
Under Section 46A(1) of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997, Scottish Ministers have laid a statement on call-in of Planning Applications in the Scottish Parliament.

Charities (Regulation and Administration) (Scotland) Bill – Passed (Scot Parl 28/06/2023)
This Bill makes changes to the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005.

DCMS Report on the impact of conservation, repair and maintenance on culture and heritage capital assets (UK Gov 28/06/2023)
Combining valuation methodologies and heritage science to measure the welfare impact of ongoing conservation, protection, repair and maintenance of culture and heritage capital (CHC) assets

Constitution, Europe, External Affairs & Culture Committee Meeting, Session 6, Culture in Communities (Scot Parl?29/06/2023)

Mental health and wellbeing strategy (Scot Gov 29/06/2023)
Strategy laying out our approach to improving mental health for everyone in Scotland.

Correspondence between the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee and Paul McLennan on damp and mould in housing (Scot Parl 29/06/2023)

Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme (VDLIP): application form (Scot Gov 30/06/2023)

Short term lets – licensing scheme part 1: guidance for hosts and operators
Short term lets – licensing scheme part 2: supplementary guidance for licensing authorities, letting agencies and platforms (Scot Gov 30/06/2023)

New Deal with Local Government – Verity House Agreement (Scot Gov 30/06/2023)
COSLA and the Scottish Government have agreed a new Partnership Agreement setting out a vision for a more collaborative approach to delivering shared priorities for the people of Scotland.

Scotland’s Heat Network Fund: application guidance (Scot Gov 03/07/2023)

Community Ownership Fund: successful bidders (UK Gov 03/07/2023)
Nine Scottish projects have been awarded over £2m in funding, including £300,000 for the refurbishment of Laxdale Hall, £300,000 for the John O’ Groats Mill Trust and £250,000 for North Edinburgh Arts to create a state-of-the-art hub.

How is Scotland Performing? (SPICe 03/07/2023)

Government response to UNESCO World Heritage Sites – UK Tentative List Review (UK Gov 04/07/2023)

National Islands Plan: implementation route map 2023 (Scot Gov 05/07/2023)

NEWS RELEASES

Museums Galleries Scotland’s journey to becoming a Carbon Literate organisation in 2022 (MGS 31/05/2023)

Future Scottish Agriculture support framework: Agriculture Bill (CIfA June 2023)
CIfA is working to lobby Scottish Government ahead of the publication of its draft Agriculture Bill later this summer and invites support for their views.

NPF4 wins award for planning to address climate change (Planning Awards 08/06/2023)
National Planning Framework 4 won the Planning to Address Climate Change award

The National Retrofit Hub appoints new Co-Directors (National Retrofit Hub 14/06/2023)

Warmworks wins Scottish Government national fuel poverty programme bid (Warmworks 16/06/2023)

RICS announces appointment of new CEO, Justin Young (RICS 19/06/2023)

The Council of the EU reaches agreement on the nature restoration law (European Council 20/06/2023)

Number of households continues to increase (National Records of Scotland 22/06/2023)
The number of households continues to increase in Scotland. In 2022 there were 2.55 million households, 15% more than 20 years ago.

Make Your Mark awarded a £142k grant by The National Lottery Heritage Fund to make heritage volunteering accessible to all (Heritage Trust Network 22/06/2023)

Three Scottish buildings among 2023 RIBA National Awards winners (SCN 23/06/2023)

Smoothing the building-standards process (Glasgow Caledonian University 28/06/2023)
Academics at Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) have secured funding to explore how to best digitise Scotland’s building standards system.

Tantallon and Dirleton castles reopen as access is increased at East Lothian heritage sites (HES 30/06/2023)

Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) and the RIAS (RIAS 30/06/2023)
OSCR has concluded an inquiry into the RIAS, and has also engaged with the RIAS in connection with its work on reviewing and updating its governance

Scotland Digs 2023 has launched a packed schedule of fieldwork events to celebrate world-class archaeology whilst highlighting budget-friendly activities for the public. The campaign co-ordinated by the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, in partnership with Historic Environment Scotland and AOC Archaeology, will assemble updates on their fieldwork events for the public via an online hub from 21 June to 22 September.  For more information visit the Scotland Digs 2023 webpages

OPINION & COMMENT

A new method of accurately assessing stone and brick masonry structures could help preserve historic stone buildings and bridges (New Civil Engineer 24/05/2023)

Mapping with Intent: Feminist city planning. Who are our cities built for? And how does this impact our daily lives? (The Skinny 15/06/2023)
One writer explores Scottish cities’ recent move towards feminist urban planning and unpacks what this should look like – in policy and in public

UNESCO may be flawed, but we are better in than out (The Times 16/06/2023)

We must ensure stewards of our land and historic environment are supported (Holyrood Magazine 23/06/2023)

Over two thirds of firms in Scotland struggling with skills shortages (STV 30/06/2023)

Inclusive Planning for Gypsies and Travellers and Travelling Showpeople (PAS 04/07/2023)

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, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 07/06/2023
S6W-18838
To ask the Scottish Government what investigations Historic Environment Scotland has undertaken to determine whether any of the buildings that it manages were fitted with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete, and what the cost was of conducting any necessary repairs, broken down by building.
Current status: Answered by Christina McKelvie on 13 June 2023

Murdo Fraser, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 02/06/2023
S6W-18610
To ask the Scottish Government how much money it has received through the Barnett formula as a result of the Apprenticeship Levy in the last full academic year.
S6W-18611
To ask the Scottish Government how much has been spent on the Flexible Workforce Development Fund in the last academic year, including in relation to any projects designed to support apprenticeships.
Current status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 15 June 2023

Miles Briggs, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 05/06/2023
S6W-18663
To ask the Scottish Government what information it holds on how many damp surveys have been undertaken by local authorities in each year since 2019.
S6W-18664
To ask the Scottish Government what information it holds on how much has been spent on maintenance of social housing in each year since 1999, broken down by local authority area.
Current status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 16 June 2023
S6W-18669
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review any of the statutory duties placed on local authorities by the Scottish Ministers.
Current status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 14 June 2023
S6W-18670
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any costs associated with local authorities reporting on statutory duties placed on them by the Scottish Ministers.
Current status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 16 June 2023

Jamie Greene, West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 02/06/2023
S6W-18614
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-17942 by Shona Robison on 30 May 2023, whether the 17 buildings on the Scottish Government Core Estate will meet an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of at least band C by 2028, as will be required by all properties actively rented in the private sector, and, if not, what its position is on whether it is fair to impose energy standards on the private rented sector that the Scottish Government will not meet in its own buildings.
Current status: Answered by Shona Robison on 16 June 2023

Stephen Kerr, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 08/06/2023
S6W-18857
To ask the Scottish Government when the employability and individual training account budgets will be confirmed and announced.
Current status: Answered by Neil Gray on 16 June 2023

Miles Briggs, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 12/06/2023
S6W-19058
To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made in implementing its conclusions in Priority Area 7 of the Report of the City Centre Recovery Task Force 2021-22.
Current status: Answered by Neil Gray on 16 June 2023

Stephen Kerr, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 05/06/2023
S6W-18672
To ask the Scottish Government whether the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills has received the final report of the Independent Review of Qualifications and Assessment.
Current status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 19 June 2023

Miles Briggs, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 06/06/2023
S6W-17025
To ask the Scottish Government how much funding has been allocated through the (a) Scottish Empty Homes Partnership and (b) Empty Homes Loan Fund in each year since it was launched, broken down by local authority.
Current status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 20 June 2023

Paul Sweeney, Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 09/06/2023
S6W-18918
To ask the Scottish Government when the Scottish Ministers will make regulations to give effect to Part 7 of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015.
Current status: Answered by Maree Todd on 20 June 2023

Monica Lennon, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 09/06/2023
S6W-18942
To ask the Scottish Government when the Green Heat Finance Taskforce (a) last met and (b) will next meet.
Current status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 20 June 2023

Donald Cameron, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 13/06/2023
S6W-19095
To ask the Scottish Government how many cultural venues have been taken into community ownership in each of the last five years.
S6W-19096
To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides for community-run cultural venues and assets.
Current status: Answered by Christina McKelvie on 20 June 2023

Jamie Stone, Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, Liberal Democrats
Date: 20/06/2023
Westminster Debate on Heritage Sites – Sustainability

Donald Cameron, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 07/06/2023
S6W-18843
To ask the Scottish Government what investigations National Records of Scotland has undertaken to determine whether any of the buildings that it manages were fitted with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete, and what the cost was of conducting any necessary repairs, broken down by building.
Current status: Answered by Angus Robertson on 21 June 2023

Tess White, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 12/06/2023
S6W-19060
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the implementation of the recommendations of the Report of the Review Panel on Building Standards Compliance and Enforcement, which was published in June 2018.
Current status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 21 June 2023

Ariane Burgess, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: 14/06/2023
S6O-02398
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will introduce compulsory sales orders through its proposed Land Reform Bill, in light of its plans to address the need for effective, efficient and fair land assembly powers for public bodies, as referred to in the Bute House Agreement.
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on 21 June 2023

Craig Hoy, South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 12/06/2023
S6W-19023
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-18306 by Patrick Harvie on 7 June 2023, whether it (a) has provided and (b) plans to provide financial support to local authorities to undertake inspections of buildings for reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete.
Current status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 22 June 2023

Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: 16/06/2023
S6W-19192
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has carried out an Island Communities Impact Assessment in relation to the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill, and, if not, whether it plans to do so.
Current status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 23 June 2023

Craig Hoy, South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 12/06/2023
S6W-19021
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-18315 by Shona Robison on 7 June 2023, when it anticipates that inspection surveys will (a) begin and (b) finish.
S6W-19022
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-18315 by Shona Robison on 7 June 2023, by what date its appointed specialist will have developed the scope for inspection surveys.
Current status: Answered by Shona Robison on 26 June 2023

Alexander Burnett, Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 12/06/2023
S6W-19031
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve the Energy Performance Certificate ratings of buildings that are part of the Scottish Government estate.
Current status: Answered by Shona Robison on 26 June 2023

Craig Hoy, South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 13/06/2023
S6W-19103
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-18309 by Angela Constance on 9 June 2023, when it anticipates a decision on the long-term solutions for buildings will be taken.
Current status: Answered by Angela Constance on 27 June 2023

Miles Briggs, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 14/06/2023
S6W-19110
To ask the Scottish Government how many empty homes have been brought back into use in each year since 1999, broken down by local authority area.
Current status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 28 June 2023

Liam Kerr, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 15/06/2023
S6W-19194
To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to publish local authority analysis for the 2021 Scottish House Condition Survey.
Current status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 28 June 2023

Liam Kerr, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 09/06/2023
S6W-18914
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-14236 by Lorna Slater on 2 February 2023, whether the study to map the net zero gap skills on Scottish islands, as referred to on page 12 of the Carbon Neutral Islands Project Progress Report, has progressed beyond its “early stages” and the “initial meetings” that “were held in December 2022”; if so, whether it will provide a detailed report on progress, and, if not, for what reason it has not progressed, and when it is expected to do so.
Current status: Answered by Lorna Slater on 29 June 2023

Craig Hoy, South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 16/06/2023
S6W-19075
To ask the Scottish Government what investigations the public corporations have undertaken to determine whether any of the buildings that they manage were fitted with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete, and what the cost was of conducting any necessary repairs, broken down by building.
S6W-19077
To ask the Scottish Government what investigations non-departmental public bodies have undertaken to determine whether any of the buildings that they manage were fitted with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete, and what the cost was of conducting any necessary repairs, broken down by building.
Current status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 29 June 2023

Miles Briggs, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 15/06/2023
S6W-19106
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of Lord Braid’s opinion on the judicial review of the City of Edinburgh Council’s short-term lets licensing policy, whether it plans to (a) repeal the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (Licensing of Short-term Lets) Order 2022 and Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (Licensing of Short-term Lets) (Amendment) Order 2023 and (b) instruct local authorities to reimburse any short-term let operators that have applied for a licence, whether it was granted or not.
Current status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 29 June 2023

Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: 15/06/2023
S6W-19153
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recent ruling on the judicial review of the City of Edinburgh Council’s short-term lets licensing scheme, whether it is considering a review of short-term lets legislation, and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.
Current status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 29 June 2023

Liam Kerr, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 15/06/2023
S6W-19195
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the analysis of the consultation on the New Build Heat Standard, which states that legislation will be prepared in spring 2023, when it plans to publish further information on the New Build Heat Standard.
Current status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 29 June 2023

Miles Briggs, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 23/06/2023
S6W-19435
To ask the Scottish Government how much has been raised from Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) in each year since its introduction, broken down by local authority area.
Current status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 29 June 2023

Craig Hoy, South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 16/06/2023
S6W-19076
To ask the Scottish Government what investigations Transport Scotland has undertaken to determine whether any of the buildings that it manages were fitted with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete, and what the cost was of conducting any necessary repairs, broken down by building.
Current status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 30 June 2023

Miles Briggs, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 20/06/2023
S6W-19287
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-19058 by Neil Gray on 16 June 2023, how much in total has been allocated to the Scottish Cities Alliance to carry out the work specified as necessary in the Report of the City Centre Recovery Task Force 2021-22.
Current status: Answered by Neil Gray on 30 June 2023

Gordon MacDonald, Edinburgh Pentlands, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: 29/06/2023
S6W-19590
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on proposals for Investment Zones in Scotland.
Current status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Neil Gray on 30 June 2023

Monica Lennon, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 16/06/2023
S6W-19241
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to increase funding for skills related to retrofitting, in light of its announced policy to ban gas boilers in all new building developments, and, if so, whether it can provide details.
Current status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 3 July 2023

Miles Briggs, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 23/06/2023
S6W-19441
To ask the Scottish Government when it will update the Parliament on the potential introduction of a new National Outcome for housing.
Current status: Answered by Shona Robison on 4 July 2023

Mark Griffin, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 20/06/2023
S6W-19298 R
To ask the Scottish Government what surveys it conducts that are comparable to the English Private Landlord Survey.
Current status: Answer expected on 18 July 2023

Mark Griffin, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 21/06/2023
S6W-19309 R
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what the timetable for the Housing Bill is, in light of reports that it has been delayed until spring 2024.
Current status: Answer expected on 19 July 2023

Craig Hoy, South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 22/06/2023
S6W-19366
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-18926 by Michael Matheson on 20 June 2023, (a) how many and (b) which properties that the desktop review has assessed need to be investigated.
Current status: Answer expected on 20 July 2023

Miles Briggs, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 22/06/2023
S6W-19379
To ask the Scottish Government whether hotels are exempt from the Building Scotland (Amendment) Regulations 2022 regarding fire safety and cladding.
Current status: Answer expected on 20 July 2023

Oliver Mundell, Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 28/06/2023
S6W-19506
To ask the Scottish Government whether it is the case that the Warmer Homes Scotland scheme does not fund ceiling insulation in flats, and, if so, what the reason is for this.
Current status: Answer expected on 26 July 2023

Jackie Baillie, Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 29/06/2023
S6W-19525
To ask the Scottish Government, following the publication of Lord Braid’s opinion on the judicial review of the City of Edinburgh Council’s short-term lets licensing policy, what discussions it has had with (a) COSLA and (b) local authorities regarding the possible implications for other short-term let licensing schemes in Scotland.
Current status: Answer expected on 27 July 2023

Claire Baker, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 29/06/2023
S6W-19538
To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to the decision to close the SME Loan Scheme for new solar PV applications, (a) when and (b) on what basis the decision was taken; on what date the decision came into effect, and whether the decision is permanent.
S6W-19540
To ask the Scottish Government what the average waiting time has been for processing SME Loan Scheme applications, broken down by application type in (a) 2022 and (b) 2023.
Current status: Answer expected on 27 July 2023

Liam Kerr, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 30/06/2023
S6W-19581
To ask the Scottish Government whether it considered exempting hydrogen-ready boilers from its proposed ban on gas boilers in new build properties.
S6W-19582
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has completed an assessment of how many homes in Scotland will be able to run a heat pump and use two electric car chargers simultaneously.
S6W-19583
To ask the Scottish Government what impact taking a so-called “heat pump first” approach will have on grid capacity and supply.
Current status: Answer expected on 28 July 2023

Richard Leonard, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 30/06/2023
S6W-19606
To ask the Scottish Government whether it approved the decision to change the funding criteria so that applications for solar PV and/or energy storage systems would no longer be considered unless they were part of a package together with a heat pump or high heat retention storage heaters, through the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan and Private Rented Sector Landlord Loan schemes.
S6W-19607
To ask the Scottish Government what the basis was for the decision for applications to the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan and Private Rented Sector Landlord Loan schemes for solar PV and/or energy storage systems to be ineligible unless the applicant is also applying for this as part of a package together with a heat pump or high heat retention storage heaters, from 27 June 2023.
S6W-19608
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has made an assessment of the number of properties that will no longer be eligible for support through the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan and Private Rented Sector Landlord Loan schemes for solar PV and/or energy storage systems because they are unable to have a heat pump or high heat retention storage heaters.
S6W-19609
To ask the Scottish Government how many properties have received support from the (a) Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan and (b) Private Rented Sector Landlord Loan scheme for solar PV and/or energy storage systems where the household did not claim any qualifying benefits, since the scheme was created.
S6W-19610
To ask the Scottish Government how many applications have been made to the (a) Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan and (b) Private Rented Sector Landlord Loan scheme for solar PV and/or energy storage systems, since the scheme was created, and how many applications have been successful.
S6W-19611
To ask the Scottish Government how many applications have been made to the (a) Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan and (b) Private Rented Sector Landlord Loan scheme for a heat pump or high heat retention storage heaters, since the scheme was created, and how many applications have been successful.
Current status: Answer expected on 28 July 2023

Mark Ruskell, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: 03/07/2023
S6W-19647
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what consideration it has given to introducing compulsory sale orders for vacant properties.
Current status: Answer expected on 31 July 2023

Alex Cole-Hamilton, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: 03/07/2023
S6W-19673
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will establish a register of public sector buildings that have been found to contain reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete.
S6W-19676
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete in (a) public sector buildings and (b) privately owned buildings in Scotland.
S6W-19679
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete in private sector buildings, including those that were initially built for the public sector, and how it will raise awareness of any problems related to its presence.
Current status: Answer expected on 31 July 2023

Donald Cameron, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 03/07/2023
S6W-19716
To ask the Scottish Government whether it can confirm the total amount that Historic Environment Scotland has spent on advertising its sites, in each year since it was founded in 2015.
S6W-19717
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of the advertising spend that Historic Environment Scotland allocates to promote each of its sites.
S6W-19718
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has held any discussions with Historic Environment Scotland regarding any permanent closures of sites that it manages, and, if so, which sites were earmarked for closure.
S6W-19720 R
To ask the Scottish Government what meetings it has had with National Museums Scotland since May 2021, and what the agreed outcomes were of any such meetings.
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.
S6W-19733
To ask the Scottish Government what meetings it has had with the Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland since May 2021, and what the agreed outcomes were of any such meetings.
S6W-19768
To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on whether Historic Environment Scotland awarded any performance payments to staff at executive level since 2015, broken down by year.
Current status: Answers expected on 31 July 2023

Donald Cameron, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 04/07/2023
S6W-19756
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the commitment in its paper, A Culture Strategy for Scotland, whether it is actively promoting Historic Environment Scotland’s work on climate change, and, if so, whether it can provide examples of this.
S6W-19762
To ask the Scottish Government in what ways its National Partnership for Culture has influenced government policy since its establishment, and whether it can provide details and examples of any such influence.
Current status: Answer expected on 1 August 2023

Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: 04/07/2023
S6W-19774
To ask the Scottish Government how many households have received Home Energy Scotland funding to install solar PV and/or energy storage systems only, rather than as part of a wider retrofitting package, in each of the last five years, also broken down by local authority area.
S6W-19775
To ask the Scottish Government how much funding has been distributed to installation projects involving solar PV and/or energy storage systems only, rather than as part of a wider retrofitting package, in each of the last five years, also broken down by local authority area.
Current status: Answer expected on 1 August 2023

Alex Cole-Hamilton, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: 04/07/2023
S6W-19777
To ask the Scottish Government when ministers last met universities and colleges to discuss the presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete in buildings and action to (a) manage and (b) remove it.
Current status: Answer expected on 1 August 2023

Sarah Boyack, Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 04/07/2023
S6W-19781
To ask the Scottish Government what urgent action it is taking to address any green skills shortages, in light of reported concerns that not doing so will undermine Scotland’s and the UK’s progress towards a green economy.
S6W-19782
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government in the last year regarding the UK’s progress towards achieving the 2030 gas emissions targets.
S6W-19784
To ask the Scottish Government how many public–private partnerships are in place to develop and deliver district heat networks across Scotland.
S6W-19785
To ask the Scottish Government how much of the £300 million provided for Scotland’s Heat Network Fund, which opened in February 2022, has been allocated to projects.
Current status: Answer expected on 1 August 2023

MOTIONS

Foysol Choudhury, Lothian, Scottish Labour.
Date lodged: 13/06/2023
S6M-09190
That the Parliament believes that Scotland’s world-class heritage sector and its workforce have long been undervalued, and are now in jeopardy due to the cost of living crisis; considers that Scotland’s heritage sites, including those in the Lothian region, are well-loved by international visitors and locals alike; believes that Scotland must celebrate and champion its unique cultures; understands that the new generation of potential conservationists, archaeologists, curators and other specialists are also experiencing hardship, and that new trainees cannot even afford their rents; notes the view that better pay will mean that Scotland’s young people can aspire to have secure, long-term employment in the heritage sector, and further notes the calls for the Scottish Government to recognise the contribution that Scotland’s heritage workforce makes to local communities, the nations of the UK and the world.
Supported by: Monica Lennon, Paul Sweeney, David Torrance, Mercedes Villalba
Current status: Achieved cross-party support

Ben Macpherson, Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party.
Date lodged: 13/06/2023
S6M-09431
That the Parliament congratulates Scotland’s Regeneration Forum on the launch of the SURF Awards 2023; notes that 2023 marks the 25th Anniversary of the SURF Awards programme, reportedly described by one past winner as “the Oscars of Regeneration”, with 1,069 entries submitted since 2005; notes what it sees as the importance of the awards in spotlighting and celebrating best practice examples of community regeneration projects across Scotland; commends all past nominees and winners for what it sees as the exceptional work that they do to empower, enrich and affect positive change for individuals and communities, despite the recent challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and cost of living crisis; recognises the breadth of regeneration initiatives undertaken by organisations and community volunteers to address social and economic problems, from providing employment and training opportunities for people of all ages, to supporting wellbeing via arts, culture and creative activities; notes that the five award categories in 2023 reflect regeneration activity at all levels, and are Community Led Regeneration, Creative Regeneration, Housing and Regeneration, Improving Scotland’s Places and Removing Barriers to Employability; understands that applications must be submitted by 5.00 pm on 4 September 2023; believes that there are many examples of best practice, community-led regeneration initiatives in Edinburgh Northern and Leith, and encourages them, and others based across Scotland, to enter the SURF Awards 2023.
Supported by: Jeremy Balfour, Miles Briggs, Stephanie Callaghan, Maggie Chapman, Jackie Dunbar, Pam Duncan-Glancy, Annabelle Ewing, Emma Harper, Clare Haughey, Bill Kidd, Liam McArthur, Stuart McMillan, Marie McNair, Audrey Nicoll, Kevin Stewart, Paul Sweeney, David Torrance, Brian Whittle

EVENTS

For further listings, please see our events calendar.

Dig It! – Scotland Digs 2023 has launched a packed schedule of fieldwork events to celebrate world-class archaeology whilst highlighting budget-friendly activities for the public. For more information visit Scotland Digs 2023 

Heritage Trust Network – Exploring Opportunities: Churches and Tourism
Date & Time: Thursday 6 July 2023; 7-8:30pm
Location: Online
Heritage Trust Network and Historic Churches Scotland have partnered with SCOTO to host the fifth event in their church series. Aimed at any group contemplating the future of their church building, this event will focus on how church buildings can play a part in your local tourism offering.

RICS WBEF – Heat resilience in urban environments: Making cities cooler
Date & Time: Wednesday 12 July 2023; 4-5pm
Location: Online
With the impact of climate change becoming more pronounced and the frequency of extreme heat events increasing, cities must find ways to mitigate prolonged periods of soaring summer temperatures. This webinar looks at the possible solutions from incorporating more green infrastructure and other passive options to active technologies, and how a multi-disciplinary approach by built environment professionals can make cities cooler.

The Royal Society of Edinburgh – What World Heritage Sites can do for you
Date & Time: Tuesday 18 July 2023; 12:30-1:30pm
Location: Online
As part of the “RSE investigates… conservation” series, Professor David Breeze will talk about conservation efforts and the Antonine Wall. In 2008, the Antonine Wall, a fortification built by the Romans and situated, between the Firth of Clyde and the Firth of Forth became a World Heritage Site. The recognition of the Antonine Wall was in the framework of a project to make all the frontiers of the Roman Empire a World Heritage Site. This lecture will review the genesis of the project and the work undertaken to help move the international community to the ultimate target as well as looking forward to future activities and challenges.

Heritage Trust Network – Heritage Makes Glasgow!
Date & Time: Monday 21 August 2023; 9:30am-4:00pm
Location: Glasgow West Boathouse, Glasgow Green, Glasgow G1 5QA
Heritage Trust Network (HTN) and Glasgow Building Preservation Trust are joining forces to deliver the 2023 in-person event for the HTN Scotland branch. Presentations will be centred around regeneration activity in Glasgow, with top-tips for attendees to take away to their own projects. This event is open to any heritage professional or community group involved in regenerating historic buildings and places.

Scottish Civic Trust – My Place Marketplaces
Date & Time: Wednesday 23 & 30 August 2023 (various slots)
Location: Online
Is your local heritage or civic group looking to engage a wider range of people in your activities? Due to popular demand, Scottish Civic Trust have organised additional My Place Marketplaces to support local heritage and civic groups with outreach and marketing. Groups can book one of the online slots where staff will be on hand to talk all things community engagement and promotion. Book now!

TRAINING

Scottish Lime Centre Trust – Lime Pointing
Date & Time: Friday 4 August 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.

VACANCIES

Fife Employment Access Trust – Project Director for Silverburn Flax Mill Renovation
Budgeted Fee: Costs not to exceed £120,000
Status: Fixed term – from appointment in 2023 up to November 2026
Location: Leven, Fife
Fife Employment Access Trust are seeking an experienced Project Director within the built environment sector to lead the Silverburn Flax Mill Renovation Project, creating a Visitor Centre and Community Hub. The role involves leading the Project to deliver exemplar conservation and refurbishment that respects and preserves the original design intent, while maximising access and benefit for all. The Project Director will manage the project from initial construction works to project close in accordance with recognised Project Management processes, producing, circulating and maintaining all project controls and documentation with particular emphasis on governance, managing risk, quality, cost, programme and change. In addition, they will lead on the delivery of the overall Project Brief in consultation with internal teams and stakeholder groups.
Follow this link for more information and details on how to apply.
Closing date: Midday on Monday 10 July 2023

Society of Antiquaries of Scotland – Publications Officer
Salary: £23,832.79 to £26,193.43 p/a (pro rata)
Status: full-time; temporary – 7 months from September 2023
Location: Edinburgh; potential for hybrid arrangement
This is an excellent opportunity for someone at the beginning of a career in academic publishing. The ideal candidate will be familiar with standard academic publishing processes including peer review and open access and will have experience of working with researchers. They will be able to manage and prioritise a varied workload, with an eye for detail and design, and be willing to learn new systems quickly.
For more information, please see the detailed Job Description
Closing date: Midnight on Tuesday 11 July 2023

Historic Environment Scotland – National Strategy Vacancies
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) is recruiting for a new team, tasked with rolling out the new national strategy for Scotland’s historic environment, Our Past, Our Future.
All roles will be located in Edinburgh and the Lothians and are full-time (37hrs p/w) on a fixed 3-year term.
National Strategy Programme Manager
Salary:  £43,960 – £49,953
An experienced and confident programme manager is required to lead the implementation of the new national strategy. Leading a small team to promote the strategy, identify and establish the structures needed to deliver it, manage strategy delivery, and monitor and report on activity, the successful candidate will have excellent planning, communication and influencing skills and will engage effectively with partners and key stakeholders across Scotland.
National Strategy Coordinator
Salary:  £28,541 – £34,702
An experienced, confident and enthusiastic individual is being sought to support the Programme Manager with the roll out of the new national strategy. The role involves providing assistance to promote the strategy, identify and establish the structures needed to deliver the strategy, coordinate delivery, and monitor and report on activity. Candidates should have excellent planning, communication and facilitation skills to engage with a wide variety of partners and stakeholders across Scotland.
National Strategy Data Analyst
Salary:  £36,418 – £41,866
An experienced and confident data analyst, reporting to the National Strategy Programme Manager, is being sought. The role involves responsibility for providing the data, intelligence and insights needed to support the new strategy’s implementation, delivery and performance reporting, whilst collaborating with colleagues across the organisation and with external partner organisations and networks.
Closing date for applications for all roles: Midday on Wednesday 12 July 2023

Fife Council – Built Heritage Officer
Salary: FC7 £29,245.89 – £36,547.97 (Graduate Built Heritage Officer)/ FC8 £36,547.97 – £40,245.94 (Built Heritage Officer) per year pro rata
Status: Full-time, permanent
Location: Fife House, Glenrothes, Fife
Fife Council has a vacancy for a Graduate Built Heritage Officer/Built Heritage Officer. Whether you have recently graduated or are looking to develop your career in planning and caring for the historic environment, Fife has a lot to offer. Providing specialist advice on the historic environment and built heritage in relation to applications for planning permission, conservation area consent, and listed building consent, the post also involves contributing to the development and delivery of the built heritage component of policies and programmes, including Fife’s development plan and the Fife Historic Environment Strategy in addressing the key issues of social, and economic equality and climate change action. For more information, please see the detailed Job Description or contact Dominick Mennie
Closing date: Monday 17 July 2023

Fife Historic Buildings Trust – Finance Officer
Salary: £30,000; full time or job share (pro rata)
Status: Permanent
Location: Kinghorn Town Hall, Fife/Potential for hybrid
Fife Historic Buildings Trust are recruiting for a charity finance professional to co-ordinate the financial activities of FHBT. Sound financial control underpins all the great work they do, and this is an opportunity to bring your experience to join a welcoming and high achieving team, and play your part in their work for people and historic places in Fife. See the detailed job description for more information and how to apply. Potential applicants are welcome to contact Lorraine Bell, FHBT Manager for an informal discussion.
Closing date: 5pm on Monday 31 July 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.

BEFS NEWS

BEFS work on Tenement Maintenance continues, and you can see the updated webpage outlining activity here. BEFS and Under One Roof have worked together for several years, with UOR becoming BEFS Members recently. Both organisations share secretariat for the Tenement Working Group. Here, Anny from Under One Roof, Scotland’s only charity committed to providing free and impartial information on repairs, maintenance, and retrofit for tenement flat owner-occupiers, landlords, and housing professionals in Scotland – shares a bit more about UOR’s work and recent events.

BEFS Director took part in the RSGS and Zero Waste Scotland series 10 Big Climate Solutions – the Building Futures workshop highlighted 3 areas for action – these are captured within this report. BEFS will continue to be involved, with Zero Waste Scotland, on the strand related to evidence. This builds upon and supports the work relating to Housing and Land Data recently explored in a paper by Andy Wightman and an event with the David Hume Institute.

A new Report of Independent Review of the Skills Delivery Landscape has been published which makes a range of recommendations for future adaptations to support the National Strategy for Economic Transformation. If implemented, key recommendations would radically change the skills delivery (and funding) landscape in Scotland.

The 2023 SURF Awards for Best Practice in Community Regeneration has been launched. The purpose of the Award is to highlight, celebrate and share the achievements of initiatives that address physical, social and economic challenges in communities across Scotland. The deadline for applications is 5pm on Monday 4 September.

Doors Open Day Festival is inviting hosts to apply now to take part in this year’s event. For more information if you are considering taking part, please see their comprehensive online guide that answers all your queries, and to register an interest.

The winners of Europe’s top heritage awards 2023 have been announced by the European Commission and Europa Nostra. This year, 30 outstanding heritage achievements from 21 countries have been awarded in five categories: 1) Conservation & Adaptive Reuse; 2) Research; 3) Education, Training & Skills; 4) Citizens’ Engagement & Awareness-raising; and 5) Heritage Champions. The full list included two outstanding projects from the UK. The Call for Entries for the 2024 edition of the Awards is now open.

Congratulations to Stonemason, Luke Maher who was one of 10 winners of the Emerging Talent Award 2023 as announced at the recent Natural Stone Show in London. This is a great achievement by Luke, alongside MCU & the Stirling Skill’s Centre who got him to this point of top recognition by the UK Stone Industry.

CONSULTATIONS

Council Tax for second and empty homes, and non-domestic rates thresholds
Scottish Government/COSLA
This joint public consultation with COSLA seeks views on giving local authorities the power to increase council tax on second homes and empty homes, as well as considering whether the current non-domestic rates thresholds for self-catering accommodation remain appropriate.
Closes 11 July 2023

Future of Scotland’s first National Park
Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park
Consultation on the Draft National Park Partnership Plan 2024-29, drafted to frame conversations about the future of the National Park. The National Park Partnership Plan guides how all of those with a role to play in looking after the National Park will work together to manage the Park and achieve a shared vision for the area.
Closes 19 July 2023

Local living and 20 minute neighbourhoods: draft planning guidance
Scottish Government
Consultation seeking views and comments on the draft planning guidance for local living and 20 minute neighbourhoods. It is expected to be of particular relevance in the preparation of Local Development Plans (LDPs), Local Place Plans (LPPs) and to support planning decision making.
Closes 20 July 2023

New National Parks – appraisal framework
Scottish Government
With a commitment to designating at least one new National Park in Scotland by the end of this Parliamentary session in 2026, a draft appraisal framework has been developed with proposed criteria for new National Parks in Scotland. Views and comments are being sought on this framework.
Closes 4 August 2023

Review of Permitted Development Rights – Phase 3
Scottish Government
The Scottish Government is carrying out a review of permitted development rights (PDR) as part of a wider planning reform programme. The PDR review is being taken forward in phases, with each phase focussing on specific development types. Phase 3 of the review considers PDR in relation to renewables equipment, thermal efficiency improvements, development by electricity undertakers, reverse vending machines and the temporary use of land for shooting ranges.
Closes 23 August 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

CONSULTATION RESPONSES

Land Reform in a Net Zero Nation: analysis report of responses to the consultation exercise (Scot Gov June 2023)

Land reform in a Net Zero Nation: consultation analysis (Scot Gov 02/06/2023)

New Build Heat Standard: consultation part two analysis (Scot Gov 09/06/2023)

Review of National Outcomes 2023 – SCVO response to call for evidence (SCVO 12/06/2023)

BEFS response to the Review of National Outcomes: call for evidence (BEFS 12/06/2023)
BEFS have submitted a response to the Scottish Government’s Review of National Performance Framework Outcomes: call for evidence consultation. BEFS response highlights the lack of appreciation for the cross-cutting benefits that come from cultural-heritage means many across the sector are continually explaining and reiterating the wide-reaching positive impacts of their work. It calls for greater alignment with the UN-SDGs particularly SDG 11.4: ‘Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage’. The additions of Targets and Outcomes, taking into account cross-sectoral inputs, could help to: incentivise, and enable, cross-portfolio working to deliver against net-zero, wellbeing and wider community aims.

PUBLICATIONS

Reviewing Residential Retrofitting Literature: An Explorative Mapping Study (CaCHE May 2023)

Architectural Heritage Fund – 2023-28 Strategy (AHF 22/05/2023)

RenoHUb Project Closing Report (RenoHUB 22/05/2023)
Establishment of the first one-stop-shop consulting office network in Hungary, aimed at supporting deep renovations managed by citizens.

For Churches – Strategy 2023-2026 (National Churches Trust 31/05/2023)

Measuring the Social Dimension of Culture: Handbook (MESOC June 2023)

Ex-ante Assessment of the Thematic Area “Greening Cities” under the Urban Agenda for the EU (European Commission 08/06/2023)

Ensuring inclusivity: parks and public spaces to be designed for girls and young women – Make Space for Girls webinar with PAS (PAS 10/06/2023)

SCOTTISH & UK GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS

SPICe Spotlight: Scottish climate change adaptation policy (SPICe 01/06/2023)

SPICe Spotlight: Scottish climate change impacts in Scotland (SPICe 01/06/2023)

SPICe Spotlight: Net Zero; what does it mean and what happens afterwards (SPICe 01/06/2023)

List of special advisers who provide advice across all portfolio areas in the Scottish Government (Scot Gov 01/06/2023)

Letter from the Minister for Housing to the Convener of the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee (Scot Parl 01/06/2023)
Update on enhancing the accessibility, adaptability and usability of Scotland’s homes.

Fit for the Future: developing a post-school learning system to fuel economic transformation (Scot Gov 07/06/2023)
Review considered skills functions and remits of Scotland’s national public bodies, making 15 recommendations for future adaptations to support National Strategy for Economic Transformation

Culture in Communities – Constitution, Europe, External Affairs And Culture Committee, 19th Meeting, 2023, Session 6 (Scot Parl 08/06/2023)
SPICe Briefing and written submission from Creative Scotland.

Letter from the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Just Transition to the Conveners of Finance and Public Administration Committee and Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee (Scot Parl 08/06/2023)
Update on implementation of the conclusions of the Joint Budget Review in relation to climate change.

Letter from the Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants’ Rights to the Convener of the Economy and Fair Work Committee (Scot Parl 08/06/2023)
On the Building (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2023.

Letter from Mr J Keith Robertson the to the Economy and Fair Work Committee (Scot Parl 09/06/2023)
On Registers of Scotland and the registration backlog June 2023.

Community Climate Action Hubs: response analysis (Scot Gov 09/06/2023)

Scotland’s National Innovation Strategy (Scot Gov 09/06/2023)

Scotland’s National Innovation Strategy: economic evidence paper (09/06/2023)

Growth sector statistics – Sustainable tourism (Scot Gov 09/06/2023)
Includes museum activities and operation of historical sites and buildings and similar visitor attractions.

Growth sector statistics – Creative Industries (Scot Gov 09/06/2023)
Including Heritage: Libraries and archive activities, Cultural education, Architecture and Desing activities.

Growth sector statistics – International Tourism (Scot Gov 09/06/2023)
Including Total Turnover (£Millions), 2008-2020 for Cultural Activities: Creative, arts and entertainment activities; Museum activities; Operation of historical sites and buildings and similar visitor attractions (in Table 2.1).

Scottish Central Government Energy Efficiency Grant scheme: form and guidance (Scot Gov 09/06/2023)

SPICe Spotlight: Trends in Funding for Culture (SPICe 12/06/2023)

Building standards – ministerial view: building insulation envelope (Scot Gov 12/06/2023)

Circular Economy (Scotland) Bill (Scot Parl 13/06/2023)
Màiri McAllan has introduced the Circular Economy (Scotland) Bill. The bill will give ministers powers to set local recycling targets, devise statutory targets for the delivery of a circular economy, ban the disposal of unsold consumer goods and place charges on single-use items.

NEWS RELEASES

Europa Nostra Council appeal to 2nd Summit of the European Political Community in Moldova to include Culture and Cultural Heritage among future EPC priorities (Europa Nostra 31/05/2023)

The Call for Entries for the European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards 2024 is now open! (Europa Nostra 13/06/2023)

Plans unveiled for new Archive House (HES 13/06/2023)
An existing building in the Sherwood Industrial Estate in Bonnyrigg, will be converted to a world-class facility

OPINION & COMMENT

What is the right approach for retrofitting? (Build Up – European Commission 16/05/2023)

Renovation and innovation solutions for monumental buildings (Build Up – European Commission 16/05/2023)

Eighteen properties evacuated and road closed as safety zone placed under St Ninians site (Daily Record 18/05/2023)

Geospatial Commission calls for upgrade in land use data (UKAuthority News 23/05/2023)

Place Standard Tool: Norwegian colleagues visit to Scotland (A&DS 26/05/2023)

Pioneering Programme Using Archaeology to Empower Young People  (Historic England 28/05/2023)

Collapse in GCSE arts subjects gathers pace (Arts Professional 29/05/2023)

Roadside heritage to be more visible under National Highways plans (Museums & Heritage Advisor 31/05/2023)

SPAB Scholars: what stories can this old chapel tell? (SPAB 31/05/2023)

Agenda: Why it’s time to back urban planners (The Herald 01/06/23)

New Scottish building standards model piloted (RICS 01/02/2023)

Is there a future for Scotland’s National Performance Framework? (SCVO 02/06/2023)

EU’s green renovation wave faces backlash: Countries are wary of EU plans to slash emissions by retrofitting millions of homes (Politico 05/06/2023)
Includes renovation of older building stock in the UK and the EU that doesn’t meet modern standards.

Climate initiative cities boost renewables’ use, but still largely depend on fossil fuels (JRC 06/06/2023)

Left in ruins: Should we let historic buildings ‘gracefully die’? (Holyrood Magazine 07/06/2023)

Outer House finds Edinburgh’s short-term let licensing policy unlawful (Scottish Legal News 08/06/2023)

Historic England launches the country’s first online building stones database (HTN 08/06/2023)

New indicators will track climate change between IPCC reports (CarbonBrief 08/06/2023)
Dashboard to data visualisation is available at Climate Change Tracker here.

New Loch Ness immersive experience tourist attraction to open after £1.5m revamp (Sky News 08/06/2023)
The newly refurbished Loch Ness Centre is in a Category B listed building, previously the Drumnadrochit Hotel.

The EPC system is no longer fit for heritage buildings (Architects’ Journal 09/06/2023)

Credibility gap in net-zero climate targets leaves world at high risk (Science 09/06/2023)

Creative placemaking – necessary, not just nice to have (Place Design Scotland 09/06/2023)

Scotland: historic sites closed for two years over safety (The Herald 12/06/2023)

Building Futures in Rural Scotland (Halvorsen Architects 12/06/2023)

City of Edinburgh Council’s short-term lettings decision: full case report (Scottish Housing News 13/06/2023)

New rules for all new buildings to have zero direct emissions heating systems (Scottish Housing News 13/06/2023)
Please see the link to the Regulations which come into force on 1 April 2024

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Monica Lennon, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 28/04/2023
S6W-17468
To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with churches, regarding the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016 (Register of Persons Holding a Controlled Interest in Land) Regulations 2021, since 1 January 2023.
Current status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 31 May 2023

Pam Duncan-Glancy, Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 19/05/2023
S6W-18141
To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to publish the independent review of the skills delivery landscape.
S6W-18143
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will set out its vision for the college sector.
Current status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 31 May 2023

Liam Kerr, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 12/05/2023
S6W-17911
To ask the Scottish Government how many green jobs currently exist in Scotland, broken down by the region in which they are located, and what the definition is that it uses for such jobs.
Current status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 1 June 2023

Liam Kerr, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 16/05/2023
S6W-17982
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-15987 by Patrick Harvie on 23 March 2023, whether it will provide an update on when it will publish the data, in light of reports that it is already being used for policy formulation and implementation.
Current status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 1 June 2023

Katy Clark, West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 22/05/2023
S6W-18199
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-17602 by Neil Gray on 12 May 2023, under the Fair Work First Framework on conditionality for public sector grants, which grant funders are subject to applying conditionality on (a) effective voice and (b) Real Living Wage under these rules, and whether there are any public sector grant funders that are exempt from doing so.
Current status: Answered by Neil Gray on 1 June 2023

Willie Rennie, North East Fife, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: 18/05/2023
S6W-18068
To ask the Scottish Government when its new Warmer Homes Scotland scheme will be launched.
S6W-18069
To ask the Scottish Government for how long it had been planning to pause the current Warmer Homes Scotland scheme ahead of relaunching a new one.
S6W-18070
To ask the Scottish Government how much money will be available for homeowners to use through its new Warmer Homes Scotland scheme.
S6W-18071
To ask the Scottish Government how many households it estimates will be supported through its new Warmer Homes Scotland Scheme.
Current status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 5 June 2023

Miles Briggs, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 25/05/2023
S6W-18021
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has established a Land Tax Working Group, and, if so, when the group will report.
Current status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 5 June 2023

Daniel Johnson, Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 19/05/2023
S6W-18100
To ask the Scottish Government whether it can provide a full appraisal of the Scottish Funding Council’s Upskilling Fund, from its inception in 2019, including details on (a) uptake, (b) type of learner, (c) level of qualification, (d) the (i) hours and (ii) credits of learning provided and (e) any employer engagement.
Current status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 6 June 2023

Sharon Dowey, South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 22/05/2023
S6W-18203
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its innovation strategy.
Current status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 6 June 2023

Stephen Kerr, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 22/05/2023
S6W-17956
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-16779 by Patrick Harvie on 27 April 2023, how households will be successfully engaged with, as part of Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy (LHEES) delivery plans, in order to take action to retrofit their homes with energy efficiency and low carbon heating measures.
Current status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 7 June 2023

Liam Kerr, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 24/05/2023
S6W-18305
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to a recent report by Changeworks, which reportedly found that homes in the Highlands and Islands have lower Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ratings than the rest of Scotland.
Current status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 7 June 2023

Craig Hoy, South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 24/05/2023
S6W-18312
To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the number of office buildings that it owns that are fitted with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete, and what funding has been made available to fix any such buildings.
S6W-18315
To ask the Scottish Government how many public buildings it has inspected since the start of 2021 to determine whether they were constructed with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC), broken down by building type, and how many of these were confirmed to have been constructed with RAAC.
S6W-18316
To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the cost of fixing any public buildings that it owns that are fitted with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete.
Current status: Answered by Shona Robison on 7 June 2023

Craig Hoy, South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 25/05/2023
S6W-18339
To ask the Scottish Government what collaboration it has undertaken with Research Data Scotland.
Current status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 7 June 2023

Paul Sweeney, Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 01/06/2023
S6W-18523
To ask the Scottish Government whether it can detail the planned (a) scope, (b) cost and (c) duration of the repair and maintenance works currently being carried out on the historic central tower and spire of Glasgow Cathedral.
Current status: Answered by Christina McKelvie on 7 June 2023

Miles Briggs, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 25/05/2023
S6W-18022
To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to establish a City Centre Recovery Task Force.
Current status: Answered by Neil Gray on 8 June 2023

Willie Rennie, North East Fife, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: 24/05/2023
S6W-18317
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding non-domestic rates, whether it will reduce the combined poundage rate for the largest properties, to match the equivalent rate in England, over the course of the current parliamentary session.
Current status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 8 June 2023

Monica Lennon, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 01/06/2023
S6W-18505
To ask the Scottish Government what recent assessment it has made of any additional financial pressures on local authority budgets being caused by inflation.
Current status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 8 June 2023

Daniel Johnson, Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 25/05/2023
S6W-18368
To ask the Scottish Government which apprenticeship providers have delivered (a) Modern, (b) Foundation and (c) Graduate Apprenticeships in Scotland in each year since 2018-19, also broken down by occupational grouping.
Current status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 12 June 2023

Donald Cameron, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 05/06/2023
S6W-18645
To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it has allocated to the maintenance of Scotland’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites in each year since 2007, broken down by site.
Current status: Answered by Christina McKelvie on 13 June 2023

Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 07/06/2023
S6W-18838
To ask the Scottish Government what investigations Historic Environment Scotland has undertaken to determine whether any of the buildings that it manages were fitted with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete, and what the cost was of conducting any necessary repairs, broken down by building.
Current status: Answered by Christina McKelvie on 13 June 2023

Jamie Greene, West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 08/06/2023
S6W-18884
To ask the Scottish Government whether Japanese knotweed or other invasive species have been found at Historic Environment Scotland properties in the last five years, and, if so, whether it will provide a list of any such incidences.
Current status: Answered by Christina McKelvie on 13 June 2023

Jamie Greene, West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 02/06/2023
S6W-18614
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-17942 by Shona Robison on 30 May 2023, whether the 17 buildings on the Scottish Government Core Estate will meet an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of at least band C by 2028, as will be required by all properties actively rented in the private sector, and, if not, what its position is on whether it is fair to impose energy standards on the private rented sector that the Scottish Government will not meet in its own buildings.
Current status: Answer expected on 16 June 2023

Stephen Kerr, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 05/06/2023
S6W-18672
To ask the Scottish Government whether the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills has received the final report of the Independent Review of Qualifications and Assessment.
Current status: Answer expected on 19 June 2023

Miles Briggs, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 06/06/2023
S6W-17025
To ask the Scottish Government how much funding has been allocated through the (a) Scottish Empty Homes Partnership and (b) Empty Homes Loan Fund in each year since it was launched, broken down by local authority.
Current status: Answer expected on 20 June 2023

Liam Kerr, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 09/06/2023
S6W-18914
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-14236 by Lorna Slater on 2 February 2023, whether the study to map the net zero gap skills on Scottish islands, as referred to on page 12 of the Carbon Neutral Islands Project Progress Report, has progressed beyond its “early stages” and the “initial meetings” that “were held in December 2022”; if so, whether it will provide a detailed report on progress, and, if not, for what reason it has not progressed, and when it is expected to do so.
Current status: Answer expected on 23 June 2023

Monica Lennon, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 09/06/2023
S6W-18942
To ask the Scottish Government when the Green Heat Finance Taskforce (a) last met and (b) will next meet.
Current status: Answer expected on 23 June 2023

Paul Sweeney, Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 09/06/2023
S6W-18918
To ask the Scottish Government when the Scottish Ministers will make regulations to give effect to Part 7 of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015.
Current status: Answer expected on 23 June 2023

Craig Hoy, South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 12/06/2023
S6W-19021
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-18315 by Shona Robison on 7 June 2023, when it anticipates that inspection surveys will (a) begin and (b) finish.
S6W-19022
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-18315 by Shona Robison on 7 June 2023, by what date its appointed specialist will have developed the scope for inspection surveys.
S6W-19023
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-18306 by Patrick Harvie on 7 June 2023, whether it (a) has provided and (b) plans to provide financial support to local authorities to undertake inspections of buildings for reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete.
Current status: Answer expected on 26 June 2023

Alexander Burnett, Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 12/06/2023
S6W-19030 R
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress in developing a new energy efficiency ratings system to replace the current Energy Performance Certificate system, and when it will publish details of the proposed changes.
Current status: Answer expected on 26 June 2023
S6W-19031
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve the Energy Performance Certificate ratings of buildings that are part of the Scottish Government estate.

Tess White, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 12/06/2023
S6W-19060
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the implementation of the recommendations of the Report of the Review Panel on Building Standards Compliance and Enforcement, which was published in June 2018.
Current status: Answer expected on 26 June 2023

MOTIONS

Liz Smith, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 05/06/2023
S6M-09340
Prioritising Scottish Tourism. That the Parliament believes that the tourism sector is a crucial element in the future sustainability of the Scottish economy; regrets the SNP-Scottish Green Party administration’s failure to prioritise tourism, and the weaknesses in Scotland’s infrastructure with the resulting detrimental effect on connectivity across rural and island areas, including failures in ferry services and the delay in progressing the dualling of both the A9 and the A96; notes the concern amongst the hospitality sector about the introduction of a visitor levy; condemns the flawed short-term lets policy and an anti-business agenda, which has resulted in additional costs and red tape for those across the tourism sector, and calls on the Scottish Government to bring forward an urgent blueprint to address the deep-seated concerns of the tourism sector and its related industries.
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on 7 June 2023

EVENTS

IHBC Annual School 2023: Swansea – Climate Change and the Historic Environment – Resilience and Performance
Date & Time: Wednesday 21 – Saturday 24 June 2023
Location: Swansea and Online
Heritage insights for everyone with a range of different school formats to appeal to anyone with an interest in heritage, culture and conservation. The school offers an opportunity to understand and interrogate new approaches to coping with climate change challenges, including: complying with standards, energy management, retrofit, fuel poverty and traditional buildings, meeting energy targets and protecting buildings.

RTPI West of Scotland – Summer Social
Date & Time: Thursday 22 June 2023; 7-11pm
Location: The Maltman, 59-61 Renfield Street, Glasgow, United Kingdom, G2 1LF
Come and join the RTPI at their summer social at The Maltman in Glasgow, for drinks and networking.

Icon Scotland – Burrell Collection Conservation Tour
Date & Time: Thursday 22 June 2023; 10:45am-1pm
Location: Burrell Collection, Pollok Country Park, 2060 Pollokshaws Rd, Glasgow G43 1AT
Glasgow’s Burrell Collection recently reopened after a major refurbishment, which opened up more gallery space, allowing access to objects which have not been seen for decades or have never been on permanent display. The conservators at Glasgow Life are partnering with the Icon Scotland group to offer a tour with a conservation focus.

Under One Roof Scotland – Maintenance and retrofit for tenement owners
Date & Time: Monday 26 June 2023; 1-3pm
Location: Members Lounge at Woodhall House, Westburn Rd, Aberdeen, AB16 5GB
Come along to a free and informative event hosted by Under One Roof, Aberdeenshire Council and Aberdeen City Council, aimed at owner-occupiers and landlords who want to learn more about maintaining and managing their tenement flats. Topics covered will include: the basics of tenement maintenance; knowing your neighbours and how to find them; the issues with patch repairs; the importance of building insurance and tips for self-factoring your building. Additionally, there will be discussion on energy efficiency and retrofit, as well as changes to government regulations affecting owner-occupiers and landlords.

Heritage Trust Network – Your Church, Your Community – Workshop 1
Date & Time: Tuesday 27 June 2023
Location: Online
Heritage Trust Network, Historic Churches Scotland and the Community Ownership Support Service are teaming up to deliver a 3-part workshop series to bring to life our new resource: Your Church, Your Community. This workshop series will feature a range of expert speakers who will bring these topics to life and offer the opportunity of live discussion and questions.
Save the date: Booking will open shortly but for now, do email Sarah Pearce to register your interest.

RTPI Grampian – Crathie – Moxon office site visit
Date & Time: Thursday 29 June 2023; 5:30-7pm
Location: Quarry Studios, Crathie, Ballater, Aberdeenshire, United Kingdom, AB35 5UL
The event will feature a guided tour of the user designed Moxon Architects’ offices and associated café space at Crathie. The offices have been designed and built within a former brownfield site which has an interesting history, and the development has required to consider a number of environmental constraints being located adjacent to a Site of Special Scientific Interest and National Scenic Areas. Moxon will host the event and will discuss the evolution of the design and outcomes as well as an opportunity to discuss some of the other projects Moxon have worked on in the area.

Heritage Trust Network – Exploring Opportunities: Churches and Tourism
Date & Time: Thursday 6 July 2023; 7-8:30pm
Location: Online
Are you a community group thinking about taking ownership of your local church? Are you already managing your church for the benefit of the community? This free online event is for you. Heritage Trust Network and Historic Churches Scotland have partnered with Scottish Community Tourism to host the fifth event in a series aimed at any group contemplating the future of their church building. This event will focus on how church buildings can play a part in your local tourism offering; come along to jointly explore innovative ideas to keep these community-based buildings alive.

RICS WBEF – Heat resilience in urban environments: Making cities cooler
Date & Time: Wednesday 12 July 2023; 4-5pm
Location: Online
With the impact of climate change becoming more pronounced and the frequency of extreme heat events increasing, cities must find ways to mitigate prolonged periods of soaring summer temperatures. This webinar looks at the possible solutions from incorporating more green infrastructure and other passive options to active technologies, and how a multi-disciplinary approach by built environment professionals can make cities cooler.

TRAINING

Culture & Business Scotland: Business Briefing: Tax update for the culture sector – VAT matters
Date & Time: Tuesday 20 June 2023; 12–1pm
Location: Online via Zoom
As tax issues continues to change and challenge the finances of organisations in the culture sector, Scott Craig (Partner and Head of VAT, Azets) will provide essential insight as well as highlighting issues and opportunities.

VACANCIES

The Ridge – Managing Director
Status: Full-time (flexible working possible)
Location: Dunbar
As the scale and scope of its work expands, The Ridge is looking to restructure its senior management, with the creation of a new Managing Director role within The Ridge Foundations CIC (the social enterprise construction company). To date, the whole of The Ridge (SCIO and CIC) has had a single Managing Director, but it is clear that more time, energy and focus is required to lead the company, with a direct role in heading up the Training team.
Follow this link for more information about The Ridge, and about this exciting new opportunity, including how to apply.
Closing date: Tuesday 20 June 2023

The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland – Head of Practice
Salary: Band £45,000 – £50,000 p.a.
Status: Full-time (28/35hr)
Location: Edinburgh (flexible working potential)
The RIAS is looking to appoint a highly motivated individual to lead its Practice team. This is a key role for the Incorporation, to lead, develop, and manage the Practice Team creating a hub of technical information, learning and practice to support the membership, and supporting practices with advice on a wide range of topics. The successful applicant will lead RIAS flagship Practice Services, contribute to other streams of RIAS activities, and help to generate revenue to support the financial sustainability of the RIAS.
Closing date: Friday 30 June 2023

Fife Employment Access Trust – Project Director for Silverburn Flax Mill Renovation
Budgeted Fee: Costs not to exceed £120,000
Status: Fixed term – from appointment in 2023 up to November 2026
Location: Leven, Fife
Fife Employment Access Trust are seeking an experienced Project Director within the built environment sector to lead the Silverburn Flax Mill Renovation Project, creating a Visitor Centre and Community Hub. The role involves leading the Project to deliver exemplar conservation and refurbishment that respects and preserves the original design intent, while maximising access and benefit for all. The Project Director will manage the project from initial construction works to project close in accordance with recognised Project Management processes, producing, circulating and maintaining all project controls and documentation with particular emphasis on governance, managing risk, quality, cost, programme and change. In addition, they will lead on the delivery of the overall Project Brief in consultation with internal teams and stakeholder groups.
Follow this link for more information and details on how to apply.
Closing date: Midday on Monday 10 July 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

BEFS NEWS

BEFS Director was part of a panel giving evidence to the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs & Culture Committee – the inquiry focused on the idea of a ‘place-based approach’ to culture within communities in Scotland, with the aim of understanding good practice and barriers to place-based cultural policy. You can read the full report here and have a look at the Consultations section for community engagement in Local Development Planning.

Meanwhile, outside Parliament experts in construction and housing, and school pupils gathered to explore ways to tackle the retrofit challenge now and into the future. This saw over 30 MSP’s joining young people and construction industry representatives to showcase, and learn more about the importance of traditional building skills.

Aligning with the skills fair, the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) held a Retrofit Roundtable event in Holyrood to advocate for a Retrofit Strategy to form a collaborative way forward for improving the energy efficiency of homes and buildings across the country.

It’s been a while since we’ve seen the housing conditions statistics – The Scottish House Condition Survey (SHCS): 2021 has just been released. This contains statistics based on a national survey of the housing stock. Due to the change in approach for the 2021 SHCS, the results are not directly comparable with previous waves of the survey. BEFS will be looking at statistics across the sector more broadly in the next Bulletin, but the key take-aways for now are that only 52% of Scottish homes were currently rated as EPC band C or better. And 16% of all Scotland’s dwellings had an urgent disrepair to critical elements, with pre-1919 dwellings having a rate of urgent disrepair to critical elements of 25%.

Thinking of funding, there’s news across the sector: Culture Secretary Angus Robertson announced that eight communities across Scotland are set to benefit from £863,050 area-based funding provided jointly by Historic Environment Scotland (HES) and the National Lottery Heritage Fund (Heritage Fund).

The Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) and the National Lottery Heritage Fund announced a three-year partnership programme to save heritage across the UK. The new programme is looking to support a diverse range of organisations, at different stages of development. The new Heritage Development Trusts will receive a package of funding that includes three-year revenue grants between £55k-£70k per annum, as well as guidance from consultants and mentors to develop their skills and knowledge alongside peer-to-peer support.

The Nature & Culture Heritage Fund, led by NatureScot and funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) has awarded £375,926 to Archaeology Scotland – Working with the West Ardnamurchan Community to develop an Adopt-a-Monument scheme, called the Real Wild West, creating a trail, tourist hubs and physical and digital experiences, improve the condition and maintenance of 10 heritage sites and develop ‘slow tourism’ adventures for visitors.

So much of the funding above is related to partnerships – and the recent findings of the latest UK Heritage Pulse, has been published revealing that nearly all organisations agree they would benefit from more partnerships, but not all know how to create them. Read in more detail in the Spotlight on: Partnerships.

All those with premises across the sector and beyond should be aware that from 1 July 2023 Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) will no longer be attending automatic fire alarm (AFA) callouts to commercial business and workplace premises such as factories, offices, shops and leisure facilities, unless a fire has been confirmed. This change to call outs includes listed buildings.

BEFS Members, The Institution of Civil Engineers Scotland, is inviting applications from professionals to join as an Associate Member (AMICE). Membership is open to anyone working in the built environment who wants to improve their knowledge and develop new ways of delivering the infrastructure of the future. AMICE is valuable to the whole industry spectrum – from engineers to academics, procurement and legal experts, to architects and surveyors; find out more information here

Congratulations from BEFS go to – Barbara Cummins who has been appointed as Chair of the Cockburn Association. And we also applaud, Craig McLaren on his new role as the Improvement Service’s National Planning Improvement Champion. Craig will step down in August as RTPI director of Scotland, Ireland and English regions.

And news just in, RIAS have announced the winners of the 2023 awards, which include two new buildings for leading Scottish universities, and a new headquarters at the home of Scottish golf.

CONSULTATIONS

National Outcomes review 2023: Call for Evidence
Scottish Government
The Scottish Government want to hear from people and communities across Scotland about whether their National Outcomes continue to reflect the kind of Scotland we want to see. They would also like to hear about how the National Performance Framework could have a bigger impact.
Closes 12 June 2023 (deadline extended)

Call for Evidence – Coronavirus and Scotland follow-up
UK Government, The Scottish Affairs Committee
The Committee has launched an inquiry, following up on its inquiry into coronavirus and Scotland, to see whether sectors and industries across Scotland have recovered in the post-pandemic period and to assess the helpfulness of UK and Scottish government support.
Closes 14 June 2023

Council Tax for second and empty homes, and non-domestic rates thresholds
Scottish Government/COSLA
This joint public consultation with COSLA seeks views on giving local authorities the power to increase council tax on second homes and empty homes, as well as considering whether the current non-domestic rates thresholds for self-catering accommodation remain appropriate.
Closes 11 July 2023

Future of Scotland’s first National Park
Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park
Consultation on the Draft National Park Partnership Plan 2024-29, drafted to frame conversations about the future of the National Park. The National Park Partnership Plan guides how all of those with a role to play in looking after the National Park will work together to manage the Park and achieve a shared vision for the area.
Closes 19 July 2023

Local living and 20 minute neighbourhoods: draft planning guidance
Scottish Government
Consultation seeking views and comments on the draft planning guidance for local living and 20 minute neighbourhoods. It is expected to be of particular relevance in the preparation of Local Development Plans (LDPs), Local Place Plans (LPPs) and to support planning decision making.
Closes 20 July 2023

New National Parks – appraisal framework
Scottish Government
With a commitment to designating at least one new National Park in Scotland by the end of this Parliamentary session in 2026, a draft appraisal framework has been developed with proposed criteria for new National Parks in Scotland. Views and comments are being sought on this framework.
Closes 4 August 2023

Review of Permitted Development Rights – Phase 3
Scottish Government
The Scottish Government is carrying out a review of permitted development rights (PDR) as part of a wider planning reform programme. The PDR review is being taken forward in phases, with each phase focussing on specific development types. Phase 3 of the review considers PDR in relation to renewables equipment, thermal efficiency improvements, development by electricity undertakers, reverse vending machines and the temporary use of land for shooting ranges.
**NEW** Closes 23 August 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.
**NEW** Closes 13 September 2023

CONSULTATION RESPONSES

Draft Energy Strategy And Just Transition Plan Consultation – A Common Weal Response (Common Weal Policy 23/05/2023)

PUBLICATIONS

New Uses For Former Church Buildings – A study of inspiration and hope (The Scottish Civic Trust March 2013)
This document, considering new uses for old churches, is as relevant today as when first published, providing innovative examples of re-use of religious buildings, which will have expanded over the years.

Conservation Skills Strategy 2023 (ICON April 2023)
Ensuring that the skills to effectively care for objects, collections and built heritage exist within the conservation workforce.

Scottish third sector tracker report: wave 5 findings, winter 2022 (SCVO May 2023)

Heat pump user survey report (Nesta May 2023)

Young People’s Engagements with Heritage Report (Institute for Community Research & Development and Arts Connect with Historic England May 2023)

A Net Zero workforce (Climate Change Committee May 2023)

Our Regulatory Framework (HES 16/05/2023)

Springboard Footfall Monitor – April Report – report for Scotland’s High Streets (Scotland’s Towns Partnership 18/05/2023)

Understanding Scotland: Economy tracker survey (David Hume Institute and the Diffley Partnership 23/05/2023)
Survey of economic attitudes and insights from more than 2,000 members of the Scottish adult population every 3 months to track changes over time.

The Cheviot, The Stag And The Black Black Carbon – Natural Capital, the Private Finance Investment Pilot and Scotland’s Land Reform by Alastair McIntosh BSc MBA PhD (Community Land Scotland 26/05/2023)

Heat Pumps in Historic Buildings (Historic England 26/05/2023)

Heritage Transformed in Wales and Northern Ireland – End of Programme Report 2020-23 (AHF 31/05/2023)

SCOTTISH & UK GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS

Correspondence from The Keeper of the Registers of Scotland to the Economy and Fair Work Committee regarding the organisation’s May update (RoS 16/05/2023)

Place Directors representing Scottish Government in local authority and Community Planning Partnership areas: Factsheet Update (Scot Gov 17/05/2023)

Planning circular 1/2023: short-term lets and planning (Scot Gov 17/05/2023)

Evidence sessions on ‘culture in communities’ inquiry focusing on taking a place-based approach to culture (Session 6) (Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee 18/05/2023)

Families and households in the UK: 2022 (ONS 18/05/2023)

Evidence session on the role of local government and its cross-sectoral partners in financing and delivering a net-zero Scotland (Session 6) (Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee 23/05/2023)

Evidence session on Community Councils in their 50th year (Session 6) (Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee 23/05/2023)

Building standards: Standard 2.15 Automatic Fire Suppression System. Cost benefit analysis (Scot Gov 23/05/2023)

Local development planning guidance (Scot Gov 24/05/2023)

Effective community engagement in local development planning guidance: impact assessments (Scot Gov 24/05/2023)

Medium-Term Financial Strategy: Ministerial statement (Scot Gov 25/05/2023)

The Scottish Government’s Medium-Term Financial Strategy (Scot Gov 25/05/2023)

Visitor Levy legislation introduced (Scot Gov 25/05/2023)

Visitor Levy Bill: business and regulatory impact assessment (Scot Gov 25/05/2023)

Single Building Assessment programme: spending information (Scot Gov 26/05/2023)

Building Assessment Report (BAR) guidance (Scot Gov 30/05/2023)

Heat Network Zone (HNZ) guidance (Scot Gov 30/05/2023)

Scottish House Condition Survey: 2021 Key Findings – updated fuel poverty rates, energy efficiency ratings and data on external disrepair (Scot Gov 30/05/2023)

Climate change adaptation programme: progress report 2023 (Scot Gov 30/05/2023)

Climate change monitoring report 2023 (Scot Gov 30/05/2023)

Planning and Environmental Appeals Stakeholder Forum minutes: November 2022 (Scot Gov 30/05/2023)

NEWS RELEASES

Winners of the Icon Photography Competition – images that capture the everyday magic of conservation (ICON 15/05/2023)

Edinburgh Local Heritage Network launched by the Lord Provost (City of Edinburgh Council 17/05/2023)

Review of British Tourist Authority underway – operator of VisitEngland and VisitBritain is being independently reviewed (UK Gov 18/05/2023)

Obituary: Hugo Burge, visionary behind the restoration of historic Marchmont House (The Scotsman 19/05/2023)

Construction industry experts call on the Scottish Government to develop a long-term, joined-up retrofitting strategy (CIOB 19/05/2023)

Mortgage rate cut for energy efficient homes under government-backed trials – £4.1 million awarded to green finance projects to help homeowners make their homes more energy efficient (UK Gov 19/05/2023)

New research finds cultural creative hubs key to supporting local communities during crises (University of Stirling 22/05/2023)

Empowering people and places – £5 million funding boost for new Heritage Development Trusts to revive unused historic buildings across the UK (AHF 24/05/2023)

Local Authorities chosen for new Key Agencies Group support offer revealed (A&DS 24/05/2023)

Meet the European Heritage Hub and engage on social media (Europa Nostra 25/05/2023)

STA Statement: Scottish Tourism Alliance response to introduction of Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill to the Scottish Parliament (STA 25/05/2023)

Pioneering £22m fund leaves lasting legacy for Highlands and Islands tourism – the Natural & Cultural Heritage Fund (NCHF) (NatureScot 30/05/2023)

Applications invited for grants up to £10million (Heritage Fund 30/05/2023)
Increased upper limit of National Lottery Grants for Heritage to support larger-scale heritage projects across the UK.

The Central Scotland Green Network ‘Growing Food Together’ Fund 2023 is now open (CSGN 01/06/2023)
Funded by the Scottish Government, projects can apply for part of the £100,000 fund that aims to foster community engagement.

OPINION & COMMENT

Scotland will be able to build an energy-efficient future – Hugh Franklin (The Scotsman 17/05/2023)

Financing Climate Adaptation—and Deciding What to Let Go (Harvard Magazine 17/05/2023)
Long-term spatial planning in the US which will involve difficult conversations about “what to protect and what to let go”.

Austrian town that inspired Arendelle from ‘Frozen’ erects fence in bid to stop selfies (The Independent 19/05/2023)

Construction body calls for long-term retrofitting plan for Scotland’s draughty housing stock (Scottish Housing News 19/05/2023)

Why construction of the past can help us to build a better future (The National 20/05/2023)

The Church of Scotland will have to close hundreds of churches in the coming years, the Kirk’s trustees have warned as it stages its annual General Assembly (BBC News 20/05/2023)

Lanarkshire MSP promotes apprenticeships in traditional building skills (Daily Record 20/05/2023)

20-minute neighbourhood: A return to our past, not a conspiracy (The National 21/05/2023)

Skills for Greener Places: The future of landscape (pbc today 22/05/2023)

The Great Heat Pum