The Committee continued to scrutinise the actions of the Scottish Government in its response to the COVID-19 public health emergency in areas within our remit, and in its support for the local government and voluntary sectors. We also aimed to provide a forum to share good practice in addressing the challenges the emergency raises. As part of this work we looked at actions taken by local government, housing, planning and communities sectors.
The Committee met remotely during the period of lockdown. You can read the Papers, Official Reports and Minutes of its Covid-19 related meetings here:
Correspondence
Regular updates from the Scottish Government on the Local Government and Communities Sector’s response to COVID-19
Coronavirus (Scotland) Bill
COSLA Update
Please read an update from COSLA around the essential work that Local Government across Scotland is undertaking in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 and Homelessness
- Convener to COSLA, 14 September 2020 (113KB pdf)
- COSLA to Convener, 29 September 2020 (89KB pdf)
- Convener to Glasgow and West of Scotland Forum for Housing Associations, 14 September 2020 (114KB pdf)
- Glasgow and West of Scotland Forum for Housing Associations to Convener, 5 October 2020 (161KB pdf)
- Convener to Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning, 14 September 2020 (194KB pdf)
- Convener to Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, 14 September 2020 (114KB pdf)
- Convener to Scottish Association of Landlords, 14 September 2020 (113KB pdf)
- Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning to Convener of 8 October 2020 (192KB pdf)
- Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) to Convener of 13 October 2020 (153KB pdf)
- SFHA Financial data collection summary September 2020 (309KB pdf)
- Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning to Convener, 4 December 2020 (68KB pdf)
Local Authorities
The Committee wrote to all 32 Local Authorities seeking clarification on how they are managing business continuity in general and specifically in relation to planning and licensing in light of recent developments.
The Committee sought views from planning stakeholders, such as whether it will have a negative effect on the planning system or whether it amounts to a proportionate and practical temporary response to the emergency. Please read the response from Planning Democracy.
The Cabinet Secretary for Finance wrote to the Convener in response to evidence session the Committee held on 3 June 2020 in which the issue of additional funding for local government was raised.
The Convener wrote to COSLA to draw their attention to the correspondence the Committee received from the Cabinet Secretary for Finance.
Budget scrutiny – guidance to subject committees
Empty Homes in Scotland
Guidance on moving home in Scotland during the COVID-19 outbreak
Green Recovery and Housing
Homelessness
The Scottish Refugee Council wrote to the Convener regarding homelessness affecting refugees and the need for safe transition and recovery out of COVID-19
Homeless Persons (Unsuitable Accommodation) (Scotland) Amendment (Coronavirus) Order 2020
Independent Children’s Rights Impact Assessment on the Response to Covid-19 in Scotland
No One Left Behind - Delivery Plan
Non-Domestic Rates Revaluation
Remote Committee meetings
The Committee agreed to write to the Presiding Officer regarding the possibility of holding future hybrid meetings for the Committee. (Hybrid: meetings where some members are physically present and others take part remotely)
Short Term Lets: COVID-19 and future regulation
Third Sector Resilience Fund
The Committee agreed to write to SCVO, Firstport, Social Investment Scotland, Corra Foundation and to each Third Sector Interface (TSI) regarding what measures the Scottish Government have in place to ensure the fund is reaching third sector organisations.
Read responses from TSIs and joint submission from SCVO, Firstport, Social Investment Scotland and Corra Foundation here
Summary of written submissions
The Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) has produced the following summary of the written submissions received:
Read letter from Scottish Charity Regulator following the evidence session on 26 June 2020 with TSIs
Scottish Government’s Advisory Group on Economic Recovery
Scottish Housing Regulator
Subordinate Legislation
COVID-19 and Emergency SSIs
Homeless Persons (Unsuitable Accommodation) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2020
Homeless Persons (Unsuitable Accommodation) (Scotland) Amendment (Coronavirus) Order 2021
Homeless Persons (Suspension of Referrals Between Local Authorities) (Scotland) Order 2021
Homeless Persons (Unsuitable Accommodation) (Scotland) Amendment (No 2) Order 2020
Homeless Persons (Unsuitable Accommodation) (Scotland) (Modification and Revocation) (Coronavirus) 2021 Order
Town and Country Planning (Miscellaneous Temporary Modifications) (Coronavirus) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 (SSI 2020/124)
Valuation (Postponement of Revaluation) (Coronavirus) (Scotland) Order 2020
The committee solicited views from stakeholders as to the Valuation (Postponement of Revaluation) (Coronavirus) (Scotland) Order 2020 which sought to move back the revaluation date in the light of the pandemic. Read the responses below: