Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 06 September 2012
06 Sep 2012 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Local Government Finance (Unoccupied Properties etc) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
My problem is that the minister has not formally reported those conversations to us. He has given us a selection of the changes that he intends to make at stage 2, but I still have not seen a written response to the committee’s recommendations, which is a fundamental part of the process in the Parliament. If what he has said this afternoon had been in a statement, we would have had an hour’s notice in which we could look over and reflect on his comments and decide to welcome some of them in detail and have a go at kicking him around the park on others. In a stage 1 debate on the bill’s principles, when the details of the short bill are fundamental, it is difficult for us to deal with the issues without a formal written response to the committee’s recommendations.
That issue is fundamental because, once the bill’s principles are agreed to tonight—as I imagine that they will be—we will open the amendment stage. From tonight, we will be able to lodge amendments, but we still do not have a record of the Scottish Government’s views on the committee’s detailed recommendations. I ask the minister, in summing up or immediately after the debate, to give us a date for producing written recommendations and a response to the committee’s recommendations. That is fundamental.
I welcome the discussions with stakeholders, but we are getting a partial representation of them. We cannot see which stakeholders were and were not included. Business organisations are deeply concerned about the bill’s negative impact on businesses, given the economic downturn.
That issue is fundamental because, once the bill’s principles are agreed to tonight—as I imagine that they will be—we will open the amendment stage. From tonight, we will be able to lodge amendments, but we still do not have a record of the Scottish Government’s views on the committee’s detailed recommendations. I ask the minister, in summing up or immediately after the debate, to give us a date for producing written recommendations and a response to the committee’s recommendations. That is fundamental.
I welcome the discussions with stakeholders, but we are getting a partial representation of them. We cannot see which stakeholders were and were not included. Business organisations are deeply concerned about the bill’s negative impact on businesses, given the economic downturn.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Elaine Smith)
Lab
The first item of business this afternoon is a debate on motion S4M-03924, in the name of Derek Mackay, on the Local Government Finance (Unoccupied Propertie...
The Minister for Local Government and Planning (Derek Mackay)
SNP
I am pleased to open today’s debate on the Local Government Finance (Unoccupied Properties etc) (Scotland) Bill. First, I welcome Margaret Burgess as ministe...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
I call Kevin Stewart, who is speaking on behalf of the Local Government and Regeneration Committee. Mr Stewart, you have around 10 minutes.14:41
Kevin Stewart (Aberdeen Central) (SNP)
SNP
I thank all those who gave evidence—either written or oral—to the Local Government and Regeneration Committee, which helped us in our deliberations. I also t...
Sarah Boyack (Lothian) (Lab)
Lab
I welcome Margaret Burgess to her new post and wish her all the best for the future. We look forward to debating with her a number of major issues in relatio...
Derek Mackay
SNP
I thank the member for taking an intervention; I understand that we have some time in hand.Rather than do a few weeks’ short-term work on a consultation abou...
Sarah Boyack
Lab
My problem is that the minister has not formally reported those conversations to us. He has given us a selection of the changes that he intends to make at st...
Kevin Stewart
SNP
Will Ms Boyack give way?
Sarah Boyack
Lab
No—I want to get on.The Welsh Assembly Government looked at the evidence on the impact of the non-domestic rates provisions that came into play in England an...
John Mason (Glasgow Shettleston) (SNP)
SNP
Will the member give way?
Sarah Boyack
Lab
I need to make progress.The committee found it surprising that there had been no attempt to estimate the number of commercial properties that will be brought...
Kevin Stewart
SNP
Will Ms Boyack give way?
Sarah Boyack
Lab
No, I need to make progress.Highland Council expressed concerns about absentee landlords, the volatility of the commercial property market and the poor condi...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
I clarify that we have time for interventions if members wish to take them, but whether they do is entirely up to them.15:01
Margaret Mitchell (Central Scotland) (Con)
Con
I welcome the opportunity to debate the Local Government Finance (Unoccupied Properties etc) (Scotland) Bill at stage 1. The bill’s provisions fall into thre...
Derek Mackay
SNP
It is a fair comment to say that some information on the projections of the costs to the public sector was not provided to the Finance Committee, but that wa...
Margaret Mitchell
Con
That is simply indicative of what a sloppy piece of work it was. In the financial memorandum, there was mention of only 12 Government buildings and the fact ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
Speak through the chair, please.
Margaret Mitchell
Con
The minister did not seem to realise that it would impact on the rest of the public sector, Presiding Officer. The Government has a majority on all committee...
Kevin Stewart
SNP
Will Ms Mitchell give way?
Margaret Mitchell
Con
If the member does not mind, I will make some progress, because I am already almost halfway through my time.There was no formal consultation on the non-domes...
Chic Brodie (South Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
Margaret Mitchell
Con
I am almost five minutes in, so it depends on how long the Presiding Officer is willing to give me. There will be ample opportunity for the minister to come ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
I can give you the time back if you wish to take interventions, but it is entirely up to you.
Margaret Mitchell
Con
I will wait until there is an intervention on a more substantial point.Furthermore, the financial memorandum projected an £18 million saving, which is totall...
Chic Brodie
SNP
Will the member give way?
Margaret Mitchell
Con
Not just now, thank you.The underlying reason for empty commercial properties is the lack of demand and the current economic climate, as those witnesses who ...
Mark McDonald (North East Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
Will the member give way?
Margaret Mitchell
Con
That approach adversely impacts on regeneration, inward investment and economic growth.
Mark McDonald
SNP
Will the member give way?