Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 03 February 2015
03 Feb 2015 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Community Empowerment (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
It is essential that we have estimates of costs, or the bill cannot proceed. We have not had those estimates.
It is important that, in the provisions on allotments, the correct balance be struck between protecting allotment holders’ interests and allowing local authorities the flexibility that they need to operate efficiently. After all, community empowerment should be about allowing decisions to be made locally. Furthermore, it is vital that clear definitions be provided for each aspect that remains ambiguous. If they are not, the interpretation and reach of the bill could be extended beyond its remit, with controversial consequences.
I would like to finish on a positive note, by highlighting my sincere concern about the lack of financial information that has been provided and reiterating my expectation that that omission will be rectified.
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Tricia Marwick)
NPA
The next item of business is a debate on motion S4M-12220, in the name of Marco Biagi, on the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Bill. Mr Biagi, you have 14 mi...
The Minister for Local Government and Community Empowerment (Marco Biagi)
SNP
Thank you, Presiding Officer—and I begin this stage 1 debate by thanking a lot of other people, too. Although “stage 1” suggests that we are at the first sta...
Bruce Crawford (Stirling) (SNP)
SNP
On allotments, I think that all members have received a piece of lobbying from the Scottish Allotments and Gardens Society. For whatever reason, the society ...
Marco Biagi
SNP
On Friday, I spoke to Ian Welsh of the Scottish Allotments and Gardens Society. I committed to consulting on the use of one of the powers that the bill will ...
Ken Macintosh (Eastwood) (Lab)
Lab
Will the minister take an intervention?
Marco Biagi
SNP
I am afraid that I am in my final minute. On Saturday, I will visit a charrette hosted by the Glasgow canal regeneration partnership, where the community wi...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Elaine Smith)
Lab
At this stage of the debate, we have a little time in hand if members wish to take interventions. I call Kevin Stewart to speak on behalf of the Local Gover...
Kevin Stewart (Aberdeen Central) (SNP)
SNP
I am pleased to speak in this debate on behalf of my colleagues in the Local Government and Regeneration Committee. I thank the current and past members of t...
Joan McAlpine (South Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
On compelling organisations to do things, Kevin Stewart will be aware that the Scottish Woodlot Association has expressed concerns about the Forestry Act 196...
Kevin Stewart
SNP
Andy Brown of the Scottish Woodlot Association was in touch with the committee on Sunday and yesterday. He is pleased that we have recommended that Forestry ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
I am afraid that I must ask you to come to a close.
Kevin Stewart
SNP
Part 7 relates to allotments. We have already heard a little about that from members. We have made recommendations on that, too. Part 8 deals with non-dome...
Alex Rowley (Cowdenbeath) (Lab)
Lab
Lyndon Johnson said: “You do not examine legislation in the light of the benefits it will convey if properly administered, but in the light of the wrongs it...
Kevin Stewart
SNP
Will Alex Rowley give way?
Alex Rowley
Lab
I will not, at this stage. I raise that point not to highlight concerns about local government finance, but to argue that if the moneys are not available, t...
Kevin Stewart
SNP
The committee was divided on that point, but it would be fair to say that there are some concerns. The Scottish Community Alliance director, Angus Hardie, s...
Alex Rowley
Lab
I have said that the Scottish Labour Party absolutely supports the principle of community empowerment. However, there are serious questions around finance th...
Anne McTaggart (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
Alex Rowley referred in his opening comments to poor legislation and the challenges in the bill. Does he agree with the latest statement from the Scottish Al...
Alex Rowley
Lab
I should probably declare an interest as a very keen allotment grower. There needs to be further discussion with the Scottish Allotments and Gardens Society,...
Marco Biagi
SNP
On the point about discussion with the Scottish Allotments and Gardens Society, I have been out and visited an allotment, and met the society to discuss the ...
Alex Rowley
Lab
I agree with the minister that the five points that the society makes will form the basis of a discussion. The letter that the society has submitted highlig...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
You need to draw to a close, please.
Alex Rowley
Lab
I will draw to a close. We must reconsider the right to request to participate, because we cannot have it without a proper appeals system. Scottish Labour ...
Cameron Buchanan (Lothian) (Con)
Con
The bill contains some provisions with which I agree and some with which I do not. I welcome the principle of community empowerment, but I am not sure that t...
Alex Rowley
Lab
Does Cameron Buchanan agree that it is therefore crucial that we have some kind of financial estimates of the costs that could be incurred, if we are serious...
Cameron Buchanan
Con
It is essential that we have estimates of costs, or the bill cannot proceed. We have not had those estimates. It is important that, in the provisions on all...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
We come to the open debate. Speeches should be of six minutes, please. 15:03
Rob Gibson (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP)
SNP
The Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee considered part 4 of the bill and reported our views to the Local Government and Regeneration Com...
Sarah Boyack (Lothian) (Lab)
Lab
There is strong support across the chamber for extending land reform to urban communities. Part of the process has to be about learning from the lessons of t...
Michael Russell (Argyll and Bute) (SNP)
SNP
The bill is very welcome. It is useful to state at the outset, as minister did, that this is about mindsets more than minutiae. We cannot empower communities...