Hansard

Aileen McLeod SNP Chamber

16 Mar 2016

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

At stage 2, I lodged amendments that required ministers, when preparing both the land rights and responsibilities statement and the part 4 guidance, to have regard to the desirability of promoting respect for, and observance of, relevant human rights. At stage 2, Michael Russe...

Aileen McLeod SNP Chamber

16 Mar 2016

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

Amendments 34 to 38, 94 and 95 implement the commitment that I gave at stage 2 to amend the bill to include a power for the Scottish ministers to make regulations that will provide for the disclosure of information about persons who have a controlling interest in landowners an...

Aileen McLeod SNP Chamber

16 Mar 2016

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I am very happy not to wind up but to welcome the support that we have across the chamber.

The Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform (Aileen McLeod) SNP Chamber

16 Mar 2016

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

This is a historic day of proceedings on Scotland’s land reform journey. I must apologise, because, as members will realise and, I hope, understand, I am struggling with a bad throat infection. I will have the support and help of my very kind colleague Paul Wheelhouse during t...

Aileen McLeod SNP Committee

24 Feb 2016

Subordinate Legislation

I will answer your question in two parts. The 2011 act requires SEPA to “establish and maintain” a public “controlled reservoirs register”, which includes flood maps. Those reservoir flood maps show the area of land that is likely to be flooded in the event of an uncont...

Aileen McLeod SNP Committee

24 Feb 2016

Subordinate Legislation

Under the old regime, all the reservoirs with a capacity of 25,000m3 of water or more were regulated in a similar way. Under the new regime, SEPA will assess the risk that each reservoir poses. Those that pose a greater risk will be inspected more frequently and will be more c...

Aileen McLeod SNP Committee

24 Feb 2016

Subordinate Legislation

I am certainly happy to bear that in mind. Mr Russell makes a number of very good points for us to consider further.

Aileen McLeod SNP Committee

24 Feb 2016

Subordinate Legislation

Claire Dodd may have the details.

Aileen McLeod SNP Committee

24 Feb 2016

Subordinate Legislation

I am pleased to still be with the committee to support the committee’s consideration of the draft Reservoirs (Enforcement etc) (Scotland) Order 2016. From 1 April this year, reservoirs in Scotland with a capacity of 25,000m3 or more will be regulated by SEPA under a new regi...

Aileen McLeod SNP Committee

24 Feb 2016

Subordinate Legislation

I am happy not to do so. Motion agreed to.

Aileen McLeod SNP Committee

24 Feb 2016

Subordinate Legislation

You are absolutely right. The Government has invested £11 million in the development of the chargeplace Scotland network of electric vehicle charging points. There are now more than 400 units, which equates to more than 800 public charging bays, with many more being commission...

Aileen McLeod SNP Committee

24 Feb 2016

Subordinate Legislation

I will let Andrew Taylor answer the second part of your question. On the financial implications of the new objective, as I have said, there is a need to increase the number of PM2.5 monitoring stations. However, the aim is not to add an additional financial burden to our local...

Aileen McLeod SNP Committee

24 Feb 2016

Subordinate Legislation

All local authorities have air-quality management areas, so they have in place plans that contain a wide range of actions that are designed to improve local air quality. The Scottish Government is working closely with local authorities and other partners to help them to implem...

Aileen McLeod SNP Committee

24 Feb 2016

Subordinate Legislation

The cleaner air for Scotland strategy sets out a series of actions for the short, medium and long term. In relation to health, we are including in legislation and Scottish objectives the World Health Organization guideline values for PM10 and PM2.5. We will also require our na...

Aileen McLeod SNP Committee

24 Feb 2016

Subordinate Legislation

The data that Public Health England published in 2014 covering the whole of the United Kingdom suggested that around 2,000 premature deaths each year in Scotland might be associated with PM2.5 pollution, so the new objective will provide a focus for addressing that issue. Ther...

The Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform (Aileen McLeod) SNP Committee

24 Feb 2016

Subordinate Legislation

Thank you, convener. I am delighted to be here this morning as the committee considers the draft regulations, which I hope will make an important contribution to our continuing efforts to tackle air pollution. We have made significant progress in improving air quality over re...

Aileen McLeod SNP Chamber

24 Feb 2016

Portfolio Question Time · Land Reform (West Scotland)

As I indicated during the stage 1 debate on the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill, we are supportive of compulsory sale orders and we are currently considering the issues around those. We support CSOs because we can see that they allow vacant and derelict land and buildings to be br...

The Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform (Aileen McLeod) SNP Chamber

24 Feb 2016

Portfolio Question Time · Land Reform (West Scotland)

The Land Reform (Scotland) Bill, which is currently before Parliament, will result in real improvements in how land is owned, used and managed across Scotland. Land ownership by communities has gone from strength to strength, and there are impressive examples of community buy...

Aileen McLeod SNP Chamber

24 Feb 2016

Portfolio Question Time · Air Pollution (Fife)

Tackling local air pollution is also a matter for local authorities, with support and guidance provided by the Scottish Government and other partners. The Scottish Government provides practical support to local authorities through our policy and technical guidance and provide...

The Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform (Aileen McLeod) SNP Chamber

24 Feb 2016

Portfolio Question Time · Air Pollution (Fife)

The Scottish Government continues to work closely with Fife Council, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Transport Scotland and other partners to improve air quality in Fife. Fife Council has produced an air quality action plan for the Cupar air quality management are...

Aileen McLeod SNP Chamber

24 Feb 2016

Portfolio Question Time · Camping Management Byelaws (Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park)

The measures should not be confused with the intentions behind the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003. The byelaws deal with specific circumstances in a national park where steps must be taken to prevent environmental damage caused by a combination of overuse and irresponsible be...

The Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform (Aileen McLeod) SNP Chamber

24 Feb 2016

Portfolio Question Time · Camping Management Byelaws (Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park)

On 26 January, the Scottish Government approved new camping management byelaws that cover a small area of the national park, as part of a package of measures that are aimed at improving visitor facilities and helping to manage camping in some of the most environmentally fragil...

Aileen McLeod SNP Chamber

24 Feb 2016

Portfolio Question Time · Renewables Industry (Business Rates Relief)

This has been a difficult decision in a very difficult budget. The renewables industry in Scotland has benefited from relief since 2010, uniquely in the UK. We have had to target our stretched funds to those who are most in need, including community schemes, while balancing th...

The Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform (Aileen McLeod) SNP Chamber

24 Feb 2016

Portfolio Question Time · Renewables Industry (Business Rates Relief)

The Scottish Government does not expect any environmental impact.

Aileen McLeod SNP Chamber

11 Feb 2016

General Question Time · Climate Change Budget (Reduction)

The challenge that we have is that this Parliament does not have all the levers that it needs—not least in the crucial area of energy policy, in which we need the UK Government to assist Scotland’s drive to develop renewables and carbon capture and storage, and not to stymie i...

The Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform (Aileen McLeod) SNP Chamber

11 Feb 2016

General Question Time · Climate Change Budget (Reduction)

The draft budget embeds climate change spend within relevant portfolios, including support for renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable travel, waste reduction and natural carbon capture through forestry and peatland restoration. Reductions are predominately in the en...

Aileen McLeod SNP Committee

03 Feb 2016

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

Before I address this group of important amendments in detail, I will, with the committee’s agreement, set out some context in relation to on-going action in deer management planning to help the committee to consider the issue more broadly. I have noted the committee’s concer...

Aileen McLeod SNP Committee

03 Feb 2016

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

I am happy to give the assurance that I will meet Mr Russell to discuss his amendment. Amendment 126 not moved. Amendment 95 not moved. Section 67, as amended, agreed to. After Section 67 Amendment 131 not moved. Section 68 agreed to. Section 69 agreed to.

Aileen McLeod SNP Committee

03 Feb 2016

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

That is a good point, convener. I do not have that level of detail to hand this morning, but I am happy to supply such information to the committee in writing. I thank members for their contributions, including on amendment 126 from Michael Russell, and on the other amendment...

Aileen McLeod SNP Committee

03 Feb 2016

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

I thank Alex Fergusson for explaining his amendments 94 and 95, which would together remove the part 6 provision to return shootings and deer forests to the valuation roll. I will reiterate the purpose of part 6. It is to enable revenue raising to fund public services, and to...

Aileen McLeod SNP Committee

03 Feb 2016

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

The current legislation on this is quite clear. That is the only point that I will make.

Aileen McLeod SNP Committee

03 Feb 2016

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

I thank Patrick Harvie for lodging, and for setting out the rationale behind, his group of amendments. I understand absolutely the principles behind them. The intention of amendment 129 is to include vacant and derelict property on the valuation roll. That is already provided...

The Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform (Aileen McLeod) SNP Committee

03 Feb 2016

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

I thank Sarah Boyack for explaining her amendment 128 and the related amendment 132. I very much welcome much of what she and other members have said about amendment 128, which seeks to ensure that our local authorities have the power at their disposal and that it could be use...

Aileen McLeod SNP Committee

27 Jan 2016

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

When an application is made under part 5, ministers are required to invite the owner or the tenant to give them information about certain matters. Amendment 54 requires ministers to invite the owner of the land or the tenant to provide them with information about the likely im...

Aileen McLeod SNP Committee

27 Jan 2016

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

This is a group of minor Government amendments. Amendment 46 provides that, where an application has been made under part 5 by a part 5 community body—that is, a Scottish charitable incorporated organisation, or SCIO—the name of the part 5 body as well as its address must be i...

Aileen McLeod SNP Committee

27 Jan 2016

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

I am grateful to Claudia Beamish for lodging this group of amendments, which has provided me with a further opportunity to reflect on the purpose of part 5 of the bill and the definition of communities within it. How land is used in a local area can have a significant and dire...

Aileen McLeod SNP Committee

27 Jan 2016

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

Government amendments 40 to 43 are technical amendments that clarify the point at which the relevant period ends for the purposes of determining when an application can be made to buy land consisting only of salmon fishing and mineral rights under section 40, or to buy tenant’...

Aileen McLeod SNP Committee

27 Jan 2016

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

I thank Claudia Beamish for lodging amendment 83, which is well intentioned and seeks to give communities the opportunity to buy shooting rights. Section 38 of the bill defines what is included as land for the purposes of part 5 of the bill. The definition of “land” does not i...

Aileen McLeod SNP Committee

27 Jan 2016

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

I welcome the intention behind Mike Russell’s and Sarah Boyack’s amendments, which seek to ensure that the guidance that is to be developed under part 4 is as effective as it can be in promoting engagement between landowners and their tenants and communities on land-related de...

The Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform (Aileen McLeod) SNP Committee

27 Jan 2016

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

Section 36 inserts into the Land Registration etc (Scotland) Act 2012 new section 48A, which enables regulations to be made enabling the keeper of the Registers of Scotland to request information relating to proprietors of land. That may include information about the category ...

Aileen McLeod SNP Committee

27 Jan 2016

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

I thank Patrick Harvie for explaining his amendments 115 and 127. We do not think that there is merit in removing the right in question from the owners of commonty through an amendment to the bill. It is worth highlighting that there has not been any consultation on, or consid...

Aileen McLeod SNP Committee

27 Jan 2016

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

Although I welcome Mr Fergusson’s engagement on part 5 and his efforts to ensure a fair and effective process, I do not agree with the intentions behind amendment 114. There are strong reasons for giving powers to buy land, in specific circumstances, to community bodies that a...

Aileen McLeod SNP Committee

27 Jan 2016

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

I thank Mr Fergusson for not moving his amendment. Amendment 65 agreed to. Amendment 66 moved—Aileen McLeod—and agreed to.

Aileen McLeod SNP Committee

27 Jan 2016

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

Amendments 65 and 66 modify section 58, which concerns compensation when an application has been made under part 5, to create a fairer balance in the payment of compensation. They ensure that, when an application nominates a third-party purchaser and the application is approve...

Aileen McLeod SNP Committee

27 Jan 2016

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

Community rights to buy, especially the right to buy land to further sustainable development under part 5, are novel, ground-breaking provisions and it is possible that issues might arise as the provisions begin to be used in practice and we learn from experience. I greatly we...

Aileen McLeod SNP Committee

27 Jan 2016

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

I am content to support amendment 6 if the committee is minded to approve it, but I should point out that in practice its effect would be minimal. In deciding whether to consent to an application under part 5, ministers must act in a way that is compatible with the European co...

Aileen McLeod SNP Committee

27 Jan 2016

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

I appreciate the intentions behind Michael Russell’s amendment 86 and Sarah Boyack’s amendment 86A, which seeks to amend it. I absolutely accept that the possibility of repeated right-to-buy applications could be of concern to some people, so I reassure the committee that the ...

Aileen McLeod SNP Committee

27 Jan 2016

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

I reassure Mr Fergusson that the impact on the landowner will be relevant in the public interest test, which works differently from the test in section 47(2)(d) as it is not softened by reference to “likelihood”. Ministers will need to be satisfied that the transfer would not ...

Aileen McLeod SNP Committee

27 Jan 2016

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

I am grateful to Mr Hume for raising the issue, which gives us the opportunity to reflect further on the role of third parties in the right to buy under part 5. I also welcome the comments from Sarah Boyack and the convener. The ability for a community body to nominate a thir...

Aileen McLeod SNP Committee

27 Jan 2016

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

Section 44 requires the keeper to set up and keep a register to be known as the register of land for sustainable development. The register has to contain information and documents about applications for the right to buy under part 5. Section 74 of the Community Empowerment (...

Aileen McLeod SNP Committee

27 Jan 2016

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

I would certainly be happy to have a further discussion with Claudia Beamish about how best to do that as part of the next stage of the land reform process. I am very keen to do that, because the issues that she raises are serious ones that deserve proper consideration. I am h...

Aileen McLeod SNP Committee

27 Jan 2016

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

I say to Mr Fergusson that the things that we are adding do not move away from the intention of what we are trying to do in part 5 of the bill to further sustainable development.

Aileen McLeod SNP Committee

27 Jan 2016

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

Do you want me to comment on some of the other points that have been raised or just specifically Mr Fergusson’s point?

Aileen McLeod SNP Committee

27 Jan 2016

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

In drawing up the guidance, ministers will consult a wide range of stakeholders, and the guidance will define the different sorts of engagement that will be appropriate in different circumstances. When making decisions about land, landowners will usually take account of a numb...

Aileen McLeod SNP Committee

27 Jan 2016

Subordinate Legislation

I will add a point of information for the member: SEPA has recently published its manual on flood risk management. Claudia Beamish might find it helpful to have a look at that as well.

Aileen McLeod SNP Committee

27 Jan 2016

Subordinate Legislation

Claudia Beamish makes a good point. I ask Neil Ritchie to give some detail on it.

Aileen McLeod SNP Committee

27 Jan 2016

Subordinate Legislation

Yes. SEPA has been working with the local authorities with the aim of delivering the framework.

The Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform (Aileen McLeod) SNP Committee

27 Jan 2016

Subordinate Legislation

I am pleased to be here this morning to support the committee’s consideration of the Water Environment (Amendment of Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990: Contaminated Land) (Scotland) Regulations 2016. The instrument is primarily a technical one, whose aim is to ...

The Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform (Aileen McLeod) SNP Chamber

26 Jan 2016

Pentland Hills Regional Park Boundary Bill: Stage 1

I thank the Pentland Hills Regional Park Boundary Bill Committee for its consideration of the bill, and I thank everyone who gave oral and written evidence. I also acknowledge Christine Grahame’s commitment to the issue, which has focused minds on the regional park’s aims, suc...

Aileen McLeod SNP Chamber

26 Jan 2016

Pentland Hills Regional Park Boundary Bill: Stage 1

I have listened with interest to the contributions to the debate. The member in charge of the bill, Christine Grahame, described it as enabling legislation that would simply provide a line on the map. However, as we have heard, an extension of the park’s boundary would undoubt...