Chamber
Plenary, 02 Jun 2004
02 Jun 2004 · S2 · Plenary
Item of business
Affordable Housing<br />(North-east Fife)
I congratulate Iain Smith on securing the debate this evening. Housing is an issue that is discussed constantly in the Parliament; indeed, it is a subject each and every member discusses on a daily basis. All of us feel that it is an important issue as far as providing for our communities is concerned. The debate is a worthwhile one, albeit that it is not the best-attended debate that I have attended.
The Executive appreciates the housing pressures that exist in north-east Fife. It is clear that north-east Fife is recognised as a high-demand area. We can see the priority that it is being given in both Communities Scotland's "Lothian, Borders and Fife Housing Market Context Statement" and Fife Council's recently completed local housing strategy.
The purpose of Fife Council's local housing strategy is to achieve for Fife and its local housing markets exactly what Iain Smith called for, which is to have in place a comprehensive housing strategy that responds to all the concerns that he raised this evening. That is why the Executive introduced that requirement on local authorities in the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001.
Communities Scotland and Fife Council have agreed that north-east Fife is a priority area for investment in new-build affordable housing. That means that the area will be a priority area for the £8.5 million a year development funding that is available to Fife Council through the Communities Scotland programme.
I was pleased to learn that Communities Scotland's investment in east Fife is projected to increase by as much as 80 per cent. That increase is a recognition of the difficulties that members have highlighted this evening.
The Executive appreciates the housing pressures that exist in north-east Fife. It is clear that north-east Fife is recognised as a high-demand area. We can see the priority that it is being given in both Communities Scotland's "Lothian, Borders and Fife Housing Market Context Statement" and Fife Council's recently completed local housing strategy.
The purpose of Fife Council's local housing strategy is to achieve for Fife and its local housing markets exactly what Iain Smith called for, which is to have in place a comprehensive housing strategy that responds to all the concerns that he raised this evening. That is why the Executive introduced that requirement on local authorities in the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001.
Communities Scotland and Fife Council have agreed that north-east Fife is a priority area for investment in new-build affordable housing. That means that the area will be a priority area for the £8.5 million a year development funding that is available to Fife Council through the Communities Scotland programme.
I was pleased to learn that Communities Scotland's investment in east Fife is projected to increase by as much as 80 per cent. That increase is a recognition of the difficulties that members have highlighted this evening.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Trish Godman):
Lab
The final item of business is a members' business debate on motion S2M-1329, in the name of Iain Smith, on affordable housing in north-east Fife. The debate ...
Motion debated,
That the Parliament notes with concern the shortage of affordable housing for rent or sale in many communities in north-east Fife; recognises that this is du...
Iain Smith (North East Fife) (LD):
LD
I thank the Parliamentary Bureau, and members who supported my motion, for giving me the opportunity to secure this debate on affordable housing in north-eas...
Mr Ted Brocklebank (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con):
Con
There are housing shortages in north-east Fife, as there are in many parts of Scotland, including the capital city of Edinburgh. The problem in the case of S...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
Lab
I call Richard Lochhead. I am sorry—I call Tricia Marwick.
Tricia Marwick (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP):
SNP
I have my other glasses on, but the last time that I looked I was not Richard Lochhead.I congratulate Iain Smith on securing tonight's debate. I know that it...
Mr Brocklebank:
Con
I did it, and I was born in a council house.
Mr Keith Raffan (Mid Scotland and Fife) (LD):
LD
It is absolutely bizarre.
Tricia Marwick:
SNP
It is. I appreciate Keith Raffan's intervention.Local authorities, including Fife Council, have a statutory duty to house people. The Homelessness etc (Scotl...
Mr Jamie Stone (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) (LD):
LD
Members might wonder why I am speaking in the debate, but I know something about St Andrews because I went to university there and I have two daughters curre...
Mr Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green):
Green
I thank Iain Smith for securing a debate on this important topic. I will comment briefly on three aspects of affordable housing: first, housing prices; secon...
Murray Tosh (West of Scotland) (Con):
Con
I am grateful to Iain Smith for giving us the opportunity to discuss an important issue, and also for his statement at the outset that the debate is about ho...
Richard Lochhead (North East Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
My only connection with St Andrews is that, as a teenager, I used to go to the caravan park on holiday. I therefore come to this debate as an outsider—I repr...
Mr Keith Raffan (Mid Scotland and Fife) (LD):
LD
I congratulate my colleague Iain Smith on obtaining this important debate on affordable housing in north-east Fife.North-east Fife is, of course, part of the...
The Deputy Minister for Communities (Mrs Mary Mulligan):
Lab
I congratulate Iain Smith on securing the debate this evening. Housing is an issue that is discussed constantly in the Parliament; indeed, it is a subject ea...
Murray Tosh:
Con
Does planning guidance require Fife Council to zone sufficient land to meet that need? If it does not, does the Executive intend to amend planning guidance i...
Mrs Mulligan:
Lab
My understanding is that Fife Council is developing its planning strategy, which will be put out to consultation soon. Of course, within the planning strateg...
Murray Tosh:
Con
I thank the minister for that response, but does she accept that some local authorities with new local plans do not have that policy and therefore do not car...
Mrs Mulligan:
Lab
We are talking specifically about rural housing development. I am conscious that we are consulting on housing development in rural areas for the very reasons...
Richard Lochhead:
SNP
While holiday and second homes are important, does the minister accept that the underlying problem is the lack of homes? We should not be targeting holiday a...
Mrs Mulligan:
Lab
I understand that it is a question of the overall number of homes. However, I also recognise that the underlying problem, which we need to address, is that t...
Mr Raffan:
LD
Will the minister give way?
Mrs Mulligan:
Lab
I am sorry, but I am running out of time.The Executive's affordable housing review is considering the issue of shared equity. We have had discussions with va...
Meeting closed at 18:03.