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Hansard

Every contribution to the Official Report — chamber and committee — searchable in one place. Pulled from data.parliament.scot, indexed for full-text search, linked through to every MSP.

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Showing 60 of 2,354,908 contributions. Latest 30 days: 0. Coverage: 12 May 1999 — 25 Mar 2026.
John Wilson SNP Committee
19 Dec 2012
High Hedges (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Good morning, Mr McDonald, and welcome to the other side of the table. Over the past couple of weeks, you have joined us on the members’ side.I noted that, in your comments on the definition of “high hedge”, you referred to“a constant barrier to light”—I am sure that that will...
John Wilson SNP Committee
19 Dec 2012
High Hedges (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
I agree that any legislation that we introduce should be cost effective and, for local authorities, cost neutral in many respects. The difficulty is that the bill contains certain definitions and sets out certain processes. You referred to guidance, and I want to be clear that...
John Wilson SNP Committee
12 Dec 2012
High Hedges (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
I refer you to section 1(1)(a), which says that a hedge“is formed wholly or mainly by a row of 2 or more evergreen or semi-evergreen trees or shrubs”.The difficulty seems to be in the definition and the interpretation of the definition. Mr Paterson talked about the general pur...
John Wilson SNP Committee
12 Dec 2012
High Hedges (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Paul Parker mentioned that there were a number of site visits throughout what I would assume was the growing season. If the barrier to light was being monitored, that would have to be done for 12 months and throughout all four seasons. I am concerned about the cost to a local ...
John Wilson SNP Committee
12 Dec 2012
High Hedges (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
On the barrier-to-light issue, the Isle of Man witnesses told us that the only measuring tool they use is a six-foot pole. Should more technical equipment be used in order to determine and define appropriate measurements when someone complains that a particular hedge is a barr...
John Wilson SNP Committee
12 Dec 2012
High Hedges (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
That is interesting. A high hedge might be only 2m or 3m away from a property, but surely it all depends on where the property lies in relation to sunlight or daylight. If the hedge sat to the west of a property, for example, would it be appropriate for someone to complain abo...
John Wilson SNP Committee
12 Dec 2012
High Hedges (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
In the previous evidence session, Paul Parker, who is a community warden in the Isle of Man, said that throughout the year they carry out extensive surveys on the impact of the hedges or trees that have been complained about and how much of a barrier to light they actually are...
John Wilson SNP Committee
19 Dec 2012
High Hedges (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
I seek clarification because my understanding from the Isle of Man case is that light is not constant. How sunlight approaches and accesses a property shifts throughout the year. How light is shed on a property or garden in November, December and January could be different fro...
John Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP) SNP Committee
12 Dec 2012
High Hedges (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Good morning. I want to ask about fees. Will you clarify whether the £7,500 that we have just heard about was the cost of taking the case to court or whether it was all the fees, including the cost of the site visits that staff made to monitor the growth and barrier to light?
John Wilson SNP Committee
12 Dec 2012
High Hedges (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Did staff use specialist equipment when they were monitoring the barrier to light and other issues?
John Wilson SNP Committee
12 Dec 2012
High Hedges (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Good morning. On inclusion of trees in the bill, Mr Hamilton said that his option would be to take early retirement. The issue for us is that there is a demand to widen the scope of the bill to include deciduous trees.I note that the final paragraph of the submission from the ...
John Wilson SNP Committee
12 Dec 2012
High Hedges (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
The bill defines a high hedge as being more than 2m high. In last week’s evidence and in the preceding evidence today from witnesses from the Isle of Man, we heard about examples of hedges that are more than 2m high in respect of which an element of local discretion might be a...
John Wilson SNP Committee
12 Dec 2012
High Hedges (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
I want to examine that further. Mr Paterson, you talked about a row of cypress trees that were planted 100 to 150 years ago when there were no adjacent properties but which are now adjacent to land on which a developer wants to build houses. Is your fear that whoever moves int...
John Wilson SNP Committee
05 Dec 2012
High Hedges (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Mr Park mentioned the Isle of Man case in which the issue was whether a height of 2m or 3.5m was regarded as a barrier to light for the neighbour. The bill is specific, in that it says in section 1(1)(b) that it will apply to a hedge that“rises to a height of more than 2 metre...
John Wilson: SNP Committee
23 Sep 2008
Current Petitions
I am not for closing the petition, either. When the petition was submitted, we were at the start of the post office closure process, and issues have since come to light. In the past week, we have heard of more decisions by the Post Office to close post offices in other areas.F...
John Wilson SNP Committee
01 Nov 2011
Current Petitions
As the committee will be aware, we have considered the petition at a number of meetings. Given that, in the light of Transport Scotland’s response, we have taken the petition as far as we can, I propose that we take up the petitioner’s suggestion and refer it to the Infrastruc...
John Wilson Ind Committee
11 Nov 2014
New Petitions
My view is that we should write to the Scottish Government to seek clarification on the situation, particularly in light of the examples that the petitioners have given. There is an issue on which it is necessary for the Scottish Government to provide clarity. We are clearly n...
John Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): SNP Chamber
25 Sep 2008
Red Squirrels
I congratulate Murdo Fraser on initiating this members' business debate. One need only research the list of written parliamentary questions on red squirrels to see the considerable contribution that he has made and his consistent interest in the subject.Securing the red squirr...
John Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): SNP Chamber
26 Nov 2008
Disabled Persons' Parking Places (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
In evaluating the stage 1 debate on this member's bill, it is important that I acknowledge—as other members have—Jackie Baillie's contribution in championing the key principles behind the bill. It is worth reinforcing the point, as other members have, that Jackie Baillie deser...
John Wilson: SNP Chamber
26 Feb 2009
Disabled Persons' Parking Places (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
I cannot possibly answer Margo MacDonald's question, but I am sure that she can take it up with others.Although authorities responded on the issue of the costs associated with implementing the bill, there was significant variation in those costs. The Local Government and Commu...
John Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP) SNP Committee
13 Dec 2011
New Petitions
I have listened carefully to the discussion and to the question and answer session, and I have dealt with constituents who have faced similar problems to those that have been identified today. I also feel for individual teachers who are, in effect, being asked to deal with sit...
John Wilson SNP Committee
30 Jan 2013
Public Services Reform and Local Government: Strand 3 (Developing New Ways of Delivering Services)
I will try to concentrate on the questions that I agreed to ask earlier, but I have some questions on Sir John Arbuthnott’s comments on the Clyde valley review, too.Sir John Arbuthnott can correct me if I am wrong in my assumption, but my understanding is that the review was i...
John Wilson SNP Committee
13 Nov 2013
Procurement Reform (Public Services and Community Regeneration)
That is right. What I am trying to draw out is the balance between nationally negotiated contracts and what can be delivered locally by local community organisations and businesses. It was mentioned in the opening remarks that one of the common complaints that we receive from ...
John Wilson Ind Chamber
22 Mar 2016
Burial and Cremation (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
No. “We therefore recommend the Scottish Government takes cognisance of the issues raised and, in discussion with planning colleagues, brings forward an amendment at stage 2 which addresses these concerns.” The committee was concerned enough to make that recommendation in it...
John Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): SNP Committee
03 Dec 2008
Fuel Poverty
As another Wilson once said, a week is a long time in politics. Certainly, since the forum's report was produced in October, many things have happened in the economy. Has the forum met since it produced the report? In light of the current economic situation and volatility, whi...
John Wilson: SNP Committee
28 Oct 2009
Home Owner and Debtor Protection (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
I congratulate Mr Stalker on chairing what must have been, given the evidence that we have received this morning, very enjoyable meetings.I have a question for all the panel members. Has the process that the Government has carried out for the bill been the best possible proces...
John Wilson: SNP Committee
20 Nov 2007
New Petitions
I was going to suggest that. The petition comes from a rural context but, as other members have said, we need to widen out the issue to the whole of Scotland. It is not just in rural areas that specialist teaching staff are unavailable. It would be useful to get the views from...
John Wilson: SNP Committee
20 Nov 2007
Current Petitions
Given that the petition has been around for almost two years, it is incumbent on us to write to the new Government to find out how it plans to make progress on housing regeneration and other aspects of community regeneration. In the light of the statements that have been made ...
John Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): SNP Committee
15 Jan 2008
New Petitions
It is important that we ask for the views of NHS 24, especially in the light of the issues that have been raised by Mr McCandlish regarding communication problems. We could ask whether those problems have been resolved.It might be appropriate to write to the health board, aski...
John Wilson: SNP Committee
15 Jan 2008
Current Petitions
I agree. I will try not to use the term "historic concordat with COSLA" in speaking about the services that local authorities provide in the voluntary sector. As I said, we should not just lump together the two petitions simply because we think that they fit together. Differen...
John Wilson: SNP Committee
29 Jan 2008
New Petitions
I declare an interest on two counts. I had my wedding reception in Colzium house just over 25 years ago. The house sits in the middle of the estate, which I know well. I am also a elected member of North Lanarkshire Council.Do you feel that you have exhausted all avenues of ne...
John Wilson: SNP Committee
19 Feb 2008
Current Petitions
I would take a cautious approach. If the Government sent out the message that it was okay to site wind farms in particular locations, where would it stand if, as part of the planning or public inquiry process, it had to report and decide on an objection to a proposed wind farm...
John Wilson: SNP Committee
15 Apr 2008
Current Petitions
As the witnesses from both NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and NHS Tayside have made clear, the health boards came up with the idea of car parking charges after considering alternatives, such as introducing parking restrictions at car parks. However, as Angela Constance has poin...
John Wilson: SNP Committee
23 Sep 2008
New Petitions
Good afternoon. In light of the Government's consultation on raising the purchase age for alcohol to 21, what are your views on the actions that have been taken by several major supermarket chains? Asda seems likely to roll out the challenge 25 policy that it currently operate...
John Wilson: SNP Committee
07 Oct 2008
New Petitions
We should further question the Scottish Government. I believe that it proposes to set up a federation of crofting boards, drawing its membership from seven to 10 local crofting boards. It would be useful to find out from the Government how those local crofting boards will be e...
John Wilson: SNP Committee
10 Feb 2009
Current Petitions
In light of the Government's recent announcements on the development of ports within Scotland in relation to the strategic planning review, I am reluctant to close the petition. Although the Government has responded by saying that the law was reviewed in 2006, there are issues...
John Wilson: SNP Committee
10 Feb 2009
Current Petitions
We should continue with the petition. In light of the current economic situation and the possibility that some businesses that currently provide funding to local schools for enterprise education and development might find it more difficult to provide that funding, we should as...
John Wilson: SNP Committee
03 Mar 2009
New Petitions
In response to Shirley-Anne Somerville's point, I acknowledge that class action forms part of the review, but it would be interesting to get an indication of whether Lord Gill is bringing forward proposals on class action. The discussion on class action was part of an on-going...
John Wilson: SNP Committee
05 May 2009
Current Petitions
I thank the committee for previously allowing consideration of the petition to be continued. In light of the information that we now have and the responses from the organisations, it is clear that all that we can now do is close it. I think that the various organisations and t...
John Wilson: SNP Committee
05 May 2009
Current Petitions
I am a member of the Local Government and Communities Committee, which will have a private session tomorrow on procurement issues, in the light of the "Panorama" documentary that was shown four weeks ago about care of the elderly in their own homes.The petitioners raised issue...
John Wilson: SNP Committee
19 May 2009
Current Petitions
I agree with others that Alex Fergusson made a powerful argument for the petition. In light of that, we could write to the Scottish Government and ask whether it intends to undertake a review of the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004. There is a po...
John Wilson: SNP Committee
08 Sep 2009
Current Petitions
In light of Richard Simpson's comments, it would be useful to support Bill Butler's suggestion. We can write to Transport Scotland to get its estimate of the usage of the two stations if Blackford were reopened. As Richard Simpson indicated, the Highland Spring development and...
John Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): SNP Chamber
09 Jan 2008
Serious Organised Crime
I have great pleasure in speaking in the debate because, unlike the subjects of other debates, serious organised crime in Scotland is an issue that resonates with people and is not viewed in the abstract. Over the years, there have been written parliamentary questions and deba...
John Wilson: SNP Chamber
12 Mar 2008
Home Detention Curfew
We should argue for their extension on both grounds.On 4 March, I lodged a motion on the Pew Center on the States report, which puts the United States position on these matters into perspective. The fact is that, as the authorities in Texas and Kansas have discovered, locking ...
John Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): SNP Chamber
01 May 2008
International Workers Memorial Day
It is with great pleasure, tinged with sadness, that I speak in tonight's debate as part of the Scotland-wide campaign to mark international workers memorial day. Along with Elaine Smith, I attended the event on Monday that was held by the North Lanarkshire trades council, and...
4. John Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): SNP Chamber
18 Dec 2008
First Minister's Question Time · Methadone Prescribing (Research Report)
To ask the First Minister, in light of the recent research report by the University of Glasgow on the effectiveness of methadone prescribing policy, what actions will be taken to address the report's findings. (S3F-1309)
John Wilson: SNP Chamber
08 Jan 2009
SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE · National Theatre of Scotland (Funding)
In light of the international success of its production of "Black Watch", has the National Theatre of Scotland reaped any reward from increased ticket sales for the staging of subsequent productions?
7. John Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): SNP Chamber
23 Apr 2009
SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE · Public Sector (Pay and Conditions)
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of recent research by the Institute of Directors that suggested that Scottish workers may have to work until over the age of 70 to pay for public sector pensions, whether the Scottish Government intends to conduct a review of public sec...
1. John Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): SNP Chamber
29 Oct 2009
SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE · Education Spending
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recent report by the Centre for Public Policy for Regions, what its views are on expenditure on education per pupil in Scotland. (S3O-8252)
John Wilson SNP Committee
05 Oct 2010
New Petitions
It is important that we try to get a response to the petition from the Scottish Government, particularly in light of the recent announcement on Scottish Power’s new Beauly to Denny line. The Government asked for mitigation in certain areas to be taken into account in planning ...
John Wilson SNP Committee
05 Oct 2010
Current Petitions
I echo what Nigel Don said—we should continue the petition until we get a more detailed response from the Scottish Government.Since the petition was lodged with the committee, a number of national and UK-wide campaigns have highlighted domestic violence against male victims an...
John Wilson SNP Committee
05 Oct 2010
Current Petitions
I propose that we close the petition in light of the fact that the Government has laid orders, to be approved by the Parliament, to prohibit hot branding and the fact that no further branding authorisations have been given.
John Wilson SNP Committee
26 Oct 2010
Current Petitions
Like Bill Butler, I will be less than objective about the issue. I, too, agree with the petitioner’s assertion that we should end bonuses for Scottish Water. In the current economic climate, there is a wider issue around paying bonuses to senior executives when we are talking ...
John Wilson SNP Committee
06 Oct 2010
Councillors’ Code of Conduct
I will move away from the consultation process and on to the “meat and drink”, as the cabinet secretary has described it, of the financial interests of other persons. Section 5.10 refers to“a close relative, close friend or close associate” but section 5.11 states:“This Code d...
John Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP) SNP Committee
23 Nov 2010
Current Petitions
In light of the arguments that Christopher Harvie and Richard Simpson have put forward on the issues that the petitioner has raised, I propose that we continue the petition. I think that we need to wait for the results of the consultation that Richard Simpson referred to befor...
John Wilson SNP Committee
23 Nov 2010
Current Petitions
I suggest that we suspend the petition until such time as we know what will come out of the Private Rented Housing (Scotland) Bill. We can then consider the petition further in light of the information relating to the bill.
John Wilson SNP Committee
22 Feb 2011
Current Petitions
In light of recent reports regarding the resignation of a member of the Law Society of Scotland council, it might be worth writing to the Government to seek its views on that resignation. The headlines that were associated with that resignation and the allegations that were ma...
John Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP) SNP Chamber
17 Mar 2011
Private Rented Housing (Scotland) Bill
It was a privilege to be a member of the committee that examined the bill. It was clear that not all local authorities have taken a vigorous approach to landlord registration. I know that discussions have taken place with legal authorities about prioritising prosecutions in re...
John Wilson SNP Chamber
03 Mar 2011
There is a Better Way Campaign
I will deal with that later in my speech.In February 2011, Unison could not provide a full-time official to attend a meeting of members in St Andrew’s high school in Coatbridge to discuss changes to the terms and conditions of low-paid council employees who are facing the thre...
John Wilson SNP Chamber
24 Feb 2011
Scottish Executive Question Time · North Lanarkshire Council (Meetings)
What discussions has the cabinet secretary had with North Lanarkshire learning and leisure officials about the school building programme? Has the placement of the St Andrew’s high school campus building been raised, in light of the decision to proceed with its construction on ...
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Committee

Local Government and Regeneration Committee 19 December 2012

19 Dec 2012 · S4 · Local Government and Regeneration Committee
Item of business
High Hedges (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Wilson, John SNP Central Scotland Watch on SPTV
Good morning, Mr McDonald, and welcome to the other side of the table. Over the past couple of weeks, you have joined us on the members’ side.I noted that, in your comments on the definition of “high hedge”, you referred to“a constant barrier to light”—I am sure that that will be reflected in the Official Report. However, the current definition in the bill refers to “a barrier to light”. My understanding of the evidence of our witnesses from the Isle of Man, which we heard last week, is that they had estimated costs of £30,000 because they had to visit a particular site for more than 10 months in a year to determine whether there was an infringement of someone’s rights. The difficulty is that the definition of “high hedge” in the bill states that a high hedge is one that“forms a barrier to light”. Could you be specific? Do you mean“a constant barrier to light”or “a barrier to light”? Someone’s definition of “barrier to light” could be that they have a barrier to light over the months of November, December and January, but for the other nine months of the year they have sunlight. How do local government officers determine that there is sufficient barrier to light to take action?

In the same item of business

The Convener SNP
Agenda item 4 is on the High Hedges (Scotland) Bill. This will be the third day this month that we have taken oral evidence as part of our examination of the...
Derek Mackay
I welcome the opportunity to provide the Government’s views on the High Hedges (Scotland) Bill, which is being promoted by Mark McDonald MSP. I am happy to r...
The Convener SNP
Thank you, minister. What is your view of the statutory definition set out in section 1?
Derek Mackay
The Government’s view is that the definition is appropriate and in line with comments made by a number of other stakeholders. Broadly, it strikes the right b...
The Convener SNP
I open the questioning to members.
Stuart McMillan SNP
The definition has been one of the two or three issues raised in the oral and written evidence that we have received. Indeed, most of those who made a writte...
Derek Mackay
Not on the basis of your proposition. After all, equality legislation already exists to protect individuals and groups. People might be looking for equality ...
Stuart McMillan SNP
The fact that there has been discussion around a potential bill for some years indicates the difficulty of dealing with the situation. The legislation in Eng...
Derek Mackay
Mr McMillan is absolutely correct that no legislation has been enacted here because there has never been agreement on what we should proceed with. I think it...
Stuart McMillan SNP
We heard some evidence last week about what happened on the Isle of Man. Its legislation is different as it includes deciduous trees and single trees. The ev...
Derek Mackay
From the evidence that I have seen—perhaps Mr McDonald can go into more detail—the ratio would not be 50:50; a majority of cases would be resolved. That is b...
Anne McTaggart Lab
Good morning, panel. Minister, I have a few questions about the fees as stated in the financial memorandum to the bill. This morning, we have received eviden...
Derek Mackay
I do not have concerns, because the proposition is that the fee will reflect the cost of the local authority’s work. If that is applied proportionately, fair...
Anne McTaggart Lab
Might some people be concerned about applying because they do not know what the fee will ultimately be?
Derek Mackay
They would of course know the fee on application. We do not know just now what the fee will be, because local authorities have not determined that, as they d...
Anne McTaggart Lab
Thanks, minister. You just answered my other questions.
John Pentland Lab
Minister, so far your knowledge has been much appreciated. I believe that if “The Beechgrove Garden” ever comes back, you will be a prime candidate for front...
The Convener SNP
Minister? Or perhaps I should call you Renfrew’s answer to Jim McColl.
Derek Mackay
I thought that the highlight of my political year was the local government elections, but it might well now be the High Hedges (Scotland) Bill.There are diff...
John Wilson SNP
Last week, we heard evidence from the Isle of Man. In one example, an appeal was taken forward by an individual against whom a complaint had been made. We we...
Derek Mackay
I would want to understand how that figure was arrived at and whether the same definitions as those that we are deploying in the bill were used. Mr McMillan ...
John Wilson SNP
I agree that any legislation that we introduce should be cost effective and, for local authorities, cost neutral in many respects. The difficulty is that the...
Derek Mackay
In arguing with himself—quite successfully—Mr Wilson has made the point that this is a question of interpretation, application and assessment and that, somet...
John Wilson SNP
I welcome the minister’s confidence that the guidance to the bill will be right and that there will be a consistent approach to its implementation by 32 loca...
Derek Mackay
We aspire to as much consistency as possible. However, in a dispute there will be local circumstances and local application of the guidance. It will be a jud...
Margaret Mitchell Con
Setting aside how the fee is calculated, the financial memorandum makes it plain that the fee will be paid by the complainant. The minister will be aware tha...
Derek Mackay
We are interested to hear the committee’s views, and those of Mr McDonald, but we are content with the current proposition, which is, as Margaret Mitchell ha...
Margaret Mitchell Con
I put it to you that charging the owner of the hedge may be a powerful deterrent that could lead to an early resolution, saving the local authority and all t...
Derek Mackay
I understand the rationale, and I can see how what you describe could be a deterrent. However, the system in which the complainant pays the fee works, too, a...
Margaret Mitchell Con
The percentage probably strikes the right balance in that if the notice is upheld—or even if there is a threat that that will happen—the complainant and the ...