Seòmar agus comataidhean

That already goes on. In the Highlands, a key part of the work that we carried out on the freeport, for example, was a convener meeting with the local authority, and we also have housing developers and investors there. Work has already gone on, and it has grown. Work is also being done in the Edinburgh city region.

It is probably about looking at what is going on at the moment, and there might be a need to call for evidence on that. Meghan Gallacher talked about the wider strategic work. How do we maximise the impact on housing? For example, Homes for Scotland has carried out work on delivering housing and £4 billion of gross value added to the economy of Scotland. Work is already being done, so how do we pull that together? We always try to maximise opportunities for housing and its broader impact in Scotland.

Yes, and that is important. The work that is being carried out in Dumfries, which we talked about, is a great example of what you are saying. That is not covered by empty homes, but it is about what local authorities need to do to deliver. Again, sustainable town centre use is important. That is being looked at, but it is down to local authorities.

We monitor that regularly. That is really important, because we cannot just move the problem from one place to another—that would be pointless.

Again, it comes back to previous promises in that regard that were made by that Government before it got into power. There needs to be a continuing discussion across Parliament on the issue, because the bedroom tax is unfair. It impacts on our ability to reduce homelessness quickly. There have been broader discussions between the Government and UK Government colleagues on the matter, and it could possibly be indicated as part of the spending review, but we will have to wait to see what comes out of that.

At this stage, the indications do not look good for the spending review. The UK Government has indicated that it is looking to make more spending cuts, which will put pressure on the Scottish Government and what it is expected to do. The spending review will, I hope, highlight opportunities to work more closely with the UK Government on reducing homelessness as soon as possible.

The housing investment task force considered what we could do on the flexibility of financing and borrowing limitations through the HRA. We have had discussions with the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations and local authorities about what can be done on that within the councils’ current systems.

I mentioned the opportunities regarding different finance models. One of the key stakeholders in the housing investment task force is the hubco programme. The Scottish National Investment Bank is part of the task force as well and is focusing on what it can deliver on housing.

The issue comes back to what we can do to maximise the opportunities for external partners. The Scottish National Investment Bank is looking at models for that, as is the hubco programme. How can we deliver on some of those issues? We are trying to flex the system that we already have, and the housing investment task force is helping us to do that. Work is being done on what we can do on that with local authorities and bodies such as SNIB and the hubcos. The task force will present recommendations at the end of the first quarter, so there will be an chance to see how we can maximise the opportunities.

No, and the reason I say that is because there will be things that do not need legislation—affordability, for example.

What structural change is needed? You and I do not agree on this, but getting long-term sustainable rent controls while also keeping the door open for investment is key. Following conversations with stakeholders and the housing investment taskforce, I believe that we have struck the right balance. A consultation will go out, and there will be talk of the issue at that point, too.

We have spoken about what needs to be done in relation to the private rented sector, and not all of the ideas need legislation. Rent controls and the ability to bring in additional funding are included in the Housing (Scotland) Bill. There will be many things that need policy change and policy sustainment but not legislation. Prevention duties are a massive part of the bill. I do not think that we need legislation for some of the things that we are talking about, but the more that we get into detail with stakeholders, the more we will know.

I think that we have struck the right balance, so I do not think that legislation is needed.

Yes, I think that it will be.

You will be aware that there are currently land reform discussions in the context of the bill that is going through the Parliament. That is important for how we maximise delivery across Scotland. The Homes England approach has been discussed previously. Our work on regional prioritisation is incredibly important. We have done work through the Edinburgh city region deal—we have talked about how we deliver for the strategic sites, which has included looking at infrastructure, how we deliver the finance and so on. A report has been produced on that. Engaging on a regional basis is important, and we can look to deliver more in that regard. Again, I come back to the housing challenge in the Highlands and the freeport opportunities—how do we maximise those opportunities? A regional approach is very much the best way to take that forward.

With regard to the broader discussions that Meghan Gallacher talked about, those are the sort of things that need to be discussed by the board, because the discussions need to include stakeholders—it is not just for the Government to decide how inclusive we are and how we take forward that particular point. Stakeholders would feed into that wider process, as well.

I have already met housing conveners to discuss that. We will reach out to Argyll and Bute Council and pick up the specific points. Local teams engage with the council daily, weekly and monthly, but we will reach out if the council is considering any specific projects.

I will.