Chamber and committees

When the cap was introduced in January 2007 by the previous administration they did not introduce any separate funding sources to cover householders contributions. However, it is unlikely that a householder would be required to make a contribution if they selected a lower cost system from those available (normally an electrical system).

The cost to install a standard oil-fired heating system of up to seven radiators with all necessary insulation is covered, up to the cap limit, which was introduced by the previous administration in January 2007. However, it is unlikely that a householder would be required to make a contribution if they selected a lower cost system from those available (normally an electrical system).

EC regulations state that inspections shall in general be unannounced. There are provisions within these announcement rules that allow exceptionally up to 48 hours notice in instances where it is known, for example, to be difficult to gather stock or in remote island situations. Thereafter any request from a producer to postpone an inspection would be treated on a case-by-case basis. Postponement would be considered, for example, where there had been a sudden family bereavement, a serious disease outbreak or the producer was suddenly taken ill and no other responsible person was available.

Provided that the purpose of the control is not jeopardised, on-the-spot checks may be announced. The announcement shall be strictly limited to the minimum time period necessary and shall not exceed 14 days.

However, for on-the-spot checks concerning livestock aid applications, the notice mentioned in the first subparagraph shall, except in duly justified cases, not exceed 48 hours. Furthermore, where the legislation applicable to the acts and standards relevant to cross-compliance requires the on-the-spot check to be unannounced, those rules shall also apply in the case of on-the-spot-checks related to cross-compliance.

The Scheme of Assistance provisions which are being introduced under the previous Administrations Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 give local authorities wider powers to help homeowners repair, improve and adapt their homes. Authorities will need to consider to what extent loans, including equity loans, will play a part in expanding the range of assistance they make available. The Scottish Government does not expect local authorities or Care and Repair projects to act as lenders themselves and is pursuing supported lending to be available where there is no reasonable commercial option.

For owners unable to access either commercial or supported lending options, it will be a matter for each authority, under the Scheme of Assistance, to determine whether grant or other assistance will be available in respect of repairs or improvements. Subject to parliamentary approval, Regulations will be introduced in April 2009 governing assistance for disabled owners undertaking adaptations. Where such owners face a funding shortfall, they will be entitled to receive targeted advice and support which may include, at the authority''s discretion, additional funding support.

The Scottish Government has no plans to change the care and repair scheme into an equity release scheme. The aim of the Scheme of Assistance provisions, which are being introduced under the previous administration''s Housing (Scotland) Act 2006, is to give local authorities wider powers to help homeowners repair, improve and adapt their homes. Authorities will need to consider to what extent loans, including equity loans, will play a part in expanding the range of assistance available. They will also need to consider how assistance might be delivered through care and repair projects and what forms that assistance would take.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-17301 on 12 November 2008. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

The average cost of an oil-fired central heating installation in a three-bedroom house in the Western Isles, as indicated by the managing agent, is shown in the following table:

Number of Radiators Provided	Average Cost
6	£7,769
7	£8,200
Overall Average	£7,954

Note:

1. The average cost shown is calculated on all oil installations undertaken in the Western Isles between October 2006 and September 2008.

2. Costs are inclusive of vat at 5%.

3. The average cost shown is inclusive of all necessary insulation provided.

4. The average cost provided does not include work requested by the householder outside the programme such as additional radiators.

5. A householder can have up to seven radiators installed, depending on the size of the property.

Information is not held by local authority area.

The Scottish Government website contains information on the programme including a video of a householder who has benefited from a central heating installation.

The managing agent is responsible for raising awareness of the programme and undertakes a number of activities to achieve this aim such as the marketing/networking promotional week undertaken in the Western Isles in August 2008. The managing agent keeps in contact with organisations who have an interest in raising awareness of the programme such as Help the Aged, Age Concern and the Citizen Advice Bureau and provides them with information leaflets and advice. Additionally articles regularly appear in the national and local press such as the West Highland Free Press at the end of October.