Seòmar agus comataidhean

The Scottish Landlord Register provides data on the number of private landlord registrations, for example in relation to the number of new applications, renewals made and the number of properties these relate to.

The Scottish Government uses this information to monitor the number of registered landlords operating and properties in Scotland, and to appropriately distribute the applications fees to the relevant local authorities.

The information is also used more broadly to help with gaining insights and understanding of the Private Rented Sector and its regulation in Scotland, alongside other official statistics on the sector such as results from the Scottish Household Survey, which can help to monitor trends over time in overall stock levels of private rented sector households.

The Scottish Government provides funding to local authorities to recruit Equity and Excellence lead posts across all 32 local authorities, but does not monitor the movement of specific staff.

Scottish Government publishes snapshot figures of graduate level posts in ELC annually in ‘Summary Statistics for Schools in Scotland’. The latest figures were collected in the week commencing 13 September 2021 and published on 14 December 2021, in the ‘Additional early learning and childcare tables’: Supporting documents - Summary Statistics For Schools In Scotland 2021 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

This showed that 356 Equity and Excellence Leads were in post at that point in time, 327 Full Time Equivalent (FTE). This was an increase from 2020 when there were 350 (316 FTE).

Following a recent review, we will be publishing updated guidance on the operation of the Affordable Housing Supply Programme over the coming weeks so that Councils and Registered Social Landlords can apply for grant funding to enable them to purchase existing homes which are not for sale on the open market under the following circumstances.

Councils and Registered Social Landlords will be able to apply for grant funding to purchase homes with vacant possession where it can be demonstrated that the purchase meets a clear strategic purpose, and can clearly be seen to support the achievement of the priorities and objectives set out in a local authority’s Local Housing Strategy. Securing stock where there is a limited supply and limited development opportunities is an example of the type of situation where this might be deemed appropriate.

Councils and Registered Social Landlords will also be able to apply for grant funding to enable them to acquire properties from owner occupiers (particularly those in mixed tenure blocks) who cannot afford the required maintenance or refurbishment of their home, and would therefore wish to sell their home to a Council or Registered Social Landlord and become a tenant in the social rented sector. This will be permitted where is can be clearly demonstrated that:

• the purchase facilitates the consolidation of stock ownership for managing specific planned stock improvement/ refurbishment works, and supports the achievement of the priorities and objectives set out in a local authority’s Local Housing Strategy
• the local authority is unable to facilitate the planned works from local resources under discretionary power to assist
• the homeowner has received (a) advice about their financial situation from an FCA authorised independent financial adviser and (b) independent legal advice on the terms of the proposed sale and subsequent tenancy agreement
• the homeowner will employ a solicitor to act on their behalf with respect to the sale of their home, and
• the homeowner is not eligible for support under the Home Owners’ Support Fund.

The value of any property to be purchased in this situation must be in line with the terms of the Mortgage to Rent scheme. And the amount of money that a household can retain post sale will also mirror the terms of the Mortgage to Rent scheme.

The wellbeing and safety of children and young people in Scotland are key priorities for the Scottish Government. All children have the right to be cared for and protected from harm. GTC Scotland is the independent registration and regulation body for the teaching profession in Scotland. Their role is to help maintain trust in the teaching profession. They do this by keeping the Register of Teachers and setting and regulating the standards for entry to, and continued inclusion on, the Register. In the year April 2020 - March 2021, GTC Scotland received fitness to teach referrals in respect of 0.2% of the total number of registrants. For referrals for sexual misconduct specifically, this drops to 0.02%. These figures are consistent with previous years.

Local authorities already have broad compulsory purchase powers which are used for a range of purposes, including restoration of property which may be vacant, derelict or unsafe. Scottish Government officials continue to support and advise local authorities in this important work. As outlined in the Programme for Government, we are committed to modernising the compulsory purchase order process to make it clearer, fairer and faster for all parties, and to support the delivery of projects that are in the public interest. We will continue to engage with local authorities and other stakeholders to identify the most effective levers as the work progresses.

We are also considering the matter of compulsory sales orders as part of this. Any new powers would need to be compliant with the European Convention on Human Rights with careful consideration given to the compatibility with existing powers – this includes any proposals for Compulsory Rental Orders.

We are carefully considering the recommendations of the Independent Review of the Role of Incineration in Scotland’s Waste Hierarchy. We will set out our initial response to the recommendations in June 2022.

Administrators FRP have advised it is their understanding that the vast majority of employees previously employed by Dawnfresh Seafoods have secured alternative employment. PACE support is continuing to be provided as required to the remaining employees.

We continue to monitor the influence of PACE support through a PACE Client Experience Survey which we undertake every two years. The latest report published in December 2020, indicated that 81% of individuals surveyed who had received PACE support, secured alternative employment within six months. The 2022 survey will be published later this year.

We are carefully considering the recommendations of the Independent Review of the Role of Incineration in Scotland’s Waste Hierarchy. We will set out our initial response to the recommendations in June 2022.

No anticipated contract value has been provided in the tender information. It would not be appropriate to disclose this information during a live procurement.

More information on this procurement is available at -

https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=MAY447363

More information on the project is available at:

https://www.cmassets.co.uk/project/mallaig-lochboisdale/

The engagement processes for the project are already well established, ensuring all interested parties and stakeholders are able to contribute throughout the project’s development. They will follow the recent example of the successful engagement carried out as part of the New Islay Vessel Project which this project follows.

CMAL, liaising with Mallaig Harbour Authority and Transport Scotland, organised a webinar (16 March 2022) to engage with stakeholders on the project and its progression which included a question and answer session.

CalMac Ferries Limited (CFL) is one of the partners in the tripartite working group responsible for this project and actively contribute to the decision making process on a range of matters. They are also responsible for ensuring there is input from the trade unions.

More information on this procurement is available at: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=MAY447363

More information on the project is available at: https://www.cmassets.co.uk/project/mallaig-lochboisdale/