Scottish Parliament e-Brief, Issue 282

Low income households and water charges
A new water and sewerage charge reduction scheme aimed at keeping down the water bills of low income households is coming into operation, it has been confirmed. From 1st April, some households in receipt of Council Tax Benefit will see a reduction of up to 25%.

Homes with two adults or more in receipt of Council Tax Benefit will now be eligible for a reduction (similar to that currently available to single person households), provided they are not in receipt of other reductions. The amount of reduction will be proportionate to the amount of Council tax benefit received (i.e. only full entitlement to CTB will attract the full 25% reduction).

Individual local authorities will be responsible for the practical implementation and administration of the new scheme.

The "Water and Sewerage Charges Reduction Scheme" will be a permanent means of assisting those receiving Council Tax Benefit. The present water and sewerage charges transitional relief scheme (which is also based on Council Tax Benefit eligibility, but is temporary) will come to an end on 31st March.

The scheme provides assistance in addition to that offered currently under the link between Council Tax bands and water and sewerage charges together with the various discounts for instance, the Single Persons' Discount.

The cost of the new scheme will be met through the abolition of water and sewerage charges discounts for second homes and other empty dwellings.

Approval of major transport projects
The process for scrutinising and approving major transport projects is to be replaced, it has been announced.

Key proposals for a new Transport & Works Bill, now out to consultation, include:

This replacement process aims to complement the modernisation proposals contained within the Planning etc. (Scotland) Bill, currently progressing through Parliament.

WEDNESDAY begins with an Executive debate entitled Regeneration in Scotland – People and Place.

This is likely to concern the Scottish Executive's Regeneration Statement, which is set to be published shortly.

Although the contents are not known at the time of writing, when I questioned the Communities Minister at the end of last month, he said:

"I can make only limited comments in advance of the statement, but I underline the Executive's commitment to give priority to areas of clear need and economic opportunity. The areas will be announced in the regeneration policy statement. As I said, I cannot pre-empt that, but we are well aware of the situation in Inverclyde and we are reflecting on it in the context of the statement. We are in discussion with partners in Inverclyde about the challenge of regenerating that area."

The day concludes with a Member's Business debate entitled North Ayrshire Schools PPP Project from Campbell Martin (IND).

THURSDAY morning begins with Scottish National Party Business. Unfortunately, the SNP has not announced the topic(s) for debate, so more more information is available at present.

This is followed by General Question Time and First Minister’s Question Time.

The day closes with a Member's Business debate on The Importance of Play from Kenneth Macintosh (LAB).

Wednesday 1st March 2006
14:35 – 17:00	Executive Debate: Regeneration in Scotland – People and Place
17:00 – 17:30	Member’s Business: North Ayrshire Schools PPP Project (Campbell Martin (IND))

Thursday 2nd March 2006
09:15 – 11:40	Scottish National Party Business: Subject(s) TBC
11:40 – 12:00	General Question Time
12:00 – 12:30	First Minister's Question Time
14:15 – 14:55	Themed Question Time * Environment and Rural Development; * Health and Community Care
14:55 – 17:00	Executive Debate: Architecture
17:00 – 17:30	Member's Business: The Importance of Play (Kenneth Macintosh (LAB))

Tuesday 28th February 2006
AM	Finance Committee	Scottish Executive officials give Stage 1 evidence on the Financial Memorandum of the Planning etc. (Scotland) Bill.
PM	European and External Relations	Minister for Finance and Public Service Reform, Tom McCabe, gives evidence to the snappily entitled "Inquiry into the Scottish Executive's preparations for the G8 Summit at Gleneagles and the UK Presidency of the EU and the contribution Scotland can make to these events".
	Justice 2	Stage 2 of the Police, Public Order and Criminal Justice (Scotland) Bill begins.
	Local Government and Transport	Representatives of the business community and environmental campaigners give evidence to the freight transport inquiry.
Wednesday 1st March 2006
AM	Communities	Stage 1 evidence on the Planning etc. (Scotland) Bill comes from, among others, the house building industry and energy companies.
	Justice 1	The Committee will consider a petition calling for the amendment of the Fatal Accidents and Sudden Deaths Inquiry (Scotland) Act 1976 to make provision for a mandatory inquiry in the case of a road death caused by careless drivers.
	Education	The Committee will consider a petition regarding the procedures which must be followed when altering or closing facilities and services for children with special needs.
	Environment and Rural Development	More on the inquiry into developments in the biomass industry this week, with evidence from a wide range of interested parties.