Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee

This account is now inactive until after the Scottish Parliament election on 7 May. Information about the Committee’s work over this past Session 6: ow.ly/ioby50YFLh3 Information about the election: ow.ly/PjYa50YFLfC x.com/ScotParl/statu…

🔔 We're now in campaign recess 🔔 That means that no more debates or Committee meetings will be held during this session, unless Parliament is recalled.

𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁📢 The Legacy report gives an overview of our work over the last 5 years, which we hope will help inform future committees of the issues they may want to pursue in the new session of Parliament. Read it here ➡️ow.ly/CchB50YyIQn

Find out more about our work over the final months of this session of Parliament, by reading our latest newsletter 📰➡️emails.news.parliament.scot/02157381/viewi…

Rates relief for some hospitality venues was welcome – but there was a “sting in the tail” for larger businesses missing out, we heard. At our final meeting of this session, we considered the Non-Domestic Rates (Misc Amendment) (Scotland) Regs 2026. @ukhscotland Leon Thompson

We also heard from Ivan McKee MSP, Minister for Public Finance. Watch the meeting again: scottishparliament.tv/archive?Keywor…

“A system that is broken” @FionaCampbell74 was among the hospitality experts to give evidence on business rates. At its last meeting of this session of Parliament, The Committee considered the Non-Domestic Rates (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Regulations 2026.

Following recently passed regulations, our new blog explains the changes to tenant complaints about dampness and mould in rented housing that come into force in October: ow.ly/RYGo50YwcNU

We took evidence from the Housing Cab Sec, Màiri McAllan MSP, before recommending that the Investigation and Commencement of Repair (Scotland) Regulations 2026 - known as Awaab's Law - be approved.

Our new briefing, by SPICe academic fellow Dr Lewis Forsyth, explores how the council tax aligns with the six principles of Scottish tax policymaking, set out in the Scottish Government's 2021 Framework for Tax. 🔗 ow.ly/qCWz50Yr8Zu

We start Stage 2 of the Visitor Levy (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill today, which @Scotgov says will make the Visitor Levy easier and more flexible for councils and accommodation providers to operate. The session will be live on SPTV from 2:50pm 📺 ow.ly/Fs6k50Yp3kl

We heard from a range of experts and organisations on new housing rules - including the Investigation and Commencement of Repair (Scotland) Regulations 2026, also known as 'Awaab's Law'. Full meeting details ➡️parliament.scot/chamber-and-co… 📽️@ScotLandEstates , @Living_Rent

We're recommending that @ScotParl agrees to progress the Visitor Levy (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill. ➡️parliament.scot/about/news/new…

Our new report on the draft Climate Change Plan describes it as “lacking in detail”, raises concerns about meeting heat pump installation targets and planning department resourcing, and asks for more detail on how a skilled trades gap will be addressed. 📰ow.ly/xaRZ50Y9PkL

Read our latest newsletter, and subscribe to keep up to date with the Committee's work 📰➡️ow.ly/UyHm50Y9htn

We questioned Minister for Public Finance @Ivan_McKee as part of our scrutiny of @scotgov ‘s Visitor Levy (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill. Watch the session again on SPTV 📺scottishparliament.tv/meeting/local-…

This week, we continue our focus on proposed law which @scotgov say will make Visitor Levy schemes easier and more flexible to operate. Minister for Public Finance @Ivan_McKee joins us from 9:30am. Watch live tomorrow 📺➡️ow.ly/KiH450Y7yeM

We’ll hear from Cab Sec @ShonaRobison on the draft Climate Change Plan before beginning our 2026/27 budget scrutiny with Housing Cab Sec Màiri McAllan. Watch live from 9:30am ➡️ow.ly/cAey50XZLNx

We’re seeking views on a proposed law which aims to make the Visitor Levy, or ‘tourist tax’, easier and more flexible to operate for councils and accommodation providers. Have your say here ➡️ ow.ly/RRAO50XX7GZ

All our analysis of the Scottish Government's draft Climate Change Plan is included in our Hub which has been developed to support parliamentary scrutiny of the CCP. The hub can be accessed at: ow.ly/kFH450XSqwV