Somebody, somewhere is making decisions on your behalf. Democracy Matters conversations have already started to explore whether far more of these decisions could be made by communities themselves. This is a key and connected part of the wider Local Governance Review which is looking across all of Scotland’s vital public services to consider how power and resources should be shared between national and local government.
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Housing to 2040 , Scotland’s first long-term national housing strategy, reaffirmed the Scottish Government’s commitment to review the Housing for Varying Needs design guide. It also contained a commitment to develop and introduce an all-tenure Scottish Accessible Homes Standard, which will be implemented through changes to building standards and guidance from 2025-26.
This consultation sets out proposed updates to Part 1 of the Housing for Varying Needs design guide...More
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This consultation is seeking views on a range of topics and proposals related to biodiversity and tackling the nature emergency in Scotland.
It covers three parts of the Biodiversity Strategic Framework:
The Scottish Biodiversity Strategy which sets out our vision to halt and reverse biodiversity loss;
The first five-year Delivery Plan which contains the actions to deliver the vision; and
The proposed Natural Environment Bill which will...More
Digital connectivity is changing the way we work, do business and deliver public services. We want to ensure that new build homes are built with future proofed connectivity. To support this ambition the proposals outlined in this consultation will amend building standards with a consistent approach requiring developers to ensure that:
all new build homes are installed with the gigabit-ready physical infrastructure necessary for gigabit-capable connections
a...More
This consultation seeks views on draft statutory guidance on the delivery of relationships, sexual health and parenthood education in Scottish schools.
The draft guidance is an update to guidance originally published in 2014 .
Work to embed lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) inclusive education across the curriculum and to review the delivery of Personal and Social Education (PSE) both recommended the existing guidance be updated.
...More
In 2012, the Scottish Parliament passed the Alcoho l ( M inimum Pricing) (Scotland) Act 2012 (the 2012 Act) which allowed Scottish Ministers to introduce a system of minimum unit pricing for alcohol. Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) was first implemented on 1 May 2018, with the minimum price of alcohol set at 50 pence per unit (ppu). MUP was introduced to mitigate the significant health harms caused by alcohol consumption in Scotland. ...More
The Scottish Government is currently hosting a range of consultations on proposed regulations to be made under the Burial and Cremation (Scotland) Act 2016. Please read the foreword from Jenni Minto MSP, Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health.
Bereavement can be emotionally overwhelming and being able to engage with the practical issues and funeral arrangements can be very difficult. However, it is something everyone is likely to experience at some stage in their...More
Background
The Burial and Cremation (Scotland) Act 2016 (‘the 2016 Act’) received Royal Assent in April 2016. It provides a modern, comprehensive legislative framework for burial and cremation in Scotland. Many of the 2016 Act’s provisions are rooted in recommendations made by the Infant Cremation Commission , the National Cremation Investigation and the Burial and Cremation Review Group .
The 2016 Act gives Scottish Ministers the power to, amongst other things,...More
Background
The Burial and Cremation (Scotland) Act 2016 (‘the 2016 Act’) received Royal Assent in April 2016. It provides a modern, comprehensive legislative framework for burial and cremation in Scotland. Many of the 2016 Act’s provisions are rooted in recommendations made by the Infant Cremation Commission , the National Cremation Investigation and the Burial and Cremation Review Group .
The 2016 Act gives Scottish Ministers the power to, amongst other things,...More
Our aim is to modernise the legislation governing burial in Scotland by using the regulation making powers set out in the Burial and Cremation (Scotland) Act 2016 ('the 2016 Act').
The consultation paper sets out a range of proposals and approaches with the aim of clarifying and streamlining existing burial practices as well as introducing new provisions. In particular, we invite views on the following areas:
commencement of Part 1 of the 2016 Act, ...More
The Scottish Government wants to ensure that all those who have died are treated with the utmost dignity and respect. Death, burial, cremation and related topics are very emotive subjects. There are also ethical, faith, social and cultural dimensions to caring for the deceased. This consultation seeks to balance clarity of language around the alkaline hydrolysis process with the objective of ensuring that the subject matter is treated with care, respect and sensitivity.
While developing...More
Scotland’s first ever National Islands Plan was published in 2019. It is now being reviewed as required by the Islands (Scotland) Act 2018, which may lead to the publication of a new National Islands Plan. The Scottish Government wants to work together with local authorities, island communities and relevant sectors and partners to ensure this process is as thorough and effective as possible, providing us with vital feedback from those most impacted by the National Islands Plan. ...More
We are seeking views on using electronic tracking and monitoring technologies on under 12 metre commercial fishing vessels in Scottish waters (and Scottish vessels wherever they operate).
The technology will provide a greater insight into t he distribution and activity of these vessels. The data generated could be used by the Scottish Government for future fisheries management, environmental protection, provision of scientific advice and to identify key fishing areas in marine...More
We want to hear your views on the draft 'Quality prescribing for respiratory: a guide for improvement 2024-2027'.
Respiratory diseases are amongst our largest health concerns. We've all had illnesses or seasonal allergies that can affect our breathing. However, the scope of respiratory disease and the impact on sufferers are often misunderstood. Respiratory diseases are a major driver of health inequalities with a high prevalence in Scotland's most deprived areas.
The Guidance...More
Not only in Scotland, but globally, the decisions that govern our oceans are vital to the future of our planet. We require a new National Marine Plan that reflects the significant challenges and opportunities of today.
Scotland’s National Marine Plan (NMP) was published in 2015. Following statutory reviews and listening to feedback we received on the current plan, last year Scottish Ministers committed to update and replace the NMP (NMP2).
The Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009...More
The strategic commissioning plans and performance reporting statutory guidance were initially published by the Scottish Government in 2015 and 2016. The purpose of the statutory guidance is to support integration authorities, who plan and direct the delivery of health and social care services, to produce strategic plans and annual performance reports.
Strategic plans and performance reports are requirements under the Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014 . This...More
A consultation on allocating appeal functions to the Upper Tribunal for Scotland. This would include transferring certain appeal functions of the Transport Tribunal under the Transport (Scotland) Act 2001 , and allocating new appeal functions relating to bus services improvement partnerships. The consultation also includes proposed new rules governing the composition and procedure of the Upper Tribunal when hearing those appeals.
The Tribunals (Scotland) Act 2014 ("the 2014 Act")...More
Housing to 2040 , our first national strategy and route map, aims to deliver our ambition for everyone to have a safe, good quality and affordable home that meets their needs in the place they want to be. This will be supported by making changes to improve the way the rented sectors operate.
Our A New Deal for Tenants: Draft Rented Sector Strategy , published in December 2021, sought views on a number of proposals for changes to improve the way the rented sectors in Scotland...More
Elected members have a crucial role in the decision-making process within the planning system, being a vital part of our democratic process by carrying out specific planning functions including the determination of certain planning applications for their local authority. Elected members do not necessarily have a planning background and it is vital that adequate training is provided to ensure that elected members have the knowledge and understanding to help them make decisions that are...More
This consultation seeks to obtain the views on proposed increases to the building warrant fees required to deliver change to strengthen the building standards system and the development of a new building warrant fees model in Scotland.
This consultation forms part of the work undertaken by the Verification Delivery Model work stream which is one of the seven work streams being directed by the Building Standards Futures Board.
The consultation will gather views...More
The purpose of this consultation is to set out the Scottish Government’s final proposals for Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) reform and to seek stakeholder views ahead of the introduction of new legislation.
We are consulting on reforms to both domestic and non-domestic EPCs. The content, methodology, and policy environment for the two types of EPC are very different. Neither the metrics nor methodology can be compared, as described later in the consultation. However, we...More
Following the publication of the Environmental Standards Scotland (ESS) Strategy on 1 December 2023, the Scottish Government has gathered evidence on the effectiveness of environmental governance.
The evidence gathered has helped to inform the Report into the Effectiveness of Governance Arrangements, as required by section 41 of the UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Continuity) (Scotland) Act 2021 .
The content of this consultation is...More
Given the importance of sandeel to the wider ecosystem and the subsequent benefit in aiding long-term sustainability and resilience of the marine environment, it remains an overarching Scottish Government position, which is reflected in Scotland’s Fisheries Management Strategy , not to support fishing for sandeel in our waters. For this reason, the UK, supported by the Scottish Government, has not allocated sandeel quota since 2021.
There are several measures in place for the...More
This is a consultation on proposals regarding a definition for ice wine and changes to permitted oenological methods.
The first proposal is to amend retained EU law (REUL) relating to the marketing of wine to introduce rules that will regulate how products marketed as “ice wine” must be produced, which will include a definition of ice wine.
The second proposal is to amend REUL to update the lists of approved oenological processes, practices and...More
Scotland is a modern, inclusive nation which respects, protects, and fulfils all internationally recognised human rights. We have made great strides in our collective human rights journey and have committed to go further through a new Human Rights Bill that will incorporate international human rights standards already signed and ratified by the UK into domestic law in Scotland.
Embedding international human rights in Scotland will further emphasise the importance of all...More
This consultation is seeking views on topics related to wildlife management and the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill ("the Bill").
It is set out in 2 parts. Part 1 relates to the use of snares and cable restraints in Scotland and Part 2 addresses matters relating to the powers of Scottish Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals (“Scottish SPCA”) inspectors. You can complete both sections in the consultation or only the section which is of...More
This consultation seeks views on proposals to introduce new licensing regulations in Scotland covering a range of animal-related activities when carried on in the course of a business. The consultation also seeks views on proposals to licence greyhound racing in Scotland, and replace existing legislation covering animal boarding (including day care) and riding establishments, replacing it with updated licensing requirements.
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Since 2001, a specific area in the Firth of Clyde has been closed to fishing each year between 14 February and 30 April, in order to protect spawning cod. The Scottish Government has responsibility for the closure via a Scottish Statutory Instrument (SSI). Prior to 2022 exemptions were provided for Norway lobster trawlers, creels and scallop dredgers due to the low amounts of cod that they catch. However, in 2022, these exemptions were removed due to the disturbance that these fishing methods...More
The Scottish Government and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA - on behalf of local government) are inviting responses to this consultation on a fairer council tax system, which concerns the council tax charges (also referred to as multipliers) for properties in valuation bands E to H.
The present council tax system is perceived by some as unfair and regressive because it levies a higher tax rate on lower value properties, and a lower rate for higher value...More
We want to hear your views on the Statutory Guidance that will be issued by the Scottish Ministers to accompany the Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019. Specifically, we would like to hear whether the guidance is clear and readable and enables you to understand the duties placed on relevant organisations by the Act.
About the Act
The requirements of the Act will take effect from April 2024. The aims of the Act are to enable safe and high quality care and improved...More