Political Panel session
Michael Crow, Political Commentator
Rhona Brankin, Communities Minister, MSP Scottish Labour Party
Tricia Marwick, SNP MSP spokeswoman on housing
Bill Aitken, Chief Whip, MSP Scottish Conservative Party
Robert Brown, MSP, Convenor of the Scottish Liberal Democrat Committee, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Robin Harper, MSP, Co-convenor, Scottish Green Party
Michael Crow the renowned political commentator led a charged political debate where members from all of the main parties addressed issues from stock transfer to the lack of affordable housing and a call to recognise professionalism in the housing sector.
Tricia Marwick began the session by promising to abolish Communities Scotland if the SNP gains power in the May Election. This set the tone of the debate that was at times charged and confrontational. The opening statements also saw the Labour and liberal partners voice their intention to take distinct approaches to housing in the debate; perhaps signally their campaigning strategy for the forthcoming election.
The questions began with the panel being asked to clarify their position on Stock Transfer.
None of the speakers said that they would make stock transfer compulsory for Local Authorities and the SNP also said that they would not support any large transfers in the future. Tricia also gave a commitment for an SNP administration to force the second stage transfer in Glasgow.
Rhona Brankin defended the past transfers and insisted that it was still the best way for many local authorities to write off crippling housing debt. She also said that it was delivering real improvements in all of the local authorities where tenants had voted for transfer.
Green concluded the section by saying that the Green Party favoured small housing associations that are responsive to the needs and wishes of local communities.
The panel were then asked what steps they thought should be taken to deliver sustainable communities.
Robin began this section of the debate by promising to adopt measures that would take greater advantage of micro-renewables and energy saving technologies in all new building.
The SNP promised to press for greater flexibility from the planning system to release desperately needed land for affordable housing.
There was then a fractious debate as Robin Harper berated the Conservative MSP for suggesting that the existing standard for environmental sustainability are sufficient when even developers in the industry are insisting that they can develop much more environmentally friendly homes for only a little more capital investment.
Michael then challenged the panel to commit to providing 30,000 new homes for rent over the next three years.
The Communities Minister said that the target was laudable and one that they would try to achieve, however, she felt that this was unlikely given the impending spending review. She and Robert Brown also said that it was important to deliver affordable housing in all tenures and that they were commited to extending their support of Homestake to increase opportunities for first time buyers.
Tricia also said that the SNP could not commit to the target as this could mean sacrificing the environmental sustainability of individual properties or the sustainability of neighbourhoods. She also said that the SNP would have manifesto commitments to fund a nation-wide homestake scheme and give every first time buyer £2,000 towards a home purchase.
The panel were then asked if they felt if there should be a requirement for a mandatory housing qualification before anyone can work in housing.
While the SNP and Green party representatives emphasised the current high standards in the industry and the importance of experience Rhona Brankin and Robert Brown said that they felt the idea had some merit and that they would be willing to look at the idea in greater depth.
The session concluded by Michael Crow asking the panel what steps they proposed to meet the target to offer a home to every unintentionally homeless person by 2012.
Bill Aitken suggested that the legislation had already given housing associations and local authorities all the tools that they needed to house people that are unintentionally homeless. Rhona Brankin then said that the target was ambitious and should be something that all of Scotland should be proud of. She also said that the target was driving local authorities forward to take steps to effectively end homelessness by 2012. Tricia concluded the session by rebuke the labour liberal coalition for failing to fund measures that are essential for delivering the target
.