I refer the Member to the answers to questions S5W-05274 and S5W-05275 on 13 December 2016. In assessing the appointment of verifiers from May 2017 I intend to use the criteria set out in the Operational Framework and underpinned by the revised Performance Framework.

All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

The Scottish Government is aware of one local authority applying the power stemming from the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 to reduce non-domestic rates in its area.

The Scottish Government’s business rates policies reflect the full range of its strategic priorities, including the importance of support for town centres.

The Scottish Government has treated local government very fairly despite the cuts to the Scottish Budget from the UK Government.

I will set out details of the 2017-18 local government finance settlement tomorrow as part of my announcement on the Scottish Government's 2017-18 Draft Budget.

The Building (Scotland) Act 2003 allows Scottish Ministers to appoint verifiers on such terms or limitations as they feel appropriate. They must have regard to qualifications; competency; accountability to the public; and impartiality before making an appointment.

I am currently reviewing the appointment process of verifiers from May 2017 onwards and propose to introduce an operating framework for verifiers. This will set out the key verification functions and cover integrity and operational resilience; building warrant and completion certificate processing; and maintaining records.

I welcomed the publication of the report in March 2016 and have noted its findings. The conclusions drawn from the report are presently being considered in relation to the next appointment of verifiers from May 2017 onwards.

Local authorities are committed to the verification performance framework that was introduced in 2012 and are subject to regular monitoring by Scottish Government.

Scottish Government commissioned Pye Tait Consulting to undertake an ‘Evaluation of the performance of local authorities in their role as verifiers’ and their report was published in March 2016. The independent research concluded that:

“In summary, whilst there has been substantial progress and investment in delivering a high quality and customer-focused building standards service since the last re-appointment of local authorities in 2011, there is still work to do to create the conditions for strong performance across all 32 Councils.”

The eDevelopment Programme finance model involves costs being shared, with the Scottish Government funding the capital investment in the technology and local authorities paying annual support and maintenance costs. Local authorities collectively will pay £71,000 during the current financial year for support and maintenance in relation to the eBuildingStandards.scot service.

The Scottish Government does not hold information about any other investment or costs to local authorities, in relation to their preparation for implementation of the service.

The latest figures for Quarter 1 (April – June) of reporting year 2016-17 show that KPO1 ‘Average time to grant a building warrant’ for all categories is 66 working days. For KPO2 ‘The % of CCNPs for accepted completion certificates fully achieved by relevant person and verifier’ is 47%.

The performance figures for both these KPOs rely on others such as applicants and agents to respond timeously and appropriately.

I refer the member to the answers to questions S5W-05274 and S5W-05275 on 12 December 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.