Craig Ross from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors confirms combustible materials are permitted on buildings if a BS8414 test has been done.

However, he highlights there are a limited facilities to undertake such tests in the UK, with cost and waits a factor.

Mr Ross says it is difficult to state cladding and insulation systems will inhibit fire altogether, but they do aim to reduce the impact of a fire once one has started.

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Labour MSP Sarah Boyack gets us underway by asking do current Scottish building standard requirements offer sufficient protection to residents from fire.

Laura Hughes from the Association of British Insurers says her organisation is really keen to prevent fires in buildings.

Ms Hughes says the Scottish government has been robust with measure like sprinklers in care homes and bringing down the trigger height for combustible cladding to 11m.

However the main issue of concern for the ABI is that the Scottish government continues to allow the continued use of the BS8414 test, which essentially allows semi-combustible materials on buildings over 11m.

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The committee will now take evidence on building regulations and fire safety in Scotland from:

• Laura Hughes from the Association of British Insurers;
• Craig Ross from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors;
• Professor Jose Torero from the University College London;
• Dr Jim Glockling from the Fire Prevention Association (by video link)

Image source, GMFRS

The committee inquired into this matter earlier this session but has undertaken to maintain a watching brief, given the high level of public interest in this matter.

Also policy and practice continues to evolve in the light of lessons learned from the Grenfell Tower tragedy.

And now an investigation is under way after a fire ripped through student accommodation on Friday, leaving dozens of students with "no personal possessions".

Read the committee papers here., external

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Labour MSP Sarah Boyack asks about the vehicle charging network, saying to step up the use of electric vehicles you need the charging points.

Ms Campbell points to the commitment to support the charging network and there are now over 1,200 charge points available.

She says the £20m of funding announced earlier this year will lead to 800 more.

At present, the UK has a network of more than 24,000 public charging connectors, external in nearly 9,000 locations, according to figures from the Department for Transport.

Analysis by environmental lobby group, European Federation for Transport and Environment (T&E), suggests the number of electric car models available to consumers in Europe could triple by 2021.

Image source, Getty images

Labour MSP Sarah Boyack highlights local government has significant influence on transport and buildings, both of which will be important to the climate change agenda.

What is being done to work towards carbon neutrality and what more is needed, she asks.

Ms Campbell points to a consultation on the role of public sector in responding to the climate emergency, external.

She goes on to highlight the need to ensure the right skills are in place in terms of infrastructure.

Ms Boyack highlights a tension within councils between the need to respond to climate change and risks associated with innovation and she asks whether new resources would be available.

This is part of the budget discussions we will be having on the settlements for councils, replies the cabinet secretary.

Image source, Getty Images

The Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014 aimed to integrate health and social care services, the aim being to ensure people receive the care they need at the right time and in the right place focusing on a community base and preventative care.

The Act created new partnerships (known as joint boards (IJBs) with responsibilities to integrate adult social care services, adult primary care and community health services and some hospital services.

All 31 integration authorities were operational by 1 April 2016 (Highland had been operating a ‘lead agency model’ between NHS Highland and Highland Council since 2012. The governance arrangements for this model differ from the IJBs established in all other areas).

The IJBs cover a combination of local authority and health board areas and are responsible for a range of delegated functions set out in the legislation.

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Mr Simpson asks about a perceived imbalance between health boards and councils.

Committee convener James Dornan adds the stumbling block always seems to be the health board.

That's a real concern for us, we can't have extra pressure being put on councils if the health board does not step up in terms of partnership, he adds.

Ms Campbell replies the national performance framework is for everyone including health boards.

The communities and local government secretary argues there are lots of ways health boards are playing their part.

Mr Dornan counters this saying IJBs only work through partnership and the committee has heard evidence that indicates this is not happening.

Andy Wightman wonders about providing greater fiscal autonomy to local government.

Ms Campbell says the government is working with councils on this, and is speaking to communities about what they want to see.

Kate Forbes says 42.9% of council budgets come from revenue raising or fees, which is not a bad starting point.

We are supportive of having further conversations if councils have views on any additional revenue raising mechanisms they would like, she adds.

Mr Wightman says councils have little say on that 42.9%, given there is a cap on council tax which is the bulk of that percentage.

Ms Forbes replies that there may be a cap but there is still room for councils to set their own rates.

Mr Wightman pivots to preventative spend whereby the demands on more acute public services could be reduced.

"What thinking has the government been doing to embed preventative spend?"

Ms Campbell argues the government can point to a number of areas where preventative spend is already happening, citing child poverty and family nurse partnerships as examples, as well as welfare reform mitigation.

Image source, PA

Mr Wightman asks if the cabinet secretary is willing to make an in-principle commitment beyond 2021 on affordable house building.

The Scottish government has pledge to deliver 50,000 affordable homes by March 2021, with 35,000 for social rent.

Ms Campbell points to ongoing consultation with the housing sector on what types of houses are needed between now and 2040 but again points to difficulties in making precise commitments at the moment.

Mr Simpson says there is an opportunity for all parties to get around the table on housing ahead of the election.

The cabinet secretary agrees and insists parties must get out of the electoral cycles and plan for changes up to 2040.

She invites Mr Simpson to give his views going forward, to which he replies "another useful offer".

Asked about absenteeism in councils, Aileen Campbell says the Scottish government could lend support on a number of ways, from support at a national level to sharing good practice.

Turning to housing, she says it is important to ensure funding is in place before making any commitments but she accept such infrastructure is important to society and not just bricks and mortar.

The budget situation at the moment does not give us clarity to make those commitments yet, she adds.

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Green MSP Andy Wightman says there was no anticipation that capital and revenue would be decoupled, but the infrastructure commission has recommended it.

Ms Forbes insists there is no intention to decouple.

Mr Wightman says he feels there is an intention to decouple beyond year one, to which Ms Forbes reiterates the plan is not to decouple next year.

She adds: "I'm not suggesting here we are going to decouple beyond next year."

Tory MSP Graham Simpson wonders about discussions with COSLA on fully funding commitments made by central government.

Ms Forbes says one of the steps the Scottish government took when the SNP took over in 2007 was to significantly reduce ringfencing.

She explains many of the commitments are part of local authorities' core purpose, such as on education and health, and we speak to COSLA regularly about funding.

Image source, Getty Images

In March we reported Scotland's councils had been urged to make "fundamental changes" to the way they deliver services due to rising demand and changes to funding.

An Accounts Commission report said councils "face an increasingly complex, changing and uncertain environment".

The watchdog said local authorities must "think differently about how they deliver and fund services".

The government recognised there were "challenges" for councils, but said it had treated them "very fairly".

But opposition parties said the report underlined that local authorities need more cash and fund-raising powers.

• Councils face further funding pressure, watchdog says
• Councils have 'no options left' for savings
• Read more here

Ms Forbes says there will be a three year funding settlement for councils in this budget.

However the level of uncertainty that the entire budget has been subjected to makes it extremely difficult to plan for next year let alone for the next three years, adds the public finance minister.

In terms of the capital budget, the government will take on board the infrastructure commission's findings she adds.

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Public Finance Minister Kate Forbes reminds MSPs the budget can no longer be held on 12 December due to the general election.

Ms Forbes says when you add in Brexit uncertainty, these are the most economically disruptive challenges the Scottish government has had to face in 20 years.

The government is determined to use its fiscal levers to the best possible use for Scotland she adds.

Ms Campbell says demographic and fiscal challenges, as well as uncertainty around Brexit, are issues in preparing this budget.

We must work in partnership with local government and the wider public sector to address these challenges, she states.

Partnership working has already begun to deliver real rewards in terms of new homes built, addressing homelessness and supporting children and their families, the minister says.

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The Scottish government has confirmed its budget for next year will now not be published until after Christmas.

Finance Secretary Derek Mackay had been due to outline his annual spending and taxation plans on 12 December - the same day as the general election.

Mr Mackay said a new date would be agreed with the Scottish Parliament's finance committee as soon as possible.

But he said it should not happen until after the UK government unveiled its own budget.

Read more here.

Image source, Thinkstock

The Local Government and Communities Committee will begin with its pre-budget scrutiny.

MSPs will take evidence from:

• Communities and Local Government Secretary Aileen Campbell
• Public Finance Minister Kate Forbes

Read the committee papers here., external