Holyrood Communications Ltd - The future of housing in Scotland 3rd annual Holyrood Housing Conference

One Day Conference, 27 March 2007, Glasgow
Supported by the Chartered Institute of Housing
Less than a week remains until the 3rd Annual Holyrood magazine Housing conference, the Future For Housing In Scotland, which occurs on Tuesday 27 March at the Grosvenor Hilton Hotel in Glasgow.
2007 brings considerable challenges for those involved in the housing sector in Scotland as many of the provisions of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 come into force, new guidelines for greener housing, including EcoHomes, emerge and the ongoing issues of stock transfer and affordable housing remain in focus.
Archie Stoddart, Director of Shelter Scotland, and a keynote speaker at this year’s conference, said:
“One of the challenges we face, with rising house prices, and thousands of people on waiting lists, or in temporary accommodation, is housing Scotland’s people. Improving affordable housing provision across Scotland has to happen in 2007. Politicians have a real chance this year, through the comprehensive spending review, to increase spend on housing. We look forward to taking this message to the Holyrood conference later this month where I’ll be discussing the challenges ahead for Scotland’s housing.”
By booking your place at this conference, you will:
• Hear presentations on the most important issues facing housing in Scotland;
• Learn what the new powers placed upon local authorities in relation to private housing are;
• Gain an understanding of the new responsibilities for public, private and social landlords;
• Listen to what the experiences of sustainable communities in Scotland have been;
• Discuss issues of affordable housing and green standards;
• Examine how the condition of private housing can be improved; and
• Hear what the key policymakers’ believe the future for Housing policy is following the mixed results in community ownership ballots.
Nick Fletcher, Policy & Public Affairs Officer, from the Chartered Institute of Housing, will be covering the effects on local authorities and registered social landlords. Nick looks forward to the conference and feels it will be an ideal opportunity to discuss the key issues affecting housing policy today.
“The Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 is the latest in a list of important legislation from the Scottish Parliament that is improving housing in Scotland. This Act brings a much needed focus to the private housing sector where it is estimated that over half of all tenements are in need of a least one major repair and 70% of all private houses would not meet the quality standard that is being set for the social rented sector.
“The aim of the Act is to ensure that we can ensure private housing is fit for purpose. It will mean that owners can be confident that their homes are up to standard. If they are not then local authorities will have powers to work with owners to take the required action to ensure our housing assets are maintained for the future. I’m pleased that this Holyrood conference will spend some time focusing on improving our housing.”
Holyrood magazine invites all communities officers, housing and regeneration officers, finance officers, community education workers, architects, private landlords, registered social landlord organisations, estate agents, letting agents, housing association officials, chartered surveyors, planning officers, tenants associations, energy efficiency groups, MP’s, MSP’s, MEP’s and their researchers, construction companies, housing and planning lawyers, and utility companies to this unique event.
The delegate fee structure is as follows and includes lunch, refreshments, speaker slides, and post-conference report. Fees do not include travel costs :
• Supported Rate £99 + VAT (£116.33): Students, community councils, volunteers, and community action groups
• Reduced Rate £199 + VAT (£233.83): Local authorities, trade unions, professional associations, and charitable organisations
• Full Rate £249 + VAT (£292.58): Commercial organisations, central government departments, agencies and other national public bodies
To view the agenda, please visit our website at www.holyrood.com/conference.asp.
To book your place today,
• Register online at www.holyrood.com/conference.asp;
• Email housing@holyrood.com; or
• Call us on 0131 272 2130
For further information, please visit the website or contact the team on 0131 272 2130.

Email: erin@holyrood.com