Citation and commencement

1.  These Regulations may be cited as the Home Energy Assistance Scheme (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2013 and come into force on 1st November 2013.

Interpretation

2.  In these Regulations "the 2013 Regulations" means the Home Energy Assistance Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 2013(2).

Amendment of the Home Energy Assistance Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 2013

3.  The 2013 Regulations are amended in accordance with regulations 4 and 5.

4.  In regulation 2 (interpretation) after the definition of "central heating system" insert-

""council tax reduction" means a reduction in liability for council tax calculated in accordance with either-

5.  In regulation 6 (persons eligible to apply for a grant)-

(a)in paragraph (5)(a), after "receipt of" insert "council tax reduction or";

(b)in paragraph (6)(b), after "receipt of" insert "council tax reduction or";

(c)in paragraph (7)(b), after "receipt of" insert "council tax reduction or"; and

(d)in paragraph (8)(b), after "receipt of" insert "council tax reduction or".

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations amend the Home Energy Assistance Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 2013 ("the principal Regulations") which provide for the making of grants to improve the thermal insulation and energy efficiency of dwellings and to provide advice to reduce or prevent the wastage of energy in a dwelling.

Regulation 4 inserts a definition of "council tax reduction" into regulation 2 (interpretation) of the principal Regulations.

Regulation 5 broadens the scope of regulation 6 (persons eligible to apply for a grant) of the principal Regulations. Where a person or their partner is receipt of council tax reduction they will be eligible to apply for a grant, provided they meet other qualifying requirements as prescribed by the principal Regulations.