Thursday 12 January 2012
SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
Enterprise and Environment Sarah Boyack (Lothian) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of land is now committed for the development of renewables by (a) community groups and (b) power companies. (S4W-04665) Fergus Ewing: The information requested is not held centrally. However, the Scottish Government has commissioned the production of a database of community and locally owned renewables projects, and findings will be available in the near future.
Sarah Boyack (Lothian) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive what areas of land have been leased to power companies for developing renewables projects. (S4W-04666) Fergus Ewing: The information requested is not held centrally.
Dave Thompson (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to protect red squirrels. (S4W-04710) Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Government works with Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), non- governmental organisations (NGO’s) and landowners to protect red squirrels in Scotland. The Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) provides funding for red squirrel conservation such as habitat management and grey squirrel control. The value of the five year SRDP contracts, which run from 2009 to 2014, is expected to exceed £1.5 million. SNH are contributing £675,000 to the Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels (SSSR) and Red Squirrels in South Scotland (RSSS) projects. The SSRS project includes raising awareness and encouraging appropriate habitat management in Grampian, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs and Tayside. The RSSS is focused on the containment of the squirrel pox virus through the control of grey squirrels in the south of Scotland. A second area of current conservation action is to promote forest management for red squirrels. Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) have identified red squirrel stronghold areas and are working with forest managers to make red squirrel conservation a high priority in these forests.
Finance Marco Biagi (Edinburgh Central) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce further information on the allocation of Barnett consequentials arising from the UK Government’s Autumn Statement. (S4W-04615) John Swinney: The Scottish Government is considering how it will apply Barnett consequentials arising from the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement. Further information will be provided to Parliament in due course.
Marco Biagi (Edinburgh Central) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it subjects its invitations to tender to pre-issue checks to ensure that no unnecessary barriers have been created to small and medium-sized enterprises. (S4W-04616) Alex Neil: The Scottish Government is committed to enhancing the economy by reducing the barriers to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) bidding for public sector work. Good procurement must strike a balance between delivering savings, quality and buying sustainably. Based on this, all procurement strategies take account of local and SME interests, and are framed in such a way as to support SME and supply chain opportunities wherever possible e.g. by splitting national requirements into specialist or geographical lots and supporting SME consortia. In the case of our national Professional Services Frameworks for Interim/Temporary Management and Business Management Consultancy, contracts were awarded to 15 consortia, and 15 SMEs were appointed to the frameworks, including 14 based in Scotland. Through the Supplier Engagement Working Group (which brings together the buyer and supplier communities to find solutions to particular procurement issues) we are actively working with smaller suppliers to simplify the process of bidding for public contracts. The Public Contracts Scotland advertising portal provides a free, single access point to public sector contract opportunities. Since the launch in July 2008, 74% of contracts advertised on the portal have been awarded to SMEs. The Scottish Government will also reduce the burden of tendering by introducing a national database for pre-qualification information. This will help standardise procedures and minimise duplication of effort for business. A draft standardised pre-qualification questionnaire (sPQQ) is being developed in conjunction with representatives from the private sector.
Governance and Communities Jamie Hepburn (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Executive what flexibility is available to local authorities in interpreting planning law and associated guidance. (S4W-04622) Derek Mackay: Interpretation of planning law, and associated guidance, is the responsibility of the relevant planning authority. It is for the authority to satisfy itself that its interpretation and application of planning law is correct in any individual case.
Jamie Hepburn (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on mobile telecommunications masts being erected in the vicinity of schools. (S4W-04623) Derek Mackay: Decisions on whether or not to grant planning permission for the erection of mobile phone masts are a matter for the planning authority in the first instance. Scottish Government planning policy on telecommunications infrastructure is contained in the Scottish Planning Policy (SPP). The SPP sets out the key issues to be addressed when planning authorities consider applications for mobile phone masts (paragraphs 248 to 254). A copy of the SPP is available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 50437) or can be read at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/publications/2010/02/03132605/0. In relation to the health risks from radiofrequency radiation emitted by mobile phone base stations the Scottish Government is not aware of any compelling evidence to challenge the continuing validity of the conclusion of the Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones (IEGMP) in their publication in 2000 on Mobile Phones and Health that there is no general risk to the health of people living nearby. The Scottish Government planning policy as set out in SPP reflects this position.
Jamie Hepburn (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on jurisdictions internationally that prohibit the erection of mobile telecommunications masts in the vicinity of schools. (S4W-04624) Jamie Hepburn (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on jurisdictions internationally that have certain prohibitions on the erection of mobile telecommunications masts. (S4W-04625) Derek Mackay: The Scottish Government does not hold such information.
John Wilson (Central Scotland) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Executive how many of the households that are entitled to replacement (a) boilers or (b) central heating systems under the warm homes initiative are yet to have these installed. (S4W-04626) Alex Neil: The Scottish Government's current initiative to provide replacement boilers and/or central heating systems is stage 4 of the Energy Assistance Package (EAP). Scottish Gas have advised that the overall number of customers awaiting an installation (central heating system, boiler or insulation only) fell below 4,000 in December 2011. This is the lowest reported since December 2009. There have been issues with EAP stage 4 delivery and problems caused by an IT systems failure at Scottish Gas in 2011. This has not only impacted on service delivery to EAP stage 4 customers but also on the reporting of accurate management information to the Scottish Government. The Scottish Government is not in a position to publish or release more detailed information on EAP stage 4 until there is a successful outcome to audit of management information.
John Wilson (Central Scotland) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Executive how many of the households that are entitled to replacement (a) boilers or (b) central heating systems under the warm homes initiative have not had these installed as, because of asbestos-related issues, the contractor has declined to proceed with the installation and what its position is on this. (S4W-04627) Alex Neil: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-04626 on 12 January 2012. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx. Under the terms of stage 4 of the Energy Assistance Package, it is the customer’s responsibility to ensure that asbestos is removed and to arrange and pay for its removal. The customer is provided with advice by Scottish Gas on how to arrange for this.
John Wilson (Central Scotland) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Executive which contractors have been approved to install replacement (a) boilers and (b) central heating systems under the warm homes initiative. (S4W-04629) Alex Neil: The Scottish Government's current initiative to provide replacement boilers and/or central heating systems is stage 4 of the Energy Assistance Package (EAP). Scottish Gas have appointed the following contractors to provide replacement boilers and/or central heating systems under stage 4 of EAP: AC Gold Alba Gas BRB BSS/BIS City Technical Services UK Complete Heat Scotland Dalex systems Devine Dyno Rod Eaga Scotland Ltd EMC First Trade Fyrebrite Gas Services Direct (GSD) Gascall Heating 4 U Intellihome Mains Gas (Bruce Main) McGills McTear Mitie Oil Care Scotland Omega Power Distribution Quality Gas Robertson & Peterson Saltire South East Heating Taigh Blath TK Murray Turriff UKFM Wisemans.
Margaret Mitchell (Central Scotland) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Executive how it has set the non-domestic rates targets in relation to the business rates incentivisation scheme, broken down by local authority. (S4W-04639) John Swinney: The provisional non-domestic rates targets were issued for consultation on 22 December 2011. The targets were based on the Scottish Government’s best estimate of non-domestic rate income to be raised in 2012-13 allocated pro-rata to individual local authorities based on their most recent full year returns to the Scottish Government. The all-Scotland estimate takes into account total rateable values including projected buoyancy and appeals losses; the revised poundage rate for the year in question; estimated income from the Large Business Supplement; lost income through business reliefs, bad debts, appeals and late deductions to the roll and the addition or subtraction of any other changes in policy that might impact on the total projected income. Individual local authority provisional targets for 2012-13 are available on the Scottish Government’s website via the following web link: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Government/local-government/17999/11203/LGFC12-2011.
Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive whether, under planning enforcement, an industrial operation may operate outwith its permitted hours. (S4W-04649) Derek Mackay: If there are conditions or restrictions associated with a planning permission that an operation may only take place within or outwith certain hours, then operations which do not comply with these limitations may constitute a breach of planning control. Decisions on whether there has been a breach of planning control and the action to remedy that breach are for the planning authority in the first instance.
Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive whether an industrial operation may begin operation at 6am instead of the 8am start stated in its planning conditions. (S4W-04650) Derek Mackay: Unless otherwise agreed by the planning authority, commencing operations at a time outside that specified by a planning condition or agreement is likely to constitute a breach of planning control.
Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive what sanctions can be applied to an industrial operation that operates outwith the hours permitted under its planning conditions. (S4W-04651) Derek Mackay: Enforcement of planning control is a matter for the planning authority in the first instance. There is a wide range of enforcement powers in planning legislation. These include issuing a notice requiring the submission of a retrospective planning application and requiring the cessation of operations or the demolition of buildings. Planning authorities have discretion to determine what power, or combination of powers, to use in any particular situation.
Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive what minimum distance is to be allowed as a buffer zone between a quarry involved in hard rock blasting and occupied residential housing (S4W-04652) Derek Mackay: Scottish Planning Policy states that authorities should not impose standard buffer zones between sites and settlements since distances will need to take account of the specific circumstances of individual proposals including size, duration, location, method of working, topography and the characteristics of the various environmental effects likely to arise and the mitigation that can be implemented.
Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive what buffer zones between quarries involved in blasting and occupied residential housing are operated by each planning authority. (S4W-04653) Derek Mackay: There is no standard buffer zone in operation between quarries and occupied residential housing. Where required, planning authorities may apply a buffer zone according to the circumstances of individual proposals.
Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the neighbour notification scheme provides adequate public involvement in the decision-making process regarding large-scale developments such as quarries. (S4W-04654) Derek Mackay: Neighbour notification is only one of the publicity and consultation requirements associated with planning applications and is intended for those in the immediate vicinity of a proposed development. Others include a statutory requirement for pre-application consultation for certain categories of development, publication of weekly lists of planning applications, consultation with community councils and advertisement in a local newspaper in certain circumstances.
Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to review the neighbour notification scheme. (S4W-04655) Derek Mackay: The Scottish Government proposes to consult on potential changes to the neighbour notification scheme in 2012.
Jamie Hepburn (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Executive (a) how many and (b) what proportion of planning applications (i) it has called in and (ii) have been the subject of an appeal to it in each year since 1999, broken down by local authority. (S4W-04691) Derek Mackay: The information held by the Scottish Government on called in and appealed applications is contained in the following tables. Note: The numbers of applications used in the proportion calculations in Tables 1b and 2b are the total applications determined by local authorities for the financial years from 1998-99 to 2010-11. Table 1a: Called in planning applications for the calendar years 1999-2011, broken down by local authority: Planning Authority 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Aberdeen City 0 1 1 1 2 1 1 3 2 1 0 0 0 Aberdeenshire 1 0 1 2 0 8 0 2 2 4 0 0 2 Angus 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 Argyll and Bute 2 1 5 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Cairngorms 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 City of Edinburgh 2 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 Clackmannan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 Comhairle nan Eilean Siar 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 Dumfries and Galloway 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 Dundee City 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 East Ayrshire 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 East Dunbartonshire 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 East Lothian 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 East Renfrewshire 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Falkirk 0 2 0 3 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Fife 2 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 Glasgow City 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 Highland 6 4 11 0 2 1 5 3 5 4 1 0 0 Inverclyde 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Loch Lomond and the Trossachs 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Midlothian 4 5 3 3 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 Moray 0 2 1 0 0 6 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 North Ayrshire 1 0 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 North Lanarkshire 9 4 4 6 7 5 5 3 3 0 0 0 1 Orkney Islands 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 Perth and Kinross 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Renfrewshire 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Scottish Borders 0 4 0 0 3 2 3 3 0 0 0 2 0 Shetland Islands 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 South Ayrshire 2 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 South Lanarkshire 5 0 6 0 1 0 3 0 0 1 0 0 0 Stirling 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 West Dunbartonshire 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 West Lothian 1 5 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Table 1b: Called in planning applications as a proportion of applications determined by local authorities in the financial years 1998-99 to 2010-11. 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Total Called-in 45 30 41 18 24 37 21 21 21 13 2 2 5 Total Applications 42,004 43,599 41,633 45,092 48,007 48,131 56,720 53,391 54,597 53,396 47,220 40,495 42,058 Proportion (%age) 0.107 0.069 0.098 0.040 0.050 0.077 0.037 0.039 0.038 0.024 0.004 0.005 0.012
Table 2a: Appealed planning applications for the calendar years 1999-2011, broken down by local authority: Planning Authority 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Aberdeen City 43 34 38 28 46 29 25 34 32 25 30 20 12 Aberdeenshire 50 43 66 64 50 55 57 54 88 84 79 46 23 Angus 16 11 8 14 12 23 22 22 31 38 26 7 1 Argyll and Bute 16 14 15 19 8 21 28 29 22 23 26 10 4 Cairngorms 0 0 0 0 0 1 4 4 0 2 8 1 6 City of Edinburgh 58 96 67 84 106 115 103 97 73 85 66 22 24 Clackmannan 7 11 2 4 6 2 3 8 6 5 8 0 1 Planning Authority 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Comhairle nan Eilean Siar 2 0 0 0 0 2 1 1 1 5 1 0 1 Dumfries and Galloway 9 19 11 4 24 22 36 32 29 31 23 10 9 Dundee City 21 10 16 22 10 15 28 28 39 35 18 6 8 East Ayrshire 13 14 18 21 21 16 13 20 16 20 17 8 8 East Dunbartonshire 10 20 16 23 21 21 34 14 28 24 13 4 3 East Lothian 13 21 6 13 13 16 13 13 7 12 26 4 5 East Renfrewshire 10 4 15 14 18 21 25 33 22 23 16 1 6 Falkirk 8 13 20 25 24 20 25 18 30 16 25 9 9 Fife 66 62 42 45 60 53 62 95 64 97 88 27 38 Glasgow City 27 37 34 33 32 47 49 67 65 39 39 11 6 Highland 25 34 38 26 43 59 49 67 82 71 63 23 19 Inverclyde 9 1 14 9 9 12 16 11 13 3 8 2 7 Loch Lomond and the Trossachs 0 0 0 7 5 15 8 14 8 15 8 1 Midlothian 14 19 17 20 9 14 16 20 15 12 13 8 4 Moray 19 17 12 15 12 31 35 34 55 38 14 4 4 North Ayrshire 7 7 11 12 9 15 21 31 29 19 22 5 4 North Lanarkshire 19 23 20 32 19 30 36 36 24 27 18 16 14 Orkney Islands 3 4 2 4 3 3 1 3 15 9 8 3 2 Perth and Kinross 34 42 26 39 55 73 87 62 77 108 95 20 17 Renfrewshire 27 27 26 32 21 29 29 25 27 21 20 4 1 Scottish Borders 20 24 16 19 32 20 47 41 48 54 39 13 7 Shetland Islands 4 5 1 1 2 5 2 2 3 3 3 3 South Ayrshire 25 15 15 17 11 22 29 30 40 43 22 5 7 South Lanarkshire 24 38 26 29 42 32 33 35 49 40 27 6 6 Stirling 21 26 23 17 18 15 15 13 17 9 7 5 5 West Dunbartonshire 11 7 8 9 7 9 9 14 18 8 5 5 1 West Lothian 7 13 20 21 24 25 29 32 34 47 28 11 4
Table 2b: Appealed planning applications as a proportion of applications determined by local authorities in the financial years 1998-99-2010-11: 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Total Appeals 638 711 649 722 770 885 993 1039 1,106 1,091 909 320 269 Total Applications 42,004 43,599 41,633 45,092 48,007 48,131 56,720 53,391 54,597 53,396 47,220 40,495 42,058 Proportion (%age) 1.52 1.63 1.56 1.60 1.60 1.84 1.75 1.95 2.03 2.04 1.93 0.79 0.64
Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Executive to what extent landscape and natural scenic beauty are taken into account in determining planning permission for onshore wind farms. (S4W-04693) Derek Mackay: Section 25 of the Planning etc. (Scotland) Act 2006 requires that planning applications are considered in accordance with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. It is for planning authorities to prepare development plans for their area. Scottish Planning Policy informs planning authorities in the preparation of their development plan policies. Paragraph 187 of Scottish Planning Policy indicates that landscape and visual impact can be included in the criteria that will be considered in deciding planning applications for wind farm development. Scottish Planning Policy can be found on the Scottish Government’s website: http://www.scotland.gov.uk.
Margaret McDougall (West Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it takes levels of (a) deprivation and (b) unemployment into account when deciding the local government finance settlement. (S4W-04718) John Swinney: A range of needs-based indicators are used in the distribution of the annual local government finance settlements. The main driver is population which is split into various age bands to cover groups such as the school population and the elderly but other indicators of need used, include deprivation, rurality, and road lengths. Although levels of unemployment are not directly used the numbers of Income Support Dependents and Job Seekers Allowance claimants are included as measures of deprivation within the distribution formula.
Margaret McDougall (West Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive what factors it took into account when deciding the most recent local government finance settlement for North Ayrshire. (S4W-04720) John Swinney: The funding allocations to all local authorities, including North Ayrshire Council, were calculated using the agreed needs-based distribution formula which has been in place for many years. The main indicator of need is population but other factors are taken into account including deprivation, rurality, and road lengths. The formula was reviewed jointly, by the Scottish Government and COSLA, in 2009, and it concluded that the existing indicators were reasonable and should be retained and updated. The formula is kept under constant review to ensure that it is still fit for purpose.
Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive how many of its staff have participated in the BT Vital Vision programme since 2007 and how much it cost. (S4W-04721) John Swinney: Since January 2007 six Scottish Government staff have participated in BT’s Vital Vision programme. There is no fee for taking part in the BT Vital Vision programme apart from routine travel and subsistence expenses (T&S) which are funded by the participating organisation. The T&S costs vary according to location and the individual’s availability to attend the full programme.
Health and Social Care Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive when the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Cities Strategy last met NHS Highland. (S4O-0565) Nicola Sturgeon: Both ministers and government officials regularly meet with senior management from NHS boards, including NHS Highland.
Margaret Burgess (Cunninghame South) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that expertise on skin diseases is maintained by nurses and GPs given the reduction in the number of NHS beds dedicated for those with skin complaints. (S4O-0566) Michael Matheson: It is for each NHS board to decide how best to deliver high quality, safe and sustainable services to meet the needs of their population. Dermatology services remain predominantly outpatient focused. In any reconfiguration of local services, I expect NHS boards to ensure that safe and patient-centred care is delivered by appropriately skilled, competent and motivated healthcare professionals, with access to continuous professional development opportunities.
Sandra White (Glasgow Kelvin) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure local community access to the Cities Investment Fund. (S4O-0567) Nicola Sturgeon: The Cities Investment Fund is designed to accelerate the pace of investment in our cities by: developing programmes which lever in other funding; supporting collaborative programmes between cities which will develop large-scale projects; and developing programmes which allow for wider city region investment. The detailed criteria for the fund will be finalised after consultation with the six city local authorities and with COSLA.
John Lamont (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met NHS Borders. (S4O-0568) Nicola Sturgeon: Ministers and government officials meet representatives of all NHS boards on a regular basis.
Learning and Justice Bob Doris (Glasgow) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding is likely to be available to spend in Glasgow in 2012-13 from monies recovered under proceeds of crime legislation. (S4O-0548) Kenny MacAskill: The Proceeds of Crime Act allows the Scottish Government to seize illegal gains from organised crime and uniquely, through the highly successful CashBack for Communities initiative, invest the ill-gotten gains of criminal activity back into community programmes, facilities and activities largely for young people to the ultimate benefit of Scottish communities across the length and breadth of the country. I am rightly proud to be able to say that through CashBack, we have invested over £44 million to benefit some 600,000 young people and the communities they live in right across Scotland. CashBack funding is not allocated on a geographical basis. Rather, the Scottish Government allocates available funds to partner organisations, who are responsible for running projects across Scotland; delivering outcomes to give our young people positive, purposeful and constructive opportunities to contribute to Scottish society.
David McLetchie (Lothian) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have been (a) prosecuted and (b) convicted in cases involving domestic violence in each of the last three years, broken down by manner of disposal.
Holding answer issued: 23 December 2011 (S4W-04524) Roseanna Cunningham: Information on offence aggravations have been published and classified as “data being developed” alongside the 2010-11 Criminal Proceedings in Scotland statistical bulletin and some caution needs to be applied to these figures when comparing results across time or geographically. We are working to increase our understanding of offence aggravations data and to assess and attempt to improve the consistency of recording of the data. It is anticipated that this work will be completed during 2012. Full details of any changes will be provided in subsequent publications of the Criminal Proceedings Bulletin. More details are available here: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Crime-Justice/Datasets/CrimProcDatDev. The available information on domestic abuse aggravations is given in the following table. Sentencing decisions are made by the judiciary based on all the facts and circumstances of the offence and offender. Persons proceeded against and convicted for an offence1 with a domestic aggravator2 recorded, by disposal, 2008-09: 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 Prosecutions 7,983 10,183 9,986 Convictions 7,108 8,846 8,545 Disposal: Custody 793 950 1,015 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 Community sentence 1,434 1,797 1,690 Monetary 2,758 3,095 2,741 Admonished 2,055 2,906 2,916 Other 68 98 183 Notes: 1. Where main offence. 2. The data recording codes for aggravators changed on 10 March 2008. The recording of aggravators has improved over time therefore caution is needed when comparing changes over time.
David McLetchie (Lothian) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Executive how many people given a custodial sentence in cases involving domestic violence received a sentence of (a) three and (b) six months or less in each of the last three years. Holding answer issued: 23 December 2011 (S4W-04525) Roseanna Cunningham: Information on offence aggravations have been published and classified as “data being developed” alongside the 2010-11 Criminal Proceedings in Scotland statistical bulletin and some caution needs to be applied to these figures when comparing results across time or geographically. We are working to increase our understanding of offence aggravations data and to assess and attempt to improve the consistency of recording of the data. It is anticipated that this work will be completed during 2012. Full details of any changes will be provided in subsequent publications of the Criminal Proceedings Bulletin. More details are available here: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Crime-Justice/Datasets/CrimProcDatDev. The available information on domestic abuse aggravations is given in the following table. Sentencing decisions are made by the judiciary based on all the facts and circumstances of the offence and offender. Persons convicted for an offence with a domestic aggravator recorded, receiving a custodial sentence, 2008-09 to 2010-11: Main Result of Proceedings 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 Sentence of 3 months or less: Imprisonment 381 425 407 Young Offender Institution 22 33 36 All 403 458 443 Sentence over 3 months and less than 6 months: Imprisonment 254 306 355 Young Offender Institution 13 21 21 All 267 327 376
James Kelly (Rutherglen) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to distribute the £9 million fund aimed at tackling sectarianism that it announced on 23 November 2011. (S4W-04656) Roseanna Cunningham: The £9 million of funding announced on the 23 November will be split over three financial years from 2012-13 to 2014-15, with £3 million invested each year. We are developing our community based approach and building a strong evidence base which will inform future funding decisions to effectively support this work and ensure funding is used to deliver the best outcomes for communities. Funding decisions from 2012-13 have not been made.
James Kelly (Rutherglen) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the costs of the Football Co-ordination Unit for Scotland will be met from the fund to tackle sectarianism that it announced on 23 November 2011. (S4W-04657) Roseanna Cunningham: The costs of the Football Co-ordination Unit for Scotland for 2011-12 will be met from the Scottish Governments Community Safety Unit budget. No decisions regarding budgets and funding for 2012-13 have been made.
James Kelly (Rutherglen) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive how it monitors response times by the fire and rescue services. (S4W-04678) Roseanna Cunningham: Routine monitoring of attendance times is not carried out by the Scottish Government as it is primarily a matter for the fire and rescue services. With the passing by parliament of the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 and the creation of a Fire and Rescue Framework for Scotland, a new locally determined risk-assessed methodology for deploying fire authority resources was introduced; Integrated Risk Management Plans (IRMP). A review of the implementation and impact of IRMP, including attendance times, was carried out by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Advisory Unit and published in April 2011. A copy of the report can be found using the following link and chapter 9 covers attendance times: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Justice/public-safety/fire-and-rescue-services/fire-rescue-advisory- unit/publications/IRMPReviewinSFRS/Q/EditMode/on/ForceUpdate/on. Until reporting year 2004-2005, information on attendance times formed a performance monitoring measure recorded by Audit Scotland and is published on the Performance Information section of the Audit Scotland website, at the following web addresses: http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/performance/fire/.
James Kelly (Rutherglen) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will introduce proposals to implement national standards for response and operating procedures as part of the fire and rescue services restructuring plans. (S4W-04679) Roseanna Cunningham: The move to a single fire and rescue service will require convergence of operating procedures and performance measures and is part of the reform process. The relevant working groups established as part of the fire reform programme are currently taking this work forward.
James Kelly (Rutherglen) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions have taken place with the Fire Brigades Union regarding national standards for response times. (S4W-04680) Roseanna Cunningham: Ministers, the Head of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Advisory Unit and Scottish Government officials regularly engage with the Fire Brigades Union on the whole range of issues across the provision of fire and rescue services in Scotland.
James Kelly (Rutherglen) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to reduce fire and rescue service response times. (S4W-04681) Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government has provided substantial funding for the provision of an enhanced digital communication system for the fire and rescue service. This enhancement has, in some locations, enabled an improvement in mobilisation times. However, the number of dwelling fires is at a 10 year low. This welcome reduction has in part been achieved through a focus on prevention of fires rather than a quicker response to them. The Scottish Government supports this important prevention work through the direct funding of the national domestic fire safety campaign, Don’t Give Fire a Home.
Kevin Stewart (Aberdeen Central) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the UK Government about search and rescue helicopter provision in Scotland. (S4W-04695) Roseanna Cunningham: On 28 October 2011, the Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs, Ms Cunningham, wrote to the Secretary of State for Transport to outline the current position of the Scottish Government in relation to Search and Rescue Helicopters, to seek reassurance regarding current and future provision in Scotland and to highlight the importance of Scottish Government representation at future discussions. In response, the Scottish Government has been invited to take part in the UK Strategic Committee for Search and Rescue and will attend future meetings to ensure Scotland’s interests are taken into account.
Kevin Stewart (Aberdeen Central) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the UK Government about maritime reconnaissance aircraft provision in Scotland. (S4W-04696) Roseanna Cunningham: In September 2010, the Scottish Government made representations regarding the replacement of the Nimrod MRA4 reconnaissance capability through its response to the UK Government’s Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) in a cross party submission with the main Scottish party leaders. The First Minister also wrote to the Secretary of State for Defence, Liam Fox, to express his concern following the announcement to cancel the Nimrod contract in October 2010.
Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive whether a decision has been made on the merging of West Dunbartonshire and East Dunbartonshire children’s panels as part of the reforms to the children’s hearings system. (S4W-04698) Aileen Campbell: Under Section 4 of the Children’s Hearings (Scotland) Act 2011, there will be one national Children’s Panel. Discussions with local authorities regarding the establishment and membership of the Area Support Teams are continuing.
Anne McTaggart (Glasgow) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met the Minister of State for Immigration to discuss the deportation of foreign national prisoners. (S4W-04706) Kenny MacAskill: I met with the Chief Executive of the UK Border Agency on 16 December 2011. The deportation of foreign national prisoners was discussed at this meeting.
Hugh Henry (Renfrewshire South) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the term "football" in the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Bill refers only to soccer or includes rugby football. (S4W-04711) Roseanna Cunningham: The Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Bill defines a “regulated football match” in section 2(1)(a) as having “the same meaning as it has for the purposes of Chapter 1 (football banning orders) of part 2 of the Police, Public Order and Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2006 (asp 10) (see section 55(2) of that Act)”. This does not include rugby.
Elaine Smith (Coatbridge and Chryston) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the chairs and principals of (a) Cumbernauld, (b) Motherwell and (c) South Lanarkshire colleges regarding the development of a federation of colleges in Lanarkshire. (S4W-04736) Michael Russell: While we have engaged closely with college chairs and principals as we pursue the reform of post-16 education, we have had no separate discussions with these three colleges alone on the subject of a federation of colleges in Lanarkshire. I have met the various chairs and principals at events over the past few months.
Elaine Smith (Coatbridge and Chryston) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the minutes are available of recent discussions between the chairs and principals of Cumbernauld College, Motherwell College and South Lanarkshire College regarding the development of a federation of colleges in Lanarkshire. (S4W-04737) Michael Russell: The minutes of any discussions which might take place between individual colleges would not routinely be held centrally. No minutes of the type described are held by the Scottish Government.
Elaine Smith (Coatbridge and Chryston) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive what it considers the impact would be on Coatbridge College of a federation of colleges in Lanarkshire. (S4W-04738) Michael Russell: The creation of a federation of colleges in Lanarkshire, and its impact, would be in the first instance a matter for the colleges concerned. Colleges have a responsibility to ensure that the public funds they receive deliver the best outcomes for learners. Ministers look to colleges everywhere to ensure that they continue to fulfil this responsibility at all times.
Elaine Smith (Coatbridge and Chryston) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the chairs and principals of Cumbernauld College, Motherwell College and South Lanarkshire College consulted the relevant trade unions prior to issuing a joint statement on the development of a federation of colleges in Lanarkshire. (S4W-04739) Michael Russell: Colleges are independent employers of staff and are expected to take their own decisions on engagement with staff and trade unions. While ministers have no direct role in this area, they expect colleges to follow good practice at all times.
Elaine Smith (Coatbridge and Chryston) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the joint statement on the development of a federation of colleges in Lanarkshire was agreed by the boards of Cumbernauld College, Motherwell College and South Lanarkshire College. (S4W-04740) Michael Russell: Colleges are under no obligation to report to ministers the manner in which they make individual decisions or announcements. Ministers however, expect college boards of management to follow good practice at all times.
Siobhan McMahon (Central Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive what the income from alcohol licence fees was or has been in (a) 2005, (b) 2006, (c) 2007, (d) 2008, (e) 2009, (f) 2010 and (g) 2011. (S4W-04746)
Siobhan McMahon (Central Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive what the expenditure was or has been for administering the alcohol licensing regime in (a) 2005, (b) 2006, (c) 2007, (d) 2008, (e) 2009, (f) 2010 and (g) 2011. (S4W-04747) Kenny MacAskill: Data on income from licensing fees and the costs of administering the licensing system is in the public domain and is contained within the Scottish Local Government Financial Statistics. It can be found on the Scottish Government website at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Local-Government- Finance/PubScottishLGFStats/Q/EditMode/on/ForceUpdate/on. The most recently available data is for the financial year 2009-10 and was published in February 2011. The data covers all forms of licensing activity. Specific data for alcohol licensing is not available.
Lewis Macdonald (North East Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive how much it expects that the VAT liability will be of a single (a) police force and (b) fire service. (S4W-04819) Kenny MacAskill: The estimated costs and savings associated with the reform of both the police and fire and rescue services, including potential VAT liabilities, were identified in the Outline Business Cases published in September 2011. These can be found on the Scottish Government’s website for (a) police at http://scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2011/09/15112608/0 and for (b) fire and rescue at http://scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2011/09/15153130/0.
Transport Scotland Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Executive how much it will invest in and how any funding will be spent on (a) preventing further landslides on and (b) upgrading the A83. (S4W-04684) Keith Brown: Since the previous landslides at the Rest and Be Thankful in 2007 and 2009, we have invested approximately £700,000 at this location on mitigation measures including the installation of flexible flow netting, a new culvert and drainage system at a previous landslide site and geotechnical monitoring equipment. An early warning system has also been put in place which activates Wig-Wag flashing amber lights when severe weather warnings are received from the Met Office. We will continue to deliver the landslide mitigation programme, investing approximately £500,000 per year across the network, including the A83. The Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR) identified the A83 as a route that would be maintained and safely operated within the general remit of Transport Scotland, but identified no specific improvement schemes. Transport Scotland continues to manage and maintain the route. In the last three years, we have invested over £16 million on the maintenance of the trunk road section of the A83. For example, Transport Scotland has carried out a route accident reduction plan study along the entire length of the A83 trunk road from Arrochar to Furnace. The resulting scheme was broken down into three phases to allow construction over a two year period, to the value of £615,000. The works installed included surfacing, high friction surfacing, signing, lining and bend assessment works to provide drivers with a consistent message when approaching challenging bends along the route.
Jamie Hepburn (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Executive what expenditure is forecast for Springburn railway station as part of the Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Programme and what proportion will be associated with any diverting of Cumbernauld services to Glasgow Queen Street low level. (S4W-04697) Keith Brown: The current Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Programme (EGIP) cost plan contains no provision for work at Springburn Railway Station.
Margaret McDougall (West Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive for what reason its Infrastructure Investment Plan 2011 does not refer to the A737. (S4W-04712) Alex Neil: The Infrastructure Investment Plan, published on 6 December 2011, sets out our ambitious programme of capital investment, from now to 2030, and explains how this spend will help to boost economic growth. The plan identifies the larger Scottish Government investments expected in the coming decades. In addition, we will be investing significantly in a wide range of less costly projects and programmes, that are also strategically important, but have not been individually identified in the plan. The A737 will be considered under the programme of smaller scale transport investments including Targeted Bypass Schemes which will manage specific congestion points on the strategic travel network and Targeted Trunk Road Improvements which will continue the effective operation of the trunk road network, providing opportunities for overtaking and improved safety.
Margaret McDougall (West Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive when work will begin on upgrading the Dalry by-pass. (S4W-04715) Keith Brown: The proposed A737 Dalry Bypass is included in Intervention 22 of the Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR) and Scottish ministers recognise its importance in helping to reduce the conflict between local and strategic traffic that occurs along the A737, improving road safety and journey time reliability on this route. Intervention 22 of the STPR is included in the recently published Infrastructure Investment Plan as part of the pipeline of projects for delivery. The timing of delivery of individual bypasses and road improvements within the pipeline, depends on securing the necessary approvals for individual projects and the availability of funding. Advance preparatory work on the proposed Dalry bypass has already been undertaken, with an assessment of route options and supporting environmental impact assessments completed.
Margaret McDougall (West Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to improve the infrastructure links to North Ayrshire to help encourage investment. (S4W-04716) Keith Brown: North Ayrshire is already well connected to the trunk road and rail networks and can take advantage of convenient road links to both Glasgow and Prestwick International Airports and to the ports at Ardrossan, Hunterston and Ayr. The proposed A737 Dalry Bypass is included in Intervention 22 of the Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR) and Scottish ministers recognise its importance in helping to reduce the conflict between local and strategic traffic that occurs along the A737, improving road safety and journey time reliability on this route. Intervention 22 of the STPR is included in the recently published Infrastructure Investment Plan as part of the pipeline of projects for delivery, subject to the availability of future funding.
Margaret McDougall (West Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to develop road links to North Ayrshire to improve travel-to-work opportunities. (S4W-04717) Keith Brown: North Ayrshire is well connected to the trunk road network through the A78 and A737 and, via the A71, to the A77/M77, A76 and M74. Passenger rail services in North Ayrshire provide fast and convenient commuting opportunities to destinations both within and outside North Ayrshire, including Glasgow, and have benefited from investment in a fleet of new Class 380 electric trains which were introduced on the Ayrshire routes in 2011. STPR Intervention 26 – Rail Enhancements Between Inverclyde/Ayrshire and Glasgow - will deliver further improvements to passenger services and make a significant contribution to increasing rail capacity in Ayrshire, which is expected to encourage modal shift from road to rail.
Neil Findlay (Lothian) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive how many passengers boarded trains at (a) Bathgate, (b) Armadale, (c) Blackridge, (d) Caldercruix, (e) Livingston North, (f) Uphall and (g) Drumgelloch stations from 12 December 2010 to 20 December 2011 broken down by calendar month. (S4W-04735) Keith Brown: Passenger numbers boarding at the specified stations and broken down by calendar month are not available in the format requested. ScotRail monitor passenger numbers from its LENNON system. This is a rail industry passenger revenue allocation system which apportions passenger usage based on ticket sales in a four weekly format. The following table gives the data for usage at the stations per four weekly period across the first year. These figures represent the number of passenger journeys either boarding or alighting at the specified stations. December 10 January 11 February 11 March 11 April 11 May 11 June 11 P10 P11 P12 P13 P01 P02 P03 Bathgate 52,935 61,936 67,216 57,438 63,792 59,425 61,460 Armadale 76 194 470 5747 8432 7927 8365 Blackridge 2,145 2,765 3,642 2,782 3,339 2,880 3,050 Caldercruix 157 153 3,838 5,295 7,251 6,006 6,082 Livingston N 40,696 54,344 56,346 53,262 57,970 55,076 58,384 Uphall 13,207 18,353 20,486 18,601 20,021 19,132 19,854 Drumgelloch 1,142 1,513 1,458 10,028 14,498 14,462 16,178
July August September October November December Annual 11 11 11 11 11 11 Total P04 P05 P06 P07 P08 P09 Bathgate 62,434 74,640 67,516 68,520 71,719 75,929 844,962 Armadale 9,103 10,191 9,260 9,472 9,969 10,181 89,388 Blackridge 3,094 3,242 3,285 3,216 3,247 3,319 40,008 Caldercruix 6,044 6,814 6,367 6,847 7,129 6,870 68,853 Livingston N 59,869 69,265 64,263 66,472 67,957 71,100 775,003 Uphall 20,723 25,654 24,437 25,424 27,673 29,739 283,304 Drumgelloch 16,370 18,443 19,315 20,827 22,353 23,532 180,119