Chamber and committees

Timing of the Equal Pay Review is set out in the Shareholder Relationship Framework Document between the Scottish Government, as sole shareholder, and the Scottish National Investment Bank.

It states that the Bank is required to complete an equal pay review and report on it to Scottish Ministers at least every 5 years. The first review must therefore take place by 23 November 2025 and the Shareholder will agree the exact timing with the Bank.

The Scottish Ministers will consider any applications for approval of a proposed short-term let control area in accordance with the relevant legislation and the considerations set out in Planning Circular 01/2021.

Local professional and recreational deer stalkers currently make a contribution to meeting Forestry and Land Scotland's cull targets, where this is appropriate to meet the land management objectives set by Forestry and Land Scotland. This is achieved through open and transparent tendering of opportunities. There are currently no plans to change this.

Our Draft National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) sets out how our approach to planning and development will help achieve a net zero, sustainable Scotland by 2045, including through a suite of 35 proposed new or updated national planning policies. Draft policy 19 on green energy supports renewable energy development other than in national parks and national scenic areas, subject to an assessment of impacts on a case by case basis. Criteria for assessing proposals are also set out, including impacts on communities.

We laid the Draft NPF4 in the Scottish Parliament on 10 November 2021. Alongside Parliamentary scrutiny of the draft, we are running a public consultation, supported by an extensive engagement programme, and comments are invited by 31 March 2022. Following this period, we will consider the responses received and any appropriate amendments to the draft NPF4 before presenting a final draft to the Scottish Parliament for its approval, in advance of adoption by the Scottish Ministers.

Our Draft National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) sets out how our approach to planning and development will help achieve a net zero, sustainable Scotland by 2045, including through a suite of 35 proposed new or updated national planning policies. Draft policy 19 on green energy supports renewable energy development other than in national parks and national scenic areas, subject to an assessment of impacts on a case by case basis. Criteria for assessing proposals are also set out, including impacts on communities and individual dwellings, as well as on aviation.

We laid the Draft NPF4 in the Scottish Parliament on 10 November 2021. Alongside Parliamentary scrutiny of the draft, we are running a public consultation, supported by an extensive engagement programme, and comments are invited by 31 March 2022. Following this period, we will consider the responses received and any appropriate amendments to the draft NPF4 before presenting a final draft to the Scottish Parliament for its approval, in advance of adoption by the Scottish Ministers.

We will give consideration, once NPF4 has been finalised and adopted, to whether and where our existing suite of planning guidance may need updated or replaced to support NPF4 implementation.

The Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland (the Care Inspectorate) was established on 1 April 2011 following the commencement of the Public Services Reform (Scotland Act) 2010 (“the 2010 Act”) and encompassed other bodies such as the Care Commission. The statutory role and functions of the Care Inspectorate are as set out in the 2010 Act and does not extend to a role in the distribution of public or private funding across care homes.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is responsible for regulating water abstractions in Scotland’s rivers under the Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2011. On behalf of the Scottish Government, SEPA monitors and assesses water abstractions and fish populations in the upper courses of Scotland's rivers against a set of environmental standards as part of River Basin Management Planning.

These environmental standards classify the status of rivers (including upper courses) to define the environmental conditions required to support healthy populations of flora and fauna, including salmon. Water flows and levels are currently classified by SEPA at good or better condition in 90% of Scotland’s water environment.

Scotland’s River Basin Management Plans 2021 - 2027 were published at the end of 2021 and include objectives for SEPA to review abstractions where the water environment is not in good condition. In particular, the flow requirements of each life stage of the salmon are considered by SEPA during any licence determination to ensure that these fish are protected. The Plans aim for an uplift in the condition of flows and levels in Scotland’s water environment to 96% by 2027.

The Scottish Government also published the Scottish Wild Salmon Strategy on 14 January, which sets out the vision, objectives and priority themes to ensure the protection and recovery of Scottish Atlantic wild salmon populations including actions to address flows and levels in rivers and water scarcity in drought conditions.

The Scottish Government is engaging closely with COSLA and Heads of Planning Scotland to make sure we have a common understanding of the pressures faced by the planning service and to promote a highly performing system which can deliver on the ambitions set out in the emerging NPF4.

We have laid regulations in the Scottish Parliament which will bring into effect fee increases, providing substantial additional income to authorities. The new regulations are expected to come into force on 1 April 2022, subject to parliamentary scrutiny. Beyond this we have committed to engaging with the High Level Group on Planning Performance which includes COSLA, Heads of Planning Scotland and other stakeholders, on a work programme to consider how full recovery of the costs of determining applications could be achieved.

Our consideration of capacity and skills in planning has been informed by recent research commissioned by Skills Development Scotland, undertaken by EKOS and published by Partners in Planning, available at https://www.partnersinplanning.scot/__data/assets/pdf_file/0016/23623/Skills-in-Planning-Research-Final-February-2021.pdf The research report provides an independent perspective on the challenges faced and a series of proposed actions. Scottish Government is working with the other partner members of Partners in Planning to take forward the proposed actions to help ensure the future pipeline of planners needed to deliver on our ambitions. This includes supporting a short project recently commissioned by Heads of Planning Scotland and the RTPI to explore options and set out proposals to help increase the numbers of people entering the planning profession.

Delivering the NPF4 spatial strategy and implementing its national policy will require collaboration and we will continue to work with stakeholders as we progress towards a finalised NPF4 and beyond.

The eligibility criteria for the existing Business Ventilation Fund has been widened to include Day Care of children services operated by Private, Voluntary and Independent Sector Nurseries. PVI settings can claim up to £2,500 per eligible premises to support them to improve their ventilation, improve air quality, and help reduce the spread of COVID-19. The £25m Fund is open to applications and will remain open until 31 March 2022 or until funds are exhausted - whichever occurs first. Full details of the eligibility criteria for the Business Ventilation Fund, the costs which can be claimed back, and the application process can be found on the Scottish Government Website.

As was made clear in the letter to the Committee, an undercut of a door was only one element of an example set of remedial measures used to calculate the up-to-£5m fund.

The Scottish Government has not issued any guidance to local authorities recommending the use of door undercuts in specific spaces. Expert local authority teams fully understand that all remedial work undertaken should be in line with guidance on ventilation and based on expert assessment of the ventilation issues in a specific space.

The precise number of problematic spaces will be dependent on a range of factors over time, and many of the problematic spaces will already have been addressed. The Scottish Government has agreed formal reporting requirements regarding the number of remaining problematic spaces with local authorities.