Chamber and committees

The concordat between Scottish Government and COSLA has established a new way of working based on mutual respect, trust and partnership. The concordat makes it clear that it is the responsibility of each local authority to allocate resources on the basis of local needs and priorities, including the Scottish Government''s key strategic objectives and manifesto commitments.

The funding from the previously ring-fenced Strategic Waste Fund, plus money from the Zero Waste Fund, and the overall additional funding package resulting from the 2007 Spending review is considered sufficient to meet both landfill directive and zero waste targets for 2010.

As regards longer term targets, Scottish Government and COSLA are currently discussing how best to ensure that waste management targets are achieved. Whilst those discussions are ongoing the penalties associated with the Landfill Allowance Scheme have been temporarily suspended.

The concordat between Scottish Government and COSLA established a new way of working based upon mutual respect, trust and partnership. The concordat makes it clear that it is the responsibility of each local authority to allocate resources on the basis of local needs and priorities, including the Scottish Government''s key strategic objectives and manifesto commitments.

The Scottish Government will work with COSLA and local authorities to provide support and resolve problems associated with non-achievement of agreed outcomes.

I can advise that all of the 2008-09 Zero Waste Fund (£41.1 million) has been allocated to a range of projects and initiatives designed to meet zero waste policy aims and objectives.

None. The 2008-09 pay settlement is still in negotiation with the trade union. As this is an operational matter for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, I have asked its Chief Executive, Campbell Gemmell, to write to the member.

The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP), on behalf of the Scottish Government, are working with retailers, manufacturers and leading supermarkets through the Courtauld Commitment to reduce the amount of packaging used and sold. Earlier in 2008 the signatories to the Courtauld Commitment reported that packaging waste growth had halted. There is now a commitment to deliver a reduction in packaging waste by March 2010.

WRAP is also working closely with industry to ensure that where plastic packaging is used the packaging is optimised in terms of weight and functionality and designed so that it can easily be reused or recycled.

In the case of plastic bags, the Scottish Government has secured a commitment from retailers in Scotland to reduce carrier bag usage by 50% by Spring 2009.

Work with the Scottish Waste Awareness Group (SWAG) includes the provision of information on packaging for consumers on SWAG''s web site so that the public is better informed about the role of packaging, how to avoid unnecessary packaging and how to complain about excess packaging.

The waiving and restriction of some fees charged to business for the remainder of 2008-09 was a business decision taken by Scottish Environment Protection Agency staff in the senior management team.

A number of projects designed to help meet zero waste policy aims and objectives have benefited. For example, delivery bodies including the Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP), Envirowise, Community Recycling Network for Scotland (CRNS) and the Scottish Waste Awareness Group (SWAG) have all received funding from the 2008-09 Zero Waste Fund.

Funding has also been made available to Eco Schools and for local authority food waste trials. In addition, various community based projects have also benefited from funding provided through the INCREASE III programme which is administered and delivered by WRAP and CRNS.

Any loss of income in 2008-09 from the decision to waive certain licence application fees payable by businesses will be funded from reprioritisation of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency''s existing budget provision.

All 32 local authorities in Scotland have single outcome agreements that include an outcome on waste management.

The new EC Marine Strategy Framework Directive and international examples from Canada, New Zealand and Australia were considered in the development of proposals for a Scottish Marine Bill. Sustainable Seas for All - a consultation on Scotland''s First Marine Bill invited views on the management and protection of coastal resources. The responses are currently being analysed. If there are specific examples of good practice the member would like me to be aware of, please write with the details.