- Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 26 May 2011
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Current Status:
Answered by Richard Lochhead on 9 June 2011
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review Land Court procedures.
Answer
The Scottish Government does not have any plans to review Land Court procedures.
- Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 26 May 2011
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Current Status:
Answered by Richard Lochhead on 9 June 2011
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review section 13 of the Agricultural Holdings (Scotland) Act 1991.
Answer
On 30 September 2010, the Scottish Government invited the Tenant Farming Forum to submit their views on what changes might help simplify the means by which agricultural rents are set (under section 13 of the Agricultural Holdings (Scotland) Act 1991) and the process for determining disputes over rent reviews. The Scottish Government will consider its response once it has received the views of the Tenant Farming Forum.
- Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 June 2011
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Current Status:
Answered by John Swinney on 8 June 2011
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the guidance laid out in Circular 38/1992, Disposal of Surplus Government Land - The Chrichel Down Rules, remains in place with regard to the exceptions from the obligation to offer surplus government land back to its previous owner.
Answer
Circular 38/1992 and the guidance it contains remains in place. The Scottish Government has, however, recently carried out a public consultation seeking views on new draft guidance on using compulsory purchase. This included a new draft circular to replace circular 38/1992. We are currently analysing the consultation responses and intend issuing the new circular later this year.
- Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 17 May 2011
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Current Status:
Answered by Keith Brown on 1 June 2011
To ask the Scottish Executive where it will set up the national lending unit proposed in the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006.
Answer
The Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 does not propose a National Lending Unit. It contains wide ranging powers to enable local authorities to assist home owners with the repair and maintenance of their property, including the power to offer loans and other financial products. As part of the consultation on the implementation of the act, the Scottish Government sought views on a national lending unit as a means to support local authorities’ use of these powers.
The Scottish Government reviewed these proposals in response to the economic downturn, the impact of this on credit and household income, and the new arrangements under the concordat with local authorities. Following consultation, the Scottish Government decided not to set up a national lending unit but agreed to work with COSLA to identify other options for local authorities to take forward the development of new initiatives for lending, taking account of local priorities for investment in housing.
- Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 17 May 2011
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Current Status:
Answered by Keith Brown on 31 May 2011
To ask the Scottish Executive how the contracts with (a) surveyors, (b) installers and (c) suppliers providing services under its Energy Assistance Package are allocated.
Answer
Scottish Gas is responsible for contracting work under Stage 4 of the Energy Assistance Package. Andy Smyth, Scottish Gas Head of Energy Assistance Package has stated that:
Contracts for all installers and other suppliers under the Energy Assistance Package are awarded following EU procurement procedures which is a contractual and regulatory obligation. Notices for the contract tenders are published through the Scottish Government website and all stages of the award process are followed according to strict OJEU rules. Surveyors and Inspectors are recruited as direct employees by Scottish Gas in most cases with sub-contractors used to address peaks in workload.
- Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 17 May 2011
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Current Status:
Answered by Keith Brown on 31 May 2011
To ask the Scottish Executive how many businesses in Dumfries and Galloway are contracted to (a) survey properties, (b) install insulation and central heating systems and (c) supply materials under its Energy Assistance Package.
Answer
Scottish Gas is responsible for contracting work under Stage 4 of the Energy Assistance Package. Andy Smyth, Scottish Gas, advises that:
Whilst two local businesses bid for contracts under the EAP Dumfries and Galloway neither have been contracted to (a) survey properties, (b) install insulation and central heating systems and c) supply materials. In each case they failed to pass the pre qualifying stage (PQQ) which is part of the OJEU process. However, Scottish Gas will be contacting those businesses which were unsuccessful at this stage, and other small businesses locally, to discuss ways in which they may be able assist them in their approach to OJEU tenders with an aim of helping them submit more successful bids in the future. In addition, Scottish Gas has established a green skills academy in Dumfries and Galloway to offer additional training and upskilling opportunities to companies that work within the local community.
Contractors are allocated at a regional basis and cover various fuel types. Currently 14 central heating installers cover the South West Scotland area and four insulation contractors. The appointed material supplier for the programme covers Scotland as a whole. Dumfries and Galloway referrals will generate workload for two surveyors and one inspector.
- Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 17 May 2011
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Current Status:
Answered by Keith Brown on 31 May 2011
To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria are used when assessing planning applications for businesses to which the access roads are also junctions from trunk roads.
Answer
Under The Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (Scotland) Regulations 2008, planning authorities are required to consult Scottish ministers in relation to any planning application which may impact upon the trunk road network. This consultation is undertaken by Transport Scotland as the national transport agency of the Scottish Government.
For new infrastructure and proposed developments, Transport Scotland seeks to implement engineering and planning policy standards and guidance. All works and infrastructure should be designed and constructed in compliance with the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges. Developments should also conform with policies contained in Scottish Planning Policy and the various planning circulars and advice notes.
Transport Scotland’s Development Management Guidance has been published to assist planners and developers who are involved in consultations with Transport Scotland on developments which may impact on the trunk road network. This guidance is available online at:
http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/strategy-and-research/publications-and-consultations/j8508-00.htm.
- Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 26 May 2011
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 2 June 2011
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to introduce secondary legislation under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 and, if so, what regulation it is considering.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 2 June 2011
- Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 May 2011
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Current Status:
Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 19 May 2011
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it remains its position that “the balance of public interest [is] not at present in favour of issuing licences for the control of birds of prey to protect non-native reared game birds “as stated by the Minister for Environment at the meeting of the Rural Affairs and Environment Committee on 3 Nov 2010 (Official Report c. 3330).
Answer
- Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfries, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 03 March 2011
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Current Status:
Answered by Keith Brown on 14 March 2011
To ask the Scottish Executive whether Transport Scotland will continue to be liable for the agent’s fees for individuals who had to employ agents to deal with the sale of land in connection with the proposed improvements to the A75 from Hardgrove to Kinmount.
Answer
Once a decision is taken to acquire the land then Transport Scotland will pay agent''s negotiating fees, as recommended by the District Valuer, on acquisition of the land required for the Scheme.
