- Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Edinburgh Central, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 28 September 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Mather on 6 October 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to National Grid Plc on its policy on transmission charging considered to place generators in the north of Scotland at a competitive disadvantage.
Answer
The existing transmission charging model applied by National Grid and Ofgem for electricity grid access and use results in energy generators in Scotland paying higher transmission charges than elsewhere in Britain.
In November of 2008, the Scottish Government submitted detailed proposals to National Grid for an alternative transmission charging methodology based on a flat-rate charge, not based on location of generators connecting to the grid. Since then, we have made detailed and ongoing representations to support alternative charging models to National Grid, Ofgem, and UK ministers.
National Grid has consulted on the initial proposal from Scotland and, despite strong support from consultation respondents, recently announced its intention not change the existing locational based approach.
We will continue to press National Grid, Ofgem and UK Government, in the context of the UK Government''s wider review of grid access, to deliver access and charging methodologies for generators in Scotland that are equitable, compliant with EU law, and encourage, rather than discourage, energy from renewable sources.
- Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Edinburgh Central, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 28 September 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Mather on 6 October 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to the European Union regarding transmission charges, given that the Renewables Directive states that “Member States shall ensure that the charging of transmission and distribution tariffs does not discriminate against electricity from renewable energy sources, including in particular electricity from renewable energy sources produced in peripheral regions, such as island regions, and in regions of low population density.”
Answer
We have made a number of representations to National Grid, Ofgem and the UK Government on Article 16 of the EU Renewable Energy Directive 2009/28/EC. We are challenging how the existing locational charging approach for electricity grid access and use, which results in energy generators in Scotland paying higher transmission charges than elsewhere in Britain, fits with the requirement to comply with Article 16. We will continue to make those representations with the aim of delivering a charging methodology for generators in Scotland that is equitable, compliant with EU law and encourages, rather than discriminates against energy from renewable sources.
- Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Edinburgh Central, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 28 September 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Mather on 6 October 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it has considered to enable Scottish Hydro-Electric Transmission Ltd to commence building a new 132 kv line from the (a) north Caithness coast to Dounreay and (b) Orkney islands to Dounreay.
Answer
Our
Second National Planning Framework was published in June this year. Within this national framework, the development of individual electricity grid reinforcement and upgrade projects is for transmission system owners, and subject to detailed planning permission from the relevant authorities.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/07/02105627/0.
- Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Edinburgh Central, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 28 September 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Mather on 6 October 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it has put in place to bring about the substantial reinforcements of the electricity transmission system needed to realise the potential of renewable energy sources, as identified in the National Planning Framework for Scotland 2.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-27792 on 6 October 2009. 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/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspxI.
In addition, the Second National Planning Framework is supported by a high-level action programme identifying key elements of the spatial strategy, key milestones in their implementation, lead partners and other delivery bodies. The Scottish Government will be engaging with lead partners and delivery bodies on the implementation of the action programme later in the autumn. Annual reviews of the action programme will provide a means of assessing progress.
- Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Edinburgh Central, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 08 September 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Shona Robison on 1 October 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive whether its forthcoming guidance note on procurement will ensure that community care service users whose service is being retendered will be able to apply for and receive a direct payment, subject to an ability to consent.
Answer
The forthcoming guidance on social care procurement will take account of the duty on local authorities to offer eligible individuals in receipt of a social work service a direct payment.
- Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Edinburgh Central, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 08 September 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Shona Robison on 18 September 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive what grounds local authorities have for refusing to approve direct payments where applicants’ existing services are being retendered, the individuals have the capacity to consent and sufficient resources are available for such direct payments.
Answer
The grounds for local authorities refusing direct payments should not depend on the reason for application, such as retendering exercises, but should be based on the criteria set out in existing legislation.
- Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Edinburgh Central, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 08 September 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Shona Robison on 18 September 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it plans to have with the City of Edinburgh Council concerning the council’s decision to suspend all approvals of pending direct payments for an indefinite period.
Answer
The council has no plans to suspend all approvals for an indefinite period. The Scottish Government will continue to monitor this situation.
- Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Edinburgh Central, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 08 September 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Shona Robison on 18 September 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the City of Edinburgh Council concerning the council’s decision to suspend all approvals of pending direct payments for an indefinite period.
Answer
I understand that Edinburgh City Council has not suspended all approvals for an indefinite period. I believe the council is taking a sensible approach that ensures that their self-directed support clients are effectively supported. It is important that they ensure that resources are released from elsewhere to meet demand in a sustainable way. However, I encourage Edinburgh City Council to resolve this as quickly and effectively as possible.
- Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Edinburgh Central, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 08 September 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Shona Robison on 18 September 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the City of Edinburgh Council in 2009 to identify any particular local obstacles preventing a more radical increase in the uptake of self-directed support, including consideration of the support mechanisms available to those accessing self-directed support.
Answer
The Scottish Government invited all local authorities separately to discuss local obstacles to self-directed support, gather input into a new strategy for increasing uptake and contribute to a review of current legislation. The Scottish Government has already met with Edinburgh City Council to discuss this.
- Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Edinburgh Central, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 September 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicola Sturgeon on 17 September 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider reconfiguring the draft national eligibility criteria for adult social care and waiting times for personal and nursing care following the consultation period to take into account recent policy directions such as the National Guidance on Self-Directed Support and the recommendations from Changing Lives.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-27069 on 17 September 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility can be found at
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.
