Chamber and committees

In accordance with the general principles in undertaking a relocation review, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) will consider issues such as costs, social issues, personnel issues, transport and environmental considerations. A valuation of Hope Terrace, Edinburgh will be obtained to ascertain the potential costs or benefits in relocating. Should the review recommend moving from Hope Terrace, capital receipts of up to £1 million would be available to SNH to cover relocation or other costs: capital receipts of more than £1 million would similarly be available with the consent of the Scottish ministers.

It was announced on 19 November 2001 that Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) would undertake a relocation review, as there is a property lease break in one of its Edinburgh offices in 2005. The review will access issues such as costs, quality and efficiency of service, economic factors such as unemployment, availability and suitability of property and staff, transport and environmental issues. Staff and unions will be consulted before decisions are taken on the most suitable location for SNH staff. The target date for completion of the review is mid-2002 and ministers will take a decision on the most suitable HQ location for SNH based on the review findings.

Scottish Natural Heritage carries out a range of headquarters functions at its Hope Terrace, Bonnington, Battleby, Inverness, Aberdeen and Clydebank locations.The following table gives details of the HQ functions carried by out by one or more staff at each office location.

	Hope Terrace	Bonnington	Inverness	Aberdeen	Battleby	Clydebank
Secretariat, Press and PR						
Corporate Planning and Information Unit	
Finance Services						
Personnel Services					
Information Systems Services						
Common Services						
Design & Information Services						
Audit and Review						
Operational Support Unit						
Advisory Services						
National Strategy						
Chief Scientists Unit		
Environmental Audit		
Natura 2000						
Directors Support Units						

The Scottish Executive will publish the report of the Review of Educational Psychology Services by the end of February.The Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT) is currently considering the issue of pay and conditions for educational psychologists.

At last December's Fisheries Council, the commission proposed reductions in various Nephrops total allocated catch (TAC). In line with the scientific advice, the UK argued successfully for increases on these commission proposals. The outcome for 2002 was a Nephrops TAC in the North Sea restored to 2000 levels, and a Nephrops TAC West of Scotland restored to 2001 levels but lower than the TAC for 2000.

The Scottish Executive does not record this information. However, the trunk road operating companies are required to maintain records of the times that they undertake delegated functions under the powers of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984.

The European Commission have yet to confirm whether there is any agrimonetary compensation available to the sheep sector. Although this aid relates to the second and third stages of compensation paid last year, the EU agrimonetary rules provide for these later payments to be reduced or cancelled if the market prices and exchange rates have since moved in a direction which ameliorates the situation which led to the initial compensation. We will not know for some months what the commission assessment will be. When we do find out how much, if any, agrimonetary aid is available we will carefully consider the case for payment and make the appropriate representations to Her Majesty's Government.

The provision set out in section 9(2)(a) of the bill did not form part of the consultation draft of the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill. The decision to include section 9(2)(a) was taken in response to arguments advanced by 151 respondents to the consultation on the draft bill, who considered that access rights should not extend to commercial activities. There were four respondents who were in support of commercial activities being included in access rights.

No representations from the police have been received by the Scottish Executive concerning the condition of the road surface on the A82 south of Inverarnan.

Scottish minister were obliged to follow EU procurement rules in appointing trunk road maintenance operator, and to avoid contracts on the basis of the most economically advantageous tenders, subject to bidders being able to demonstrate a proven track record in road management and maintenance.BEAR Scotland Ltd was appointed trunk road operating company for the North East and North West Units following the tender competition where BEAR was assessed as submitting the most economically advantageous tenders for both Units. Prior to tender invitation the companies who make up BEAR Scotland Ltd were able to demonstrate that they have a proven track record of providing road management and maintenance services, including winter maintenance.The Scottish Executive employs the Performance Audit Group (PAG) to audit and monitor the activities and performance of BEAR to ensure the standards required by the trunk road contract are achieved. To date there is no evidence to suggest that the level of service has dropped since BEAR took over the contract. The current trunk road maintenance contracts specify the same level of service as in previous years. The level of service provided on non-trunk roads is a matter for the relevant local authorities. I have received no invitation to attend a public meeting as described, nor do I have any plans to do so.