Chamber and committees

No meetings are planned withthe Community Transport Association regarding the formulation andimplementation of single outcome agreements (SOAs). Officials have recentlydiscussed the effects of the StrategicSpending Review 2007 on the funding of community transport by telephone withthe CTA’s Director for Scotland. However, he did not request a meeting withofficials to discuss SOAs.

Further information onsingle outcome agreements can be found at:

www.scotland.gov.uk/Publication/2007/11/13092240.

No meetings have been heldwith the Community Transport Association (CTA) regarding the formulation andimplementation of single outcome agreements. Officials have recently discussed the effects of the Strategic SpendingReview 2007 on the funding of community transport by telephone with the CTA’sDirector for Scotland. However, he neither raised the issue of singleoutcome agreements nor requested a meeting with officials.

Further information onsingle outcome agreements can be found at:

www.scotland.gov.uk/Publication/2007/11/13092240.

No meetings are planned withthe Community Transport Association (CTA) regarding the decision to removering-fenced funding from community transport. Officials wrote to stakeholders,including the CTA, on 27 November 2007 to explain the effects of the Strategic SpendingReview 2007 announcement on the funding of community transport. Officials have sincethen discussed this matter further by telephone with the CTA’s Director for Scotland. TheCTA’s Director for Scotland did not however request a meeting with officials.

Further information on theoutcomes from the Scottish Budget: Spending Review 2007 Report isavailable at www.scotland.gov.uk.Publications/2007/11/13092240.

No meetings have been heldwith the Community Transport Association (CTA) regarding the decision to removering-fenced funding from community transport. Officials wrote to stakeholders,including the CTA, on 27 November 2007 to explain the effects of the Strategic SpendingReview 2007 announcement on the funding of community transport. Officials havesince then discussed this matter further by telephone with the CTA’s Directorfor Scotland. He did not however request a meeting with officials.

Further information on theoutcomes from the Scottish Budget: Spending Review 2007 Report isavailable at www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/11/13092240.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-7593 on 20 December 2007. All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for whichcan be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-7593 on 20 December 2007. All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for whichcan be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

No meetings have yet been heldwith organisations representing disabled or older people about the removal of thering fence on Supporting People, but discussions with a wide range of stakeholdersare planned between now and March 2008. Local authorities will continue to havea responsibility to support the most vulnerable people in their communities, ensuringfor example that their needs are reflected in local housing strategies. We expecthousing support services to have an important role to play in helping to achieveseveral of the new national indicators, and removing the ring fencing will allowmore flexible construction of support packages for individuals.

However, we recognise concernsexist in any transition period. We therefore look forward to discussing with COSLA,local authorities, providers and others how to best ensure that vulnerable peoplecontinue to be effectively supported, looking for example at how the interests of the most vulnerable in our society can be appropriately reflected in single outcomeagreements with local authorities.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-7589 on 20 December 2007. All answers to written questions areavailable on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be foundat http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

The meeting referred to was undertakenby Mr Salmond in his capacity as constituency MSP. I was not consulted nor was itnecessary to do so.

The Scottish Government has metnumerous housing organisations to discuss the wide ranging proposals set out inFirm Foundations, including tenant representative organisations, the Conventionof Scottish Local Authorities, Shelter, the Chartered Institute of Housing in Scotland,the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, the West of Scotland Forum of HousingAssociations, Registered Social Landlords, the Association of Local Authority ChiefHousing Officers and Employers in Voluntary Housing. Further meetings with tenantand housing organisations are planned to take place before the end of the Firm Foundationsconsultation period.