Chamber and committees

CoSLA are currently considering the development of a training and development programme for councillors in the light of the modernising local government agenda.

The information requested for Scottish Executive PFI contracts entered into since 1996 is detailed in the table. An up to date list of all currently active projects known to the Executive showing, among other things, the estimated capital value is available from the Parliament's Reference Centre. Information on advisory fees for non-Scottish Executive projects is a matter of commercial confidentiality between the parties to the contract.

Project Name	Procuring Agency	Financial Close	Capital Value (£ million)	Advisory Fees (£ million)
M6 DBFO	Development Department	April 1997	95	3.46
Kilmarnock Prison	Scottish Prison Service	November 1997	32	0.23

The Housing Green Paper Investing In Modernisation published in February 1999 (Cm 4272) stated that community ownership would normally result from the transfer of existing public sector rented housing to alternative community landlords at a price which reflects the value of the stock and under arrangements which ensure that:

• the housing is owned by a non-profit making body on which there is tenant, local authority and community representation;
• there is effective tenant involvement in key decisions;
• housing is available, and continues to be available, to be let at affordable rents to those in housing need, including the homeless and other vulnerable groups, and

there are guarantees for transferring tenants regarding rent increases, tenancy rights and repairs and improvements to housing stock.

The information requested is not held centrally.

The Scottish Executive recognises the crucial role that well qualified, highly motivated staff play in delivering quality early education and childcare services. The Executive is working hard to support skills development in the sector and improve the overall image of childcare as an attractive career for both men and women. Nursery nurses are a key group in the childcare workforce; and we are working to expand their opportunities for professional development.Last year we published Working With Children - the first comprehensive guide to qualifications and careers in the childcare sector. We also launched our Action Plan for the Training and Development of Workers in Early Education, Childcare and Playwork; and are supporting this with close to £4 million of investment in skills. The Action Plan will support workforce expansion and contribute to our commitment in Programme for Government to train 5,000 new childcare workers by 2002.The establishment of the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care and the Scottish Social Services Council will also ensure that quality remains at the heart of our agenda for all care services.Last year we also set up the Early Education and Childcare Forum, through which selected professionals from across the early years sector provide an integrated source of advice on childcare and pre-school education to ministers. The forum, which I chair, is an important vehicle for highlighting key early years issues and contributing to future policy development.

Together, the Social Services Council and the Early Education & Childcare Forum will be taking forward issues of consistency and tackling the complex issues developing at a local level as a result of recent expansion.The pay and conditions of nursery nurses, though, remain a matter for their employers - the local authorities and organisations in both the private and voluntary sectors. The Executive has no role in the negotiations and no plans to initiate a national inquiry.

In examining services for the Chief Social Work Inspector's Annual Report for 2002, officials will seek up to date information on local progress in implementing the recommendations of Sensing Progress.A working group consisting of representatives from various deaf/blind organisations and appropriate officials has been set up under the auspices of the Equality Unit. The aim is to look at a positive way forward in identifying the various cross-cutting issues facing people with sensory impairment.The working group on certification and registration in relation to people with visual impairment has produced its report, which is now being considered by ministers.

This information is not held centrally, but the Social Work Information Review Group will consider collecting data on refuges as part of the current data standards review. The Children (Scotland) Act 1995 gives local authorities powers to provide short-term refuge for children who appear to be at risk of harm and who request refuge. Refuge may be provided in a local authority home, a home run by a voluntary or private agency or by a foster carer. In all cases the refuge must be designated as suitable by the local authority.

£13.45 million remained unallocated in the Excellence Fund for financial year 2000-01, the majority of which was originally planned for initiatives linked to the new system of pay and conditions for teachers. All of this money will now be used to help with the introduction of that new system over the next three years.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15312 on 9 May 2001.

VAT implications will depend on the specific details of the transfer proposal.