Chamber and committees

In response both to the recommendations of the Stewart Report and of the Transport and Environment Committee’s inquiry into radio telecommunications, amendments were made to the planning legislation and guidance for telecommunications in 2001.

The Executive published National Planning Policy Guideline 19 (Bib. number 15218), Planning Advice Note 62 (Bib. number 16043) and Circular 5/2001 (Bib. number 17462) to accompany these changes.

Guidance issued to Scottish Water and the former Water Authorities on sustainable development was not specifically issued to the Water Industry Commissioner. but was available to him on request.

This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise.

To remain within the city-based bidding rules of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the only events that a London Olympic Games could possibly stage outside London were the sailing and football competitions. Scotland went through the appropriate channels to be considered for inclusion in the London bid to stage an element of both events and was successful in securing Hampden Park as a venue for some of the Olympic football matches. This was included in the London 2012 candidature file submitted to the IOC on 15 November 2004.

There will also be opportunities for hosting training camps and the staging of other competition events in Scotland in the run-up to the games. The creation ofEventScotland to deliver our major events strategy will have a significant roleto play in this objective. Through EventScotland and its partners we have, forexample, already been successful in attracting the 2007 mountain bike world championship to Fort William which requires a commitment to successfully deliverthe 2005 and 2006 mountain bike world cups in the lead up to 2007. The World Championships at Fort William will be the last major mountain bike Cross Country competition before the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and a key event for all riders and their national cycling federations.

The Environmental Advisory Forum for Renewable Energy is considering the need for research into the operation and effectiveness of existing renewable energy policies.

Existing guidance recognises that cumulative impacts may, in particular circumstances, need to be addressed before consent is granted. With the assistance of the Environmental Advisory Forum, we are considering whether there is need for additional policy guidance or advice. Local authorities have two representatives on the forum.

There are some complex issues to be resolved prior to the introduction of a revised Code of Practice and I cannot be any more specific than the answer given to question S2W-13508.

The Executive has commissioned a national needs assessment to look at possible options for redesign of the NHS wheelchair service. The aim of the review, which will report in the spring of 2006, is to provide a plan for improved NHS wheelchair service provision across the whole of Scotland. The review will identify the needs of people using the service and make recommendations in consultation with stakeholders on how the service might be improved.

We also plan to take interim measures to reduce waiting times. Work on this is now being progressed in consultation with the five Scottish Wheelchair Centres and NHS boards and we will announce these measures shortly.

The Water Services etc. (Scotland) Bill will require the Water Industry Commission to have regard to any guidance issued to Scottish Water.  The Executive is currently revising the guidance on sustainable development to incorporate changes in legislation proposed under the Bill. Scottish Water, the Water Industry Commissioner and the Water Customer Consultation Panels are being consulted.

We expect to introduce a revised code of practice later in the year.