Chamber and committees

Transport Scotland is part of the Scottish Government and meetings with ministers occur regularly in the normal course of business.

This question was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0423-01.htm

There are no plans to change current council tax regulations which already allow entitlement to discounts for people with a severe mental health problem in receipt of qualifying benefits.

These documents are currently being finalised and should be available shortly.

Responses to a consultation undertaken by the Scottish Government on behalf of the Community Council Work Group (CCWG) showed that there is substantial support from both local authorities and community councils for a Model Scheme of Establishment of Community Councils and Code of Conduct for Community Councillors.

The Scottish Government, along with key partners, will promote and encourage the adoption of the finalised documents by all Scottish local authorities. It is recognised that if the Model Scheme is adopted by local authorities it will allow for more consistency and parity throughout Scotland whilst at the same time allowing individual local circumstances to be reflected.

The Scottish Government recognises the important role, within the wider community empowerment agenda, that community councils can play in local life. Adoption of these documents will also give every community council in Scotland the opportunity to build their capacity and to engage more effectively with their local authority as well as the community that they represent.

The review was launched and published on the NHS Health Scotland website on 24 February 2009.

No application has been received from Falkirk Council. We are currently working on the details of the Fund, and will shortly be entering into discussions with stakeholders. We anticipate full details of the scheme will be announced by the end of March 2009.

I can confirm that we have today published our response to the consultation on alcohol misuse: Changing Scotland''s Relationship with Alcohol: A Framework for Action, on the Scottish Government website. Copies have also been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 47805.) The framework sets out a package of measures to rebalance Scotland''s relationship with alcohol, reduce alcohol-related harm and contribute to a successful and flourishing Scotland. Some are specific legislative measures designed to effect change in the short-term. Many others focus on creating cultural change over a much longer period. Together these actions can and should begin to make a real difference to the health and wellbeing of people in Scotland, to our economy and to our communities.

This question was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0226-01.htm

The UK Government has today made a statement regarding a scheme to support the resettlement of vulnerable British people from Zimbabwe. The Scottish Government will be playing a full part in that scheme and will work with local government and other agencies to ensure the necessary range of services to anyone returning who chooses to live in Scotland.

The UK Government estimates that there are some 3,000 British citizens and British nationals in Zimbabwe with the right of abode in the UK aged 70 or over, or vulnerable because of care needs or medical conditions. For some time the UK Government has advised vulnerable British people and their families that if they are concerned about the situation in Zimbabwe, they should consider whether they need to remain there. This has remained unchanged since 2007. Despite the recent changes in the political situation, this advice remains unchanged.

The UK Government is concerned about elderly and vulnerable British people who increasingly may be unable to support themselves in Zimbabwe but who are unable to move to the UK without assistance. The UK Government is therefore ready to offer those British people assistance to resettle in the UK. It is putting in place arrangements to receive, assess housing and care needs and provide on-going support to those British people who wish to resettle here. Discussions are on-going with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities regarding the practical arrangements for receiving those who may choose to return to live in Scotland.

Older and vulnerable British people in Zimbabwe are being informed of the assistance available. It is difficult to anticipate the extent of interest in this offer, but it is estimated that up to 750 households may wish to come to the UK over the next 18 months or so. It is not clear how these would be distributed across the UK and how many might want to settle in Scotland. That will only become apparent as applications are made.

The British Embassy is not advising people to leave Zimbabwe and it continues to provide a full consular service to those who remain.

The Scottish Government is committed to providing the necessary support to those vulnerable people who choose to settle here. The UK Government, Scottish Government and COSLA will work together to ensure that adequate resources are in place to support this scheme. I am confident that we will be able to meet the needs of any person who resettles in Scotland.

This question was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0205-01.htm