- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 28 January 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Andy Kerr on 11 February 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the effectiveness of the way in which Scottish Borders Council has managed its financial affairs.
Answer
The Accounts Commission for Scotland, which is independent of ministers, is responsible for securing the audit of local authorities and for monitoring and investigating stewardship of public funds by local authorities. The commission has undertaken an investigation of the deficit in the education budget of Borders Council and has published its findings. These highlighted a number of high level failings in governance, and drew a number of general concerns to the attention of all Scottish councils. The commission now requires Borders Council to take appropriate remedial action and has asked the Controller of Audit to monitor the council's progress and to make a further report on the council's position after the financial year ending 31 March 2003.
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 28 January 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Andy Kerr on 11 February 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive what minimum level of provision of community facilities in rural areas is appropriate and what action it will take to ensure that councils do not cut such provision beyond that level.
Answer
Provided they fulfil their statutory duties, it is for councils to decide what level of services and facilities to provide in their area.
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 24 January 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Patricia Ferguson on 7 February 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the word "soon" as used in answers to parliamentary questions and ministerial statements means a period of (a) less than one week, (b) between one week and one month, (c) more than one month, (d) more than six months, (e) more than one year or (f) some other unspecified period of time.
Answer
Interpretation of the term will depend upon the particular context in which it is employed. Where the term is used, it will, as is always the case, be the Executive's intention to follow up the issue without any avoidable delay. Whenever possible, however, we will aim to provide a specific deadline.
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 24 January 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Elaine Murray on 7 February 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S1W-21573 and S1W-21574 by Dr. Elaine Murray on 22 January 2002, how it defines "soon".
Answer
A major funding package of £3.5 million for Scotland's theatre sector over this and the coming two years was announced on 28 January 2002.
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 January 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Cathy Jamieson on 7 February 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review the structure of, and system of election for, the General Teaching Council for Scotland.
Answer
The General Teaching Council for Scotland is an Advisory Non-Departmental Public Body the structure of which was comprehensively reviewed in 1999. There are currently no plans for further review.The scheme to elect members of the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) was approved by ministers in advance of the 2001 election of teachers to the council. The next election of the GTCS will be in 2005 and ministers will approve any changes to the election scheme at that time.
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 January 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicol Stephen on 7 February 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will report on primary class si'e numbers as of August 2002.
Answer
Information on primary class sizes is collected in September of each year as part of the School Census. As set out under the National Statistics Code of Practice, results from the September 2002 School Census will be published as soon as rigorous validation procedures have been carried out on the data to ensure that the statistics are accurate, reliable and fit for purpose. The Scottish Executive currently plan to publish the results of the September 2002 School Census in spring 2003.
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 January 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Elaine Murray on 6 February 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive whether losses on commercial activity are taken into account when it considers deficit funding to cultural bodies.
Answer
All the relevant financial and operational factors are taken into account.
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 January 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Elaine Murray on 6 February 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-21105 by Dr Elaine Murray on 3 January 2002, what criteria it used when deciding to award funding in September 2000 and November 2001 to the Piping Centre, Glasgow.
Answer
The criteria included being a centre of excellence and providing international leadership in piping, its educational role, which involves teaching on the RSAMD's course in Scottish music, and evidence of financial need.
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 January 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Elaine Murray on 6 February 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-21105 by Dr Elaine Murray on 3 January 2002, what reasons given were for the Piping Centre, Glasgow having debts of this nature.
Answer
The Piping Centre incurred a substantial debt in the conversion of the building. In its initial years the centre's income without public subsidy has not yet matched its costs.
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 22 January 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Elaine Murray on 5 February 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in developing its policy on museums.
Answer
The National Cultural Strategy committed the Executive to initiate a national audit of collections in museums and galleries, beginning with the industrial museums. £250,000 has been made available for the audit and an interim report was published in October 2001 by Scottish Museums Council. The final report will be published later this year. The audit will inform strategic policy and planning for the sector, including the consideration of a comprehensive national framework for the sector as set out in the National Cultural Strategy.In addition, a Strategic Change Fund of £3 million over three years has been announced for the sector. The criteria for access to the fund are being developed by Scottish Museums Council at present. In December 2000, the Executive announced a funding package of £1.26 million over three years towards the running costs of the Scottish Fisheries Museum, the Scottish Maritime Museum and the Scottish Mining Museum in recognition of their financial difficulties, with a further £110,000 for the Scottish Maritime Museum in 2001-02.The National Cultural Strategy undertook to increase access to collections by means of ICT, including securing the future of SCRAN (the Scottish Cultural Resources Access Network). The Executive has now awarded a grant of £120,000 to SCRAN.
