- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Thursday, 27 May 2010
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Current Status:
Answered by Richard Lochhead on 10 June 2010
To ask the Scottish Executive how many organisations receiving financial support for undertaking waste reduction, landfill diversion or recycling programmes have had their funding reduced by the Scottish Government in the last 12 months and by what amount the funding was reduced in comparison with the total cost of each programme.
Answer
In the last 12 months, three projects have had their funding reduced by Zero Waste Scotland, all from the INCREASE III programme, which invests in Third Sector resource efficiency projects.
These are:
Friends of the Earth Scotland “ Funding reduced by £93,728.24 against an original contracted total of £203,198.44, a reduction of 46%;
Instant Neighbour “ Funding reduced by £66,329.06 against an original contracted total of £138,525, a reduction of 47%, and
Edinburgh Community Backgreens Initiative “ Funding reduced by £4,310.64 against an original contracted total of £32,490, a reduction of 13%.
The total funding reduction across these three projects is £164,367.94 “ against total committed funding to date through the INCREASE III Programme of £4.9 million “ 3% of the total committed. This is all being reallocated within the INCREASE III programme.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Thursday, 27 May 2010
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Current Status:
Answered by Richard Lochhead on 10 June 2010
To ask the Scottish Executive whether organisations receiving financial support for undertaking waste reduction, landfill diversion or recycling programmes and that have had their funding reduced by the Scottish Government in the last 12 months will be offered a chance to appeal against any such reductions.
Answer
The Zero Waste Scotland Programme funds a large number of projects that contribute to waste reduction and recycling targets. In the last year it has funded projects to tackle food waste and construction waste and it has provided funding support for third sector organisations and provided technical support to local authorities.
All projects are funded on a competitive application basis, with funding decisions made by assessment panels based on ability to deliver and value for money. Applicants who are refused funding have a right to appeal any decision. Successful projects are funded on a contractual basis with performance assessed against agreed milestones. Funding may be reduced where milestones are not met, for a variety of reasons.
There is no right to appeal against funding reductions once projects are up and running, but any reductions are only made following detailed discussions with projects.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Thursday, 27 May 2010
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Current Status:
Answered by Richard Lochhead on 10 June 2010
To ask the Scottish Executive, where funding for organisations receiving financial support for undertaking waste reduction, landfill diversion or recycling programmes has been reduced in the last 12 months, where this funding has been or will be redirected.
Answer
Any funding which is reduced stays within the Zero Waste Scotland Programme and is reallocated to other projects which contribute to waste reduction or recycling targets.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Friday, 21 May 2010
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Current Status:
Answered by Keith Brown on 8 June 2010
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the transfer of staff from Highlands and Islands Enterprise to Skills Development Scotland has resulted in problems with the handling of staff tax matters and, if so, what the causes are of any problems that have occurred.
Answer
Staffing is an operational matter for Skills Development Scotland. I have asked the chief executive to write to you with this information.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Friday, 21 May 2010
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Current Status:
Answered by Keith Brown on 8 June 2010
To ask the Scottish Executive how much was spent in 2009-10 by Skills Development Scotland on IT purchases; what proportion of this expenditure was on replacing old equipment; what the nature and age is of the equipment replaced, and what the reasons were for its replacement.
Answer
The procurement of IT equipment is an operational matter for Skills Development Scotland. I have asked the chief executive to write to you with this information.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Friday, 21 May 2010
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Current Status:
Answered by Keith Brown on 8 June 2010
To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been budgeted to be spent in 2010-11 by Skills Development Scotland on IT purchases; what proportion of this expenditure will be on replacing old equipment; what the nature and age is of the equipment to be replaced, and the reasons for its replacement.
Answer
The procurement of IT equipment is an operational matter for Skills Development Scotland. I have asked the chief executive to write to you with this information.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Friday, 21 May 2010
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Current Status:
Answered by Keith Brown on 8 June 2010
To ask the Scottish Executive what changes there have been in staffing numbers since Skills Development Scotland was formed, broken down by (a) reception staff, (b) administrative staff, (c) advisers, (d) management and (e) other.
Answer
Staffing is an operational matter for Skills Development Scotland. I have asked the chief executive to write to you with this information.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Friday, 21 May 2010
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Current Status:
Answered by Keith Brown on 8 June 2010
To ask the Scottish Executive what the management structure of Skills Development Scotland is and what policies are in place to ensure that decisions by Skills Development Scotland are made at the lowest possible level.
Answer
The Skills Development Scotland (SDS) management structure is an operational matter for SDS. I have asked the chief executive to write to you with this information.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Friday, 21 May 2010
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Current Status:
Answered by Keith Brown on 8 June 2010
To ask the Scottish Executive what the purchasing policy of Skills Development Scotland is and what scope this gives to allow peripheral offices to use local suppliers for small purchases.
Answer
Procurement is an operational matter for Skills Development Scotland. I have asked the chief executive to write to you with this information.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Friday, 21 May 2010
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Current Status:
Answered by Richard Lochhead on 4 June 2010
To ask the Scottish Executive what the status is of the document, A Strategic Framework for Inshore Fisheries in Scotland.
Answer
The Scottish Inshore Fisheries Advisory Group (SIFAG) was established in 1999 by the Scottish Fishermen''s Federation and the then Scottish Executive. Its role was to advise on the development of policy and legislation relating to sea fisheries in inshore waters. SIFAG last met in June 2009 and no date has yet been set for its next meeting.
A Strategic Framework for Inshore Fisheries in Scotland was published by the then Scottish Executive in 2005, following a strategic review of inshore fisheries carried out by SIFAG which had begun in 2002. The document set out a strategic direction for inshore fisheries policy and announced proposals for a network of up to 12 inshore fisheries groups across Scotland.
Six IFG pilots were established during 2009 covering the Outer Hebrides, Clyde, South East, Small Isles & Mull, North West and the Moray Firth areas. A review of early lessons and economic benefits is being carried out. A further roll out of IFGs will be considered in the light of the findings of the review, which are expected later this year.
The existing IFGs are currently drafting management plans in line with the high level objectives contained in the Strategic Framework. Once these plans have been agreed by the IFG Executive Committees and Advisory Groups, Marine Scotland expects to consult SIFAG representatives to ensure that the plans are in line with national objectives and consider any issues which might have an effect outwith the area of the local plan.
