Questions and answers

Question reference: S5W-22912

Asked by: Michelle Ballantyne, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 May 2019
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 8 May 2019

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has any plans to deliver Universal Credit Scottish Choices through Social Security Scotland, rather than the DWP.

Question reference: S5W-22911

Asked by: Michelle Ballantyne, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 May 2019
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 8 May 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what the satisfaction rate is among Universal Credit (UC) Scottish Choices claimants compared with those in receipt of monthly UC housing element payments.

Question reference: S5W-22771

Asked by: Michelle Ballantyne, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 24 April 2019
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 2 May 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what type of projects in coastal local authority area will be funded by revenue generated by Crown Estate Scotland marine assets, and by what date the first payments will be made.

Scottish Ministers have committed to provide a share of the total net revenue generated from Scottish Crown Estate marine assets in territorial waters out to 12 nautical miles to coastal local authorities for community benefit.

The Scottish Government has been clear of our policy intent of delivering benefit to coastal communities. The funding will not be ring-fenced, however, I will ask coastal local authorities to ensure that they transparently report on how, and for what purpose these monies are used for the benefit of communities.

The first payments to coastal local authorities for revenue generated from Scottish Crown Estate marine assets in territorial waters out to 12 nautical miles in 2017-2018 will be paid out in 2019-2020. I expect to announce the way forward on funding for coastal communities in the near future.

Question reference: S5W-22773

Asked by: Michelle Ballantyne, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 24 April 2019
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 2 May 2019

To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to distribute payments from the revenue generated from Crown Estate Scotland marine assets to coastal local authority areas.

Scottish Ministers have committed to provide a share of the total net revenue generated from Scottish Crown Estate marine assets in territorial waters out to 12 nautical miles to coastal local authorities for community benefit.

Scottish Government officials have agreed with COSLA an interim approach to distribution based on the area of sea within 12 nautical miles adjacent to each local authority area. This interim arrangement will be reviewed and discussions will continue with COSLA on the detail of that process.

The first payments to coastal local authorities for revenue generated from Scottish Crown Estate marine assets in territorial waters out to 12 nautical miles in 2017-2018 will be made in the near future.

Question reference: S5W-22769

Asked by: Michelle Ballantyne, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 24 April 2019
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 1 May 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that construction companies adhere to the established mortar standards in all new-builds.

The Building (Scotland) Act 2003 contains provisions for new building work to meet building regulations. The work must comply with the requirements of the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004, and Regulation 8 requires that the materials used must be durable, and fit for their intended purpose.

It is ultimately the responsibility of the building owner/developer to comply with the building regulations.

The Scottish Government is currently reviewing and strengthening existing guidance on the roles and responsibilities of the building owner/developer. The revised guidance will be published in winter 2019.

Question reference: S5W-22678

Asked by: Michelle Ballantyne, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 16 April 2019
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 30 April 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to support the Midlothian and Borders Tourism Action Group’s free smartphone app, "Scotland Starts Here”, to help expand its potential.

The Scottish Government continues to support VisitScotland who have worked closely with Midlothian and Borders Tourism Action Group (MBTAG) whilst they have developed the app "Scotland Starts Here".

VisitScotland will continue to work with MBTAG in the short, medium and long-term to promote and market the app as it is recognised as a valuable asset for both the industry and the consumer. Links to the app will be added to key destination pages on VisitScotland's website and it will also feature on a new Midlothian campaign page as part of a late Spring digital paid media campaign.

VisitScotland has also share the information with relevant contacts in the Lothians and South of Scotland through social media. VisitScotland's Comms Team will continue to work closely with MBTAG to maximise marketing opportunities.

Question reference: S5W-22635

Asked by: Michelle Ballantyne, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 11 April 2019
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 25 April 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what meetings it has had with UK Government officials relating to the future of the Coastal Communities Fund.

Question reference: S5W-22636

Asked by: Michelle Ballantyne, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 11 April 2019
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 25 April 2019

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-17185 by Roseanna Cunningham on 21 June 2019, when it expects its review into the future of the Coastal Communities Fund to be completed.

The Coastal Communities Fund (CCF) is a competitive scheme inherited from the UK Government as part of the overall funding settlement agreed for the Scottish Crown Estate in the Fiscal Framework.

Scottish Ministers are committed to delivering the funding for the current Round 4 of the CCF. The review of the CCF in Scotland has now reached an advanced stage and I expect to announce the way forward on funding for coastal communities before this summer.

Question reference: S5O-03136

Asked by: Michelle Ballantyne, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 April 2019
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 25 April 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what support it will provide to the Scottish Chamber Orchestra to assist it with its upcoming summer concerts in South Scotland.

Question reference: S5W-22386

Asked by: Michelle Ballantyne, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 March 2019
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 10 April 2019

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-22320 by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 26 March 2019, which firms or individuals provided the legal services that resulted in the fees referred to.

Facilities/building management	Morton Fraser Lawyers
Digital/software licences	MacRoberts LLP
Procurement management	MacRoberts LLP

Chamber and committees