Official Report: search what was said in Parliament
The Official Report is a written record of public meetings of the Parliament and committees.
All Official Reports of meetings in the Debating Chamber of the Scottish Parliament.
All Official Reports of public meetings of committees.
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Displaying 1416 contributions
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Public Audit Committee
“Social care briefing”
Meeting date: 3 March 2022
Sharon Dowey
That is no problem.
I was going to ask what is required to shift the delivery of social care services to a preventative approach, but you have covered change and reform. Has anything been done on the relative cost effectiveness of investing in preventative care as opposed to paying for support only when someone is at crisis point?
Public Audit Committee
“Social care briefing”
Meeting date: 3 March 2022
Sharon Dowey
Paragraph 28 states that
“over two-thirds of Integration Authorities”
were
“unable to achieve a balanced budget without additional funding from partners in 2018/19.”
Paragraph 28 also highlights that the introduction of free personal and nursing care resulted in the development of
“eligibility criteria to manage the demand for services.”
That has led to local variations in response to financial pressures across Scotland.
Can you provide some further detail on the local variations that exist with regard to the eligibility criteria for free personal and nursing care, and say to what extent you believe that there is a postcode lottery for that care?
Public Audit Committee
“Social care briefing”
Meeting date: 3 March 2022
Sharon Dowey
The briefing clearly states that Scotland’s ageing population will inevitably result in an increasing demand for social care services and resources, and paragraph 25 outlines that it is predicted that, by 2038, nearly 25 per cent of the population
“will be over the age of 65”.
To what extent is the increased funding from the Scottish Government over the current parliamentary session likely to meet the needs of the growing ageing population in Scotland?
10:00Public Audit Committee
Section 22 Report: “The 2020/21 audit of Scottish Government Consolidated Accounts”
Meeting date: 24 February 2022
Sharon Dowey
I know that you just started in January, but the report says that the initial recommendation was made in 2018. Why has it taken so long for the framework that you intend to publish at the end of March to be produced?
Public Audit Committee
Section 22 Report: “The 2020/21 audit of Scottish Government Consolidated Accounts”
Meeting date: 24 February 2022
Sharon Dowey
During 2021, the Scottish Government commissioned an external consultant to conduct a review of its relationships with public bodies. The review considered the current delivery of sponsorship arrangements in the Government, including how it should organise and manage its relationships with public bodies. It also considered how sponsors and public bodies can effectively manage risk and, importantly, the escalation of issues when challenges arise. What improvements has the consultant advised should be made? Has the Government accepted all the findings?
Public Audit Committee
Section 22 Report: “The 2020/21 audit of Scottish Government Consolidated Accounts”
Meeting date: 24 February 2022
Sharon Dowey
We will see it then.
Public Audit Committee
Section 22 Report: “The 2020/21 audit of Scottish Government Consolidated Accounts”
Meeting date: 24 February 2022
Sharon Dowey
You have explained how you will implement the recommendations, but I ask for timescales so that we know when they will be implemented and that we do not end up getting a report further down the line about—
Public Audit Committee
Section 22 Report: “The 2020/21 audit of Scottish Government Consolidated Accounts”
Meeting date: 24 February 2022
Sharon Dowey
Good morning, everybody. Paragraph 71 of the report mentions that
“Over the last year, there were several changes to the Scottish Government’s Corporate Board.”
Paragraph 72 says that the
“level of change will continue into next year”
and mentions that the recruitment campaigns for the posts of
“DG Economy and DG Net Zero were unsuccessful in identifying appointable candidates. These have been filled on an interim basis and will be re-advertised in early 2022.”
Our papers also note that four non-executive directors will reach the end of their terms in 2022. There is a lot of change and uncertainty there, so how does the Scottish Government intend to ensure stability and certainty within its leadership group? What plans are in place to manage its governance arrangements during that period?
Public Audit Committee
Section 22 Report: “The 2020/21 audit of Scottish Government Consolidated Accounts”
Meeting date: 24 February 2022
Sharon Dowey
Thank you.
Public Audit Committee
Section 22 Report: “The 2020/21 audit of Scottish Canals”
Meeting date: 24 February 2022
Sharon Dowey
Page 3 of the report states:
“Scottish Canals consists of a board comprising a chair, a vice chair and between one and four members appointed by Scottish ministers. As such, it operates on a day-to-day basis independently from the Scottish Government, but for which Scottish ministers are ultimately accountable to the Scottish Parliament. Scottish Canals’ chief executive, as accountable officer for the organisation, is also personally accountable to the Scottish Parliament for ensuring its resources are used economically, efficiently and effectively.”
What support, if any, did the Scottish Government provide to the board of Scottish Canals when the organisation’s status was changed from public corporation to non-departmental public body? Was it the level of support that you expected?
