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We will publish an update on each of the accepted Deer Working Group recommendations, alongside minutes from the December meeting of the Deer Management Strategic Board shortly. This will be available, alongside minutes of previous meetings, on the Board’s webpages here: Deer Management Strategic Board - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) .

Delivery of a permanent and resilient solution to the landslip risks at the A83 Rest and Be Thankful is a priority and we continue to seek ways to achieve that as quickly as possible, noting that all of the options require complex civil engineering.

Transport Scotland continues to take forward the necessary design and assessment work at pace with a view to announcing a preferred route option this Spring. Following this further detailed design and assessment work on the preferred option, including an Environmental Impact Assessment, is required before we can complete the necessary statutory planning process to allow any land to be acquired and the project constructed.

Delivery of the long-term solution can only commence if it is approved under the relevant statutory planning process and thereafter a timetable for its progress can be set. We will continue to progress the necessary design work as a priority with a view to commencing work on the ground during the current parliamentary term subject to timely completion of the statutory process.

We are dutybound to properly follow the correct statutory planning process which rightly includes consultation with communities, landowners and others with a direct interest in the scheme. However, Transport Scotland continues to explore methods to reduce the timescales of each stage of the project, where possible, and progress work at pace on this essential project.

Scottish Government is aware of recent difficulties experienced by some homecare providers. NHS National Procurement in partnership with Health Boards have worked closely with the homecare providers to improve service performance. All homecare providers are now demonstrating improved service levels.

Medicines homecare providers must demonstrate that they can meet the standards for registered pharmacies set by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). The standards are designed to create and maintain the right environment for the safe and effective practice of pharmacy and to improve the quality and safety of services provided to patients and the public. The GPhC inspect registered pharmacies to seek assurances that the standards are being met. Depending on the range of services provided, medicines homecare providers may also be registered with additional regulators such as the Care Inspectorate and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.

The Scottish Government have not undertaken any assessment on the effects of inflation specifically within the medicines homecare service. Like a number of sectors, homecare providers have experienced challenges in recruitment and retention of staff, which has been one of the drivers of the service problems.

Scottish Forestry is the Scottish Government agency responsible for regulating forestry activities and leads on unauthorised felling.

Scottish Forestry does not routinely discuss unauthorised felling with the bodies listed.

Unauthorised tree felling may be discussed with them on a case by case basis if required, for example:

• Police Scotland can be requested by Scottish Forestry to assist with unauthorised felling where suspects refuse to be interviewed under caution or where a wildlife crime is suspected.
• NatureScot is an agency within Scottish Government advising on the natural environment, but plays no part in the delivery of felling regulations. NatureScot maybe be engaged in the process if the site is home to a protected species.

When Scottish Forestry receive a report of suspected unauthorised felling, investigations, including site visits and evidence gathering is then carried out.

When investigations conclude that it is likely that unauthorised felling has occurred, Scottish Ministers have a range of powers available to achieve a positive outcome. The priority is normally to secure the replanting of the site and protection of the woodland. The most appropriate action is often to issue a restocking notice to secure the replanting of the site.

Prosecution is considered in each case where unauthorised felling has taken place. A range of factors, such as the seriousness of the impact and whether there were aggravating circumstances are taken into account when considering whether to pursue a prosecution. The final decision on whether to pursue a case to prosecution lies with the Procurator Fiscal and not with Scottish Ministers. Where replanting has been secured and the woodland has been protected it is often concluded not to be in the public interest to pursue a prosecution.

Prior to April 2019, when the Forest and Land Management Scotland Act 2018 was enacted, prosecutions were required in order to secure a restocking notice. Since April 2019 Scottish Forestry have greater powers and so are able to secure the restocking of a site by issuing Restocking Directions.

Scottish Forestry have issued 36 Restocking Directions for unauthorised felling from April 2019 to the year end 2020-21.

In February 2021, we published the refresh of our Diabetes Improvement Plan (DIP), which sets out our aims and priorities to deliver safe, effective and person-centred healthcare, treatment and support for people living with diabetes. Implementation of the Plan is governed by the Scottish Diabetes Group and a number of project groups.  

The Scottish Diabetes Group (SDG) and Managed Clinical Networks (MCNs) meet regularly to discuss concerns and share good practice. The Chair of the SDG also hosts an advisory group to discuss issues relating to endocrinology services. NHS Ayrshire & Arran have representation on these national meetings and we will continue to support the diabetes teams to improve their services.  

Wider support for service improvements comes from the NHS Recovery Plan, published in August 2021. This Plan is backed by over £1 billion of funding and will support an increase in both inpatient and outpatient activity to ensure adequate provision of services and tackle backlogs in care from the COVID-19 pandemic.  

The Scottish Government has spent £37,698 including VAT on administration costs for the Home Energy Efficiency Equity Loan pilot over the current contractual period of 2019 – 2023. The reduction in costs for 2022-2023 reflects the end of the pilot in March 2022 resulting in the closure of the scheme to new applicants.

A Call for Evidence in August 2021 sought feedback on the pilot. The pilot’s findings will inform the Green Heat Finance Taskforce’s deliberations on future finance mechanisms to support the greening of Scotland’s buildings.

Scottish Government officials met with representatives from Scottish Power Renewables on 15 February 2023 to discuss the use of diesel generators at Arecleoch and Glen App wind farms.

The rules and regulations that govern the resilience of the GB electricity grid are a matter entirely reserved to the UK Government.

The Scottish Government has no responsibility in relation to the operational management of wind farm sites.