Seòmar agus comataidhean

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-04826 on 13 December 2021. 26 Projects received recommendations of support totalling up to £24,145,384 as result the 2020 round of the fund. A list of all projects recommended to date can be found at https://www.gov.scot/publications/regeneration-capital-grant-fund-rcgf-recommended-projects-2014-2022/

All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers
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Our Draft National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) sets out how our approach to planning and development will help achieve a net zero, sustainable Scotland by 2045, including through a suite of 35 proposed new or updated national planning policies. Draft policy 19 on green energy supports renewable energy development other than in national parks and national scenic areas, subject to an assessment of impacts on a case by case basis. Criteria for assessing proposals are also set out, including impacts on communities.

We laid the Draft NPF4 in the Scottish Parliament on 10 November 2021. Alongside Parliamentary scrutiny of the draft, we are running a public consultation, supported by an extensive engagement programme, and comments are invited by 31 March 2022. Following this period, we will consider the responses received and any appropriate amendments to the draft NPF4 before presenting a final draft to the Scottish Parliament for its approval, in advance of adoption by the Scottish Ministers.

Our Draft National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) sets out how our approach to planning and development will help achieve a net zero, sustainable Scotland by 2045, including through a suite of 35 proposed new or updated national planning policies. Draft policy 19 on green energy supports renewable energy development other than in national parks and national scenic areas, subject to an assessment of impacts on a case by case basis. Criteria for assessing proposals are also set out, including impacts on communities and individual dwellings, as well as on aviation.

We laid the Draft NPF4 in the Scottish Parliament on 10 November 2021. Alongside Parliamentary scrutiny of the draft, we are running a public consultation, supported by an extensive engagement programme, and comments are invited by 31 March 2022. Following this period, we will consider the responses received and any appropriate amendments to the draft NPF4 before presenting a final draft to the Scottish Parliament for its approval, in advance of adoption by the Scottish Ministers.

We will give consideration, once NPF4 has been finalised and adopted, to whether and where our existing suite of planning guidance may need updated or replaced to support NPF4 implementation.

A further extension of military aid to NHS Lanarkshire has been approved for the period 4 th February until 26 th February 2022 by both, the Scottish Government and the Ministry of Defence, there is now a phased drawdown of activity as agreed between NHS Lanarkshire and the MOD.

We are working closely with local authorities and are in the planning stages of our commitment to provide a device for every school aged child by the end of this Parliament. We will report to Parliament in due course.

The Bank’s recruitment policies and procedures pre-dates development of its gender equality strategy, and please see the answer to question S6W-06789 on 8 March 2022. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers .

I have also asked the Scottish National Investment Bank how it has utilised its gender equality strategy in Bank recruitment policies and processes, and the Bank has provided the following:

"Recruitment of the Scottish National Investment Bank has been ongoing since prior to the launch of the Bank in November 2020.

“The Bank has established a number of guiding principles within its recruitment policy and process to ensure Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Fair Work practices.

"With regards to gender equality specifically, the Bank worked closely with its Recruitment Partner to ensure all adverts reached the widest available candidate pools with flexibility at the heart of our attraction strategy. Gender balance was a key requirement for the Recruitment Partner to ensure balanced applicant pools (where possible and based on candidate availability).

“The Bank set a gender balance target for candidates shortlisted for interview of 50:50, with a minimum threshold of one third candidates being presented for interview being female. Where applicant pools did not meet the basic threshold, further search was undertaken.

“All interview panels are gender balanced, further helping to ensure that appointments are made on merit on the basis of fair and open competition.”

The Scottish Government has had a number of discussions with trade unions and other groups on its green ports model since the publication of an illustrative draft prospectus in March 2021. Those discussions built on our earlier consultation on place-based economic development, in November 2021, which sought views on economic development zones around ports and specifically on freeports. These have influenced our approach to the process for Green Freeports that we have agreed with the UK Government.

Forestry and Land Scotland do not keep central records of the volume of deer fencing erected by year. The data held relates to annual expenditure on deer fencing on Scotland's national forests and land.

The Scottish Government currently has no plans to introduce new council tax rebates based on energy efficiency ratings for properties. Individual local authorities are required by section 80A of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 to establish their own energy efficiency council tax discount schemes. Advice and support on improving home energy efficiency is available through Home Energy Scotland, administered by Energy Saving Trust on behalf of the Scottish Government.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-06795 on 8 March 2022. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers .