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The following numbers of GP practices were accredited as training practices in each of the relevant years:

1999	282
2000	282
2001	273
2002	276
2003	283
2004	282

 

Over the same period the number of trainers increased by 22%, from 314 to 384, with two accredited trainers now available in the majority of training practices.

Following our consultation on proposals to revise existing animal welfare legislation, issued earlier this year, we intend to introduce legislation during the course of this Parliament.

The information requested is given in a table Children's Panel Member Turnover, 1999-2000 – 2003-04, which has been placed in the Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib. number 34684).

Shortly. Proposals for Phase 2 are being considered in the light of the issues raised by Phase 1 which include how to ensure the system delivers positive outcomes for all children referred through interagency working, how to engage better with parents and highlight their responsibilities, and the fit betweenthe children’s hearings system and other services for children.

Children’s Panel Advisory Committees monitor panel member availability on an on-going basis. Target membership figures are not meaningful, as the number of panel members required in a local authority area at any time depends on the number of hearings called and the current level of availability of the existing members, which can vary. However, projections on recruitment needs for the coming year are determined in advance of the annual recruitment campaign. Since 2000 the national recruitment target has been exceeded by the number appointed. Turnover statistics can be referenced in the answer given to question S2W-12921, answered on 22 December 2004. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search. Detailed information on projected recruitment needs compared with numbers of new panel members appointed since 2000 is given in a table Children's Panel Member Recruitment by Local Authority Area, 1999-2000 – 2003-04, which has been placed in the Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib. number 34685).

The objective of the review is to develop and improve the children’s hearings system while respecting its fundamental principles, one of which is a single system for dealing with children who offend or who are in need of care and protection.

Apart from Grant Aided support to the local authorities for social work the Scottish Executive allocated specific financial resources as follows:

Budget	1999-2000	2000-01	2001-02	2002-03	2003-04
(£000)	(£000)	(£000)	(£000)	(£000)
Training	393	393	393	643	665
Recruitment and Support	242	242	300	642	792
Legal Representation of Children	n/a	n/a	500	3	3
SCRA	12,265	13,747	15,751	16,506	21,176
Total	12,9	14,382	16,944	20,8791	25,633

 

In addition, the Scottish Executive provided staff to co-ordinate news letters, a website, development of software, training etc.

The Scottish Executive liaises closely with all partners within the children’s hearings system on an on-going basis in order to identify and address issues of concern. In 2002 independent research was undertaken to identify reasons why panel members resign. A retention strategy was prepared and consulted on with panel interests. The research and the strategy are available on the children’s hearings website www.childrens-hearings.co.uk.

The strategy has been monitored by the Publicity Working Group, which advises the Scottish Executive on recruitment and comprises representatives from all parts of the hearings system. Most measures have been implemented.

We have published annual reports for the central heating programme and warm deal for 2001-02 and 2002-03, copies of which are available in the Parliament’sReference Centre (Bib. numbers 26024 and 34624). The annual report for 2003-04 is due to be published in 2005.We have commissioned a three-year research project to evaluate the impact of the central heating programme on fuel poverty. The first year report was published on 2 August 2004 on the Scottish Executive website and can be found at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library5/social/aichp-00.asp The Research Findings from that report were published the same day and can be found at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/cru/resfinds/drf187-00.asp. The second year report will be available in 2005.

We have commissioned a three-year research project to evaluate the impact of the central heating programme on health. This research is due to be finished in 2006 and will be published.

If a central heating system is at risk of harm to the occupants, it should be condemned by a suitably qualified engineer. If it has been condemned, it has to be determined if the central heating system can be repaired. Only if the central heating system is irreparable can the occupants be considered for the central heating programme. The only exception to this is for the over 80s in the private sector who can have their central heating system upgraded or replaced if they have a partial or inefficient system.