- Asked by: Margo MacDonald, MSP for Lothians, Independent
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 February 2010
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Current Status:
Answered by Alex Johnstone on 24 February 2010
To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether the figure for the approximate current energy use per m2 of floor area in the Parliament’s energy performance certificate is based on theoretical models of the potential performance of the building.
Answer
Yes. This has been calculated in accordance with the Energy Performance of Buildings (Scotland) Regulations 2008.
- Asked by: Margo MacDonald, MSP for Lothians, Independent
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 February 2010
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Current Status:
Answered by Alex Johnstone on 24 February 2010
To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, given the statements in the BREEAM reports that domestic hot water in the Parliament building would be provided by solar panels backed up by gas-fired water heaters, what the percentage split of provision has been in each of the last five years.
Answer
The solar panels were used to pre-heat hot water in Queensberry House and the Canongate buildings exclusively. The solar panels were not designed or intended to be used to heat water else where in the Parliament.
The solar panels may have contributed towards a water quality issue in the buildings they serve and have currently been isolated. An examination is being undertaken on how best to use the solar panels.
- Asked by: Margo MacDonald, MSP for Lothians, Independent
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 February 2010
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Current Status:
Answered by Alex Johnstone on 24 February 2010
To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, given the potential additional energy costs associated with wrongly rated energy performance certificates, what its position is on the ability of commercial organisations to rely on the accuracy of information in building energy performance certificates when making decisions regarding locating or relocating their businesses.
Answer
The energy rating contained in the Energy Performance Certificate has been produced in accordance with The Energy Performance of Buildings (Scotland) Regulations 2008 approved by this Parliament.
It is not for the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body to comment on the position of commercial organisations.
- Asked by: Margo MacDonald, MSP for Lothians, Independent
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 February 2010
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Current Status:
Answered by Alex Johnstone on 24 February 2010
To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what the environmental features are in the Parliament building and what percentage reduction of energy usage they contribute.
Answer
The Scottish Parliament has a number of environmental features including natural ventilation, energy efficient lighting including LED''s, borehole water serving the toilets and a combined heat and power plant (CHP). These features serve to reduce energy use and contribute to the efficient use of energy. For example during winter the CHP generates approximately 5% of the electricity requirements thereby reducing the electricity consumed from the national grid.
- Asked by: Margo MacDonald, MSP for Lothians, Independent
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 February 2010
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Current Status:
Answered by Alex Johnstone on 24 February 2010
To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what percentage of its future maintenance costs will need to be used to upgrade the building to reduce overall energy consumption.
Answer
A Carbon Management Plan is currently being developed in conjunction with The Carbon Trust. As part of the Carbon Management Plan costs have been estimated and budgetary provision is available for 2010-11 to undertake energy efficiency improvements.
The maintenance budget could be used in circumstances where there is an identifiable maintenance requirement which would generate energy savings. For example, when a piece of equipment requires replacement and a more energy efficient item is available which meets requirements this would be purchased.
- Asked by: Margo MacDonald, MSP for Lothians, Independent
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 February 2010
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Current Status:
Answered by Alex Johnstone on 24 February 2010
To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, in light of the figure for the energy usage of the Parliament in 2007-08 being approximately 300kWh/m2 as derived from figures appearing in its environmental annual report and energy performance certificate, when it plans to have its energy performance certificate reassessed.
Answer
In accordance with The Energy Performance of Buildings (Scotland) Regulations 2008 the Energy Performance Certificate is valid for 10 years.
- Asked by: Margo MacDonald, MSP for Lothians, Independent
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 February 2010
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Current Status:
Answered by Alex Johnstone on 24 February 2010
To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what the reason is for the assessment of the energy usage of the Parliament building for 2007-08 being twice the figure on its energy performance certificate.
Answer
The Energy Performance Certificate contains an asset energy rating in accordance with The Energy Performance of Buildings (Scotland) Regulations 2008. The rating on the certificate is not a predicted usage rating.
The Parliament is used for an extended amount of time each day and contains specialist equipment. For example, this usage occurs due to events, visitors and broadcasting and IT requirements. The energy usage is reflected in the annual report.
- Asked by: Margo MacDonald, MSP for Lothians, Independent
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 November 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Russell on 7 December 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish the responses it has received from local authorities to requests by the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning to make St Andrew’s Day a school holiday.
Answer
Ten responses to the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning''s letters of 23 January and 6 November 2009 to education conveners asking them to consider making St Andrew''s Day a school holiday are available from the Scottish Parliament''s Information Centre (Bib. number 49780).
- Asked by: Margo MacDonald, MSP for Lothians, Independent
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 November 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Keith Brown on 4 December 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive which local authorities recognise St Andrew’s Day by making it a school holiday.
Answer
This year St Andrew''s Day was a school holiday in Angus, Dumfries and Galloway, Scottish Borders and Renfrewshire. Aberdeen City Council, although not designating St Andrew''s Day an official school holiday, had an in-service day on 30 November to allow pupils to celebrate the day.
- Asked by: Margo MacDonald, MSP for Lothians, Independent
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 November 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Russell on 1 December 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the recognition of St Andrew’s Day as a holiday in the (a) public and (b) private sector.
Answer
The Scottish Government is committed to marking St Andrew''s Day as a national day. Like the Parliament and Angus Council, Scottish Government staff have been given St Andrew''s Day as a bank holiday.
It is for individual employers to decide whether to take St Andrew''s Day as a holiday and we would encourage all employers to consider discussing this issue with their employees.
