Seòmar agus comataidhean

The review of sportscotlandhas been undertaken as part of our approach to simplify Scotland’s public service landscape. By getting rid of duplication,simplifying structures and stopping activities that do not contribute to thegovernment’s objectives, we will be freeing up Scotland’s public servants to providethe services people need.

The terms ofreference for the review of sportscotland were set to “examine whether sportscotland’scurrent functions continue to be necessary and, if so, which organisational arrangementsare most effective in delivering them.” Consultation has been undertakenwith the key stakeholders to ensure those at the centre of the delivery of sport,were able to input into the consideration of which organisational arrangements willbe most effective in securing the future delivery of sport.

The Scottish Governmentis committed to ensuring that lottery funding for sport remains accessible. It isthe intention that a decision on the future of sportscotland will be announced beforethe end of the year.

I refer themember to the answer to question S3W-6016 on 14 November 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions areavailable on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can befound at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

We fullyacknowledge the key delivery role the Scottish Institute of Sport plays withinthe sporting landscape. Until the outcome of the review of sportscotland hasbeen made we cannot comment on what impact any decision will have.

We are committedto improving sport in Scotland and it is not our intention to make any decisionthat will impact negatively on sport.

All of the principalorganisations that represent sports interests in Scotland have been formally consulted. The governing bodies of several major sportswere also consulted on an individual basis. Officials have met with a range of organisationsand individuals who specifically requested meetings or who were suggested by keyconsultees.

I am very consciousthat the final decision on the future of sportscotland will have an enormous impacton the lives and future of the staff at sportscotland. It is therefore crucial thatthe consultation process is completed quickly and efficiently with a view to announcingthe result before the end of the year. I continue to meet and discuss this reviewwith the key stakeholders and encourage their views and responses which will begiven the fullest consideration that is possible, at the time they are received.

The following bodieshave been formally invited to submit their views:

Sportscotland

Scottish Instituteof Sport

Scottish Cycling

Scottish Gymnastics

Scottish Swimming

Badminton Scotland

Judo Scotland

COSLA

VOCAL

Scottish Athletics

Scottish Sport Association

Scottish Instituteof Sport Foundation

Scottish Golf Union

Scottish Rugby Union

Scottish FootballAssociation

Scottish Universityof Sport

The Health and SportCommittee of the Scottish Parliament.

Scottish Governmentministers or officials have met with the following organisations to discuss thereview of sportscotland:

Sportscotland

Scottish Instituteof Sport

COSLA

VOCAL

Scottish Sports Association

Scottish Instituteof Sport Foundation

Scottish Associationof Local Sports Councils

Scottish Hockey

Scottish Rugby.

The needs of sportare central to the Scottish Government’s decisions on the future of sportscotland.

The review of sportscotlandis not a public consultation and the question of publication of responses hasnot been discussed with stakeholders. We will however invite those who haveresponded to consent to their responses being published, with a view topublication once the outcome of the review has been announced.

The Scottish Governmenthas held a series of meetings with the chair and senior staff of sportscotland,the executive director of the Scottish Institute of Sport, staff from the WelshAssembly Government, representatives of the Scottish Sports Association, representativesof the Scottish Association of Local Sports Councils, senior officials from COSLAand VOCAL, representatives of two sport governing bodies, and individuals workingat local authority level.