Seòmar agus comataidhean

The Scottish Government regularly contributes to discussions with the European Commission, UK Government and EU member states on marine renewables and offshore wind energy issues. It contributed to the development of recently published EU Guidance on Wind Energy Developments and Natura 2000 and is represented on several UK groups including the UK Renewable Energy Deployment Environmental Issue Board.

There has been no specific correspondence so far with the European Commission, UK Government and EU member states regarding the potential for marine renewable projects to affect special areas of conservation and European protected species. However, ongoing work on Habitats Regulation Appraisals and other environmental assessments provide the basis for consideration of these issues and discussions with relevant countries and the European Commission where necessary.

The EU Guidance on Wind Energy Developments and Natura 2000 can be found via the following link http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/natura2000/management/guidance_en.htm.

The National Renewables Infrastructure Plan (N-RIP) Stage 1 and 2 reports identify Scotland''s key locations that can support the development of a globally competitive offshore renewables industry. The reports set out the indicative infrastructure requirements and associated economic returns that could be generated. All projects associated with N-RIP will be required to follow planning and/or consenting procedures, including consents under the Harbours Act and/or the Town and Country Planning Act, and (in future) dredging licences under the Marine (Scotland) Act where dredging may be proposed.

In respect of planning, the National Marine Plan will take cognisance of the N-RIP. Scottish Government officials will also be working closely with planning authorities to ensure that N-RIP objectives are taken into account in the preparation of main issues reports and development plans.

The purpose of this report is to collate baseline information relevant to the development process, to assist developers interested in competing for the Saltire Prize to identify and develop projects rapidly. As its primary purpose is the provision of baseline information, it is not considered to be a qualifying plan or programme under the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005.

The Scottish Government is currently undertaking an SEA Maintenance exercise in support of the preparation of the Marine Renewables Plan. The information contained in the report will be used in support of this maintenance exercise.

The purpose of this report is to collate baseline information relevant to the development process, to assist developers interested in competing for the Saltire Prize to identify and develop projects rapidly. As its primary purpose is the provision of baseline information, it is not considered to be a qualifying plan or project under the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994, as amended for Scotland, which implement the EC Habitats Directive.

The National Renewables Infrastructure Fund is being administered by Scottish Enterprise (SE) and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). Where funding is provided by SE or HIE to support infrastructure projects these will have been subject to the relevant consenting processes to ensure environmental impacts are addressed.

In 2010, discussions were held between the Scottish Government''s SEA Gateway and Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise regarding the need for environmental assessment of the National Renewables Infrastructure Plan (N-RIP).

A strategic environmental assessment (SEA) was undertaken of the short-term and medium-term sites (20 in total) included in the N-RIP. The environmental report and the Stage 2 N-RIP report were published for public consultation in September 2010, for a period of 10 weeks.

A Habitats Regulations Appraisal (HRA) of the N-RIP is currently underway and is due to report in January 2011.

Funding for flooding projects, including that allocated to the City of Edinburgh Council, has been rolled up in the local government finance settlement since 2008-09. As such, it is a matter for individual councils to decide how they allocate the total funding at its disposal to meet its own local needs and priorities, including those for flooding schemes.

For its part, the Scottish Government has agreed with COSLA that in allocating the available capital grant it provides amongst councils, it has also maintained funding for specific elements within the total. The Scottish Government has therefore protected the funding allocations for flood prevention schemes, including the Water of Leith Scheme that was approved earlier.

All Scottish Government expenditure is being closely monitored and managed so that there will be a very small underspend by the end of the financial year, in line with recent performance. HM Treasury has advised that it has abolished the existing end year flexibility arrangements which means that we will not be allowed to carry forward any underspend from 2010-11 to a future financial year.

The very small underspend anticipated will be after our budget for 2010-11 has been reduced for the sum we are planning to carry forward to 2011-12 to support the capital programme in that year.

The Scottish Government has no plans to change the role of the Scottish Forestry Commissioners.

The Scottish Government may, by virtue of the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act, seek, by order, to amend, transfer or delegate the functions of the Forestry Commissioners as they relate to Scotland. A proposal to abolish the Forestry Commissioners would require legislation at Westminster, and a Legislative Consent Motion, and we would expect such a proposal to be discussed and agreed by Scottish, English and Welsh ministers.