Questions and answers

Question reference: S4W-24385

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 09 February 2015
Current Status: Answered by Derek Mackay on 19 February 2015

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the effectiveness of compulsory 20 mph zones in encouraging active travel.

The Scottish Government assisted with an evaluation of the City of Edinburgh’s 20 mph speed limit pilot scheme in South Central Edinburgh in August 2013. This demonstrated its success in reducing vehicle speeds and promoting positive attitudes to 20 mph limits. In particular, residents viewed the pilot benefited the safety for children walking about the area, safety for children to play in the street, better conditions for walking, less traffic incidents, and better cycling conditions, thus helping to promote active travel.

Question reference: S4W-24383

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 09 February 2015
Current Status: Answered by Derek Mackay on 19 February 2015

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the effectiveness of compulsory 20 mph zones in reducing road accidents and casualties.

Transport Scotland assisted the City of Edinburgh Council with the evaluation of their 20 mph speed limit pilot scheme in South Central Edinburgh which demonstrated that traffic speeds can be reduced without the need for additional traffic calming measures. There is overwhelming evidence that the frequency and severity of accidents rises disproportionately with speed, which is why the Scottish Government supports the use of 20 mph speed limits and zones, where appropriate.

Question reference: S4W-24398

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 09 February 2015
Current Status: Answered by Aileen McLeod on 19 February 2015

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to meet each of the milestones set out in Low Carbon Scotland - Meeting our Emissions Reduction Targets 2013-2027.

The Scottish Government will continue to lead work to support the delivery of Low Carbon Scotland - Meeting the Emissions Reduction Targets 2013-2027. It is our intention that RPP2 (the second report on proposals and policies) will be delivered in full, and where policies and proposals are not being delivered, we will look to bring forward new policies with the same, if not greater, level of emissions abatement.

The Cabinet Sub-Committee on Climate Change has been established to ensure climate change policy is given the highest priority across all Government objectives. The Cabinet Sub Committee met for the second time on 8 January 2015 and discussed both the good progress made to date and the policy options available across the members’ portfolios to help ensure Scotland stays on track to meet its world-leading climate change targets. These included options in energy, housing, transport, local government and communities, land use, agriculture and forestry.

Question reference: S4W-24384

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 09 February 2015
Current Status: Answered by Derek Mackay on 19 February 2015

To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it provides to local authorities on the implementation of compulsory 20 mph zones.

Question reference: S4W-24389

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 09 February 2015
Current Status: Answered by Maureen Watt on 18 February 2015

To ask the Scottish Government what impact not meeting air quality targets has on health expenditure.

The Scottish Government recognises that poor air quality can impact on health, and those with existing heart or lung conditions are more susceptible to the increased health risk associated with air pollution. However, due to the wide range of factors that can impact on the health of patients with these types of conditions, it is not possible to accurately assess the financial cost directly attributable to poor air quality.

Question reference: S4W-24390

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 09 February 2015
Current Status: Answered by Aileen McLeod on 17 February 2015

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of the Crofting (Amendment) (Scotland) Act 2013.

The Crofting (Amendment) (Scotland) Act 2013 simply made it possible for owner-occupier crofters to apply to the Crofting Commission to decroft the whole or part of their crofts, and for the Crofting Commission to give directions on such applications.

The Crofting Commission will consider such applications on the merits of individual cases and decide whether the land in question should remain subject to crofting tenure or not.

Question reference: S4W-24393

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 09 February 2015
Current Status: Answered by Aileen McLeod on 17 February 2015

To ask the Scottish Government how many applications have been made each year to the National Forest Land Scheme and how many have been approved, broken down by (a) project category, (b) tenure type and (c) land area.

Since the National Forest Land Scheme opened in 2005, there have been 55 applications approved to date covering 12,976 hectares.

A detailed breakdown of all the applications broken down by project category, tenure type and land area is shown in the following tables:

National Forest Land Scheme applications approved and sold or leased

Name	Applicant	Purpose	NFLS category	Hectares	Financial year sold or leased
Dalavich, Loch Awe	West Highland Housing Association	Affordable housing	Affordable housing	0.1	2006-07 Sold
Kilmun, Dunoon	Fyne Homes	Affordable housing	Affordable housing	0.6	2006-07 Sold
Salen, Sunart	West Highland Housing Association	Affordable housing	Affordable housing	0.5	2006-07 Sold
Slewdrum forest, Coulnacraig	Birse Community Trust	Community woodland	Community acquisition	167.2	2006-07 Sold
Strathmashie forest, Laggan	Laggan Forest Trust	Forest centre and trails	Community acquisition	18.1	2006-07 Sold
Succoth, Arrochar	Dunbritton Housing Association	Affordable housing	Affordable housing	2.2	2006-07 Sold
West Ardhu and Langamull forest, Isle of Mull	North West Mull Community Woodland Company	Community woodland	Surplus land	693.4	2007-08 Sold
Ford, Loch Awe	Ford Community Project Ltd	Community centre	Surplus land	2.5	2007-08 Sold
Milehouse, Kincraig	Highland Small Communities Housing Trust	Affordable housing	Affordable housing	5.2	2008-09 Sold
Bettyhill, Farr Bay	Highland Small Communities Housing Trust	Affordable housing	Affordable housing	0.3	2008-09 Sold
Forest park, Burghead	Burghead Thistle Junior Football Club	Football pitch	Surplus land	1.4	2008-09 Sold
Donich park, Lochgilphead	Dunbritton Housing Association	Affordable housing	Affordable housing	1.5	2009-10 Sold
Ae village, near Dumfries	Loreburn Housing Association	Affordable housing	Affordable housing	0.4	2009-10 Sold
Badluarach and Durnamuck, Gairloch	Badluarach and Durnamuck Community Woodland	Community woodland	Surplus land	8.5	2009-10 Sold
Gaudiedale strip, Bennachie	Bennachie Access Group	Access to Bennachie	Surplus land	0.1	2009-10 Sold
Acharossan, Tighnabruaich	Kilfinan Community Forest Company	Community woodland	Community acquisition	125.5	2010-11 Sold
Balfour wood, Aboyne	Birse Community Trust	Community woodland	Community acquisition	241.0	2010-11 Sold
Golticlay forest, Lybster	Latheron, Lybster and Clyth Community Development Company	Renewable energy scheme (wind)	Community acquisition	39.1	2010-11 and 2011-12 and 2012-13 Sold
Dyke forest (phase 1,2and3), Strath Halladale	RSPB	Habitat restoration	Surplus land	1,548.6	2011/12 Sold
Ardentinny walled garden, Cowal	Ardentinny Community Trust	Community gardens and visitor attraction	Surplus land	1.4	2011-12 Sold
Broadford wood, Skye	Broadford and Strath Community Company	Community woodlands and tourist facilities	Community acquisition	20.0	2011-12 Sold
Smithton, Inverness	Albyn Housing Association	Affordable housing	Affordable housing	2.0	2011-12 Sold
Tormore forest, Skye	Sleat Community Trust	Community woodland	Surplus land	441.0	2012-13 Sold
Camustorsa, Sunart	Highland Small Communities Housing Trust	Affordable housing	Affordable housing	1.1	2012-13 Sold
Stronafian forest, Glendaruel	Glendaruel and Colintraive Community Development Trust	Community woodland and wind	Surplus land	615.6	2012-13 Sold
Stank Glen, Callander	Callander Community Development Trust	Renewable energy scheme (hydro)	Community acquisition	8.8	2013-14 Leased
Dalmochie, Ballater	Deeside Donside Development Group	Visitor attraction	Community acquisition	0.5	2014-15 Sold
Garmony, Isle of Mull	Mull and Iona Community Trust	Renewable energy scheme (hydro)	Community acquisition	0.2	2014-15 Leased
			Total hectares sold or leased	3,946.8

National Forest Land Scheme approved but not yet sold or leased

Name	Applicant	Purpose	NFLS category	Hectares	Year approved
Achnaha, Morvern	Morvern Community Woodland Company	Community woodland	Community acquisition	8.5	August 2014
Aigas forest, Strathglass	Aigas Community Forest	Community woodland	Surplus land	240.0	December 2009. Scottish Land Funding agreed December 14
Balloch wood, Creetown	Creetown Initiative	Renewable energy scheme (hydro)	Community acquisition	1.2	April 2014
Barcaldine, Loch Creran	Spotlight Musical Theatre Company	Storage facility	Surplus land	0.1	January 2014
Brochel forest and Inverarish forest, Isle of Raasay	Raasay Development Partnership	Community woodland and hydro	Surplus land	288.0	October 2013
Brocketsbrae, Lesmahagow	Lesmahagow Development Trust	Allotments	Community acquisition	0.1	January 2014 (Lease)
Dalavich hydro, Argyll	Dalavich Improvement Group	Renewable energy scheme (hydro)	Community acquisition	1.0	August 2014 (Lease)
Dinmurchie farm buildings, Ayrshire	Barr Community Development Company	Community craft hub	Surplus land	0.5	August 2014
Part Forsinain and Dyke forests, Strath Halladale	North Sutherland Community Forest Trust	Community woodland and some habitat restoration	Surplus land	566.0	February 2010 (Lease)
Fourpenny plantation	The Embo Trust	Community runrig and amenity	Community acquisition	17.0	January 2015
Glen Mallie, Loch Arkaig	Achnacarry, Bunarkaig and Clunes Group	Community woodland	Surplus land	1,096.0	April 2014
Glen Seillisdeir forest, Isle of Mull	Ross of Mull and Iona Development Group	Community woodland	Surplus land	758.0	October 2013
Innerleithen, near Peebles	AIMuP	Mountain bike facilities	Community acquisition	250.0	December 2012 (Lease)
Invergarry depot and woodland	Glen Garry Community Woodland Group	Community hub and woodland restoration	Surplus land	30.0	November 2014
Kinachreachan, Loch Awe	LOCHWATCH	Community woodland	Surplus land	2.0	April 2014
Kirkton of Maryculter woods, Kirkton of Maryculter	Maryculter Woodlands Trust	Community woodland	Surplus land	67.0	September 2013
Kirkton wood, Lochcarron	Kirkton Woodland Group	Community woodland	Community acquisition	92.0	August 2011
Lael forest, Ullapool	Ullapool Community Trust	Renewable energy scheme (hydro)	Community acquisition	6.0	October 2013
Longhill wood, Aberdeenshire	Enzie Crossroads Community Woodland Assoc	Community woodland	Community acquisition	3.0	August 2014
Rannoch Barracks	Scottish Wildlife Trust	Habitat restoration	Surplus land	4,487.0	November 2014
Strontian old schoolhouse, Sunart	Sunart Community Company	Amenity ground	Surplus land	0.1	August 2014
Upper Acharossan	Kilfinan Community Forest Company	Community woodland	Community acquisition reapplication	434.0	January 2015
			Total hectares sold or leased	8,347.5

National Forest Land Scheme approved but withdrawn

Name	Applicant	Purpose	NFLS category	Hectares	Financial year approved
Rascarrel Moss, Auchencairn	Auchencairn Community Company	Community woodland	Surplus land	167.0	2008-09
Fourpenny wood, Dornoch	The Embo Trust	Woodland crofts	Woodland crofts	158.0	2008-09
Clauchrie forest, Ae	Nith Valley LEAF Trust	Community woodland	Community acquisition	235.0	2009-10
Salachry forest, Craignish	Craignish Community Company	Community woodland	Community acquisition	120.0	2009-10
Achinchanter, Dornoch	The Embo Trust	Allotments and amenity	Community acquisition	1.7	2011-12
			Total hectares	681.7

Question reference: S4W-24387

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 09 February 2015
Current Status: Answered by Aileen McLeod on 17 February 2015

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish information on the enforcement action it takes in relation to breaches of the Air Quality Standards (Scotland) Regulations 2010.

The Air Quality Standards (Scotland) Regulations 2010 transpose into domestic legislation the requirements of Directive 2008/50/EC on ambient air quality and clean air for Europe.

Although local authority action has an important contribution to make, responsibility for complying with the directive lies with EU member states. The four UK administrations have jointly produced a series of action plans outlining the national and local policies which are being implemented to ensure compliance with the directive. The UK Government is also required to submit an annual compliance report to the European Commission. The commission may take any action it deems appropriate if it considers that insufficient progress is being made.

The plans and annual reports can be viewed on the UK-Air website: http://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/

Question reference: S4W-24399

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 09 February 2015
Current Status: Answered by Aileen McLeod on 17 February 2015

To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) estimated and (b) actual carbon savings have been each for projects that have received support from the Climate Challenge Fund.

The total estimated and reported actual carbon savings from projects in receipt of grant awards from the Climate Challenge Fund since 2008 are 1,080,411 tCO₂e and 281,597 tCO₂e respectively.

These figures are not directly comparable. Of the 266 projects funded since 2012 many are still underway or have not yet started. Consequently, only 34 final project reports with estimates of actual carbon savings have been received. Additionally, when the fund was first introduced there was not the same requirement, as now, to submit carbon reduction figures in final project reports and a standard methodology for doing so was not introduced until 2012.

Question reference: S4W-24392

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 09 February 2015
Current Status: Answered by Aileen McLeod on 17 February 2015

To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to the Forestry Commission Scotland with the preparation of its new corporate plan.

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