- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 07 May 2003
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Current Status:
Answered by Andy Kerr on 3 June 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive what powers of direction it has in relation to non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs); what its policy is on the use of such powers, and how it will ensure that all NDPBs operate and make decisions in an accountable and responsive manner.
Answer
Powers of direction vary from body to body. They are usually contained in each body's establishing legislation or other founding framework documentation. Powers may also be contained in legislation relevant to a body's functions or areas of responsibility.NDPBs vary greatly in size and nature of their operations. It is important that the scope and use of powers of direction reflect that variety. The decision to make use of such powers therefore lies with individual ministers, assessing the circumstances on a case-by-case basis.The report
Public Bodies: Proposals for Change contained detailed recommendations for improving the Accountability and Governance of NDPBs. It emphasised an approach based on "multiple accountability". This makes clear that NDPBs have a duty to continuously improve and strengthen their links to stakeholders, users and customers and the general public, as well as to be accountable to ministers and the Parliament. A copy of the report is available at:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library3/government/pbreview.pdf.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 07 May 2003
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Current Status:
Answered by Tavish Scott on 3 June 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will introduce legislation to confer powers on local authorities to enable them to determine whether the existing 50% council tax discount for holiday homes should be removed in whole or in part and in respect of specific types of property; if so, whether it will enable local authorities to retain the additional revenue yielded, and what the cumulative total of revenue forgone in council tax receipts as a result of the 50% discount has been in each of the last three years, broken down by local authority.
Answer
We are giving careful consideration to the responses received to the recent consultation on council tax for second and long-term empty homes. Information on the number of second homes in each local authority is not held centrally.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 07 May 2003
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Current Status:
Answered by Hugh Henry on 3 June 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to HM Inspector of Fire Services and the Health and Safety Executive in relation to proposals to close 42 fire auxiliary units in the Highland Council area
Answer
None - Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Fire Services in Scotland provides professional advice to Scottish ministers.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 15 May 2003
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Current Status:
Answered by Frank McAveety on 3 June 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will urge sportscotland to approve the application for financial assistance in connection with the Morar playing field; what its position is on whether the decision by sportscotland on this application could have been made before the Parliament was dissolved and on the written statement made by sportscotland to applicants on this issue, and whether it will make representations to sportscotland to ensure that financial assistance is provided for the Lovat Memorial Games field at Morar.
Answer
The consideration and determination of individual lottery applications are matters for sportscotland. The role of ministers relates to the setting of strategic priorities and making Policy and Financial Directions.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 26 May 2003
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Current Status:
Answered by Malcolm Chisholm on 3 June 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the Fort William Medical Community Working Group's proposal that Belford Hospital become a rural general hospital and what action it will take to put this proposal into effect.
Answer
It is for NHS Highland in the first place to consider any proposals for service change and development in consultation with all interested parties and the wider public.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 07 May 2003
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Current Status:
Answered by Mike Watson on 20 May 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to VisitScotland that it should display on the visitscotland.com website online booking system full contact details of those accommodation providers that subscribe to the website, ensuring equal prominence with the contact details of the VisitScotland call centre.
Answer
This is an operational matter for visitscotland.com.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 07 May 2003
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Current Status:
Answered by Hugh Henry on 20 May 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it supports an inquiry into proposals to close 42 fire auxiliary units in the Highland Council area.
Answer
The programme of fire station upgrading is a matter for the Highland and Islands Fire Board. I understand that at this stage no decision has been made about closure of basic volunteer stations. If, following consideration by the board, such a decision is reached then, as part of the process, there would have to be a public consultation.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 17 March 2003
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Current Status:
Answered by Lewis Macdonald on 28 March 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the EU structural funds allocated to the Highlands and Islands has been used on road improvements in each year since 1999 and how much it estimates will be used on the basis of its present policy intentions in the current year and the next two years.
Answer
No structural funds monies have been allocated to trunk roads projects during this period, or in the current year. The Executive is currently considering making application for Highlands and Islands Special Transitional Programme support for the proposed upgrade of the A9 between Helmsdale and Ord of Caithness. Details of the amount and timing have not yet been finalised.For local roads, some £2.820 million in 1999 and £2.692 million in 2002, of EU structural funds, were allocated across the Highlands and Islands for road improvements. We estimate that almost £10 million could be allocated for roads works in the next two years.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 17 March 2003
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Current Status:
Answered by Lewis Macdonald on 28 March 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received representations from Dumfries and Galloway Council in relation to the rejection of the recommendation made to the Executive by the reporter to the planning inquiry that the proposed weight restriction order U111w to the Polbae Road near Newton Stewart be not made; whether the imposition of such an order would damage forestry interests; whether the roads maintenance budget of the council is sufficient, and what action it will take to protect the interests of those that would be affected by the granting of such a weight restriction order.
Answer
To date, no representations have been received.Should representations be received, it would not be appropriate to make any specific comment at this time which could prejudice any future involvement the Scottish ministers may have.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 17 March 2003
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Current Status:
Answered by Lewis Macdonald on 28 March 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Transport Planning Group will meet representatives of the Fort William and District Chamber of Commerce to discuss the Chamber of Commerce's campaign to upgrade the A82.
Answer
On 20 March I announced that we will be commissioning a full Route Action Plan study for the A82 trunk road between Tarbet and Fort William. This study will identify particular problems on the route and identify priorities and targets for future investment in the road. I will ensure the Chamber of Commerce is invited to submit its views to my officials.
