- Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 17 April 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicol Stephen on 18 May 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that the recommendations made in the Scottish Office Social Work Services Inspectorate's 1998 Report, Sense and Progress, are carried out.
Answer
In examining services for the Chief Social Work Inspector's Annual Report for 2002, officials will seek up to date information on local progress in implementing the recommendations of Sensing Progress.A working group consisting of representatives from various deaf/blind organisations and appropriate officials has been set up under the auspices of the Equality Unit. The aim is to look at a positive way forward in identifying the various cross-cutting issues facing people with sensory impairment.The working group on certification and registration in relation to people with visual impairment has produced its report, which is now being considered by ministers.
- Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 24 April 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Margaret Curran on 17 May 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13378 by Ms Margaret Curran on 28 February 2001, what guarantee it can provide that the costs of servicing any residual debt following Glasgow housing stock transfer will be met indefinitely by resources provided by the Scottish Executive indefinitely.
Answer
The arrangements will take account of Glasgow's existing loan portfolio and will be discussed with Glasgow City Council as part of the appraisal of the transfer proposal.
- Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 24 April 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Margaret Curran on 17 May 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive what the latest figure is for the cost of improving Glasgow City Council's housing stock following the proposed stock transfer.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15312 on 9 May 2001.
- Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 24 April 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Margaret Curran on 17 May 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive what VAT implications there will be for the cost of improving homes following the proposed Glasgow housing stock transfer.
Answer
VAT implications will depend on the specific details of the transfer proposal.
- Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 24 April 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Margaret Curran on 17 May 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that information given to council tenants in Glasgow with regard to the stock transfer proposals is accurate.
Answer
The Executive's Guidance for Local Authorities on Housing Transfer to Community Ownership sets down procedures that local authorities are expected to follow in carrying out their statutory responsibilities in respect of consultation with tenants on any transfer proposal.
- Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 24 April 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Margaret Curran on 17 May 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken to accommodate the recommendation in the Social Inclusion, Housing and Voluntary Sector Committee's 3rd Report 2000 Housing Stock Transfer that a multi-agency task force be establish for each stock transfer proposal with a specific remit to ensure that maximisation of local labour is a key determinant in the awarding of contracts.
Answer
This is a matter for the parties involved in developing transfer proposals. A multi-agency Housing and Employment Working Group operating at an all-Scotland level is identifying the mechanisms required to maximise employment opportunities and inclusion benefits from future housing investment.
- Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 24 April 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Margaret Curran on 17 May 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive how the #13 million earmarked for Glasgow City Council in connection with the development of its stock transfer proposal has been (a) allocated and (b) spent to date.
Answer
By the end of the last financial year £8.4 million had been allocated to the Glasgow stock transfer initiative and £6.9 million of that had been drawn down by Glasgow City Council.
- Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 24 April 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Margaret Curran on 17 May 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken to ensure that neighbourhood forums established to consult on Glasgow stock transfer proposals consult with tenant associations and that those tenant associations relay information to and from their own tenants.
Answer
Neighbourhood Forums were established by Glasgow City Council. The activities and procedures of these organisations is a matter for the council.
- Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 24 April 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Margaret Curran on 17 May 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive whether any residual debt resulting from housing stock transfer in Glasgow will (a) be removed from Glasgow City Council (GCC) and taken on by the Executive as outlined in Glasgow Housing Association's January newsletter which states "the Scottish Executive has agreed to remove the debt from GCC tenants and transfer it to tax payers across Scotland if tenants vote in favour of stock transfer" or (b) remain with GCC and be serviced by the Executive as outlined in the answer to question S1W-13378 by Ms Margaret Curran on 28 February 2001 which states "the cost of servicing the remaining (i.e. residual) debt would also be met by resources provided by the Scottish Executive" and what steps will it take to ensure that tenants are advised of the correct situation.
Answer
The arrangements are as set out in my answer to question S1W-13378. It is for Glasgow City Council in undertaking statutory consultation with tenants prior to any transfer to consider what further information in relation to this issue should be provided.
- Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 24 April 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Margaret Curran on 17 May 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive why no long-term detailed investment plans on Glasgow's housing stock transfer proposals will be available until January 2002, after the proposed date of the stock transfer ballot.
Answer
The Executive's Guidance for Local Authorities on Housing Transfer to Community Ownership makes it clear what information should be made available to tenants during the statutory consultation process leading up to any ballot on a transfer proposal.
