- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Thursday, 11 March 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Clare Haughey on 18 March 2021
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress towards Action 15 of its Mental Health Strategy 2017-2027.
Answer
The most recent recruitment figures were published on the Scottish Government website ( https://www.gov.scot/publications/mental-health-workers-quarterly-performance-reports/ ) on 15 March. This sets out the number of Whole Time Equivalent posts recruited to as 1 January 2021.
Prior to the pandemic, we collected and reported these figures on a quarterly basis. In recognition of the impact that the pandemic response has had on services, we have moved to a 6 monthly collection and will keep this under review.
The next collection is due to take place during July 2021.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Monday, 08 March 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 18 March 2021
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide details of the proposed site locations for the 124 mobile masts that will be erected under the Shared Rural Network Programme; what the timeframe is confirming these site locations, and what support the Infralink programme will provide to securing them.
Answer
Rollout of the Shared Rural Network (SRN) programme is being led by the UK Government and the four main mobile network operators. While we have seen draft coverage maps, the Scottish Government is unsighted on the specific details of locations to be used for SRN’s rollout plans and the timescales for deployment at this stage.
We anticipate Infralink being relevant to the successful deployment of SRN sites in Scotland, where potential locations are located on the public sector estate. The project has been established to facilitate the improved and accelerated the deployment of mobile infrastructure, thereby increasing access of mobile connectivity to more communities and businesses.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 March 2021
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 24 March 2021
To ask the Scottish Government when it last met Orkney Islands Council and what was discussed.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 24 March 2021
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Thursday, 04 March 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Kevin Stewart on 16 March 2021
To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that the climate emergency is a primary consideration in decision-making processes for planning
matters.
Answer
National Planning Framework 3 and Scottish Planning Policy, our current national planning policy, published in 2014, aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and they remain in-force until replaced.
Since then the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 includes meeting greenhouse gas emission targets as one of six outcomes for the National Planning Framework to address. National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) is in preparation and the NPF4 Position Statement (November 2020) clearly establishes climate change as a guiding principle to be addressed in NPF4. It also states that we expect to confirm that the Global Climate Emergency should be a material consideration in applications for appropriately located renewable energy developments.
This is a significant issue that requires full consultation and will be addressed fully in the draft NPF4 to be laid in Parliament in Autumn 2021. On approval in 2022 the planning policies included in NPF4 will have development plan status for decision making purposes.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Thursday, 04 March 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Kevin Stewart on 16 March 2021
To ask the Scottish Government how may planning appeals for onshore wind farms have taken the climate emergency into account, since it was declared in May 2019.
Answer
Reporters are required to make planning appeal decisions on the basis of the development plan for the area unless material considerations indicate otherwise. Material considerations include Scottish Government Policy, the National Planning Framework (NPF) and Scottish Planning Policy. NPF3 is clear that planning must facilitate the transition to a low carbon economy and the decision maker must consider, amongst others, the scale of contribution to renewable energy generation and the effect on greenhouse gas emissions targets.
Since 1 May 2019, 15 appeal decisions for proposed wind farms have been made of which 5 have been allowed.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Thursday, 04 March 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Kevin Stewart on 16 March 2021
To ask the Scottish Government how many planning appeals for onshore wind farms, which have been granted, have taken the climate emergency into account.
Answer
Reporters are required to make planning appeal decisions on the basis of the development plan for the area unless material considerations indicate otherwise. Material considerations include Scottish Government Policy, the National Planning Framework (NPF) and Scottish Planning Policy. NPF3 is clear that planning must facilitate the transition to a low carbon economy and the decision maker must consider, amongst others, the scale of contribution to renewable energy generation and the effect on greenhouse gas emissions targets.
Since 1 May 2019, 15 appeal decisions for proposed wind farms have been made of which 5 have been allowed.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Friday, 26 February 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Fergus Ewing on 12 March 2021
To ask to ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-34704 by Fergus Ewing on 3 February 2021, what its most recent communication with the Farming and Food Production Future Policy Group (FFP-FPG) indicated about timetables for publishing its final report, and in particular whether the final report will be made publicly available before the Parliament rises on 25 March 2021.
Answer
Further to my answer to question S5W-34704, the situation remains the same. Given the industry involvement in the Group, it is unfortunately inevitable that Covid and Brexit have significantly impacted upon the Group’s work. As an independent Group, it is for the Group to determine when to publish their Report.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Thursday, 04 March 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Kevin Stewart on 12 March 2021
To ask the Scottish Government whether delays to the National Planning Framework 4 will have any impact on Net Zero targets.
Answer
Scotland is leading the way on tackling climate change. The Climate Change Plan update, published in December, announces over 100 new policies and sets us on a pathway toward a just transition to net zero by 2045. It is also clear that National Planning Framework 4 will play a crucial role in supporting its delivery.
National Planning Framework 3 and Scottish Planning Policy already include approaches to assist with emissions reduction and these remain in-force. We will reflect on the latest information, policy and targets as we bring forward a draft National Planning Framework 4 later this year.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 March 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Matheson on 12 March 2021
To ask the Scottish Government whether consideration is being given to allowing personnel who are on rotation from working offshore and are travelling back from overseas, to self-isolate at home rather than in a hotel.
Answer
Changes were made to the sectoral exemption for oil and gas workers under the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (International Travel) (Scotland) Regulations, so that workers returning from an installation in the North Sea who have transited via a non-acute risk country or territory (but have not entered that country or territory) are not required to stay in managed accommodation but are required to stay in specified premises (such as their own home). This came into effect at 4am on 25 February. A meeting with OGUK is taking place on 11 March to discuss any further concerns.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 09 February 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 11 March 2021
To ask the Scottish Government when it expects to have determined the impact of the UK’s new subsidy control system on ferry services, and by what date this information will be set out in more detail.
Answer
Scottish Government officials are currently working to understand the various impacts of the new Subsidy Control rules which were introduced, without prior notice, on an interim basis on 1 January 2021.
The UKG department with responsibility for the new rules is BEIS, and they are currently holding a consultation exercise on how these new rules should be applied for the longer term, which is due to close at the end of March. Again, Scottish Government officials and Ministers were given no prior notice of the detail or timing of this exercise and are therefore working to contribute fully to the consultation in the time given.
I am unable therefore at this time to provide a firm date, but assure the Member that officials are working as hard as possible to gain clarity on these new rules and the various impacts on subsidies, including ferry services.
