Seòmar agus comataidhean

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-04118 on‎ 17 November 2021. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

The most recent cross section survey of the Liddel Water was commissioned by Scottish Borders Council in 2017. This survey was carried out as part of the flood study for Newcastleton. As part of the flood study, SEPA also provided Scottish Borders Council with a LiDAR topographical survey, undertaken in 2013.

SEPA carried out a trash line survey following flooding in February 2021 to determine the flood extent.

A CCTV survey was also undertaken after Storm Dennis in 2020.

Newcastleton is part of the Scottish Borders flood warning scheme. This scheme will be reviewed by SEPA’s Flood Forecasting and Warning Team during the next FRM cycle (2021 – 2027) to determine whether improvements can be made or if there is a need to recalibrate at this location.

The following table summarises the number of Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS) applications received, applying specifically Improving Public Access (IPA), and of those how many were (a) were approved and (b) are awaiting a decision, in each year since 2015. The figures below exclude those applications that were submitted then subsequently withdrawn by the businesses concerned.

Please note that the 2020 round did not include the IPA option and that the 2019 round was not open to new applications, rather a one year’s extension was offered to all Management options that were due to end in 2020. Not all businesses accepted the offer. Improving Public Access is not a Management Option, it is capital only, and as such was not included in the round.

The 2021 round that closed at the beginning of July 2021 was also extended. These applications are still being assessed.

1Excludes those applications that were submitted then subsequently withdrawn by the businesses concerned.

* Application type not included in Round

I fully understand that those with MS and other long term neurological conditions may need support to cope with potential impacts upon their mental wellbeing.

Over the past 13 months we have invested over £300,000 to projects which specifically aim to improve the health and wellbeing of people with MS in Scotland.

Improving timely access to local care and support for mental health is an existing priority. As of 1 January 2021, through action 15 of the Mental Health Strategy 2017-27 and the Primary Care Improvement Fund, 193 additional Mental Health Worker posts have been created in GP settings.

We have also made a longer term commitment that by 2026, every GP Practice will have access to a mental health and wellbeing service, funding 1,000 additional dedicated staff who can help grow community mental health resilience and offer social prescribing opportunities on a wide range of services such as arts and cultural activities, green space, physical activity and leisure. Later this year, and on the basis of local plans submitted by Integration Authorities, we will start providing funding to begin national implementation of a new model for Mental Health in Primary Care.

The following table summarises the rejected Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS) applications, specifically Improving Public Access (IPA), that have been appealed. It records the number of applications that were (a) upheld following appeal and (b) are awaiting a decision, in each year since 2015.

Please note that the 2020 round was not open to new applications, rather a one year’s extension was offered to all Management options that were due to end in 2020. Not all businesses accepted the offer. IPA is not a Management Option, it is capital only, and as such was not included in the round.

The 2021 round that closed at the beginning of July 2021 was also extended. These applications are still being assessed.

* Application type not included in Round

Section 24 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 places an obligation on conservation bodies to review every five years Schedules 5 and 8 and advise Scottish Ministers whether, in their opinion: (a) any animal should be added to, or removed from, Schedule 5; (b) any plant should be added to, or removed from, Schedule 8.

Revised criteria for the review process were agreed by the Chief Scientist Group representing the three statutory nature conservation organisations, including NatureScot. It is not for the Scottish Government to approve the method by which the review mentioned above is undertaken.

The Private Storage Aid Scheme (Pigmeat)(Scotland) Regulations 2021 were laid in the Parliament on the 5th of November. The scheme went live on the 9th of November and is now open for applicants.

The benefits of the project, post Covid-19, remain the same in terms of delivering a carbon free journey for rail passengers along the entire length of the route and has been improved by the inclusion of a range of accessibility improvements at key stations. This includes a new station at Hairmyres which will also be an active travel and interchange hub.

This preferred option was recommended by and agreed with rail industry partners Network Rail and ScotRail following detailed consideration of a wide range of options, the business case appraisal of which has followed appropriate Scottish Government processes. This analysis took account of ScotRail’s pre-covid passenger count data and the industry’s forecasted post-Covid demand patterns, which the preferred combined electrified double and single track option will be able to serve fully and more reliably than the current diesel train operation.

The dataset which was used to advise of the number of fatal accident inquiry recommendations is the Fatal Accident Inquiry Report 2020-2021. The statistics that inform the report are compiled by Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service and confirmed with Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.

The report was laid before the Scottish Parliament on 17 June 2021 and published on the Scottish Government website gov.scot.

Fatal Accident Inquiries (FAIs): statistics 2020-2021 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

The published information is set out below.

The statistics for the period 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021 for Fatal Accident Inquiries under the 2016 Act are as follows.

• Number of FAIs that ended during the year: 61
• Number in which recommendations requiring a response were made: 8
• Number of such recommendations made: 18
• Number of such recommendations in relation which a response was received by SCTS under section 28(1): 17
• Number of such recommendations in relation to which a notice was published by SCTS under section 28(7) (signalling that no response was received): 1

All 2016 Act determinations, recommendations and responses are accessible from the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service web portal at: http://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/the-courts/sheriff-court/fatal-accidents

The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service received a response to 17 of the 18 recommendations (determinations) made by the Sheriff, within 8 weeks of publication of the determination, as per the statutory requirement.

The implementation of any recommendations made by the Sheriff is primarily the responsibility of the respective organisation at which the recommendation was aimed.

In 1 of the 18 determinations, no response was received by the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service within the 8 week statutory period. The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service published a notice under Section 28(7) of the 2016 Act to this end.