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Scottish Government core owned estate has six buildings with solar panels installed.

They are in the following local authority areas:

The City of Edinburgh Council – 3 buildings (Victoria Quay, St Andrews House, SASA)

Scottish Borders Council – 1 building (Tweedbank)

Aberdeenshire Council – 1 building (Thainstone)

Argyll and Bute – 1 building (Cameron House, Oban)

The Scottish Government does not hold data on solar panels installed on buildings owned or occupied by its agencies or other public bodies.

The total cost of installing solar panels on core Scottish Government buildings in the last five years is £49,787, all delivered in 2021. There was no spend in the other 5 years.

I recognise many of the challenges faced by the third sector and continue to work with my officials to champion the voice of the Sector across Government and ensure that the vital work of third sector organisations is well understood and valued as part of a thriving Scottish society.

The Scottish Government news release Fairer funding for charities - gov.scot provides details of the announcement on 5 February 2025 of the new Fairer Funding multi-year funding pilot.

In his address to third sector organisations at The Gathering, the First Minister stated that this signalled a clear direction of travel to increasing the number of multi-year funding agreements across the third sector.

The Pilot is part of a package of policy measures under the Fairer Funding heading, which also includes improvements to the grant making process, more timely notifications, rationalising reporting requirements and improving grant conditions.

Local authorities are the licensing authority for permanent residential mobile home sites in their area and are responsible for setting the licence conditions and enforcing them if breached.

To ensure a degree of consistency, under section 5(6) of the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960, the Scottish Government publishes guidance (https://www.gov.scot/publications/guidance-local-authorities-licensing-system-mobile-homes-sites-permanent-residents/) to local authorities on how to operate the licencing system effectively. This includes a set of model standards (https://www.gov.scot/publications/model-standards-residential-mobile-home-site-licences/) for sites which covers issues such as site safety and maintenance, supply of utilities, roads, gateways and traffic routes as well as pedestrian routes. Different organisations have responsibility for enforcing the range of regulations for different services on sites.

Pitch agreements for permanent residential mobile home sites are regulated by the Mobile Homes Act 1983 which sets out the rights and responsibilities of site owners and mobile home owners. Disputes under the Mobile Homes Act 1983 are heard by the Sheriff Court.

Local authorities are the licensing authority for permanent residential mobile home sites in their area and are responsible for setting the licence conditions and enforcing them if breached.

To ensure a degree of consistency, under section 5(6) of the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960, the Scottish Government publishes guidance (https://www.gov.scot/publications/guidance-local-authorities-licensing-system-mobile-homes-sites-permanent-residents/) to local authorities on how to operate the licencing system effectively. This includes a set of model standards (https://www.gov.scot/publications/model-standards-residential-mobile-home-site-licences/) for sites which covers issues such as site safety and maintenance, supply of utilities, roads, gateways and traffic routes as well as pedestrian routes. Different organisations have responsibility for enforcing safety standards, depending on the service provided.

The Scottish Government intends to refresh and modernise the School Premises Regulations (General Requirements and Standards) (Scotland) to ensure that they meet the needs of pupils and schools in Scotland. The Scottish Government still intends to re-consult this year on the Regulations.

Scottish Government officials are taking steps to engage with relevant stakeholders and will be reaching out to further interested parties.

The latest data on pupil support assistants is available here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/school-support-staff-statistics/

Our Fisheries Management and Conservation group, including its subgroups, already includes representation covering environmental, recreational and commercial interests. In addition, we currently have an open Call for Evidence to inform the development of the Inshore Fisheries Management Improvement Programme. This asks a range of questions about our current and future framework for inshore fisheries management in Scotland, including on Governance and co-management. Responses to the Call for Evidence will help to inform the development of this framework.

The Government's four priorities, eradicating child poverty, building prosperity, improving our public services, and protecting the planet, are aligned with the current National Outcomes in the National Performance Framework (NPF). The recent decision, in response to the Parliamentary inquiry, to reform the NPF aims to improve and further strengthen its role in policy, budget and decision making.

The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 requires employers to provide adequate and appropriate equipment, facilities and personnel to ensure their employees receive immediate attention if they are injured or taken ill at work. This includes for staff who are employed within schools and other educational establishments.

Whilst the 1981 Regulations do not require employers to provide first aid for anyone other than their own employees, it is strongly recommended that, in the case of schools, they should also consider the needs of non-employees such as pupils and other visitors when making provisions for first aid.

Under the provisions of the 1981 Regulations, the minimum level of first aid coverage for schools is to have an appointed person or designated first aider to take charge of first aid arrangements. In addition, they should have a suitable first aid container stocked in accordance with at least the minimum requirements set out by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). This information is available on the HSE website through the following link: First aid at work - your questions answered.

Local authorities have the statutory responsibility for delivering education so the Scottish Government does not hold information about the numbers of teachers or school staff that have completed first aid training.