- Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 05 December 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Paul McLennan on 13 December 2024
To ask the Scottish Government what the current policy guidance is on the evidence and processes required by local authorities before making decisions on the demolition of listed buildings under emergency powers.
Answer
Guidance on enforcement powers for local authorities in the Building (Scotland) Act 2003 is provided in the Building Standards Enforcement Handbook and the Building Standards Procedural Handbook. The National Planning Framework 4 states that development proposals for the demolition of listed buildings will not be supported unless it has been demonstrated that there are exceptional circumstances and that all reasonable efforts have been made to retain, reuse and/or adapt the listed building.
A local authority will rely on evidence from a survey carried out by a structural engineer to advise on all options that minimise the extent of any demolition work. A local authority may engage an accredited conservation engineer on a case by case basis following advice from the structural engineer.
- Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 10 December 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Ivan McKee on 13 December 2024
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the UK Government’s consultation on reforming its business rates system, whether it has any plans to undertake a similar consultation on potential changes to non-domestic rates in Scotland.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-31342 on 26 November 2024. 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.
- Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 10 December 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Ivan McKee on 13 December 2024
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the UK Government’s reported commitment to a permanently lowered tax rate for grassroots music venues in England and Wales from 2026-27, whether it will commit to implementing any such relief in full in Scotland.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-31342 on 26 November 2024. 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.
- Asked by: Martin Whitfield, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 02 December 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Graeme Dey on 13 December 2024
To ask the Scottish Government what the total amount is that has been allocated in its current Budget for youth work services.
Answer
The Scottish Government highly values youth work and continues to fund youth work across Scotland in a variety of ways. Local Authorities are required to provide adequate and efficient Community Learning and Development (CLD), which includes youth work, as set out in the Requirements for Community Learning and Development (Scotland) Regulations 2013. In line with the Verity House Agreement, Local Authorities have the autonomy to allocate resources to meet the specific needs of young people in their areas.
In addition to the block grant given to Local Authorities, the Scottish Government directly funds a range of youth work initiatives, projects and programmes. These initiatives aim to support diverse youth work models, promote partnership working and enhance the quality of youth work.
- Asked by: Martin Whitfield, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 02 December 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Graeme Dey on 13 December 2024
To ask the Scottish Government how many youth work organisations have had to reduce services or close due to any funding reductions since 2012.
Answer
The Scottish Government highly values youth work in Scotland. Local Authorities are required to provide adequate and efficient Community Learning and Development (CLD), which includes youth work, as set out in the Requirements for Community Learning and Development (Scotland) Regulations 2013. In line with the Verity House Agreement, Local Authorities have the autonomy to allocate resources to meet the specific needs of young people in their areas.
These regulations require that a CLD plan is produced every three years by each education authority. Current CLD plans covering period 2024-2027 can be found on Local Authority websites. As the regulations set out the duties at a local level, the Scottish Government does not collate information on youth work organisations.
- Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 02 December 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Fairlie on 13 December 2024
To ask the Scottish Government how much funding has been awarded through the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme for the restoration of natural processes in each year since 2015.
Answer
The Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS) was launched in 2015 to promote land management practices which protect and enhance Scotland’s natural heritage, improve water quality, manage flood risk and mitigate and adapt to climate change.
To date over £317 million has been committed to 3,342 businesses to fund a range of activities that help to maintain and enhance our rich and varied natural environment.
An annual breakdown of the funding issued has been provided in the following table.
Round | Value of Accepted Contracts (£) |
2015 | 39,362,548 |
2016 | 55,585,998 |
2017 | 43,672,043 |
2018 | 36,346,732 |
2019 | 31,863,675 |
2020* | 5,214,057 |
2021 | 28,978,786 |
2022 | 42,080,371 |
2023 | 28,053,233 |
2024A | 5,879,133 |
Total | 317,036,576 |
* The 2020 AECS Round consisted of a one-year extension of management options ending in 2020.
A Slurry Store and Irrigation Lagoons application approvals only. The agri-environment and organic 2024 Round application approvals are subject to the
2025-26 budget.
Further detail can be provided on any specific options of interest.
- Asked by: Martin Whitfield, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 02 December 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Graeme Dey on 13 December 2024
To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of its education budget has been
allocated to youth work in each financial year since 2012-13 to the current
financial year.
Answer
The Scottish Government highly values youth work and continues to fund youth work across Scotland in a variety of ways. Local Authorities are required to provide adequate and efficient Community Learning and Development (CLD), which includes youth work, as set out in the Requirements for Community Learning and Development (Scotland) Regulations 2013. In line with the Verity House Agreement, Local Authorities have the autonomy to allocate resources to meet the specific needs of young people in their areas.
In addition to the block grant given to Local Authorities, the Scottish Government directly funds a range of youth work initiatives, projects and programmes. These initiatives aim to support diverse youth work models, promote partnership working and enhance the quality of youth work.
- Asked by: Martin Whitfield, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 02 December 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Graeme Dey on 13 December 2024
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of its youth work budget, by local authority area, for the current financial year.
Answer
The Scottish Government highly values youth work and continues to fund youth work across Scotland in a variety of ways. Local Authorities are required to provide adequate and efficient Community Learning and Development (CLD), which includes youth work, as set out in the Requirements for Community Learning and Development (Scotland) Regulations 2013. In line with the Verity House Agreement, Local Authorities have the autonomy to allocate resources to meet the specific needs of young people in their areas.
In addition to the block grant given to Local Authorities, the Scottish Government directly funds a range of youth work initiatives, projects and programmes. These initiatives aim to support diverse youth work models, promote partnership working and enhance the quality of youth work.
- Asked by: Martin Whitfield, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 02 December 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Graeme Dey on 13 December 2024
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of its youth work budget for the next three years, and what percentage increase is planned.
Answer
The Scottish Government highly values youth work in Scotland. The Scottish Government published its budget for 2025-26 on 4 December 2024. Scottish Government budgets are published on an annual basis and information can be found here: https://www.gov.scot/budget/
- Asked by: Martin Whitfield, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 02 December 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Graeme Dey on 13 December 2024
To ask the Scottish Government how much funding in total has been allocated for
digital youth work projects, including virtual youth clubs, as part of
its current Budget, and in each financial year since 2012-13.
Answer
The Scottish Government highly values youth work and continues to fund digital youth work across Scotland in a variety of ways. Local Authorities are required to provide adequate and efficient Community Learning and Development (CLD), which includes youth work, as set out in the Requirements for Community Learning and Development (Scotland) Regulations 2013. In line with the Verity House Agreement, Local Authorities have the autonomy to allocate resources to meet the specific needs of young people in their areas.
In addition to the block grant given to Local Authorities, the Scottish Government directly funds a range of youth work initiatives, projects and programmes. These initiatives aim to support diverse youth work models, promote partnership working and enhance the quality of youth work.
