Question ref. S6W-09044
Asked by: Greer, Ross, West Scotland, Date lodged: 10 June 2022
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6O-01181 by Mairi McAllan on 1 June 2022, what its response is to reports that the Clyde Marine Planning Partnership declined the proposal put forward by a coalition of coastal community councils that a community representative be appointed to the partnership.
Current Status:
Answered by Mairi McAllan on 24 June 2022
Scottish Ministers are committed to empowering our communities and engagement in regional marine planning partnerships. It is for each regional marine planning partnership to determine its own governance arrangements. Section 12 of the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 requires Scottish Ministers to ensure that the group of persons (to whom regional marine planning functions are delegated) comprises, so far as it reasonably practicable, representatives of persons who have an interest in the protection and enhancement of that marine region and the use of that region for recreational and commercial purposes. Decisions on applications for membership are a matter to be determined by each regional marine planning partnership. Should membership be declined, marine planning partnerships are required to provide reasons for the decision and the applicant is free to reapply if they wish to do so.
In the case of the Clyde Marine Planning Partnership (“CMPP”), they put on hold the consideration of all membership applications, which included the Clyde Coastal Community Councils’ application considered at the 17 th June 2021 CMPP member’s meeting, because the CMPP was undergoing a full-scale review of its governance structure and was, therefore, unable to consider new applications at that time. Clyde Coastal Community Councils were informed of this decision along with the reasoning behind it and that membership applications would be welcomed and fully considered once the governance review was complete. The review’s recommendations were informed by workshops which the Clyde Coastal Community Councils participated in during January 2022.
The governance review concluded that there is a need for increased community representation on the CMPP and proposes that community council/group representatives, such as from the Clyde Coastal Community Councils, be included in the Steering Group of the new proposed governance structure. Scottish Ministers welcome these proposals to address concerns regarding community representation. The proposed governance structure from this review was discussed and agreed in principle by the CMPP on 7 June 2022 and will be implemented in due course.
Question ref. S6W-08387
Asked by: Greer, Ross, West Scotland, Date lodged: 5 May 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the accuracy of bullying levels recorded in SEEMiS.
Current Status:
Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 16 May 2022
The Scottish Government does not collect this data from SEEMiS.
Recording and monitoring of bullying incidents is essential and best carried out locally where recurring patterns can be understood and acted upon. We provided guidance to support local authorities and schools on this matter.
Question ref. S6W-08304
Asked by: Greer, Ross, West Scotland, Date lodged: 29 April 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the educational psychology bursary being liable for taxation during the third year of a course.
Current Status:
Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 12 May 2022
The Scottish Government and COSLA agreed a joint funding model in 2018 to support the training of new Educational Psychologists. This model was agreed and developed by the National Scottish Steering Group for Educational Psychologists (NSSGEP), which the Scottish Government chairs. This group includes representation from professional bodies, ADES, COSLA and EIS.
The model consists of two stages. Stage one is a 2-year MSc in Educational Psychology at Dundee University. Tuition fees are fully funded and students are entitled to receive a living-costs grant of £15,000 from SAAS.
In Stage two, trainees are employed by a local authority for a year, during which they complete the Qualification in Educational Psychology (QEP). During this year, their living-costs grant is paid in the form of a salary. In addition, their membership fees for the British Psychological Society (BPS) are paid.
As local authority employees, trainees are liable for tax and national insurance, but also benefit from employment rights including paid annual leave and the option to join a pension scheme. The Scottish Government agreed with the NSSGEP that employment in a local authority offers the experience and support needed for trainees in their third year.
Question ref. S6W-08386
Asked by: Greer, Ross, West Scotland, Date lodged: 5 May 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what guidance documents, other materials or training teachers and other SEEMiS users should be familiar with before using the system.
Current Status:
Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 12 May 2022
This information is not held centrally.
SEEMiS or local authorities may be able to provide this information if you contact them directly.
Question ref. S6W-08388
Asked by: Greer, Ross, West Scotland, Date lodged: 5 May 2022
To ask the Scottish Government whether SEEMiS maintains a log of (a) which user accounts have accessed, contributed to or edited existing notes on a particular record and (b) the date and time at which they did so.
Current Status:
Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 12 May 2022
This information is not held centrally.
SEEMiS may be able to provide this information if you contact them directly.
Question ref. S6W-08101
Asked by: Greer, Ross, West Scotland, Date lodged: 26 April 2022
To ask the Scottish Government whether a full Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG) appraisal was carried out on alternative route corridors, including the one passing above the West Highland line, for the A82 Tarbet to Inverarnan project.
Current Status:
Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 11 May 2022
I can confirm that the development and assessment of the route corridor options for the A82 Tarbet to Inverarnan scheme, including the option passing above the West Highland line, was undertaken by Transport Scotland in alignment with the principles of the Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG) and the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB).
Question ref. S6W-08102
Asked by: Greer, Ross, West Scotland, Date lodged: 26 April 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what the current status is of the A82 Tarbet to Inverarnan project.
Current Status:
Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 11 May 2022
The Scottish Government remains committed to upgrading the key strategic route along the A82 between Tarbet and Inverarnan. By improving regional connectivity the proposed scheme will help the economy prosper and promote equality by providing fairer access to the Highlands and Islands.
Transport Scotland recently published an interactive Story Map to provide updated information regarding the scheme and to keep the public informed of progress as the project develops. While there is still a lot of development work to be carried out, which is being informed by our enhanced understanding of the specific complexities associated with improving this iconic route, we continue to push forward the preparation stages to deliver this scheme as soon as possible.
Delivery of the scheme itself can only commence if it is approved under the relevant statutory procedures and thereafter a timetable for its progress can be set in accordance with the availability of funding.
Question ref. S6W-07511
Asked by: Greer, Ross, West Scotland, Date lodged: 22 March 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to collect feedback on the experiences of former Hong Kong residents who resettle in Scotland.
Current Status:
Answered by Shona Robison on 26 April 2022
I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-07560 on 19 April 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
Question ref. S6W-07509
Asked by: Greer, Ross, West Scotland, Date lodged: 22 March 2022
To ask the Scottish Government how it has supported former Hong Kong residents who have resettled in Scotland.
Current Status:
Answered by Shona Robison on 26 April 2022
I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-07557 on 19 April 2022. 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
Question ref. S6W-07510
Asked by: Greer, Ross, West Scotland, Date lodged: 22 March 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made and action it has taken to ensure that former Hong Kong residents who resettle in Scotland are not subjected to racism or discrimination.
Current Status:
Answered by Christina McKelvie on 19 April 2022
The Scottish Government is committed to upholding and advancing the rights of those that choose to make their life here in Scotland, including former Hong Kong residents. Racism and discrimination are completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
The Scottish Government has worked closely with the UK Government, COSLA, Police Scotland and third sector partners to understand the needs and requirements of former Hong Kong residents to support their integration into our communities.
As well as publishing a dedicated British National (Overseas) welcome pack, in both English and Cantonese, we have also provided funding to COSLA, who have a dedicated online Hong Kong Welcome Hub intended for Hong Kong BN(O) migrants arriving in Scotland and Council Officers supporting their integration. Both resources include information on what to do if someone is the victim of racism or discriminatory practices.
We encourage anyone subjected to racism or discrimination to report it to the relevant authorities.