SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
General Questions
City of Edinburgh Council (Meetings)
To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions it has had with the City of Edinburgh Council. (S3O-1786)
I most recently met representatives of the City of Edinburgh Council on 13 December 2007, when we discussed the pressures facing Edinburgh as Scotland's capital city and agreed that a study be undertaken on their impact.
As the minister will be aware, Communities Scotland and the City of Edinburgh Council have highlighted the fact that the Edinburgh travel-to-work area is the worst place in Scotland for affordable housing. Indeed, that view was re-emphasised earlier this week by Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce. What plans does he have to enable this need to be met to ensure that all Edinburgh's citizens, not just the affluent, have the right quality of houses at prices or rents they can afford?
Dr McKee has raised a significant question about the availability of affordable housing in Edinburgh. The Government is aware of the scale of the difficulties and, indeed, the new housing strategy on which it is consulting will consider that very issue. The ministers responsible, particularly the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing and the Minister for Communities and Sport, will take a close look at problems with affordable housing in Edinburgh, and I will be fully consulted in discussions about any financial consequences that might arise.
Has the Scottish Government discussed with the City of Edinburgh Council the parlous state of the King's theatre, which is of such concern not only to the thousands of people at home and abroad who flock there each year but to those involved in planning its future as a theatre and training academy? Will the Government impress on its Scottish National Party colleagues in the city's administration that the council must take action very soon to begin the theatre's refurbishment and that yesterday's positive news about one aspect of the theatre's problems does not mean that the council can sit back and do nothing for the next two years?
I am quite sure that members of the City of Edinburgh Council will actively consider the question of the King's theatre's future use and role and the state of its fabric. The council is wrestling with a number of infrastructure difficulties in relation to the King's theatre, the Commonwealth pool and other facilities. Such issues figure significantly in council members' minds.
Children in Disadvantaged Areas<br />(Social Needs)
To ask the Scottish Executive how it is addressing the social needs of children from disadvantaged areas. (S3O-1805)
The Scottish Government is taking forward a number of actions to address the social needs of children in disadvantaged areas, including developing an early years strategy; helping to realise the aspirations of the "Changing Lives" review of social work services; and establishing the fairer Scotland fund, which will provide community planning partnerships with £145 million a year to enhance the life chances of the most disadvantaged, including vulnerable children and their families living in the most deprived areas.
I am sure that the minister is aware that, in this morning's debate, we noted that that £145 million represents a flatlining, not a growing, budget. In that context, will he guarantee that none of the services that are currently provided to children and their parents through the working for families fund will be lost?
As the member is well aware, the money that was previously allocated to individual ring-fenced funds is now part of the large fairer Scotland fund. A clear priority for local government—and national Government—is to ensure that all the money that is invested is used wisely and that it delivers on the objectives of the Government and local authorities and in the best interests of disadvantaged families throughout the country. The working for families projects that I have visited have been very successful and I know that local authority members have been very impressed by the projects' facilities, the strategy involved and the outcomes. I see no reason to suspect that local authorities will withdraw funding from them.
Yesterday, the First Minister visited the young east end speaking—or YES—youth project in Glasgow. I am sure that he had a very interesting and entertaining day, as indeed did I when I visited the project in Dalmarnock last autumn with colleagues, including Margaret Curran. I was very impressed by the depth of commitment of the Save the Children staff and the obvious enthusiasm of the young people involved. What does the Government envisage for the future of that project and similar projects in areas of deprivation?
As I have said, the fairer Scotland fund will help families—particularly families in deprived areas—out of poverty. Most of all, it will help young people to achieve their ambitions. We have removed ring fencing and the bureaucracy associated with various funds to enable people to have much more operational flexibility on the ground. The First Minister had an excellent time when he visited the YES project and was impressed by the on-going work in it.
Legal Aid
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide further details of its proposals to reform legal aid. (S3O-1804)
We published our proposals to reform summary criminal legal aid in a consultation paper in October. That paper formed the basis of on-going discussions with representatives of the legal profession. Further details will be provided following the conclusion of the extended consultation on 31 January. We have already announced plans to reform legal aid for solemn criminal cases and we are taking forward a series of improvements to civil legal aid, which will build on the improvements to fees that we introduced last year, including specific increases for undefended non-divorce work.
I acknowledge that changes were agreed in the previous session and that there will be major improvements to the system. When the cabinet secretary considers the consultation responses, will he ensure that any further changes will improve both criminal and civil legal aid so that such aid is effective, supports individuals and provides equal access to the law?
Absolutely. Governments of whatever political hue in Scotland and at Westminster have always sought to uphold that tenet. I assure Ms Craigie that we want to ensure accessibility and affordability. We want to ensure that summary legal aid is dealt with swiftly and efficiently while the requirements for justice are always taken into account.
Police Funding Formula (Grampian)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will reform the police funding formula to ensure that Grampian Police receives additional funding to recognise its responsibilities in relation to the protection of the royal family and the oil and gas industry. (S3O-1864)
There are no plans to revisit the police funding distribution formula at present. The implementation of the previous revision of the formula, which was begun in 2004, already takes such pressures into account. The 2007 spending review settlement included funding to complete the implementation process, and a final levelling-up adjustment is being made in 2008-09. As a result, Grampian Police will benefit by an additional £1 million in 2008-09.
The previous Liberal Democrat and Labour Administration provided funds to Grampian Police to recruit an extra 138 police officers. Another 93 police officers are to be recruited by 2011, but only 48 will be provided as part of the Scottish National Party Government's funding for an additional 500 officers throughout Scotland. Will the Government provide the necessary funding to recruit the additional 90 officers whom we need in Grampian to match the 138 officers whom the previous Administration provided?
There are two parts to that question, one of which relates to the funding methodology, which is built on the methodology that commenced under the previous Liberal-Labour Administration. If Mr Rumbles has complaints about that methodology, which takes into account Grampian Police's responsibilities relating to Balmoral, the oil and gas industry and other matters, those complaints are about the previous Administration.
There is a lot of interest in the question, so brief questions and answers would be appreciated.
Does the cabinet secretary agree that the United Kingdom Exchequer should bear the burdens of offshore policing and royal duties? It is particularly galling that offshore oil is delivering fantastic sums of money for the Treasury but the Treasury is not prepared to pay for policing for the whole of the North Sea, which is delivered at the expense of people in the north-east.
I am happy to discuss those matters with the member and, obviously, we will always be happy to discuss them with our colleagues south of the border. Whatever complaints members of other parties have, they can rest assured that the Government, like Grampian Police, is happy to co-operate with people south of the border on policing at Balmoral. Most of the duties at Balmoral are fulfilled by the royal protection squad, which is of course part of the Metropolitan Police—those around the periphery of Balmoral are fulfilled by Grampian Police. That shows that the Government is more than happy to work together with colleagues south of the border when doing so is appropriate to ensure that not only the great and the good but our ordinary citizens are protected.
The cabinet secretary will probably be aware that, as well as the pressures that result from responsibilities relating to the North Sea and the royal presence in the north-east, there are geographical issues in the north-east of Scotland and issues to do with the rapidly growing population there, particularly in certain parts of Aberdeenshire. Have the police funding calculations taken those things into consideration?
Our understanding is that they have. As I said in response to Mike Rumbles's question, such matters were considered many years ago under the previous Administration. However, Nanette Milne is right. There is house building and further development in the area and we must take into account the significant implications that geography, topography and demography have not only in Grampian but elsewhere in Scotland. The matter that has been raised has been discussed not only at governmental level but in conjunction with the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities. I assure Nanette Milne that we will always keep demographic changes under review. Such changes are occurring not only in Grampian but elsewhere in the east of Scotland, particularly Lothian and the Borders. The door is open and the matter will be reviewed when that is appropriate.
As the cabinet secretary has met representatives of Lothian and Borders Police and agreed to provide extra funding for its significant additional duties, is it not right that he should also meet representatives of Grampian Police to discuss funding for its additional duties so that we can be confident that there has been parity of treatment?
I have met representatives of Grampian Police—indeed, I met the convener of the police board many months ago. It is rather rich of Mr Baker to make such a complaint while Lord George Foulkes, who has protested that we have not given capital city status to our police in Edinburgh, is sitting along from him. We have delivered. Perhaps Mr Baker should speak to Lord Foulkes to see whether Labour can get its act in gear.
Fishing Industry (Berwickshire)
To ask the Scottish Executive what it intends to do to help Berwickshire's fishing industry. (S3O-1848)
The Scottish Government attaches great importance to safeguarding the interests of the Berwickshire fishing communities and all fishing communities in Scotland. In particular, it secured long-term fishing opportunities for the Berwickshire catching sector at last month's important European fisheries council in Brussels. On 3 December, I announced that the south-east of Scotland will be an early pilot area for an inshore fisheries group. In the near future, I will consult on the Scottish Government's proposals for aid to the fishing industry in Scotland through the European fisheries fund along with formal consultation on the draft United Kingdom operational programme. Later this month, I will convene the Scottish fisheries council as a successor to the sea fisheries advisory group initiative to secure the long-term future of the fishing industry in Berwickshire and throughout Scotland.
The cabinet secretary knows that the European fisheries fund will provide important financial help to areas in Europe that depend heavily on fishing. I understand that the UK Government will shortly propose the parts of the UK that will be fisheries-dependent areas, which will entitle them to access the additional funds. However, whether the Scottish Government has suggested that Berwickshire should be such an area is considerably uncertain. Has the Scottish Government proposed including the Berwickshire coast in the fisheries-dependent areas?
The member has made many representations to me on the issue, as have others from the south of Scotland. The draft operational programme will be published for consultation in the next month or two, with a view to implementing the final programme before the end of 2008. Once that consultation document is published, the member and any others with interests will be able to make submissions. We are finalising the details of that document.
As the cabinet secretary knows, I, too, have made many representations about Eyemouth and the Berwickshire coast. What measures has he put in place, or would he like to put in place, for local committees to manage the allocation of funds in their areas, which I hope will happen at Eyemouth and on the Berwickshire coast?
I acknowledge that the member has also made many strong representations on the issue to me. I assure him that, to ensure that expenditure of the fisheries fund reflects local priorities, we will establish local committees to administer it.
Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006
To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions have taken place about the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006. (S3O-1781)
Scottish Government officials have held internal discussions about secondary legislation that is to be made under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006. Officials have also held discussions with the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and other animal welfare organisations.
The cabinet secretary will be aware that many dogs are abandoned on our streets in the festive period, which is not so festive for them. Does the power exist to make regulations with reference to section 18 of the 2006 act? If so, will his office consider making regulations on, or investigate the possibility of, microchipping dogs so that irresponsible dog owners can be traced and held responsible under that section for the duty of care to their animals?
I know that the member takes an intense interest in animal welfare and that all members recognise that addressing the issue of abandoned or lost dogs is important. Secondary legislation could be introduced to require dogs to be microchipped under the 2006 act, but such secondary legislation is not planned. No legislation requires dogs to be microchipped, but the Control of Dogs Order 1992 requires every dog in a public area to wear attached to its collar an identity disc that gives the name and address of its owner. If we introduced the secondary legislation that the member describes, a range of factors would have to be taken into account. If she wishes to write to me to put her case, I will consider the issues.
Local Government Settlement and Concordat (West Dunbartonshire)
To ask the Scottish Executive what the impact of the local government settlement and the concordat with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities will be on West Dunbartonshire. (S3O-1828)
The new relationship and joint working with local authorities, together with the record levels of investment that the Scottish Government is providing, will help to create new and better opportunities for all the people, businesses and communities of Scotland, including those in West Dunbartonshire.
I remind the cabinet secretary that West Dunbartonshire Council has received the lowest grant settlement in Scotland and that its Scottish National Party-led administration has published a £14 million package of cuts that will affect service users and employees throughout West Dunbartonshire. Is that in line with social justice?
Mr McNulty is very familiar with the funding mechanisms that the Government operates. In the interest of stability, the Government has continued the approach to the distribution formula that we inherited from the previous Administration. We consulted COSLA on the output of the three-year settlement group, which the previous Administration established, and I have introduced several minor changes to the formula as a result of that consultation.
Before we move to First Minister's question time, I am sure that the chamber would like to join me in welcoming to my gallery today Senator Alan Ferguson, who is accompanied by his wife. Senator Ferguson is the President of the Australian Senate. [Applause.] If I may say so, it is a fine name for any Presiding Officer or President to have.
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Spending Review 2007