Plenary, 10 Nov 2005

Meeting date: Thursday, November 10, 2005

Official Report 699KB pdf

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Question Time

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SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE

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Education And Young People, Tourism, Culture And Sport

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Rural Primary Schools (Closures)

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will revise its guidance concerning proposals to close rural primary schools in order to ensure the application of a fair and effective test of proportionate advantage. (S2O-8019)

I have explained to the Education Committee that I am open to examining how we can further develop our approach to ensuring appropriate consideration of school closures by councils. I am in discussion with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and others about the issues and will continue to reflect on what more might be needed.

I understand the minister's reluctance to intervene in local decisions, but will he accept that some elected councils seem to be incapable of controlling the centralising tendencies of their education officials? Is the minister aware that one such council closed my local school under a policy whereby all village schools are subject to constant closure reviews, which is destabilising schools and demoralising families and teachers? Will he respond to growing demands for him to intervene and to apply fair criteria in order to protect good schools against bad local government, whether Tory or anybody else? There are Tories in the Borders, although there are currently none in the chamber.

John Home Robertson does us a service by pointing out that there are no Conservatives in the chamber.

Apart from the Deputy Presiding Officer.

In this position, I am not in any party, Mr Home Robertson.

Absolutely.

Someone with your experience, Mr Home Robertson, should readily understand that. Do not involve the Presiding Officer in party politicking.

Indeed. I was being careful not to do that—I know that your remarks were not directed at me, Presiding Officer. However, I reiterate that there are no Conservatives in the chamber. Despite the fact that they come to parts of the Parliament and claim to be concerned about rural school closures, they are not in the chamber to scrutinise my views on the issue. In addition, Conservative local authorities in Scotland are closing small rural schools.

John Home Robertson made two points. It is right to point to the fact that local authorities are accountable locally for their decisions. We should respect that and respect the power of the ballot box to cast a judgment on councils that the electorate do not think are acting appropriately. He also made the good point that some councils are adopting rigid criteria on the triggers for school closures, thereby locking themselves into a situation in which schools automatically come up for review, irrespective of political judgments. That is an unfortunate position for any council to get into. It is one of the reasons why I am prepared to consider how we might further amend our guidance to try to ensure that there is appropriate consideration and that all the facts are seen and all the arguments are heard locally before decisions are made.

I welcome the Conservatives, who have now entered the chamber, to question time. I associate myself with John Home Robertson's remarks and welcome Peter Peacock's comments, particularly because Channelkirk Primary School, which has 50 pupils and is in a growing community, is under threat of closure on 6 December. I hope that Scottish Borders Council will listen to what the minister has just said.

I am not sure that there was a question in that, but you may find one, Mr Peacock.

If there was a question, I missed it. However, I am aware of the issues that are being debated not only in the Borders, but elsewhere. I must be careful about what I say about individual cases, because in some circumstances they are referred to me. Therefore, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the specifics of Channelkirk.

Does the minister agree that the application of rigid criteria is ill advised because it results in a kind of rolling review of small schools, which leads to uncertainty and a lack of confidence? Does he also agree that the policy that is being pursued by the Conservative-Independent administration in Scottish Borders Council, which is doing what I described, is not a proper one? I am sure that parents will reject it.

I will make clear again to Euan Robson what I have made clear in the past, which is that I believe firmly that each case ought to be considered on its individual merits. Ultimately, such issues are matters of political judgment and not technical decisions. I have stressed time and again that, before making difficult decisions about school closures, we must weigh up the advantages against the disadvantages and come to a balanced view. As I said, political judgments are involved and politicians must take responsibility by making such judgments about what schools should be considered for closure and what schools should not be so considered. Councils should not simply be locked into a series of triggers that force reviews, irrespective of the politics of the situation.

As well as ensuring that Executive guidance is properly followed, will the minister ensure that there is careful reconsideration of the advice to councils by the Accounts Commission to review the future of schools that are operating at under 60 per cent capacity? Schools are now used in a variety of ways. That can affect capacity, as can a number of other issues. As a result, the advice is now out of date.

That was one of the issues that I reflected on when I gave evidence to the Parliament's Education Committee a week or so ago and my officials are meeting Audit Scotland to talk about it. I will be careful about what I say because Audit Scotland is an independent organisation that has to make its own judgments on the criteria that it uses in best-value exercises—or any other exercises—in councils. That said, the 60 per cent rule, if I can call it that, is being interpreted literally by some councils. I am not at all sure that that was the intention of the Accounts Commission.

Since the advice was given, education policy has moved on considerably. We now have much more child care and early years provision. Our policy is to cut class sizes, which will have implications for the use of space in schools. It is therefore appropriate for us to think again, with Audit Scotland, about that rule—if we can call it a rule—and about the way in which it is interpreted by local councils.

Questions 2 and 3 have been withdrawn.

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Modern Languages (Secondary Schools)

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to promote the uptake of modern language learning in secondary schools. (S2O-8039)

The Scottish Executive attaches high importance to supporting and encouraging modern languages in schools and guarantees every pupil the opportunity to learn a modern European language starting in primary school. Since 2001, we have provided education authorities with £18.5 million to support languages learning and teaching.

I am sure that the minister is aware of the partners in excellence project in which my local authority—North Ayrshire Council—participates. He will also be aware of the independent evaluation of the project, which showed that the project increased both uptake and attainment in modern languages. Does he agree that national centres of excellence do not necessarily need to be located in one place and that the innovative use of distance learning and information and communications technology is to be welcomed? Does he understand the frustration of the authorities, project organisers, teachers and students who have invested so much time and effort in the partners in excellence project that the project's money is to be withdrawn? Will he commit to looking again at the initiative?

I am well aware of Irene Oldfather's long-standing commitment in this general area. As she says, there is no doubt that partners in excellence has been a successful project in increasing uptake at higher grade and other levels in the three local authorities involved. However, she will also be aware that one of the centres of excellence projects was funded in the way that she describes and that a review of funding arrangements for the nine centres of excellence showed that some of them were not meeting the original bidding criteria. Issues arose with regard to partners in excellence. My colleague Peter Peacock advised her of that by letter in August. In short, there was a distinction between the centres that had a national role and the centres that, in essence, had a local role.

There has been discussion between the local authorities and officials in my department about how the success of the scheme can be built on. Funding is being continued until 2008 to allow the local authorities to make the key decisions on what they will then do to support the scheme. Local authorities have the central role in funding and supporting the local provision of education.

Does the minister accept that the current uptake of European languages is simply inadequate for Scotland's role in Europe? Moreover, given the importance to Scotland of the rise of China, Japan and India, does he agree that our immigrant population could be an invaluable asset in the promotion and teaching of languages from the wider world?

I agree very much with Andrew Welsh's point, which was well made. The point has also been made by ministerial colleagues in the Scottish Executive Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning Department. As Mr Welsh will know, Nicol Stephen is currently in India to discuss trade issues. As I said to the Scottish Association for Language Teaching when I addressed it on Saturday, the ability to speak in foreign languages is extremely important for the sale of goods and all that sort of thing. That is why we have been trying to expand the provision of basic language teaching in the traditional languages as well as in other languages—there is a standard grade arrangement in Urdu, for example. Such developments are moving us towards higher provision in the near future. I agree entirely that we must do much more than we have in the past.

Question 5 has been withdrawn.

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Citizenship (Primary Schools)

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to encourage active citizenship in primary schools. (S2O-8013)

Values and citizenship are one of the five national priorities in Scottish education. Citizenship will be at the heart of work to take forward a curriculum for excellence. That will be reflected in new guidance across curricular areas.

Does the minister agree that work to develop active citizenship in schools is critical and could transform Scotland? We are reminded of that when we hear directly from young people, as the minister's depute and I did yesterday when pupils from the Royal High Primary School made their needs and views known to us through work on active citizenship in their school. Does the minister also agree that in taking forward such work we should, as well as supporting young people and letting them express their views to politicians, give them the confidence to implement change at their own hand? A great deal of change comes from the bottom up through individuals, families and communities and not just top down from Government.

Susan Deacon makes two good points. First, citizenship is important in our society and it is important that young people learn about it. The curriculum review that is under way presents us with a huge opportunity to define much more clearly what it means to be a modern Scot in a rapidly changing environment and in a globalising world that has so many challenges. We are about to stimulate much more debate on the nature of citizenship in our schools.

Secondly, citizenship is not just about understanding political structures and representation and knowing how to get access to Government to change policy, important though those things are. It is also about individuals learning what they can do to act responsibly towards themselves and their neighbours. How do we take action as individuals to improve the environment? How do we work with others in our communities to improve the environment?

Citizenship covers matters such as diet, health and lifestyle, which affect our self-esteem and the self-esteem of the wider community. It also covers issues such as poverty in Africa and how we get involved in charity work as individuals and as communities. It also concerns tolerance and respect for others and how we include others in our society. Those are all hugely important issues, which we must deal with not just at state or organisational level, but, as Susan Deacon rightly says, at the level of personal responsibility.

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Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004 (Implementation)

To ask the Scottish Executive what preparations have been made by local authorities for the implementation of the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004. (S2O-8058)

Local authorities and national health service boards have been working together in local multi-agency teams on preparations for implementation since the act received royal assent in May 2004. The multi-agency teams have worked to raise awareness of the act among staff and families, to plan local services, to prepare information and advice materials and to develop staff training programmes. That work is supported by implementation funding, provided by the Executive over two years, of £17.5 million for local authorities and £6 million for NHS boards.

I recognise that the act increases the responsibility on local authorities and health boards in providing services for young people with special needs. Will the minister clarify whether the £95 million investment to which he referred in the debate in Parliament last Thursday is new money or simply an amalgamation of existing budgets? If the latter, does he accept that resources must be put in place to guarantee that local authorities can deliver on the statutory duty that the act imposes on them?

The £95 million that was referred to, and which has been referred to in previous debates, covers many issues relating to this field. As the member will appreciate, there is broad support for education funding in the first place and there are things that have an incidental connection to inclusion and additional support needs. The £17.5 million and the £6 million that I referred to are primarily to support the implementation of the act. Of course, the act is only just about to come into force and we must regard it as the beginning of a process of improvement. The extent of the preparations that have been made for the act's implementation is almost unparalleled in my experience. I hope that the legislation will lead to substantial improvements in the arrangements that are made for the young people throughout Scotland who require such services.

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Tourism (Cruise Ships)

To ask the Scottish Executive what role cruise ships play in tourism in Scotland. (S2O-8025)

Cruise liners bring a significant number of visitors to particular areas of Scotland during the year. VisitScotland is commissioning research that will assess both the market and the economic benefits of cruise tourism to Scotland. The findings from that research should be available by the middle of next year.

Is the minister aware that, although on average 12 cruise ships a year visit the port in Dundee, there is no significant benefit to the local economy, because areas that already benefit significantly from tourism tend also to benefit from those visits? Following the research, are there any plans to ensure that local areas benefit more from the significant contribution of cruise ships to the tourism industry?

The findings from the research will be acted on so that we maximise the benefit of such tourism for areas around ports where cruise ships can dock. Certain areas, such as Invergordon and Inverclyde, have already taken advantage of the opportunity by considering innovative ways in which they can make their locality attractive to people who wish to leave cruise liners when they come into port. I am more than happy to speak to Kate Maclean in more detail about what might be done in Dundee, but I would have thought that the work that is going on around the harbour in Dundee—particularly around Discovery Point—might, in the fullness of time, attract visitors to Dundee from cruise liners.

Is the Executive doing anything to improve pier facilities at places where they have fallen into disarray, such as Tobermory on Mull? That might encourage more cruise ships to visit such places and it would help marine tourism on the west coast of Scotland.

As I am sure Mr McGrigor is aware, the opportunity for cruise liners to dock at Tobermory depends on more than just the bricks and mortar of the pier. There are a lot of other issues, such as the depth of the berths that are available. The improvements that Mr McGrigor suggests are not a matter for the Scottish Executive to undertake on its own. They would have to be generated by local interest. I am not aware that any particular work is being done, but if he considers that the matter should be taken forward, perhaps he will write to me about it.

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Football (Social Benefits)

To ask the Scottish Executive what funding is provided to assist the promoting of football as a means of reducing offending and antisocial behaviour. (S2O-8046)

We understand the importance of young people having things to do and good facilities available in their area. The Executive is keen to promote all positive alternatives to offending and antisocial behaviour and to promote participation in sport as part of a healthier lifestyle. The development of diversionary activities for young people in our communities is a key priority and the local action fund is one example of how we are trying to achieve that. We particularly welcome partnership initiatives that bring together local services to find solutions to local problems.

I am none the wiser.

Numerous officers—such as Police Constable Thomson, the community officer at Bingham in Edinburgh—have started youth football training and have consequently seen a significant decline in offending and disorder. PC Thomson could do more if more facilities and funding were provided. Given that the police force gives his time for free and that he gives up much of his own free time, is it not appropriate for the Executive to assist him by providing facilities and funding for his worthwhile project?

I provide information; I cannot help Mr MacAskill with his level of wisdom, unfortunately.

Obviously, we are keen to see any projects that are happening on the ground and to consider what support can be given to them. However, Mr MacAskill's original question was about methods of reducing offending and antisocial behaviour and not just about a particular football event. I point out that the programmes that work best in reducing offending and antisocial behaviour are about more than just facilities or even the sporting programmes that happen there. The programmes that work best also offer opportunities for the development of the young people involved. To achieve that, good leadership is required. I am delighted to hear that that is being provided in the case to which he referred.

Such projects have proven to be particularly helpful in several places around the country. In East Dunbartonshire we have midnight football and East Ayrshire has active steps. In my home city of Glasgow, we have the First football programme, whereby 2,500 young people take part in such events. In the Red Road area of Glasgow, in which I lived when I was much younger and where I kicked a ball about from time to time, operation reclaim is a model that engages young people through a range of sports and arts activities. The local police force has been very much involved in that.

Figures show something like a 37 per cent reduction in youth crime in 2004, so such projects work. They need support, but that will not always come from the Executive; sometimes, it must come from other partners that work more locally on the ground.

Will the minister try to ensure that good schemes such as those that she described are kept going? Often, short-term funding is given, but nothing is worse than interesting young people in something then letting them go because nothing continues. Will she try to ensure that continuing funding is provided, whether by the Executive, other sources or all sources?

As I said, such activity is often the result of partnerships on the ground. It is for local partnerships to decide whether to continue. Sometimes, it will not be appropriate to continue a programme. A different programme might take place, perhaps in a different area. Donald Gorrie is right to say that continuity is needed. I agree entirely. Continuity must go further than he suggested—it must give the young people who benefit from our active schools programme, for example, the opportunity to progress to club level if they have an interest, talent or ability in a particular sport. We are very much working on that.

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Finance and Public Services and Communities

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Council Tax Arrears

To ask the Scottish Executive what support structures local authorities are required to have in place for individuals facing council tax arrears. (S2O-8041)

That is a matter for individual councils, which are independent corporate bodies that are required to act in accordance with the powers and duties that are set out for them in statute. I stress that there are many good examples of Scottish councils increasing their complement of money advisers. In Elaine Smith's council area—North Lanarkshire—more than 20 advisers offer free advice and support to individuals who have debt problems. Almost 500,000 people—nearly 25 per cent of all households—receive council tax benefit and about half are pensioners. On top of that, nearly 400,000 people pay no council tax at all.

I thank the minister for his answer and ask him to join me in expressing a warm welcome to the delegation from the Cuban National Assembly who are visiting the Parliament today.

Does the minister accept that a significant proportion of individuals suffer sequestration on account of council tax arrears that are not the result of their being unwilling to pay, but are because of difficulties in managing finances and complex systems that are associated with debt repayment? Does he also agree that local authorities could do more to support such people by, for example, arranging fixed appointments with local authority money advisers in order to avert sequestration, and by promoting the existence of advisers more? Does he agree that the Executive could provide clearer guidance on that?

I am more than happy to join Elaine Smith in extending that welcome. We welcome many visitors to the Parliament; I hope that the visitors who are here today find it as interesting as many other people do.

We need to remember that significant resources are being invested in front-line money advice; the Executive is investing about £5 million this year and more than 150 new money advisers are operating. A great resurgence and great investment have also taken place in the credit union movement, which assists individuals as they attempt to manage their finances. All that is important.

The Executive is trying to advance a coherent corporate debt recovery strategy that is balanced against the needs and requirements of people who find meeting their obligations challenging. That is being done through our financial inclusion action plan. We have demonstrated many positive sentiments within that.

I fully accept that debt advice has to be proactive on the part of the advisers, who have to make themselves and the services that they provide known to the people that need them, which relates to management of the advisers. I am content that local authorities will, as well as being determined to raise the level of council tax income that they draw into their accounts, balance that with proper compassion for people whose ability to pay is challenged.

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Efficient Government (Financial Targets)

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will be in a position to announce progress in respect of meeting its financial targets under the efficient government programme. (S2O-7994)

Our targets are efficiency targets rather than financial targets. As I said when I gave evidence to the Finance Committee in September, we will report our progress annually. I plan to announce the actual savings that are made in the first year of our efficient government programme in the summer of 2006, once the outturn figures for 2005-06 are available.

I appreciate that the targets are efficiency targets, but as we are seven months into the first year, should not we be seeing a difference in our public services because of the efficiency programme?

I am happy to confirm that, since 1997, there has been a progressive improvement in our public services, which has speeded up considerably since the creation of the Parliament. As a consequence of the efficient government programme, there is a constant dialogue going on between us and our delivery partners. We are currently speaking to the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities about the methodologies that it is developing to establish baselines. Through the programme, we will be able to demonstrate to ourselves and the people of Scotland how resources are being more efficiently used to increase delivery of front-line services. We will report on that on-going work at the appropriate time.

I remind Andrew Arbuckle that the efficient government programme is a long-term programme and that we are only seven months into it. I know that some people have tried to put pressure on us, as if we were involved in making a cup of instant coffee. However, we will not be pressured in that way—we will stick with the programme and we are determined that it will succeed. Over the period, we will see that resources are applied far more effectively and efficiently in Scotland, and that the beneficiaries will be the people who require front-line services.

Without wishing to judge the minister's ability to make instant coffee, can he tell me whether, as part of the efficient government programme, he intends to consider the report that Audit Scotland published this morning? That report highlighted the fact that more than a third of 74 projects that were funded by the Scottish Executive to a total of £1.4 billion had no specific objectives. What does that say about efficient government?

Mr Swinney takes his own interpretation of the report that was published this morning. It contained many positive aspects. It is part of my duty as a minister and parliamentarian to pay considerable heed to the thoughts and offerings of Audit Scotland. That is why we offered Audit Scotland our efficiency technical notes in connection with the efficient government programme. That is also why we publish the comments that we receive back from Audit Scotland and are involved in a continuing dialogue, in which we take the advice of Audit Scotland and refine the processes that we employ to ensure that the initiative is effective and efficient on behalf of the people of Scotland.

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Local Authorities (Meetings)

To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions it has had with local authorities. (S2O-7980)

Ministers and officials regularly discuss a wide range of issues with local authorities.

At First Minister's question time today, the First Minister said that he did not think that council tax increases need be more than 2.5 per cent. As a result of his discussions with local authorities, has the minister formed any impression of what council tax increases will be? Will they—once again—be in excess of inflation?

My discussions with Scotland's local authorities, which are on-going and were particularly intensive over the summer, have convinced me that there is an increased determination among many elected councillors and their officials to serve the people of Scotland as best they can and to ensure that the burden that is placed on people at local level to fund services is as small as possible. I am perfectly content that councils throughout Scotland are making their best efforts to minimise the tax increases for the public in the next financial year.

We—and I, personally—have continued to make the point strongly that the Scottish Executive has considerably increased the level of resources that are available to local authorities in Scotland. We believe that proper management of those resources should result in a far less severe tax burden at local level. That is why the First Minister said what he said today and why I repeated what has been said previously when I gave evidence to the Finance Committee earlier this week. We will continue to make the point that the precious resources that have been made available have been considerably increased in Scotland and that it is incumbent on each and every one of us in the Scottish Executive and at local level to ensure that they are applied effectively and efficiently.

Has the minister ever discussed free personal care in his many discussions with councils? In particular, is he aware of Renfrewshire Council's decision to charge people for preparation of meals, which is contrary to the letter and spirit of the legislation that the Parliament passed?

I have discussed that issue with local councils over a long period and in various guises; I did so when I was the Deputy Minister for Health and Community Care and have done so as the Minister for Finance and Public Service Reform. I am aware of the points of view that councils have put forward, but as the First Minister said this morning, we have fully funded the recommendations of the independent committee that considered the requirements for the service in question and we are confident that enough money has been supplied. We keep the policy under constant review.

I am aware that certain local authorities have put a particular interpretation on preparation of food. We disagree fundamentally with that interpretation and have said so strongly to the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities. Discussions continue and I hope that a firm conclusion can be reached in the near future in the interests of the people who require the services.

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Best-value and Budget Decisions<br />(Community Benefit)

To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that best-value and budget decisions at local and national level take full account of the benefit to the community of providing services in ways that give support and human contact to service recipients. (S2O-7998)

The Executive is committed to ensuring that public services are designed and delivered around the needs of the people who use them. Best value plays a key role in supporting that commitment. In particular, a best-value organisation is responsive to the needs of its communities, consults them on services and is accountable to them.

We could all give examples of bad use of best value, in which it is applied on a very narrow financial front rather than based on examination of the wider picture, which the minister said should happen. I hope that the minister will use his influence at national and local levels to ensure that a more humane and intelligent interpretation of best value is used. For example, many councils have given meals-on-wheels contracts to companies that deliver frozen meals once a week; people will therefore lose the human contact that is provided by local organisations, the Womens Royal Voluntary Service or whomever. People from such organisations might visit those people more often, chat to them and give them food that they will eat. Will the minister try to pursue such examples?

I will indeed. I take Mr Gorrie's point and assure him that best value is not only about finance—it is about ensuring that services meet users' needs as effectively as possible. Ministers are determined to ensure that all services that are delivered by the public sector, and by the voluntary sector on behalf of public bodies, are effective and deliver the benefits that the end user should expect.

I am not sure whether the minister heard the answers that were given following question 1 on education and young people, tourism, culture and sport, but it is clear that the 60 per cent capacity rule in schools, which was determined by the Accounts Commission in relation to best value, runs counter to much of the guidance on rural school closures. Will the minister liaise with his counterpart, the Minister for Education and Young People, to pursue that issue with the Accounts Commission?

I would be pleased to engage with the Minister for Education and Young People to pursue that matter.

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Telecommunication Masts, Antennae and Associated Equipment

To ask the Scottish Executive what legislation exists to prevent public buildings throughout Scotland from being used to site telecommunication masts, antennae and associated equipment. (S2O-7991)

Depending on the circumstances of a case, there may be a number of pieces of legislation with which such installations would have to comply if they were to be allowed on or in a public building or any other building. Examples include the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 and the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

Does the minister share the concerns of many people who live in the centre of St Andrews that masts seem to be proliferating at an alarming pace on the roof of the New Picture House on North Street? I understand that there are four masts there at present. I have approached Fife Council on the matter, but it does not even appear to know who is operating the masts, despite the fact that further planning applications are being lodged. Does the minister share my concern and that of constituents on the matter?

I would prefer to have more detail on such an individual case before commenting on it. I am conscious that comments on individual planning issues can be extrapolated in a way that might not be helpful for continuing and constructive debate. It is incumbent on everyone involved to be as transparent and open as possible about where the masts are going, who is operating them and so on, particularly given the unease about telecommunications masts. Current research does not reinforce that unease, but I know from my area that neither the current research nor emphasis of the fact that we are tracking the matter sufficiently reassures people.

It is important—I know that the industry is committed to this—to work as closely as possible with people, to continue dialogue with them and to try, if possible, to site masts where people are comfortable with them while recognising the tensions that the technology creates by virtue of its having to be spread around the country. It is important that people on all sides of the debate, through information and knowledge, can have more confidence about what is going on.

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Community Planning Partnerships

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress community planning partnerships have made since their inception. (S2O-7972)

The aim of community planning partnerships is to deliver improved services that are more responsive to the needs of communities, to free up efficiencies through pooling resources and to increase trust, understanding and co-operation between partners. Community planning partnerships have made significant progress since their inception, particularly since the statutory framework was introduced in 2003. At national level, progress is monitored as part of the continuing programme of audits of best value and community planning. Audit Scotland's extensive baseline review of community planning will be published early in 2006.

I thank the minister for that reply, although it does not quite gel with Audit Scotland's recently issued report, which says that the £318 million community regeneration fund—which is supposed to improve Scotland's most deprived communities and help families to escape poverty— has been found to have failed to define criteria for success, to plan ahead, to give clear guidance or to deliver results. In the light of Audit Scotland's findings, what plans does the minister have to issue guidance to community planning partnerships regarding community regeneration fund spending?

I am sure that Brian Adam would wish to recognise and welcome the significant funding of £318 million for Scotland's most deprived communities, while understanding that there is a poverty of place and that multiple deprivation has an impact on health and other outcomes. That is the right approach.

There are issues about how CPPs are rolled out in a way that sits comfortably with communities. The challenge is that we cannot set levels nationally and then claim that the money is a community regeneration fund. The initiative must come from the bottom up. Communities clearly understand what needs to be done in their areas and the challenge for community planning partnerships is to work in harness with the funding. That does not necessarily fit comfortably with some views about how money should be monitored, managed and so on. There must, of course, be a robust financial framework.

I do not accept the characterisation that Mr Adam applies to the Audit Scotland report. That report will go before the Parliament's Audit Committee. We will await the committee's comments on it and act on any lessons that emerge. We must recognise the substantial policy position that lies at the heart of this issue, which is to address poverty hand in hand with the communities where that is needed.

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Competition (Public Sector)

To ask the Scottish Executive to what extent it considers that competitive pressures and incentives increase quality, efficiency and responsiveness in the public sector. (S2O-7976)

Quality, efficiency and responsiveness are among the core principles on which we are continuing to reform and modernise Scottish public services. There are a number of factors that will support the Scottish Executive's aim to continue to deliver high-quality, user-focused, effective and efficient public services. The incentive to deliver higher levels of achievement can clearly be evidenced across the wider public sector, and the positive dynamic of continuous improvement has been strengthened by the introduction of best-value audits in local government and the development of best-value principles across public services.

What specific plans does the Executive have to extend choice and competition in public services in Scotland, particularly in health and education?

As I said in my earlier answer, public services are as complex as the lives of the individuals whom they serve; no single factor can be considered in isolation. Competitive pressures and incentives to perform already exist in public services and have done for many years. Other drivers to ensure that we have fit-for-purpose public services include a high calibre of management and leadership, well-trained and skilled employees in public service organisations and the organisations that we partner, and effective performance and accountability systems.