SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
General Questions
Public Services (Funding)
To ask the Scottish Executive what impact it considers that the funding settlement for local authorities will have on the delivery of key local public services. (S3O-2297)
The funding settlement involves record levels of investment. It gives local authorities incentives to achieve better value for money and the freedom to spend their resources as they decide to meet local needs and circumstances. I expect that to result in better-targeted and better-quality local public services.
The cabinet secretary's answer will raise eyebrows in Aberdeen. If, as he has stated, the funding settlement is good for Aberdeen City Council and will fully cover inflation, why are his colleagues in Aberdeen pushing through £27 million of budget cuts to key local facilities for young people and key services for older and vulnerable people? That is not scaremongering—people in Aberdeen face budget cuts of £27 million. What will the cabinet secretary do to ensure that they do not lose out badly because of the actions of his Government nationally and of his colleagues locally in Aberdeen?
The Government has given record levels of funding to local authorities. It has increased Aberdeen City Council's revenue funding for the forthcoming financial year by 5.2 per cent, even though it received from the United Kingdom Government only a 0.5 per cent increase in its budget. As a result of the funding arrangements for the Scottish Parliament—which Mr Baker supports—I cannot distribute resources that I do not have. In the context of a 0.5 per cent increase in the Scottish Government's budget, through our decision to give Aberdeen City Council an increase in funding of 5.2 per cent we have made a formidable contribution to the provision of public services in the city. I would have thought that rather than girning about that, Mr Baker would be applauding the Government for the financial support that it has given to Aberdeen.
Although Highland Council has frozen council tax, it has increased spending in many areas—it has provided an extra £1 million for street cleaning and litter picking, for example—despite the scaremongering of local Liberals and members of the Labour Party.
Question, please.
Does the cabinet secretary agree that that shows that the removal of ring fencing has been a resounding success? Is he planning to extend it?
Local authorities have been given a great deal of flexibility in how they can use their resources. We have eliminated a formidable amount of needless bureaucracy and given local authorities the ability to invest in local services. When I look around the country, I am impressed by the extent to which local authorities have seized the opportunity to invest in public services, to develop new public services and to enhance the way in which we support members of the public. I am glad that Mr Thompson recognises Highland Council's achievements in extending the range of services that it provides. Those achievements are common to a range of councils throughout Scotland.
I must take issue with Mr Swinney, given that, per head of population, Aberdeen City Council has been given the poorest financial settlement in Scotland. What advice can he give to the many voluntary organisations in Aberdeen, such as the Cyrenians, that will have to let down many vulnerable people who depend on their services because the council has had to make significant cuts to their funding streams? What has Aberdeen done to deserve its place at the bottom of the heap?
The financial settlement that the Government has given to Aberdeen City Council is far in excess of the percentage increase in funding that this Administration received from the UK Government, so the criticism that we have not given the council a more-than-generous settlement cannot be levelled at us.
Cultural Co-ordinators Scheme (Abolition)
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received on the abolition of the cultural co-ordinators scheme. (S3O-2302)
Since we announced our decision to phase out ring-fenced funding for the cultural co-ordinators in schools programme by 2010-11, we have received written representations from 18 individuals: four representatives of cultural organisations; four members of the Scottish Parliament; representatives of seven local authorities; and three private individuals.
I will not embarrass the minister by reminding her of what the Scottish Arts Council said about the matter in the e-mails that were reported in The Herald on Monday, but surely she realises that not just the Scottish Arts Council but many local arts organisations are enthusiastic about cultural co-ordinators. Indeed, many national bodies are enthusiastic, as was illustrated in the evidence from the National Theatre of Scotland at yesterday's meeting of the Education, Lifelong Learning and Culture Committee.
This minister is not easily embarrassed. It is a bit rich of members of the previous Administration to talk about leaving decisions to the Scottish Arts Council, when the previous Administration thought it necessary to be prescriptive and to introduce restricted and ring-fenced funding for cultural co-ordinators because it did not trust the arts bodies, artists or local authorities to do what they are accountable for doing.
Public Transport (Rural Areas)
To ask the Scottish Executive what it is doing to improve public transport in rural areas. (S3O-2263)
Since 1998, the rural transport fund has provided substantial resources to local authorities to help to introduce new or improved public transport services, and to community transport projects in rural areas where there are no public transport services or where such services are very limited. In total, almost £70 million has been made available.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's report "OECD Rural Policy Reviews: Scotland, UK - Assessment and Recommendations", which was launched yesterday, highlighted the discrepancy in funding in Scotland and observed that the Highlands and Islands have been favoured with public spending, whereas in the south of Scotland social exclusion is "a particularly serious problem". Transport is part of that problem.
I recently met SWESTRANS to discuss a range of subjects to do with transport in the south-west. The issue to which the member referred was not raised with me, so I concluded that the partnership is happy with its relationship with its local council, from whom it derives funding. SWESTRANS should be able to draw on the additional funding that has been made available to Dumfries and Galloway Council to deliver services in response to local needs.
A87 and A887 (Vehicular Accidents)
To ask the Scottish Executive how many vehicular accidents on the A87 and A887 were reported to the police in December 2007 and January 2008, and how those compare with figures for December 2006 and January 2007. (S3O-2262)
Complete data on the number of road accidents that occurred on the A87 and A887 in December 2007 and January 2008 have not yet been returned to the Scottish Government by the Northern Constabulary. I am happy to write to the member with the requested information when it becomes available. Provisional information is expected in the next four weeks.
I am sure that the minister agrees that the dangerous road conditions on the A87 and the A887 require more than just a parliamentary question, but I asked the question because I have not received a reply from his office to my request for a meeting—maybe a reply will come.
Ask a question, please.
Yes, sir.
I have figures for December 2006 to January 2007—a year ago—which suggest that there were one serious and eight slight accidents on the A87 and that no accident was recorded for the A887. I am uncertain whether those figures are at odds with the figure of 27 to which the member referred, but I will be happy to hear from him if he thinks that our numbers are inadequate.
Personal Bankruptcies and Home Repossessions
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to tackle rising numbers of personal bankruptcies and home repossessions. (S3O-2274)
The Scottish Government is committed to providing access to debt relief to Scots who are unable to pay their debts. However, we must balance that by ensuring that there are effective and appropriate diligences for creditors to enforce payment from people who can afford to pay. We are also committed to ensuring that people are not losing their home or being forced into bankruptcy for relatively small debts if there are reasonable alternatives.
Store cards and unsecured personal loans that charge extortionate rates of interest are a source of personal debt that can rapidly spiral out of control. Does the minister agree that we could tackle such issues much more effectively if regulatory power were devolved to the Scottish Parliament?
I think that members of all parties are concerned about the excessive rates of interest that are sometimes charged by providers of store cards or other credit card facilities. Some interest rates are around 30 per cent, which seems excessive. I agree with the member that more progress could be made if such matters were devolved to this place. In the meantime, I hope that people will make informed choices and become aware of the interest rates that institutions will charge before they incur serious debt.
Road and Rail Links (Ayrshire)
To ask the Scottish Executive what importance it places on good road and rail links for the economic regeneration of Ayrshire. (S3O-2330)
We recognise the important role of effective road and rail links in supporting Ayrshire's economic regeneration. Our current programme includes a range of interventions on Ayrshire's railways and trunk roads to improve journey times, capacity and reliability. We will consider future transport investment requirements through the strategic transport projects review, which will report to ministers in summer.
The minister will recall that, in a written answer, he advised me that upgrading of the A737 had basically been kicked into touch. The proposed transshipment container terminal at Hunterston has been dropped and the route development fund, which supported Prestwick airport, will go. What action will the Government take to put connectivity between Ayrshire and the rest of Scotland at the top of the agenda, to allow appropriate economic regeneration?
The member might need to be reminded of my answer to S3W-8711, which was that the A737 would form part of the strategic transport projects review. I assure her that it will. The review concerns the biggest programme of work that there has been in the life of the Parliament. Like people in other parts of Scotland, the people of Ayrshire are entitled to have their needs considered. Please accept that they shall be.
The minister will agree about the pressing need to improve road links between Ayrshire and the M74. Other Ayrshire MSPs share that aspiration, whose realisation Ayrshire residents and the local business community would widely welcome. Will he consider taking steps to upgrade the A70 to trunk road status under section 5(2) of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984? Will that be part of the strategic review that he mentioned?
We have no immediate plans to extend the trunk road network. In the meantime, the A70 is a local road, so the local council can invest in it if it feels that that is appropriate. Of course, we are examining transport corridors and all modes of transport as part of the strategic transport projects review. I am sure that we will find appropriate responses in that.
The minister will recall from meeting several organisations in my constituency on 22 August last year that North Ayrshire Council, Scottish Enterprise Ayrshire and others have made it clear that the way to regenerate my constituency, and the most significant investment, would be to construct the Dalry bypass. Will he use his influence to press for the construction of that bypass at the earliest possible date as part of the review?
The Government's central purpose is to improve Scotland's economy and we recognise that investment in transport infrastructure is a necessary part of that. That is why we are undertaking a wide-ranging review. Ministers will receive the report of the strategic transport projects review this summer. Every part of Scotland is represented in the review's work and I am sure that we will see progress on many projects throughout Scotland.
Government-owned Land <br />(Community Buy-outs)
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is in respect of community buy-outs of government-owned land. (S3O-2272)
We support the idea of community ownership of assets as a way of helping to sustain communities and giving them a greater say in their future. The matter is complex, and owning assets must be considered carefully to determine whether it represents the best way of delivering positive change for all communities. It is for each part of government to assess properly all the options when looking to dispose of assets.
The Government is aware of considerable community interest in a community buy-out in Seilebost, Scarista and Luskentyre in South Harris. Is the Government willing to meet representatives of those communities, which are keen to bring to South Harris—if possible—the many benefits that other areas have enjoyed following community buy-outs?
Officials and ministers are certainly willing to meet the community groups concerned. The prospects of areas that have secured ownership of their land have been radically transformed and such communities have new opportunities. The Government would support such an approach and would be happy to facilitate further discussions.
There is time to take question 8 briefly.
Alcohol Advertising
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to address antisocial behaviour by restricting inappropriate advertising of alcohol in and around retail premises. (S3O-2284)
The Government will not shy away from taking tough action to deal with alcohol misuse and the antisocial behaviour that it inflicts on Scotland's communities. We will set out a clear long-term approach for tackling alcohol misuse and consult on our proposals for action later this year.
Does the cabinet secretary agree that advertising such as the booze busters line by R S McColl in many of our communities is unacceptable? Will he issue guidance to licensing boards indicating that such advertising is completely unacceptable and that action needs to be taken?
The right to sell alcohol is not a God-given right; it is given on the basis that the seller accepts various responsibilities. We expect licensing boards to enforce responsible promotion. I accept that responsible promotion is not limited to how alcohol is priced or promoted within the store and extends to how it is marketed outwith the store. The member has made an appropriate point that we are happy to take on board.
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