Infrastructure and Capital Investment
Supported Employment (Public Contracts)
Public bodies in Scotland can procure goods and services from organisations with supported employment, either by reserving contracts under article 19 of the European public procurement directive or in open competition with other potential suppliers. The Scottish procurement directorate is in the process of establishing a national collaborative framework agreement for supported factories and businesses, which is expected to be in place by the autumn.
The cabinet secretary and many other members will share my concern about the future of Remploy. I believe that the consultation on the issue is about two thirds of the way through. The biggest support that the Scottish Government can offer the employees and trade unions is to place further contracts with Remploy. Has he been able to use article 19 or the other techniques that are available to him to place such contracts and is he looking to do so in future?
Since October 2010, through the public contracts Scotland mechanism, 13 contracts have been issued to supported businesses, which are valued at £14.6 million. In addition, Scottish public bodies have spent £24.1 million with Scotland-based supported businesses in the most recent financial year for which figures are available, which is 2010-11.
Ken Macintosh mentioned the future of Remploy following the decision by the United Kingdom Government. Will the cabinet secretary update the Parliament on what actions the task force on the issue is taking? How often is it meeting and what impact will it have on the possibility of Remploy surviving and flourishing in future?
The task force is looking at all the consequences and implications of the UK Government’s regrettable decision to close the Remploy factories in Scotland. It is equally regrettable that factories south of the border are being closed. We have a number of objectives. First, we want to ensure that the people who are displaced as a result of the decisions have the best opportunity to find alternative employment. Secondly, as I said, we want to ensure that Remploy can maximise its opportunities for future procurement and work through public sector contracts. Thirdly, we are anxious to ensure that we assist those who depend on Remploy, either directly or indirectly, for employment and income. The task force is addressing all those issues. It meets fairly regularly with a view to putting together a plan to do the best that we can in Scotland to overcome the consequences of what I think is a fairly harsh and inhumane decision.
British Geological Survey (Meetings)
I have not met the British Geological Survey.
The cabinet secretary will be aware of the increased worldwide demand for rare-earth minerals and the possible restrictions on them from the likes of China, which would have a serious impact on our industries. He will also be aware of the Tellus geosurvey project in Northern Ireland, which cost £5.8 million in 2006 and 2007 and which has since generated £21 million for the Government in exploration licences. The British Geological Survey has expertise on the geology of Scotland. In 2008, it carried out a geological survey across Ayrshire and specifically around Patna. Will the Scottish Government now engage with the British Geological Survey to commence a full-scale Scottish project like the Tellus project in Northern Ireland?
There have always been major golden nuggets around Patna, so I am sure that we would find a lot of productive resources there—some have left, of course.
A90 Upgrade (Balmedie to Tipperty)
Under rule 7.5 of the standing orders, members should not refer to any matter in which legal proceedings are active except with the consent of the Presiding Officers. I consider the Aberdeen western peripheral route plan, which is currently before the Supreme Court, to be such a matter.
Thank you for that guidance, Presiding Officer.
The A90 Balmedie to Tipperty scheme will be procured alongside the Aberdeen western peripheral route in a non-profit distributing model form of contract.
The short stretch of dualling would make a big difference to my constituents because it would not only ease congestion for those travelling from Buchan and Ellon into Aberdeen but tackle road safety problems. Currently, residents of Balmedie and Balhelvie have to negotiate a very difficult junction at the north end of Balmedie where the dual carriageway currently ends. In addition, residents of Newburgh have great difficulty turning on to the main road at Fontainebleau.
If Alison McInnes and the Liberal Democrats were so keen for this scheme to proceed as soon as possible, they would have done something about it in the eight years during which they had the opportunity to do so.
Victoria and Albert at Dundee (Transport Infrastructure)
The Scottish Government will review the transport needs for the V&A at Dundee after Design Dundee Ltd has produced a transport strategy to support its planning application for the museum. Ahead of that, Transport Scotland contributed £1 million towards the redevelopment of Dundee railway station into a major transport interchange hub in advance of the opening of the museum in 2015.
I assure the minister that the people of Dundee are grateful for the Scottish Government’s contribution towards improving our train station.
The Scottish Government will carry out a joint economic study with its partners to look at the role of the city airport in serving Dundee and the surrounding area. The study will look at the opportunities for developing air services, as the member mentions, and at how the airport can contribute to the wider regeneration work that is being done in the city, including, crucially, the waterfront development, so that we can promote and enhance those developments.
Scotland’s Digital Future
The Scottish Government is making excellent progress in implementing “Scotland’s Digital Future—Infrastructure Action Plan”. We will publish very soon our procurement plan, which sets out the Government’s approach and the action that we will take to deliver a step change in broadband speeds and reduce the digital divide by 2015. The plan has been developed in collaboration with local authorities and sets out our commitment to delivering the much-needed digital infrastructure across Scotland in partnership with them.
I thank the cabinet secretary for that comprehensive answer. He has previously said that a key criterion in deciding where the broadband strategy will be rolled out first will be which areas are ready for it to be rolled out in. He has suggested that North Lanarkshire Council could not be described as being ahead of the game in that respect. Many constituents have complained to me about poor broadband access, and I have written to North Lanarkshire Council, urging it to get involved with the Scottish Government’s broadband strategy. Has North Lanarkshire Council made any formal approach for support from the Scottish Government?
Members know that I am not one to criticise North Lanarkshire Council unfairly. I will state the factual position. North Lanarkshire Council is not known by the Scottish Government to have developed a local broadband plan. Although representatives of the council attended an early Scottish Government broadband workshop on local authority engagement in June 2011, the council is not known to have acted proactively with regard to broadband development since that time. However, as part of our on-going engagement with local authorities in connection with the implementation of programme 1, we will enter into dialogue with the council to identify its priorities over the summer. We will hold a series of workshops with local government to progress the matter and North Lanarkshire Council will be invited to participate.
I am sure that the recently returned Labour administration of North Lanarkshire Council will be happy to take part. However, is late 2013 not quite late in the day to be awarding specific sums for local projects when some of the targets in the infrastructure action plan are for the next two years?
No, it is not too late at all. We have said that, by 2015, 85 to 90 per cent of Scotland will be covered by superfast broadband, with speeds of between 40Mbps and 80Mbps in most cases. Over the past two years, in particular, substantial progress has been made in the Highlands and Islands, and a number of areas including Grampian, the south of Scotland and Fife are well advanced in their plans. I urge Mr Baker to encourage other local authorities, including North Lanarkshire Council, to follow the example of those councils that are well ahead of the game.
Community-led Regeneration (South Scotland)
The Scottish Government is committed to community-led regeneration, which is at the heart of our approach as set out in “Achieving a Sustainable Future: Regeneration Strategy”. On 8 May, I launched the people and communities fund, which is designed specifically to support community-led regeneration across Scotland. Also, we will shortly launch our consultation on the community empowerment and renewal bill, which will support communities to achieve their own goals and aspirations.
I thank the cabinet secretary for his helpful answer. As he is aware, alongside Stranraer, where the Scottish Government already has a task force, Eyemouth and Hawick were identified in a recent Scottish Agricultural College study as being among the 10 towns most vulnerable to public sector job losses. Both towns face particular regeneration challenges but have great potential, and there has been a significant amount of community-led regeneration activity in Eyemouth in the past six months. Can the cabinet secretary offer any mechanism whereby ministers might support that local work and encourage partnership working between the Scottish Government, Scottish Borders Council and the Government agencies to maximise the chances of both towns’ successful regeneration?
I am afraid that I have to ask for more succinct questions and answers.
Okay, Presiding Officer. I will be very succinct, as usual.
Borders Railway (Construction Costs)
The estimated capital costs of constructing the Borders railway are expected to remain within the £235 million to £295 million range at quarter 4 2012 prices.
I thank the minister for confirming that the construction costs of the railway will not exceed the current estimates. Will he say what the projected income will be from the railway once it is operational?
I am happy to write to the member with details of that. As he will know, the information was outlined in the business case that was made for the railway. Given the question that he asked, I hope that we are now seeing from him some support for the railway, which is different from his previous stance. I am sure that the railway will be an outstanding success and the Government remains committed to seeing it through.
Veterans Associations
I regularly meet and visit a range of veterans organisations at both national and local level. I also meet representatives of Veterans Scotland, which is the umbrella body for veterans organisations in Scotland, four times a year to discuss ways in which veterans charities and bodies can and do help to inform Scottish Government policy in respect of its devolved responsibilities where they impact directly on veterans.
I imagine that, in recent weeks, veterans will have been concerned about what might be coming down the line given the United Kingdom Government’s refusal, which was repeated again yesterday, to rule out further cuts to Scotland-recruited units. What representations will the minister make to the UK Government to seek to ensure that Scotland’s ever-decreasing defence footprint is not further reduced by the London Government?
The member is right about the concern that that is causing among veterans. We have already made representations to the UK Government. Bruce Crawford, the Cabinet Secretary for Parliamentary Business and Government Strategy, wrote to the Secretary of State for Defence on 2 March and again on 11 May calling on the UK Government to retain the Army’s links with Scotland’s proud regimental names, battle histories and traditions, and he will discuss that and other defence matters of concern to Scotland when he meets Nick Harvey, Minister of State for the Armed Forces, in the near future.
Affordable Housing (Highlands and Islands)
The Scottish Government recently announced funding of nearly £33 million, as part of the affordable housing supply programme, to build houses in the Highlands and Islands over the next three years. The funding will provide additional developments to those that were successful in the 2011 innovation and investment fund and initiatives such as the national housing trust, which is already providing affordable housing in the Highlands.
Will the minister join me in welcoming the news that Argyll Community Housing Association will begin work next week on new-build affordable homes at Dalmally in Argyll and Bute? Despite the good work that is done by ACHA, however, does the minister agree that too many people are having to wait too long to get affordable homes in Argyll and Bute? What action will ministers take to ensure that new affordable homes are built in the most rural and remote island communities as well as in towns and the larger villages?
I outlined in my previous answer the action that the Government is taking, not least in relation to the £33 million across the Highlands. Each council area has been given its allocation, and the work is being done in collaboration and through dialogue with the Scottish Government. However, it is for local government to take forward initiatives with local partners to ensure that there is a proper spread of affordable housing and that it meets all the rural parts of each council area.
The minister will be aware of the important housing construction summit in Inverness last week. Will he provide an update on the results of the summit?
The member is right. The Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment hosted a construction summit in Inverness on 14 May along with the Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism and the Minister for Local Government and Planning, and a range of key construction industry stakeholders were involved. The purpose of the summit was to hear attendees’ experiences and thoughts on the challenges that the construction sector is facing to enable the Scottish Government to identify areas in which it can better provide support on a local and regional basis.
Council Houses (Right to Buy)
We are committed to consulting on ways of further reforming the right to buy, and my officials have had discussions with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and the Association of Local Authority Chief Housing Officers about the content and timing of the forthcoming consultation.
I am sure that the cabinet secretary is looking forward to working with the new Scottish National Party administration in North Ayrshire, which is led by Councillor Willie Gibson. In North Ayrshire, the right to buy has reduced the stock of social housing by up to 47 per cent and put some areas under severe pressure. What measures has the Scottish Government taken to help to increase the supply of social housing in North Ayrshire, given the impact of the right to buy?
We are doing two things in North Ayrshire, as we are throughout the country. Through a subsidy to councils, we are encouraging them to build council houses again. Between the council and housing associations, 245 new houses have been or are being built in North Ayrshire with our assistance. Our previous reforms to the right to buy mean that councils can build new houses knowing that they will not be asset stripped in future. It is a great pity that the new Conservative-Labour coalition in East Lothian has decided to reintroduce the right to buy, which makes nonsense of Labour’s position on that policy issue.
Culture and External Affairs
Arts and Culture (Local Authorities)
The Scottish Government recognises that local authorities are crucial partners in the delivery of arts and cultural activity across Scotland. We continue to work closely with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and the Voice of Chief Officers of Cultural and Leisure Services in Scotland, which is Scotland’s national association for local authority culture and leisure managers, to support the sector and improve and maintain cultural service provision. Examples of how the Scottish Government, its agencies and national bodies are doing that can be found across the wealth of activity that is taking place in the year of creative Scotland, Creative Scotland’s place partnerships, the cultural programme for London 2012, and the range of activities across Scotland’s local authority areas that are being undertaken by the national performing companies.
I welcome the initiatives that the cabinet secretary has highlighted.
On the national budget for culture, we have managed to protect front-line services very well. The share of the local authority percentage of Scotland’s budget has been maintained, of course, and it is up to individual local authorities to make their decisions. I am pleased with the response of local authorities in difficult times in recognising the value of culture and the economic drivers of cultural tourism. Drew Smith’s perspective might be coloured by Glasgow—I do not know whether it is—but across the country, there are good and strong stories to tell. If he knows otherwise, I am more than happy to hear from him.
The way in which Creative Scotland funds organisations such as Drake Music and Edinburgh Mela in my region has changed. There has been a change from two-year funding for good-quality companies to produce good-quality art to a grants system that is based on project proposals. How will the Government ensure that the new system delivers sufficient financial certainty and continuity for arts organisations and ensure the widest possible participation in the arts?
The recent announcements clearly show two things: nobody has had their funding cut and there is continuity, as the vast majority of the organisations will secure funding. It is responsible of Creative Scotland to review all the flexibly funded organisations. A range of organisations can achieve certainty about the quality of production, including those that Alison Johnstone cited. However, it must be remembered that the system that Creative Scotland inherited originally involved competitive bidding. Certainty—particularly in times in which more lottery resources are available from Creative Scotland—is a good news story for cultural organisations. Creative Scotland is able to talk to individual organisations; it must speak to them if they have uncertainties, and I encourage it to do so.
Cultural Initiatives (Aberdeen)
The primary responsibility for the delivery of cultural services and activity in Aberdeen lies with the council. However, we support cultural initiatives in the city through the work of our agencies and our national sponsored bodies. For example, Creative Scotland has a formal place partnership agreement with the council and is supporting activity that is taking place as part of the year of creative Scotland, and as part of London 2012.
Does the cabinet secretary agree that it is great that Aberdeen is looking to become the 2017 city of culture? However, the controversial Labour-led administration, which has just put the pay of senior councillors up by 5 per cent while Scottish National Party councillors in Angus have reduced theirs by 5 per cent, is also being controversial in that it plans to drop tax increment financing funding, which will halt the possible development of cultural icons such as Aberdeen art gallery.
Can you ask a question, please?
I asked a question at the start, but I will ask another one.
Do so now, please.
Does the cabinet secretary agree that that is wrong-headed?
I agree with the member’s first point. It is great that Aberdeen has the ambition to become the 2017 city of culture. Secondly, we have always made it clear that it is up to Aberdeen City Council to decide whether it uses TIF. Obviously, the plans include the extension and improvement of the city art gallery. If the council decides not to proceed with the TIF project, it is up to it to make that decision, but in that case it will have to determine, if it wishes to proceed with the plans—including the extension and improvement of the city art gallery—how it will finance the project. That is a very serious question.
Historical Artefacts (Inventory)
The general responsibility for record keeping lies with individual museums. National Museums Scotland and accredited local museums keep a record of all loans and disposals relating to their collections and they adhere to set guidelines and policies that govern those matters. The Scottish Government does not keep a central inventory.
I thank the cabinet secretary for her reply, although I found it a bit disappointing. What consideration would the Scottish Government give to compiling such an inventory of national or Highlands and Islands artefacts?
I made it clear that it is up to individual museums to keep lists of what they sell and what they acquire for their collections. It is clear from his disappointment that John Finnie would like us to be able to identify all artefacts around the world that have been sourced from Scotland, and to repatriate them if we so choose. A consequence of that would be that people may want likewise to repatriate many artefacts that are in Scottish museums. The return of the ghost shirt from Glasgow is a good example of that. That balance has to be struck. A variety of negotiations already take place. As I said, our museums keep the inventories; it is not a central responsibility.
Question 4 has been withdrawn for understandable reasons.
Charles Rennie Mackintosh Buildings
Through Historic Scotland, the Scottish ministers work to protect and enhance our country’s historic environment. That is carried out through a wide range of legislation, policy and guidance.
Given that it is the 144th anniversary of Rennie Mackintosh’s birth next month, does the cabinet secretary agree that the Scottish Government has a significant role to play in leading the various owners of the buildings to ensure that neither the legacy nor the constructions of one of Scotland’s most cherished architects are left to crumble?
None of the buildings is being left to crumble. Many of them are in trust ownership, and the responsibility for producing plans for improvements lies with owners. The national bodies’ responsiveness in relation to funding for Rennie Mackintosh buildings has been exemplary.
I must make a plea again for more succinct questions and answers.
Does the cabinet secretary agree that the grant funding of the Lighthouse, which represents the rebirth of a building, was vital in securing the legacy that is well known to be associated with Charles Rennie Mackintosh?
Yes. Funding for the Lighthouse is one example; I gave another example, which was investment in Glasgow School of Art. In the period up to 2007, funding was provided, but since 2007 almost £250,000 has been spent on Rennie Mackintosh architecture. That must be recognised.
Public Library Services
The Scottish Government welcomes the Carnegie UK Trust’s report as a useful contribution to the debate about public library services in the 21st century. The report asks important questions about the future of public library services, on issues such as their relationship with individual and community wellbeing and the future role of library buildings as community assets. The trust’s offer of facilitating further debate is helpful and I hope that it will be welcomed by local authorities, which are the statutory providers of library services.
Does the cabinet secretary accept that libraries have a great deal of potential for the future and that many libraries are underdeveloped community resources? Will she look at how libraries can promote social cohesion, given the success of the library-based clubs and courses in parenting and nutrition that are offered to some of the most excluded of my constituents in South Lanarkshire through South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture Ltd trust?
There are a great many examples of how such facilities can be used for the community’s betterment. Bathgate library in my constituency is part of a wider partnership centre, and South Lanarkshire Council has funded a number of library buildings.
Does the cabinet secretary agree that the finding in the Carnegie report that 76 per cent of people in Scotland feel that libraries are very important or essential for communities shows continued and strong support in Scotland for the public library service?
Yes. That figure is important and shows the strength of feeling—it is strong relative to the rest of the United Kingdom—among the public for their libraries. If we can marry that to the potential for a modern dynamic in terms of how libraries are used, the future of libraries could be strong.
Major Events (2017)
The programme for 2017 is still in the very early stages of development. However, I can confirm that EventScotland is working with partners to develop a proposal for Scotland to host the opening stages of the 2017 tour de France.
The cabinet secretary will be aware that, when London hosted the grand départ of the tour de France in 2007, the local economy benefited by about £88 million, so I welcome EventScotland’s efforts, which she mentioned. I wrote to EventScotland 16 months ago to promote the communities of South Scotland as ideal locations for any stage of the tour de France. Will the cabinet secretary confirm that South Scotland communities will feature prominently in EventScotland’s bid, to enable towns such as Penicuik, Galashiels and Haddington to share in the economic benefits that the capital would experience in the event of a successful bid?
As I said, we are in the early stages of discussion. The benefits that Jim Hume talked about are enormous; potential certainly exists. It has not been determined that any area will not be part of the tour de France, and I am sure that the Borders, with its wonderful scenery, is an ideal candidate. The decision is not my responsibility, but I will ensure that the people whose responsibility it is understand the strong arguments that the member has put forward.
Aung San Suu Kyi (Visit)
I call Sarah Boyack to ask question 8. It is good to see you back in the chamber.
Thank you, Presiding Officer.
I echo the Presiding Officer’s remark.
I very much welcome the Government’s support for a visit to Scotland. For Edinburgh, giving Aung San Suu Kyi freedom of the city in 2005 was an important political statement of sympathy with her campaign for democracy in Burma.
I know that there is a long way to go and I recognise Sarah Boyack’s support for the Burma Educational Scholarship Trust. Aung San Suu Kyi has accepted an invitation to the United Kingdom and we are promoting a visit to Scotland, along with the cities that want to celebrate the freedom of the city awards that they have given her, as well as all those who campaigned to help to support democracy in Burma.
Edinburgh Festivals Expo Fund 2012
The Scottish Government’s Edinburgh festivals expo fund continues to support a diverse range of quality artistic projects that feature at the festivals. Highlights of this year’s superb programme include a series of major public art commissions in the new town, a world dance festival, a world jazz orchestra, and a world writers conference. The expo fund has supported successful projects at the recent science and Imaginate festivals, and just last week I launched the made in Scotland programme, which is also funded as part of the expo fund.
Will the cabinet secretary talk about the benefits of the young talents programme, including the project that was developed for film fans aged between 16 and 18, through which selected participants are given free Edinburgh international film festival student passes, which allow them access to the full range of festival events?
The young talents programme is a good example of how we support young artists in developing their careers. It involves bespoke meetings with film-makers, events and screenings. The feedback from last year demonstrated its success and I wish the people who are involved in this year’s programme well.
Does the cabinet secretary agree that the festivals’ undoubted potential for remarkable activity in the arts would be enhanced by the presence in Edinburgh of a medium-sized concert hall? I do not expect the cabinet secretary to wave a magic wand, but will she keep the matter on her radar screen?
I absolutely will do. The point is well made. As we heard earlier, the reductions in the Government’s capital budget make things challenging. However, as programmes are worked up, I know that a number of people will be interested in taking forward such a project, and I will pay keen attention to proposals.
St Andrew’s Day
With partners, we are progressing plans for this year’s winter festivals programme, which brings together our most important cultural celebrations. The programme is kicked off with St Andrew’s day celebrations and will bring together people from all over the world to celebrate our modern culture and our traditions. Details of all the celebrations will be provided in the autumn.
What discussions have taken place with local authorities in order for the day to be marked across the country?
Local authorities are absolutely key in promoting St Andrew’s day. Angus Council, Dumfries and Galloway Council, Renfrewshire Council and the Scottish Borders Council organised a holiday on or around St Andrew’s day last year. As the new councils take shape and new councillors take office, we hope that more local authorities will take the opportunity to mark our national day.