Culture and External Affairs
Creative Scotland (Aberdeen)
The Scottish Government regularly meets Creative Scotland, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and Vocal Scotland to discuss issues and share information in relation to culture and cultural services in a local authority context. The Scottish Government has not met Creative Scotland to discuss its work in Aberdeen specifically.
Has Creative Scotland been in discussion with partners, including Aberdeen City Council, about the proposed city garden project? Has the Labour-led Administration indicated to Creative Scotland what its funding plans are to refurbish Aberdeen art gallery if it rejects the tax incremental financing bid?
Creative Scotland is represented on the Aberdeen city garden project group in forming and influencing the strategic content of the proposed granite web. Its interests are in delivering quality arts facilities for the people of Scotland, and it is keen to ensure that the proposed development helps to strengthen Aberdeen’s cultural infrastructure and adds value to the work of existing organisations in the area.
I confirm what the minister has said: the Aberdeen art gallery and the city garden project were among the issues discussed at that meeting. All the members in the chamber understand that the garden project is one that has deeply divided opinion in the city, but what I think will unite opinion—I welcome the minister’s comments on this—is the city’s bid to be the United Kingdom’s city of culture in 2017. Does the minister encourage people to support that bid? Does she support the bid?
I note Lewis Macdonald’s comments. I refer to the fact that there was a referendum and that a large number of Aberdeen’s population voted in favour of the project, and it is up to the democratic process within Aberdeen to take its course. There is great potential for cultural activity in Aberdeen to be enhanced by a variety of projects.
On what is perhaps a slightly less controversial topic, will the minister outline what additional support and promotion the Scottish Government, along with Creative Scotland, might provide to help festivals such as the Aberdeen international youth festival and others across the north-east such as the Portsoy, Sound and Stonehaven folk festivals, as part of the winning years and homecoming initiatives, given the fact that many festivals are facing cuts to grants and significant challenges in securing sponsorship?
I am very pleased that, in what is a difficult financial climate, we have managed to protect front-line investment for culture and creative services and, indeed, Creative Scotland. One reason why Creative Scotland has developed a formal place partnership with Aberdeen city in particular is to look at how we can strategically support all the wonderful, different festivals and cultural offerings that are available in Aberdeen. As the member knows, I am looking forward to attending the Aberdeen international youth festival to help in the celebrations and to showcase the best of not only Scottish but international youth talent to Scotland and the wider world.
Indonesian Government (Discussions)
The Scottish Government has not had any discussions with the Indonesian Government.
The cabinet secretary will recall the tragedy in East Timor in which, under Indonesian occupation, between 100,000 and 200,000 people were killed. Less well known is the situation in West Papua, which has been occupied by Indonesia since 1962. There has been on-going repression there: people can be arrested for raising the West Papuan flag and it is reported that 400,000 West Papuans have been killed in the intervening years. There is currently a crackdown on those who are asserting West Papua’s right to sovereignty. Can the cabinet secretary assure me that the Scottish Government condemns human rights abuses wherever they occur?
I and the Scottish Government condemn human rights abuses wherever they occur. As a responsible nation within the global community, Scotland has a strong and enduring commitment to securing fundamental human rights and we expect all states to comply with international and human rights law.
Homecoming 2014
We are keen to take every opportunity to showcase Scots culture during homecoming 2014 and beyond. An inspirational events programme for the year will be developed, set around the five themes of ancestry, food and drink, active, creative and natural Scotland. We recently announced £3 million to support that programme, and a call for funding applications to events and organisations will be made later in the summer when full criteria and guidelines will also be provided.
With her Ayrshire connections, the cabinet secretary will be well aware of the huge contribution that Burns country could make to the year of homecoming. What discussions has the Scottish Government had with the National Trust for Scotland and others to connect up existing offerings, such as music and literary festivals, perhaps using the Robert Burns birthplace museum as a hub for Scots cultural initiatives?
The National Trust for Scotland is an enthusiastic supporter of the plans for the focus years and homecoming 2014. It is represented on the strategic group along with other key partners. As well as leading the delivery of homecoming 2014, the group will look at opportunities to work with others.
How will the Scottish Government showcase the Gaelic language and culture for the year of homecoming 2014 and beyond?
I refer the member to the points in my earlier answer about this summer’s opportunities for bids. There will be a great opportunity to showcase Gaelic culture during the year of homecoming 2014, building on the momentum of some of the activity that we are already seeing. For example, the Tiree music festival, Fèis Canna, the Royal National Mod and the Blas festival are all joining the celebration of the year of creative Scotland. We can build on that going forward to 2014.
For the many people who were left with unpaid bills from homecoming 2009, there is still a bad taste in the mouth. Has the Scottish Government any plans to mitigate the unfortunate legacy from that previous failure? Does it have any plans to reassure people who are going to be involved in the homecoming 2014 that those who provide goods and services will be paid?
The member will be aware that homecoming 2009 was extremely successful. It brought a great deal of additional income to Scottish businesses, and more than 300 events were highly successful.
Lower Saxony (Discussions)
At their meeting on 7 June, the First Minister and David McAllister, Minister-President of Lower Saxony, discussed strengthening co-operation between Scotland and Lower Saxony in the fields of renewable energy and energy technology, including how to turn low-carbon opportunities into reality. They also discussed wider issues in Europe. The First Minister accepted an invitation to visit Lower Saxony later in the year and received an invitation for the Scottish Government to participate in a celebration of Scottish culture in Lower Saxony next year.
Question 5 from James Dornan.
Excuse me, Mr Dornan. Colin Keir has a supplementary.
Thank you, Presiding Officer.
I think I am with you, Presiding Officer.
Now we come to question 5 from James Dornan.
South Sudan (Scottish Organisations)
The Scottish Government has regular discussions with the Network of International Development Organisations in Scotland, whose members are involved in development work throughout Africa, including South Sudan.
I have recently visited South Sudan and Uganda with Glasgow the Caring City, and I saw first-hand some of the inspirational work that it and other Scottish charities are doing to make life better for the children of South Sudan, many of whom have been orphaned because of the atrocities committed by Joseph Kony and the Lord’s Resistance Army. Will the cabinet secretary join me in condemning those atrocities, praising the work of Scottish aid charities in South Sudan, who are making a significant difference to the lives of those in need, and congratulating South Sudan on the first anniversary of its independence on 9 July?
I join the member in congratulating South Sudan on the first anniversary of its independence on 9 July. I am aware of the good work undertaken by Glasgow the Caring City, which the Scottish Government has previously funded to undertake humanitarian work in response to events in Gaza and Haiti. I welcome its valuable contribution to the relief effort in South Sudan.
Question 6, from Stewart Maxwell, was not lodged, although the member has provided an explanation.
European Commission (Discussions)
The Government has regular contact with the Commission and other member states concerning a range of issues in order to govern in the best interests of the people of Scotland.
I note that the cabinet secretary did not mention any conversations, discussions or correspondence about the key issue of the legal competence of a separate Scotland’s accession to the European Union and the euro currency. I know that the Scottish Government asserts that that is somehow a done deal but, without the paperwork, canny Scots have questions that remain. When will the cabinet secretary publish a view from the Commission that clarifies whether a separate Scotland can or cannot join the EU without joining the euro? If not, why not?
When Helen Eadie asked this question on 8 September 2011, I answered:
In light of the meeting of the European Council that is getting under way in Brussels right now, does the cabinet secretary agree that the United Kingdom Prime Minister should use it as an opportunity to commit his Government to a common EU growth strategy based on increasing capital investment and strengthening job creation across the UK, exactly in accordance with the policies that the Scottish Government has repeatedly urged him to initiate?
Yesterday, the Scottish Government announced £105 million of capital investment to stimulate the Scottish economy. I am sure that that will be welcomed across the chamber. We have repeatedly emphasised to the UK chancellor the importance of increased investment in infrastructure and have highlighted the need for shovel-ready projects to protect jobs and strengthen recovery. This Government is delivering. It would be helpful if the UK Government could do likewise.
Local Broadcasting and Programming (Scottish Borders)
The quality of broadcasting in the Scottish Borders and the south of Scotland generally is a key concern for the Government. That is why, in meetings and correspondence with STV, ITV, the Office of Communications and the Westminster Government, we have stressed the importance of viewers having access to Scottish programming, particularly on news and current affairs at this time of national debate.
In light of Ofcom’s recent report, “Licensing of Channel 3 and Channel 5”, does the cabinet secretary share my belief that local broadcasting and planning would be better served by having a dedicated, regional service for viewers in the south of Scotland, supplemented with coverage of national Scottish issues, rather than a Scotland-wide service, such as the one that is proposed by STV?
Indeed I do. I think that the member is right to draw our attention to the Ofcom report. The Ofcom advice on channel 3 relicensing said:
Traditional Arts Working Group
Creative Scotland, which is our national body for the arts, culture and creative industries, continues to take forward the traditional arts working group’s recommendations.
Will the minister ensure that Creative Scotland maintains the promotion of Scottish traditional music in its rubric of the forthcoming development plan?
Yes. I will ensure that Creative Scotland maintains the promotion of all traditional arts, including traditional music.
Infrastructure and Capital Investment
Electric Cars
Building on the successful installation of more than 300 electric vehicle charging posts in phase 1, good progress continues with phase 2 in concentrating on expanding that network further. We are in discussions with a number of stakeholders to widen the current infrastructure to include trunk roads, workplaces, ferry terminals, homes and transportation for the Commonwealth games in Glasgow. Work is also on-going on the creation of a Scottish plugged-in places and electric vehicles website, which will provide information on how to purchase electric vehicles, their associated benefits, as well as a map that details charge point locations.
I thank the minister for that helpful answer.
That is an important issue. We should understand that it will be very difficult to encourage people to buy electric vehicles until the infrastructure for them is in place. I take on board Claudia Beamish’s point about ensuring that people are aware of where charge points are. They are all in the national charge-point registry and, as I mentioned, will be on the website that we are developing.
Question 2, in the name of Jenny Marra, has not been lodged, but she has provided an explanation for that.
Railway Station Improvement Programme
The £30 million stations investment fund, which was announced in April this year, will aim to lever in additional funding to deliver improved and new stations from 2014. Transport Scotland has received 12 inquiries since the announcement, but we are aware of further station aspirations, including those that are highlighted in responses to the “Rail 2014” consultation.
The minister is to be congratulated on the programme, which will present an even better image to tourists who travel by train across Scotland.
Stations that are owned by third parties such as Prestwick airport will be eligible and will be considered for funding through the Scottish stations investment fund. The eligibility criteria and the application process will be discussed with stakeholders over the coming months. I certainly encourage Prestwick airport to get involved in that process. As I said, the station development programme will start in 2014.
The minister said that the criteria will be discussed over coming months. Can he say what the criteria are likely to be, so that stations and communities can prepare bids for the fund? As the minister will know, there will be a lot more than 12, as I can think of two in my own constituency that would be interested.
I think that every member in the chamber could think of two stations in their constituency. It is important to repeat that we will seek to have others contribute to the capital costs, whether they are regional transport partnerships, local councils or private developers. Some of the bids that have already been put to us will also be considered in that respect. We want the capital costs of new stations to be covered in that way as much as possible. The franchise holder will, of course, take on the on-going subsidy costs to provide the service. The more we can cover the costs, the more stations we can take forward. The criteria are likely to include how such contributions will be made. They are also likely to cover the necessary Scottish transport appraisal guidance arrangements, because we must ensure that the train option is the right option for any proposed stations. All those aspects will be considered for the criteria that will be formed by officials and brought forward in the coming months.
Broadband Roll-out
“Scotland’s Digital Future—Infrastructure Action Plan” was published on 31 January 2012 and makes it clear that public sector intervention in next generation broadband infrastructure will be targeted solely in the areas where the market is not delivering or will not deliver next generation broadband. Those are defined by the European Union as “white areas”.
The market is certainly not delivering in East Kilbride in my constituency, which is the largest town in Scotland and has a very high number of extremely successful businesses and makes a great contribution to Scotland’s economy. Can the cabinet secretary please take steps to ensure that that thriving hub of business is given decent broadband coverage so that we can all move forward?
I appreciate that point. East Kilbride is a large town and one would expect the private sector to provide superfast broadband in a town that size. I am happy to take up that issue with providers and to meet Linda Fabiani to discuss how we can develop the situation and ensure that East Kilbride has access to superfast broadband.
Can the cabinet secretary take action to ensure that broadband infrastructure is improved in places like Moodiesburn and Mollinsburn in my constituency, where internet speeds are prohibitively slow and cause problems for households and local businesses?
I realise that many people are in a similar position in that regard, including in the two communities to which Elaine Smith referred. We will announce later this year the detail of the roll-out of our superfast broadband investment. East Kilbride is under South Lanarkshire Council and the two communities to which Elaine Smith referred are under North Lanarkshire Council. It would be helpful if both those councils could produce their proposals for the roll-out of superfast broadband in their areas.
Town Centre and High Street Investment
The Scottish Government recognises that vibrant town centres and high streets are vital to the wellbeing of communities and the local economy.
As the minister will know, I was a supporter of the previous town centre regeneration fund and saw the good work that was achieved using that money. It would be helpful if the minister could consider reinstating such a fund or introducing a similar mechanism, particularly to help to tackle the problems of town centres like Springburn, where the facilities are in private ownership and there are consequently fewer levers to promote the change and improvement that is badly needed.
I would be delighted to reinstate such a fund if I had the money to do so. Of course I do not have the money to do so, because the capital budget of the Scottish Government was cut by 40 per cent by Alasdair Darling and is still being cut by 30 per cent by the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats. If they reverse their cuts, I will set up a new town centre regeneration fund.
Broadband (Central Scotland)
Members may have heard some of this already.
I thank the cabinet secretary for his extensive response. To follow up on the points that were raised by my colleagues earlier, can I get assurances from the cabinet secretary that issues relating to broadband slow-spots and the current inequality in accessing broadband that are experienced by many communities throughout central Scotland will be tackled?
Slow-spots and not-spots are our top priorities in rolling out broadband. However, as we have said, we will follow the priorities that are decided locally. That is why I am anxious that North Lanarkshire Council, South Lanarkshire Council and Falkirk Council—which cover the area that is represented by the regional member—all submit their plans and proposals. As I have made clear twice in two documents in the past three or four months, areas that submit their plans will be given priority. We are not going to hold up the rest of Scotland because some people are falling behind in submitting their plans for broadband.
Broadband (Angus and Aberdeenshire)
I am beginning to feel like a broadband.
I guess that we are getting a taste of what topical questions might be like next term.
I am not sure what happened to Mr Don’s microphone there. The light was certainly on, but it was difficult to hear him. I am sure that you can be brief, cabinet secretary.
I hope that Mr Don’s seat is not a not-spot for broadband, as it seems to be for the microphone. He should not assume that because an area is quite far away from the cabinet or exchange, it will automatically be in the last 10 or 15 per cent of areas to be dealt with. I have made it absolutely clear that I am determined that remote rural areas and island communities will not be at the tail end of the process. The whole point of the money that we are investing is to get, in the shortest time, to the areas where need is greatest. During the summer, I will announce various other initiatives that will be designed specifically to deal with the kind of situation in which Mr Don’s constituents find themselves.
How will the Scottish Government achieve its ambition that the rate of broadband take-up in Scotland be at or above the United Kingdom average by next year, when the current figure is significantly below that and the contracts for the work will not even be awarded until the first half of next year? Is it not time for superfast action from the broadband secretary and are we not lacking that at the moment?
That is superfast nonsense. Mr Baker, as is his wont, picks out one statistic from a battery of statistics. For example, he does not take into account take-up of mobile broadband, particularly among young people, which in some areas is of the order of 85 to 90 per cent. Rather than give us the doom and gloom, why does he not join us and recognise, as the rest of the UK now does, that Scotland has caught up and will move ahead of everybody else to ensure that our country has superfast broadband as and when it requires it.
Scottish Water (Meetings)
I thank Drew Smith for not asking about broadband.
Earlier this year, the First Minister mooted the idea that Scottish Water should be able to raise and borrow money from the markets or, in other words, that Scottish Water should be transformed into a so-called public interest company. Does the cabinet secretary agree with the trade unions and others that that model is simply privatisation by another name? Does he agree that the Scottish people are entitled to know whether the Scottish Government has any plans to sell water and waste water services to contractors and to transfer control of water from the public sector to the markets?
I draw Drew Smith’s attention to the Water Resources (Scotland) Bill, which was published today along with a policy memorandum and explanatory notes in which we make it abundantly clear that Scottish Water will remain in public ownership while we remain in government. Unlike the Labour Party, we will not follow the Tory agenda of privatisation.
Public Sector Contracts (Access)
As part of our drive to achieve sustainable economic growth, the Government has greatly enhanced ease of access to public sector contracts, especially through the introduction of the public contracts Scotland service, which provides suppliers with free access to thousands of Scottish contracting opportunities. Since the website’s launch in 2008, more than 15,000 public contract opportunities have been advertised on it. The service currently has more than 60,000 supplier registrations, in excess of 80 per cent of which are small and medium-sized enterprises. The website consistently achieves more than 1 million page views every month.
Although I accept entirely that there are legislative impediments to local companies of all sizes being favoured in procurement processes, has the cabinet secretary considered whether it might be possible for carbon footprint to become a consideration in awarding of contracts?
I raised that point yesterday in Brussels with Commissioner Barnier, who is in overall charge of public procurement reform in Brussels. The European Commission and the Scottish Government will take forward work on that.
Housing Supply (Social Rented Sector)
The Scottish Government has been absolutely clear in its aim to deliver during this session of Parliament at least 30,000 affordable homes, at least two thirds of which will be for social rent. In the first full year of this Parliament, almost 6,900 affordable homes were completed, 5,662 of which were for social rent.
Given that the Highlands is leading the way with health and social care integration, and in the light of the Christie commission’s proposals promoting collaborative working across public bodies, will the Scottish Government encourage public authorities to convert, wherever practicable, vacated office space into dwelling houses?
John Finnie might be aware that a consultation on proposals for integration of adult health and social care is under way and that the deadline for responses is 11 September. I encourage all members, including Mr Finnie, to respond to it.
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