Chamber and committees

Each project specific Seabird Compensation Plan is considered on case by case basis in line with regulation and relevant guidance – it would not be appropriate to comment further on the content of individual Seabird Compensation Plans until they are submitted. There is nothing in regulations to preclude Seabird Compensation Plans including compensation measures delivered outside Scotland or the UK as long as it can be demonstrated that the compensatory measures proposed benefit the UK Marine Protected Area network.

On 6 August, I announced a financial package worth up to £3 million to provide support to business affected by the fire. The fund will be administered by The Highland Council with a focus on helping businesses recover from the impact of the wildfire, maintain business continuity and support longer-term recovery, while also contributing to the longer-term economic recovery and resilience of the area.

In addition, the Scottish Government funds Crisis Grants through the Scottish Welfare Fund to support individuals to meet immediate short-term needs when an emergency or a disaster has happened, and there would be a risk to wellbeing without a grant. Applications are administered by local authorities, including Highland Council.

Scottish Government will continue to work closely with the Highland Council, HIE and Cairngorms National Park Authority on what further support may be required for the area in the longer term.

Transport Scotland officials are engaging with UK Department for Transport regarding potential amendments to the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016, including the introduction of simple ‘paint only’ side road zebra crossings. These crossings have been subject to associated trials on their effectiveness and safety. Transport Scotland will consider the published trial findings when available.

Should it be established that side road zebra crossings are appropriate for use in Scotland, their incorporation in Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 as it applies in Scotland is intended. In this case, it is anticipated that Transport Scotland would also direct roads authorities and designers to suitable guidance on their use.

Environmental Standards Scotland's (ESS) report published on 23 June 2026, Protecting Scotland's seafloor: an assessment of Scottish Ministers' implementation of the Marine Strategy Regulations 2010, contains ESS’ findings and recommendations relating to the Scottish Ministers’ implementation of those Regulations, including findings and recommendations regarding the contribution of measures in Part 3 of the UK Marine Strategy towards seafloor integrity objectives and targets.

The Scottish Government is carefully considering the ESS report and will work constructively with ESS to seek to agree an appropriate action plan within the timescale suggested in the report. The Scottish Government's position on the report's findings and recommendations will be set out through that engagement and in its formal response.

National Concessionary Travel Schemes reimbursement rates are negotiated annually between Transport Scotland and the Confederation of Passenger Transport on behalf of bus operators, using an agreed economic model. The model is updated annually to take into account the latest developments in fares, operating costs, passenger behaviours and travel demand, to ensure that the rates are set to leave operators financially no better and no worse off for their participation in the schemes. The model uses a weighted average fare, which reflects the fares and relative volume of concessionary journeys made on all services under the scheme.

The Active Travel Infrastructure Fund (ATIF) is the primary vehicle for the Scottish Government to fund active travel infrastructure. The tiered model for infrastructure delivery increases flexibility and control for partners to meet the active travel needs and priorities of people living and working in their communities. Tier 1 of the Fund is provided directly to Local Authorities through their General Capital Grant and they have the flexibility to use the funding as required. Tier 2 funding, directly managed by Transport Scotland, was open to applications from Local Authorities, Regional Transport Partnerships and National Park Authorities for the funding of larger scale projects most recently at the start of the calendar year 2026. Transport Scotland did not receive an application from East Renfrewshire Council nor Strathclyde Partnership for Transport for this project.

The total claimed from Sustrans through the Transport Scotland funded Places for Everyone Fund for the Neilston to Uplawmoor link was £199,274, of which £28,932 was claimed for Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Plan of Work stages 0-2 and £170,342 for stages 3-4.

No consideration has been given to recovering or repurposing the funding, as the £199,274 provided was expended for the purposes for which it was awarded, namely development and design work associated with the proposed Neilston to Uplawmoor link.

The Scottish Government is updating its Good Practice Principles for Community Benefits from Onshore Renewable Energy Developments to reflect how Scotland’s energy landscape has evolved since the last publication in 2019.

To inform this work, and alongside a full public consultation in 2025, officials undertook a programme of engagement during spring 2026 to seek feedback on proposals in Onshore renewable energy - refreshing the good practice principles for community benefits: working paper - gov.scot.

Regional discussion events with community groups consisted of five online events covering the Highlands, Islands, Central Scotland, North East Scotland, and South Scotland. These sessions were attended by representatives of community benefit groups, community councils, development trusts, third sector organisations and local authorities.

Targeted engagement with developers and community groups included two online roundtable discussions chaired by the former Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy. One roundtable was attended by renewable energy developers, trade associations and enterprise agencies. The second brought together representatives from community councils, community development trusts, community benefit funds, regional partnerships and national intermediary organisations from across Scotland.

A youth workshop was also delivered in partnership with the Scottish Youth Parliament as part of the wider programme of engagement supporting the update of the Good Practice Principles.

Transport Scotland is responsible for the management and maintenance of the strategic trunk road network, including motorways, on behalf of Scottish Ministers. It operates a centralised database system for the use of term maintenance contractors to record potholes on the trunk road network.

Local authorities have a duty under the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 to manage and maintain local roads in their area and duties under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 to secure expeditious, convenient and safe movement of traffic.

Local Authorities hold information on defects recorded on their roads and the Scottish Government has no plans to collect centralised data with regards to the number of potholes on the local road network.

The Marine Directorate Licensing Operations Team has met with SSE Renewables on multiple occasions, both at regular planned meetings and topic specific meetings, to discuss and provide advice and guidance on the requirements for Berwick Bank post consent plans including the Seabird Compensation Plan.