Current status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 21 February 2018
To ask the Scottish Government on which date the Forestry Devolution Programme began its work on the rebranding of the Forestry Commission in Scotland; how much has been spent to date on the rebranding process; what the projected costs are for the whole rebranding process, and what proportion of the rebranding budget is staffing costs.
http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.
I also refer the member to the information provided on 5 February 2018 (http://www.parliament.scot/S5_Rural/20180205_Cab_Sec_REC_-_Forestry_Bill_-_manage_and_administer_its_forestry_responsibilties..pdf) to the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee which advised that the costs for rebranding have been substantially reduced in scope from £4.25 million to £1.12 million.
Work has recently begun by filling the design graduate placement post. The budget for this post is £49,500 over 18 months, approximately 4.5% of the total revised projected costs.