Question reference: S6W-26110
- Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 12 March 2024
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Current status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 21 March 2024
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has considered the appropriateness of local authorities as statutory consultees accepting any financial incentives from windfarm developers prior to submitting their statutory response on a proposed development.
Answer
The Scottish Government is clear that the views of local authorities are an important consideration in the decision-making process for determining energy consents applications.
The Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 provides a legal framework for the operation and governance of local authorities in Scotland. While it doesn't specifically address conflicts of interest, it establishes the broader legal context within which local authorities operate and are required to conduct their affairs in accordance with the law.
Local authorities in Scotland are also subject to public procurement regulations, which include requirements to ensure transparency, fairness, and competition in the awarding of contracts. These regulations often include provisions aimed at preventing conflicts of interest in procurement processes.