Questions and answers

Question reference: S6W-11746

Asked by: Jackie Dunbar, MSP for Aberdeen Donside, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 25 October 2022
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Michael Matheson on 26 October 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress with establishing a virtual energy agency.

A virtual agency has been established within Scottish Government and will be housed within the Directorate of Energy and Climate Change bringing together our existing heat and energy efficiency delivery programmes. The agency will work with our existing delivery partners and operate as Heat & Energy Efficiency Scotland.

This is the first step in transitioning to a dedicated body by 2025. Heat & Energy Efficiency Scotland will be responsible for accelerating transformational change in how we heat and use energy in homes and buildings, aid public understanding and awareness, and co-ordinate delivery of investment. The agency will also act as a Centre of Expertise, which in time will support project delivery across a range of sectors, notably heat networks.

The virtual agency and transition to a dedicated body will be supported by an independent Strategic Board, chaired by Professor Lorne Crerar, who will work with us and key delivery partners to consider how to build on, improve and co-ordinate existing and future advice and support, as well as wider capital delivery programmes.

The profile of a virtual Heat & Energy Efficiency Scotland will be built progressively over the coming months.

Question reference: S6O-01452

Asked by: Jackie Dunbar, MSP for Aberdeen Donside, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 October 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 26 October 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support women being released from custody to reintegrate back into their communities.

Question reference: S6O-01396

Asked by: Jackie Dunbar, MSP for Aberdeen Donside, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 September 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 29 September 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting Aberdeen City Council to meet its net zero ambitions.

Question reference: S6W-10703

Asked by: Jackie Dunbar, MSP for Aberdeen Donside, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 06 September 2022
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 20 September 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what (a) children's and (b) adult's organisations in Aberdeen Donside receive funding from the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund.

In the first year of the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for adults in 2021-22, the Scottish Government provided funding to the following organisations which operate specifically in Aberdeen Donside:

Name of organisation	Project name
Third Level Foundation	1. Foundation Steps - Coping Strategies for Anxiety and Depression 2. Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) Support Workshops 3. Families affected by BPD 4. Third Level Foundation Signposting
Danestone Community Centre	1. Community Connector 2. Chatty Café 3. Brunch Club
Silver City Blues Masters Swimming Club	Silver City Blues
Dyce & Stoneywood Community Association	1. Programme Development in Dyce 2. EncourAGE- Sheltered Housing Tenants and "In Abooters"
Aberdeen Amateur Athletic Club	Jogscotland Aberdeen Amateur Athletic Club
Mastrick Community Centre	Mastrick Community Centre - Parent and Toddlers
ABSA/Feil Graffiti	Bring our boys back safe
Zone In	Zone In
St Ninians Scottish Episcopal Church	Craft and Friendship Group
Early Intervention	Neurodivergent Parenting Programme
Sunnybank Community Centre Association	Welcome-Learn English in Sunnybank
Middlefield Community Project	MindU, Wellbeing, baby massage and ecotherapy support

Through the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for adults, the Scottish Government has also provided funding to the following organisations to support projects across the Aberdeen City region, which are accessible to people living in the Donside area.

Name of organisation	Project name
Grampian Stroke Club	Two projects, both named Project SING
Time to Heal	Domestic Abuse and Mental Health
Aberdeen Independent Multiple Sclerosis	AIMS Social Inclusion project
Disabled Persons Housing Service Aberdeen	Friendly Ear
Hand of Solace	Elderly Support Service
Team Jak	Jak's Denners Aberdeen
Future Choices	Breaking down the barriers
Create Aberdeen	Tune in music and drumming workshops
The Allotment Market Stall	Growing Healthy - Vegetable Garden Development
Ditch Debt with Dignity	Empowerment & Engagement
PEACE Pet and Companion	Team Expansion
COG (Community Outreach Group)	Don’t Be A Stranger
Mind Store	Mind Store –Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Support
Faceyouth	Mental Health Awareness and Stigma Reduction Initiative (MASRI)
Citymoves Dance Agency	Creative Movement – Dance for Parkinsons.
Aberdeen Action on Disability	Able to Aid
Cultivate Aberdeen	1. Potting Sheds for Patter 2. Volunteer and Community Co-ordinator
Yuva Yoga	Gentle Yoga
Aberdeen SANDS	Supporting bereaved families when their precious baby has died
Befriend a Child	Family Support Project
Grampian Regional Equality Council	GREC Health and Diversity Network
Station House Media Unit	SHMU Wellbeing Project
The Breadmaker	Health and Wellbeing for Adults with learning disabilities
Four Pillars	LGBT+ Outreach Coordinator
One Seed Forward	Community Food Growing
Aberdeen Taexali	Future Proof
Grampian 50+ Network	Getting Together Again - 2022
The Bridge	2022 Bridge 1 Application
TLC Aberdeen	Building a fairer Aberdeen together, free of loneliness & isolation
Avenue	Family Wellbeing Groups
The Leanne Fund	Get Active Aberdeen
The Living Well Project	Living Well Dementia Cafes
Touch of Love Outreach	Elderly Support Service
Aberdeen Science Centre	The Science of Mental Health
Parent Network Scotland	Self-healing and positive mental health - it starts with you!
Sereniti	Relaxation therapy project for parents with children with additional needs
Community Music Action	Future Melodies - A series of music making sessions with local autistic youth in Aberdeen
Aberdeen Women's Alliance	Friday Fun
Aberdeen Care and Repair Group	Care and Repair - Enablement Project
Choices Aberdeen	Creative Therapy and Bereavement Support
Grampian Disability Sport	Inclusive Activity Physical
CALICO (Cancer and Leukaemia In Children Orientated)	Carers Wellbeing
Grampian Hospitals Art Trust	Outside Artroom
Open Road	Fittie Community Choir
Pathways	Powis Pathways to Wellbeing
Citymoves Dance Agency	Dance for Parkinson's
Archway Charitable Trust	1. Covid Recovery & Mental Health Activity Project 2. Caring for Carers Too
Rape Crisis Grampian	Main Service support to Individuals and Group
Cairns Counselling	Volunteer-led mental health support expansion project
Grampian Autistic Society	Social Integration Support for Autistic community in Aberdeen
Mental Health Aberdeen	Your Mental Health Counts
Family Foundations	Family Foundations

Through the Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Supports and Services Framework for children, young people, their families and their carers, Aberdeen City Council’s share of the additional £15m per annum funds the ‘Fit Like?’ Family Wellbeing Hubs.

The service works with families across Aberdeen offering practical and emotional support from its three hubs in Northfield, Torry and Tillydrone, the first of which lies within the Donside constituency.

Organisations and services which work together in the ‘Fit Like?’ Family Wellbeing Hubs include Children 1 st and a range of local authority and NHS services.

Question reference: S6O-01345

Asked by: Jackie Dunbar, MSP for Aberdeen Donside, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 31 August 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 8 September 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how the National Planning Framework 4 will help to address vacant, derelict and abandoned buildings and land, including across Aberdeen city.

Question reference: S6W-10311

Asked by: Jackie Dunbar, MSP for Aberdeen Donside, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 August 2022
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Kevin Stewart on 11 August 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to help employers support good mental health and wellbeing in the workplace.

I have today launched an online employer mental health and wellbeing platform, which provides a single point of access to signpost employers to relevant, reputable and free sources of support. As well as links to guidance and training to help employers support mental wellbeing at work, there are a range of case studies that showcase existing promising practice in organisations across Scotland.

The platform has been developed in collaboration with a wide range of partners, including employer organisations, Trade Unions, Public Health Scotland and mental health charities, and will be hosted on Public Health Scotland’s Healthy Working Lives website. The URL for the platform will be: www.healthyworkinglives.scot/mentalhealth

Question reference: S6W-09966

Asked by: Jackie Dunbar, MSP for Aberdeen Donside, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 July 2022
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Tom Arthur on 21 July 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will report on the outcome of the recent summit meeting of the British-Irish Council in Guernsey.

On 8 July 2022, the First Minister and I represented the Scottish Government at the summit meeting of the British-Irish Council hosted by the Government of Guernsey in St Peter Port. The meeting was attended by Ministers from all eight of the BIC Member Administrations and was chaired by the Chief Minister of Guernsey, Deputy Peter Ferbrache.

The Summit focussed on Collaborative Spatial Planning: The revitalisation of Towns, and included a site visit to a regeneration area of St Peter Port which I attended with fellow Planning Ministers from the BIC member Administrations. I also participated in a meeting of Planning Ministers on the CSP theme ahead of the main summit to discuss the work being carried out in this area in our own jurisdictions.

During the main Summit meeting the Council reflected on the latest political developments, with the First Minister communicating views on the cost of living crisis, the Northern Ireland Protocol and the war in Ukraine.

The Communiqué that was issued by the British-Irish Council after the meeting can be found on its website at: britishirishcouncil.org.

37th British-Irish Council Summit, Government of Guernsey

08 July 2022

Communiqué

The British-Irish Council (BIC) held its 37th Summit meeting today hosted by the Government of Guernsey. The heads of delegation were welcomed by the Chief Minister of the Government of Guernsey, Deputy Peter Ferbrache. Deputy Ferbrache extended a particular welcome to Alfred Cannan MHK who attended his first British-Irish Council Summit as Chief Minister of the Isle of Man. A full list of Ministerial participants is attached.

Latest Political Developments

The Council reflected on the latest political developments across their administrations, and took the opportunity to engage on a number of topics of mutual interest. These included the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the impact of the rising cost of living particularly in the areas of fuel and housing, shared climate and decarbonisation objectives, ongoing relations with the EU, and the continuing challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Cooperation on matters of mutual interest

In advance of the Summit meeting, Ministers with responsibility for collaborative spatial planning met to share best practice across BIC administrations on the contribution of spatial planning to town revitalisation and the decarbonisation agenda. The Council held a further discussion on this topic during the Summit meeting, noting that an opportunity exists to revitalise our towns and make them places where people want to live, do business and spend their leisure time, while delivering on a range of wider outcomes including inclusive development, addressing climate change, supporting green recovery and promoting active and sustainable travel.

The Council also welcomed the recent Ministerial Meeting of the BIC Energy work sector, which considered shared challenges including the threat of climate change, the desire to make greater progress in energy efficiency, and the need to ensure energy security.

The Council took the opportunity to discuss the recent work of the Council across all of its Work Sectors and to take note of the ongoing collaborative work across all administrations. This work includes recent symposia on the topics of “Social Value as a Driver for Social Enterprise” organised by the Social Inclusion work sector, and “Working together to meet the health needs of people experiencing homelessness and substance use issues”, jointly organised by the Housing and Drugs & Alcohol work sectors.

Next Summit Meeting

The Council noted that the next BIC Summit will be hosted by the UK Government.

BIC Secretariat

08 July 2022

List of Ministerial Delegates Government of Guernsey
Chief Minister	Deputy Peter Ferbrache
Minister for the Development & Planning Authority	Deputy Victoria Oliver
Irish Government
Taoiseach	Michel Martin TD
Minister of State for Planning and Local Government	Peter Burke TD
Isle of Man Government
Chief Minister	Alfred Cannan MHK
Minister for the Cabinet Office	Kate Lord-Brennan MHK
Government of Jersey
Chief Minister	John Le Fondré
Minister for External Relations	Ian Gorst
Northern Ireland Executive
Minister for Infrastructure	John O’Dowd MLA
Minister of Finance	Conor Murphy MLA
Scottish Government
First Minister	Rt Hon Nicola Sturgeon MSP
Minister for Public Finance, Planning and Community Wealth	Tom Arthur MSP
UK Government
Minister of State for Northern Ireland	Rt Hon Conor Burns MP
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Northern Ireland Office	Lord Caine
Minister of State for Building Safety and Fire jointly at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and the Home Office	Lord Greenhalgh
Welsh Governmen t
First Minister	Rt Hon Mark Drakeford MS
Minister for Climate Change	Julie James MS

Question reference: S6W-09470

Asked by: Jackie Dunbar, MSP for Aberdeen Donside, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 29 June 2022
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 15 July 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with Aberdeen City Council regarding vacant, derelict and abandoned buildings and land in the (a) council area and (b) Aberdeen Donside constituency.

Scottish Government officials regularly engage with Aberdeen City Council on a wide range of issues which can include vacant, derelict and abandoned buildings and land.

We understand that vacant and derelict land has a detrimental impact on communities however we also recognise that reusing our land and property assets can have many benefits from supporting regeneration, creating jobs and contributing to our efforts against climate change.

The £50m low carbon Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme (VDLIP) complements our existing investment in support of place based regeneration across Scotland, including the Place Based Investment Programme. We are keen for Aberdeen City Council to work with its communities and other partners to develop suitable project proposals and apply to the VDLIP. Officials would be happy to discuss any potential projects.

Question reference: S6W-09629

Asked by: Jackie Dunbar, MSP for Aberdeen Donside, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 01 July 2022
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Mairi McAllan on 4 July 2022

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its consultation document setting out its plans for the next Land Reform Bill.

Question reference: S6O-01284

Asked by: Jackie Dunbar, MSP for Aberdeen Donside, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 June 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 29 June 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how its COVID-19 recovery policies across government are helping to address any COVID-19-related staff shortages across Scottish public sector bodies, including in Aberdeen Donside.

Chamber and committees