Questions and answers

Question reference: S6W-13033

Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 09 December 2022
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 20 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how many local planning authorities raised concerns about future drive-through developments during the public consultation period on the draft fourth National Planning Framework (NPF4) from 10 November 2021 to 31 March 2022.

There were no specific questions on drive-through developments in the consultation on Draft NPF4. Despite that, five local authorities directly referenced drive-throughs in their responses to Question 45, which related to ensuring Scotland’s places will support low carbon living and for people to live well locally. Several of these responses supported the policy approach towards drive-through developments.

Most authorities made broader comments strongly supporting the town centre first principle and limiting out of town development. Other respondents raised particular issues about drive-throughs, including suggestions that their development must be limited to prevent the cumulative effects of carbon emissions by vehicles.

Question reference: S6W-13028

Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 09 December 2022
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 20 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential economic impact of Policy 27, part (d) in the revised fourth National Planning Framework (NPF4).

Question reference: S6W-13030

Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 09 December 2022
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 20 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the late inclusion of Policy 27, part (d) in the revised fourth National Planning Framework (NPF4), what its reasoning is for not consulting further with industry.

Policy 27 (d) represents a strengthening and restructuring of the policy consulted on in Draft NPF4. In the Draft NPF4 (Policy 26(a)), we consulted on restricting drive-throughs in out of town locations and, in response to what consultees told us and through our broader strategy of transitioning to net zero, the policy has been restructured in a more tightly worded policy in the Revised Draft. The changes maintain the policy intent, while reflecting responses to the consultation. Given this and the extent of engagement, consultation and scrutiny already undertaken, and the fact that we are engaging further, and will continue to do so as we enter the delivery phase of NPF4, no further consultation was required.

Question reference: S6W-13032

Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 09 December 2022
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 20 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what evidence it has to support specifically limiting drive-through facilities above and beyond other development proposals including commercial leisure uses, offices, community and cultural facilities.

The policy position reflects our commitment to climate change and a town centre first approach, which includes the policy principle of limiting out of town development. The consultation analysis noted that some respondents raised particular issues about drive-throughs, including suggestions that their development must be limited to prevent the cumulative effects of carbon emissions by vehicles. This reflects the need to deliver a cut to carbon emissions by car, as well as reduce kilometres travelled by car by 20% by 2030, in line with wider Scottish Government policies and commitments. On this basis, a strengthened approach has been taken to promote a plan-led approach to drive-through developments.

Question reference: S6W-13034

Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 09 December 2022
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 20 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to publish more information on how the fourth National Planning Framework (NPF4) can be amended in future, and what that process will include.

Subject to Parliamentary approval, NPF4 will be adopted by Ministers in early 2023. Regulations and guidance on local development plans will be introduced to support delivery and the Planning, Infrastructure and Place Advisory Group will be established to oversee and advise on the delivery of the spatial strategy, national developments and national planning policy.

Information on legislation to enable amendments to be made to NPF4, and to set the process for making amendments, will be published in due course.

Question reference: S6W-13029

Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 09 December 2022
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 20 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the late inclusion of Policy 27, part (d) in the revised fourth National Planning Framework (NPF4), whether it considered any need to consult further with industry, in light of the change from the initial consultation and in line with section 3CA, part (5) of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997.

Consideration was given to the need for consultation in line with section 3CA, part (5), however, further consultation was not required because the changes respond to views received whilst remaining consistent with the original proposals and intent of the earlier draft NPF4.

In relation to Policy 27 (d), the changes represent a strengthening of the policy consulted on in Draft NPF4, not a late inclusion. In the Draft NPF4 (Policy 26(a)), we consulted on restricting drive-throughs in out of town locations and, in response to what consultees told us and through our broader strategy of transitioning to net zero, the policy has been restructured in the Revised Draft version of NPF4. This strengthened policy gives greater focus for local development plans to identify when this type of development might be appropriate. We continue to engage with industry and other stakeholders and interests to raise awareness and provide assurance on all aspects of NPF4.

Question reference: S6O-01716

Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 December 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 22 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the letter it received from the Grampian Local Medical Committee stating that “General Practice continues to be scapegoated as a profession in order to mask the failings of the Scottish Government”.

Question reference: S6W-12419

Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 21 November 2022
Current Status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 7 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how many jobs have been created in renewables in each of the last five years, broken down by local authority area.

Scotland’s green jobs revolution is underway and a recent report from the Universities of Strathclyde and Warwick provided an initial estimate that up to 100,000 roles are ‘new and emerging’ green jobs in Scotland. Although the researchers regard this as an upper estimate, it is encouraging to see a strong greening of jobs in Scotland.

ONS are also exploring a methodology of measuring green jobs separately. They have launched a consultation and expect to produce estimates around mid-2023.

Statistics from the ONS Low Carbon and Renewable Energy Economy (LCREE) survey provide estimates of renewable FTE employment statistics in Scotland. No data is available to provide additional geographic breakdowns below the Scotland level at present.

As the flowing table shows, for the 5-years 2016-2020 (latest data available), the estimates of direct jobs in renewable electricity increased from 5,000 to 6,800, an increase of 36% over the period.

Full-time equivalent staff directly employed within the LCREE
	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020
Total	5,000	5,600	5,400	5,200	6,800

As these estimates are subject to uncertainty, due to the relatively small sample size, the level of increases during the period are not statistically significant. Therefore, this data shows that direct FTE employment in renewables in Scotland has remained relatively stable over the period.

Other estimates of FTE employment in the renewable electricity sector exist, such as those used in the linked 2022 study by Fraser of Allander Institute (totalling 27,000 in 2020), however these do not include a historical time series, and they also include indirect and induced employment estimates. The FAI study does however use the LCREE estimates for direct FTE figures.

The-Economic-Impact-of-Scotlands-Renewable-Energy-Sector1-1.pdf (fraserofallander.org)

Question reference: S6O-01659

Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 November 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 7 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government when it expects police officer numbers to be restored to the previous target of 17,234 officers.

Question reference: S6W-11856

Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 November 2022
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 18 November 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what the purpose was of any financial assistance that it, or its agencies, provided to Stoneywood Mill pre-2022.

Arjowiggins has in the past received SE loans totalling £12m, equity investment of £100,000 and grant funding totalling £163,400.

Breakdown of funding:

£ 12m loans and £100,000 equity* :

£7m loan/equity in July 2019 to support the management buy-out of the company (comprised of £6.9m loan and £100,000 equity investment)
£3.5m loan in July 2020 as gap funding required due to Covid-19 impacts
£1.6m loan in January 2022 to help the company mitigate numerous cost pressures (material costs, energy costs and Covid-19 impacts)
*PLUS £4,000.091 accrued interest to date (as of September 2022)
£163,400 in grants (all conditions met so not eligible for claw-back):
£125,000 environmental aid for predevelopment work on Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant replacement projects
£16,000 towards an energy efficiency audit
£5,000 Financial Readiness grant (pre MBO) to help fund financial projections and investment appraisals for a combined heat and power energy plant on the site.
£14,808 Workplace Innovation grant (pre MBO) to assist the company with the introduction of a management development programme following a senior management team restructure.
£2,592 consultancy support (pre-MBO) to explore succession options and explore the feasibility of employee ownership

Chamber and committees