Chamber and committees

Owners are responsible for repairing and maintaining their property but local authorities have broad discretionary powers to provide assistance. Assistance can be provided through advice and guidance, practical help or by financial assistance by way of grants or loans. Any owner can receive assistance, whether or not they are in receipt of income-related social security benefits. Local authorities have the discretion to determine what kinds of assistance are made available in each case on the basis of local priorities and budgets.

Stena Line is due to re-locate from Stranraer to new facilities at Cairnryan in late autumn 2011. This has provided opportunities to improve rail provision to better match local needs. As a result Transport Scotland has asked Scotrail to work on improving the timetable for south west Scotland, including services to and from Stranraer, to deliver improved service frequency and new journey opportunities

The proposed timetable is anticipated to take effect in December 2011.

From April 2009, with the introduction of the Energy Assistance Package, we have for the first time included solid wall insulation and air source heat pumps in the measures available through the fuel poverty programme. We have raised the maximum grant for individual installations under the Energy Assistance Package to £6,500; measures which are of particular benefit to people in rural areas.

We have allocated £25 million this financial year to ensure that area-based home insulation schemes providing free or discounted loft and cavity wall insulation are available in every local authority area in Scotland, including rural locations. The installation of the energy efficiency measures available are leading to reductions in fuel bills of around £50 per annum for householders. In addition, one local authority will use its successful bid for Scottish Government funding under the universal home insulation scheme to connect over 500 village properties to the gas grid.

The Scottish House Condition Survey (SHCS) is the largest single housing research project in Scotland. The survey samples around 3,000 households each year and provides key statistics about the occupied housing stock in Scotland. The survey consists of two parts, a social survey and a physical survey. This allows us to look at the physical condition of Scotland''s homes as well as the experiences of householders.

In 2008 (the latest SHCS data available) 3,015 households were surveyed, 680 of these households were situated in rural areas. Fuel poverty estimates as well as whether the dwelling is on or off the gas grid is available from this survey.

The Access Support team within the Scottish Government are working closely with NHS Ayrshire and Arran to agree arrangements for the treatment of patients who are currently awaiting treatment and to ensure that demand for this service can be appropriately met in the future. I will write to the member when the course of action has been agreed, which I expect to be in the near future.

We were advised of this situation in June by both NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and NHS Ayrshire and Arran and are working with NHS Ayrshire and Arran to put in place alternative arrangements.

The information is not collected centrally.

The Scottish Government''s position is that it understands that East Ayrshire Council is fulfilling its statutory duties and/or exercising its discretion as permitted under the terms of section 51 of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980.

This information is not collected centrally.

The provision of school transport is statutorily, a matter for local authority consideration and decision. The Scottish Government has not had discussions with East Ayrshire Council on its policies.