Chamber and committees

Local authorities set up and manage most country parks using their powers under Section 48 of the Countryside (Scotland) Act 1967. These parks are non-statutory designations that enable local authorities to establish areas for public access and enjoyment of the countryside.

The Scottish Government’s policy towards local authorities’ spending is to allow local authorities the financial freedom to operate independently. As such, the vast majority of funding is provided by means of a block grant. It is then the responsibility of individual local authorities to manage their own budgets and to allocate the total financial resources available to them, including on open spaces and countryside amenities, on the basis of local needs and priorities, having first fulfilled their statutory obligations and the jointly agreed set of national and local priorities. Ultimately, it is for locally elected representatives to make local decisions on how best to deliver services to their local communities.

In July 2021 we launched the Nature Restoration Fund, which provides additional funding for nature restoration projects to deliver significant improvements in biodiversity. The Nature Restoration Fund makes grants available through two main strands, including the Edinburgh Process strand, which provides direct allocations to Local Authorities. The Edinburgh Process strand is delivered through the General Capital Grant scheme to Local Authorities and is monitored through reports direct to the Scottish Government.

The NRF has already provided over £33 million directly allocated to Local Authorities and the National Parks to develop and deliver projects locally. Some examples of projects funded through the Edinburgh Process strand are outlined in an interim evaluation of the NRF available here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/interim-evaluation-nature-restoration-fund/documents/

There are 40 country parks in Scotland. Local authorities set up and manage most country parks using their powers under Section 48 of the Countryside (Scotland) Act 1967, though the National Trust for Scotland manages Brodick and Culzean. These parks are non-statutory designations that enable local authorities to establish areas for public access and enjoyment of the countryside, and as such, some private landowners also use the country park name. You can find out more about individual country parks using the NatureScot guide: Find a country park | NatureScot

The Scottish Government’s long-held position, which mirrors the UK Government’s, is that it does not regard it as appropriate to engage in public comment in respect of live court proceedings. That is different from saying that the position is that Scottish Government cannot comment or is prevented from commenting generally on live litigation, although there will be cases in which the Contempt of Court Act 1981 is engaged to that effect - and additionally cases in which there are legal prohibitions that must be adhered to - to ensure there is no risk of impediment or prejudice to the proceedings. In all cases, the Scottish Government is mindful of the obligation to uphold the independence of the judiciary.

The Scottish Government is asked why it is choosing not to comment on this particular litigation. The answer to that applies to the Scottish Government’s approach to all live litigation. The appropriate forum for discussions on matters live before the court is in the court and that ensures that the proper respect is afforded to the judiciary and also to the litigants.

I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:

As explained in the answer to S6W-42080; as a public body we must uphold our statutory obligation to ensure everyone in our care has their personal information protected. Given that the 21 transgender people in our custody represent only 0.3% of the total prison population, we are unable to provide any further disaggregation of this data into which estate they are held in as there is a potential risk of identification of individuals due to the very small numbers involved.

You are aware of the current trans policy as set out in S6W-42080 ensures that no trans woman with a risk of violence against women and girls is placed in the female estate and that the relevant data on trans prison numbers is part of the data we publish on a quarterly basis, the last of which can be found here.

Scottish Ministers and civil servants involved in handling the Lomond Banks recalled appeal have not held any meetings with representatives of Lomond Banks regarding this appeal. The Scottish Government conducts its planning casework responsibilities in accordance with the principles set out in the Scottish Ministerial Code.

Scottish Ministers are giving full and proper consideration to the Reporter’s findings and recommendation on the Lomond Banks recalled appeal. The final decision will be issued as soon as possible. Updates will be published on the Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA) website: Scottish Government - DPEA - Case Details.

It is for NHS Boards to assess and fund the sexual health needs and required care of their population and ensure trauma-informed approach to care within services. Details of all sexual health services can be found on NHS Inform.

If someone attends a Sexual Assault Response Coordination Service (SARCS) they will have their immediate sexual health needs met there, including, for example, emergency contraception and post-exposure prophylaxis. SARCS will then make a direct referral to a sexual health clinic for their follow up care if required. Some Boards also offer services such as fast-track pathways and at-home sexual health testing, which may be more accessible.

Scottish Ministers received the reporter’s report from the Planning and Environmental Appeals Division on 9 September 2025. Following receipt of the report, no additional information has been sought by Scottish Ministers.

The Scottish Government accepts the judgment of the Supreme Court. It is the responsibility of employers and service providers to interpret and comply with the Equality Act 2010, and for the regulator - the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) - to enforce the Act.

Since its establishment in April 2025, the Working Group has met on 30 April, 13 May, 29 May, 17 June, 31 July, 14 August, 28 August, 11 September, 25 September, 9 October, 23 October, 6 November, 20 November and 4 December.