- Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 June 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Neil Gray on 18 July 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to ensure that paramedics do not work more than six hours without a break.
Answer
Following discussions facilitated by the Scottish Government between the Scottish Ambulance Service and trade unions, a working group has been established to seek to resolve the complex issues surrounding rest break compliance. The group will meet fortnightly, with an oversight group established which includes representation from the Scottish Government. This oversight group will meet regularly to monitor the progress of the working group.
- Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 26 June 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Neil Gray on 18 July 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that Scottish Ambulance Service managers introduce and enforce rotas to enable crew members to take breaks.
Answer
The Scottish Ambulance Service launched its demand and capacity programme in 2019, to ensure they are working as effectively as possible by having the right resources in place to deliver the most appropriate care. This has resulted in the recruitment of an additional 1,388 staff and the introduction of 52 additional ambulances in the first three years. The increase in staffing and resources, coupled with alignment of shift patterns to patient demand profiles, was designed to improve patient safety and staff welfare.
Following discussions facilitated by the Scottish Government between the Scottish Ambulance Service and trade unions, a working group has been established to seek to resolve the complex issues surrounding rest break compliance. The group will meet fortnightly, with an oversight group established which includes representation from the Scottish Government. This oversight group will meet regularly to monitor the progress of the working group.
- Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 26 June 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Neil Gray on 18 July 2025
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports that ambulance workers are regularly required to work through their rest breaks, what action it is taking to ensure that Scottish Ambulance Service crew members can take the rest breaks that they are legally entitled to.
Answer
Following discussions facilitated by the Scottish Government between the Scottish Ambulance Service and trade unions, a working group has been established to seek to resolve the complex issues surrounding rest break compliance. The group will meet fortnightly, with an oversight group established which includes representation from the Scottish Government. This oversight group will meet regularly to monitor the progress of the working group.
- Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 July 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Ivan McKee on 15 July 2025
To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to the planning appeal for the proposed development at Lomond Banks, and in light of it being called in by the Scottish Ministers, whether the proceedings will include any hearings, including on the issue of potential flooding.
Answer
This remains a live appeal, and it would not be appropriate to comment on any specific issues that may be involved in the consideration and decision-making process.
I can assure you that all submitted information and relevant issues will be thoroughly reviewed before a final decision is made. In reaching a decision, Ministers are required by law to have regard to the development plan and to all relevant material factors, including all submissions made by parties involved in the case and all representations made.
- Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 July 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Ivan McKee on 15 July 2025
To ask the Scottish Government whether a new reporter will consider the planning appeal for the proposed development at Lomond Banks, in light of it being called in by the Scottish Ministers.
Answer
A reporter from the Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA) was appointed to examine the proposed development in January 2025 and following our recent recall for ministerial decision on the appeal, will now produce a report to Ministers, with recommendations, instead of the reporter making the final decision.
- Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 17 June 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Ivan McKee on 11 July 2025
To ask the Scottish Government which of its ministers have had discussions with (a) Scottish Enterprise, (b) Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, (c) the Chief Planner, (d) the Chief Reporter, (e) representatives of Flamingo Land Lomond Banks and (f) consultants acting on behalf of Lomond Banks, at any stage of Flamingo Land's interest in a development at Balloch.
Answer
As Planning Minister, I have had discussions with the Chief Planner and the Chief Reporter in respect of the role of Scottish Ministers as part of the decision making process for this appeal and to explain procedures. I have had no discussions with Scottish Enterprise or with the Park Authority or with representatives or consultants of the appellant. At all times, the Scottish Government is mindful of the principles in the Scottish Ministerial Code.
- Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 17 June 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Ivan McKee on 11 July 2025
To ask the Scottish Government whether its ministers or officials have met with any consultants operating on behalf of Flamingo Land Lomond Banks; if so, who these consultants were, and when any such discussions took place.
Answer
I and Scottish Government planning officials have not been involved in any meetings with any consultants operating on behalf of the appellant. At all times, the Scottish Government is mindful of the principles in the Scottish Ministerial Code.
- Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 17 June 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Ivan McKee on 11 July 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether it is appropriate for the Minister for Public Finance to take a decision on the Flamingo Land Lomond Banks planning application at Balloch, in light of the views that he has expressed to the Parliament.
Answer
The Scottish Government considers that it is entirely appropriate. The Scottish Ministerial Code recognises that I am responsible for taking decisions on behalf of Scottish Ministers collectively on planning cases. In responding to questions in the Parliament on 20 May 2025, I pointed to the reporter’s earlier consideration of the appeal and explicitly noted on several occasions that it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the specific details of the case; and I did not do so. A decision will be made in a fair and impartial way which takes into account all relevant legal requirements and maintains the integrity of the planning process.
- Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 17 June 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Ivan McKee on 11 July 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what the anticipated timetable is for ministerial consideration of the Flamingo Land Lomond Banks planning application for the development at Balloch.
Answer
Once Ministers receive a reporter’s report from the Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA), we normally aim to issue decisions on called in applications and recalled appeals within 3 months. The timescale can sometimes increase where there are more complex issues involved.
- Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 17 June 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Ivan McKee on 11 July 2025
To ask the Scottish Government which of its ministers will take the decision on the Flamingo Land Lomond Banks planning application.
Answer
In my role as Planning Minister, I will take the decision on the Lomond Banks planning appeal.