Chamber and committees

There have been 4,230 applications to the single farm payment national reserve. The processing of the applications has started. Where possible, the aim is to inform farmers by 16 May 2005 of the result of their application, where that has an impact on their land holding. The target is to complete the processing of the applications by 31 July 2005. This completion date has been discussed with stakeholders.

There has been no formal assessment of satisfaction. However, the appeals secretariat gains informal feedback by speaking to appellants who have appeared in person at a review. Most appellants have expressed satisfaction about the thoroughness of the procedure although understandably those whose appeal is rejected feel dissatisfied at the outcome.

For the past few years, the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department has undertaken a Customer Satisfaction Survey to gauge satisfaction levels with its administration of grant and subsidy schemes. The latest survey was undertaken in February this year and early indications are that overall satisfaction levels remain very high.

The EU Agricultural subsidies appeals procedure became operational in November 2000. The information requested is set out in the following tables. In stage 2 appeals the external panel make a recommendation to me with findings.

Number of Appeals Lodged

	Stage 1	Stage 2
2000	17	0
2001*	84	16
2002*	271	32
2003	252	45
2004	120	5
2005	116	0

 

The Number of Appeals Upheld By Panel

	Internal	External
2000	0	0
2001	12	1
2002	18	5
2003	15	0
2004	4	0

Note: *Coverage of Agri Environment Schemes was added in June 2001. Figures in 2001 were low due to foot-and-mouth disease. This resulted in an upsurge in 2002.

In addition some appeals were resolved outwith the panel setting.

Stage 3 (Scottish Land Court Hearings Lodged):

2003: 3

2004: 2

2005: 2.

Decisions not yet taken for these cases, with the exception of one case settled out of court.

There was a formal consultation period with the agricultural industry between 28 April 2004 and 21 June 2004. Subsequently, there have been regular meetings with relevant organisations in the form of the single farm payment implementation advisory group. There were also, road shows targeted at advisors, consultants and the relevant organisations in autumn 2004 and April 2005.

The Scottish Executive consulted with the NFU Scotland and other organisations about whether to go for a historic or area-based system of awarding entitlements after the reforms to the CAP were announced in 2003. The historic system means that subsidy is based on historic claims rather than land held. There was a consensus in favour of the historic system, which allows farmers to adjust to decoupling and avoids redistributive effects. Since then there has been consultation on the operation of the National Reserve, with the result that arrangements have been made to enable new entrants to farming during the transitional period to apply for entitlements.

The programme to eliminatemixed-sex accommodation will be complete at the end of May when all wards inthe Royal Edinburgh Hospital comply with Scottish Executive guidance. Infuture, NHS Quality Improvement Scotland’s clinical governance reviews will checkthat local arrangements to safeguard the privacy and dignity of patients are inplace. Any evidence that the privacy and dignity of patients is beingcompromised will be followed up proactively.

The prevalence rate in Scotland in2003 was 1,631.9 per 100,000 population. Robust international comparisons arenot available, but more information on rates in Western Europe can be found onthe World Health Organization Health for All database:www.data.euro.who.int/hfadb.

I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland, to respond. Her response is as follows:

Heating bills may increase after installation of a new central heating system on the programme, but these increases must be viewed alongside the increase in heat and warmth in the property that a new central heating system affords. And, when a new central heating system is installed the property is eligible to receive all the available insulation measures from loft insulation, cavity fill, pipe and tank insulation, draughtproofing and low energy lightbulbs.

We would encourage recipients of assistance on the central heating programme, who are concerned about their fuel bills, to contact the Executive to discuss their concerns. They may also be advised to contact Energywatch to establish whether they are paying a competitive price for their fuel.

I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland, to respond. Her response is as follows:

Eaga Partnership Ltd, which administers the central heating programme on behalf of the Executive, provides energy advice to all applicants on the programme before and after their new central heating systems are installed. This advice, provided by trained assessors, comprises: comparisons of the central heating systems available on the programme, advice on different fuel tariffs and suppliers, practical help for effective use of the system and energy saving tips to reduce fuel costs.

I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland, to respond. Her response is as follows:

The technical specification for the central heating programme requires that all new oil-fired boilers installed on the programme have a Seasonal Efficiency of Domestic Boilers in the UK (SEDBUK) rating of at least 80%. This is comparable with the specification requirement that all new gas boiler have a SEDBUK seasonal efficiency rating of at least 78%. The oil boilers available on the Programme have a maximum SEDBUK rating of 85.7%, comparable with gas boilers that have a maximum SEDBUK rating of 82.1%.