Chamber and committees

This government remains fully committed to replacing the unfair council tax with a fairer tax based on ability to pay. Legislation will now be brought forward following elections in 2011.

There are already a number of measures available to encourage the uptake of microgeneration and energy efficiency technologies including:

Energy Saving Scotland advice centres;

Carbon Emission Reduction Target which subsidises energy efficiency measures;

Recent changes to permitted development to allow a wider range of microgeneration technologies to be fitted without the need for planning permission;

The introduction of the Home Report including an Energy Performance Certificate and an Energy Report with recommendations for measures to improve the energy performance of a home;

Grants for microgeneration technologies through the Scottish Community and Householder Renewables initiative;

The introduction of the new Energy Assistance Package from April 2009, and

The recent Budget announcement of £15 million of new money for an area-based Home Insulation Scheme.

Marine Scotland will lead on measures to achieve good environmental status in Scottish waters and we believe there are benefits in integrating within the same organisation lead responsibility relating to policy, science and delivery arrangements for marine nature conservation across Scotland''s seas. That will allow informed and, where appropriate, balanced decisions to be taken on marine nature conservation alongside other issues.

Marine Scotland will continue to consider advice from Scottish Natural Heritage and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee on marine nature conservation issues, as appropriate.

Legislation is not required to establish Marine Scotland. The Marine Bill will create new functions for Scottish ministers, which Marine Scotland will deliver on their behalf.

There is wide support for the establishment of such a body and for the improved marine management arrangements it will deliver. Awaiting the passage of the Marine Bill would have meant substantive delay in establishing new delivery arrangements. Establishing Marine Scotland now means it can begin to integrate existing functions and resources and prepare for new functions once the bill is enacted. It also has the benefit of ending uncertainty for the staff involved and others.

Marine conservation will be a key priority for Marine Scotland and conservation priorities and objectives will be articulated through the National Marine Plan.

As part of the Scottish Government, Marine Scotland will take direction, where appropriate, from Scottish ministers and will be responsible directly to them for its activities and decisions. There will be appropriate safeguards in relation to transparency of appeals, enforcement and science.

No responses to the Sustainable Seas for All consultation have been amended in person since the consultation closed.

No. These issues fall to be considered currently by the Scottish Government or its agencies, or are new functions we believe are appropriate for Marine Scotland. Integrating responsibility for them within a single organisation will mean that it can bring to bear the necessary range of experience and expertise and make informed and, where appropriate, balanced judgements and decisions about issues.

We will also be introducing appropriate safeguards to ensure robust and transparent arrangements “ for example, a Science Advisory Board to assure the quality and independence of science and appeals mechanisms with an independent element. Enforcement arrangements will involve an appropriate degree of separation and accountability arrangements to ensure they are robust and defensible.

Marine Scotland will take an overarching responsibility for marine management, including through the development of a marine planning framework and national marine plan, and allowing the development of local/regional plans. These will reflect strategic priorities, including in relation to the development of marine renewable energy sources.

Integrating the range of policy, planning, science and other functions within Marine Scotland means that it can bring to bear the necessary range of experience, expertise and policy interests and promote achievement of our key strategic aims in an informed and authoritative way. As part of Scottish Government, it will also be well placed to work with policy colleagues elsewhere in the Scottish Government, its agencies and local government. This sort of integrated approach would be more difficult under a non-departmental public body.

No. These issues both fall to be considered currently by Scottish Government and related agencies.