Chamber and committees

We are committed to fundingthe Scottish Community and Householder Renewables Initiative (SCHRI), whichpromotes the development of new community and household micro-renewable energyprojects in Scotland.

We are also taking forward anumber of initiatives through the planning system, including the publication ofan annex to Planning Advice Note 45 on Planning for Micro-renewables andreviewing the existing national planning policies and permitted developmentrights.

The Executive recognises theimportance of micro-generation, and the role that this can play in meetingclimate change targets. Linked to the Scottish Energy Efficiency Strategy, adraft of which will be published later this year, the Executive will set out arange of measures to help cut energy related emissions arising from the heatingand lighting of buildings - including micro-generation, local and renewableheat and energy efficiency.

The National Waste Planoutlines our aim to achieve 25% recycling and composting of municipal waste by2006 and 55% by 2020 (35% recycling and 20% composting). A further target of30% recycling and composting by 2008 was introduced in spending review 2004.As the Scottish EnvironmentProtection Agency’s Landfill Allowance Scheme Quarterly Monitoring Returnsshow, we are making good progress towards meeting the 2006 and 2008 recyclingand composting targets. The Scottish Environment and Rural DevelopmentDepartment data can be found on their website at http://www.sepa.org.uk/nws/data/returns.htm.We also remain committed to meeting our 2020 recycling/composting target and tomeeting the targets from the EU Landfill Directive on diverting biodegradablemunicipal waste from landfill in 2010, 2013 and 2020.

Community groups, including religiousand charitable organisations, who are in receipt of a grant from the Scottish Communityand Householders Renewables Initiative (SCHRI) can also receive funding from theSCHRI Energy Efficiency Fund.

The Scottish Executiveprovides development funding to Forward Scotland to further a range of sustainabledevelopment activities. The allocation for 2005-06 is £381,389, reducing to£333,338 in 2006-07. This funding is subject to Executive conditions of grant,including discussion and agreement on the outcomes to be achieved.

This grant funding is madethrough the Sustainable Action Fund. The fund supports sustainable developmentin Scotland in partnership with a wide range of public andprivate sector bodies. Forward Scotland is one of those partners but not to the exclusion ofothers.

Payments are made underSection 153 (1) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Ministers areaccountable to the Scottish Parliament for this expenditure.

Forward Scotlandmanages the Community Environmental Renewal Grant Scheme (CERS) on behalf of the Scottish Executive. The Company was awarded this contract following an opentender exercise. The total allocation for CERS is £4,500,000 spread over2004-07.

Forward Scotland isan independent company with charitable status limited by guarantee. It wasestablished in 1996 with the overall aim of promoting sustainable developmentin Scotland through innovative practical projects andinfluencing policy. Between 1996 and 2004 ministers had a number of powers inrelation to the company, including appointment of the chairperson, control overthe memorandum and articles, ministerial approval of the corporate plan anddetermination of the level of grant-in-aid. The relationship was changed in2004, limiting ministerial involvement to the offer of any grant-in-aid, as setout above.

The company receives fundingfrom a number of organisations, including grant funding that it disburses onbehalf of others. Full details of the income received, the amounts spent onadministration and the company’s programme of work are all detailed in the company’spublished corporate accounts.

I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-24342 on 24 March 2006. All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be foundat: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

I refer the member to the answerto question S2W-24342 on 24 March 2006. All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be foundat: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

I refer the member to the answerto question S2W-24342, answered on 24 March 2006.All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website,the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

I refer the member to the answerto question S2W-24342 on 24 March 2006. All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be foundat http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

I refer the member to the answerto question S2W-24342 on 24 March 2006. All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be foundat: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.