When compiling the invitation list the capacity of the venue, the numbers required for the e-planning launch and the attendee list of the Planning Summit in October 2008 were taken into account. Since it was not possible to have an open invitation we sought to achieve a balance of e-planning representatives, local and national park authorities, agencies, developers, banks, private sector interests, professional organisations, community representatives, and other interest groups involved in planning.

The Scottish Government is committed to improving the planning system by: strengthening the involvement of communities; speeding up decisions; reflecting local views better, and allowing quicker investment decisions. ePlanning is an integral part of this modernisation and culture change and the event on 29 April provided an opportunity to allow key stakeholders to reflect on the progress being made on planning reform and to promote the e-planning launch.

The ePlanning programme contributes to planning modernisation by:

Reducing bureaucracy via the ePlanning Scotland website which will clearly explain the planning process and guide applicants swiftly through the submission of their application.

Increasing consistency across Scotland by providing a standard set of planning application forms and advice for Scotland on the ePlanning Scotland website.

Being more open and transparent, providing more information with an easily accessible 24x7 service for citizens, agents, consultees and businesses. Users will be able to view plans of proposed developments, understand where applications are in the process and provide comments online.

Being more inclusive allowing more individuals, communities and businesses to engage in the development of their neighbourhoods through increased online interaction in the creation of local plans and processing of applications.

This question was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0423-01.htm

The detailed information requested is being sought from police forces and I will write to the member as soon as the information is available. A copy will be placed in the Parliament''s Reference Centre ( Bib number 47921).

 

It is standard practice in most parts of Scotland for the police to notify local licensing boards of any reports that they make to the Procurator Fiscal about offences concerning the sale of alcohol to those under 18.

This position will be strengthened when the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 comes into force on 1 September 2009 as it will require all convictions of premises licence holders and personal licence holders for sales to those under 18 to be notified to the relevant licensing board.

Both the court and the licence holder will be required to notify the licensing board of a relevant conviction. The licensing board may then hold a hearing to decide whether further action should be taken.

This question was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0319-01.htm

This question was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0312-01.htm

As at February 2009, there has been 16 isolates of 078 strain of Clostridium difficile reported, detailed in the following table:

Board	No. of Isolates	Relevant Hospitals
Ayrshire and Arran	4	1 “ Crosshouse Hospital, Kilmarnock 1 “ Biggart Hospital, Prestwick 2 “ Community based (from GP samples)
Fife	2	1 - Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy 1 - Queen Margaret Hospital, Dunfermline
Grampian	1	1 - Aberdeen Royal Infirmary
Greater Glasgow and Clyde	4	1 - Southern General Hospital 1 - Stobhill Hospital 1 - Victoria Infirmary 1 “ Royal Alexandra Hospital, Paisley
Highland	1	1 - Belford Hospital, Fort William
Lothian	2	1 “ Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh 1 “ Royal Victoria Hospital
Tayside	2	1 “ Ninewells Hospital, Dundee 1 “ Perth Royal Infirmary
Total	16

 

To better target the fuel poor, since 22 May 2008 central heating systems were made available to applicants who fall into the priority groups announced by the Cabinet Secretary on 22 May 2008 and again on 18 October 2008. On 22 May the priority group was those who have never had a central heating system; those who have a system which is broken beyond repair and are aged 80 or over; and those who have a system which is broken beyond repair and are aged 60 to 79 and in receipt of the guarantee element of pension credit.

On 18 October the Cabinet Secretary announced that from 27 October the priority group would be widened to include those who have never had a central heating system; those who have a system which is broken beyond repair and are aged 75 or over; those who have a system which is broken beyond repair and are aged 60 to 74 and in receipt of the guarantee element of pension credit, and those who have a partial or inefficient system and are in receipt of the guarantee element of pension credit or are aged 80 or over.

Applicants aged 60 to 74 and not in receipt of the guarantee element of pension credit are not in a priority group.

Only applicants in the priority groups announced on 22 May 2008 and again on 18 October 2008, have gone on to receive a central heating system under the programme.