- Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Tuesday, 15 February 2000
-
Current Status:
Answered by Jack McConnell on 29 February 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received from East Ayrshire Council in respect of its revenue support grant for 2000-01.
Answer
I have discussed local government finance with the leadership of East Ayrshire Council, including revenue support grant for 2000-2001.
- Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Tuesday, 15 February 2000
-
Current Status:
Answered by Jack McConnell on 29 February 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive to provide a breakdown of the Special Deprivation Allowance by local authority for the current financial year and each of the next two years.
Answer
We agreed with CoSLA that special deprivation payments for 2000-01 should be targeted, as follows, at those councils experiencing higher levels of deprivation: Clackmannanshire (£0.13 million), Dundee City (£1.6 million), East Ayrshire (£1.1 million), Eilean Siar (£0.17 million), City of Glasgow (£8.7 million), Inverclyde (£0.9 million), North Ayrshire (£1.2 million), North Lanarkshire (£2.9 million), Renfrewshire (£1.4 million), South Lanarkshire (£1.5 million) and West Dunbartonshire (£1.0 million).The payments are for 2000-01 only, pending the completion of a review of the account taken of indicators of deprivation and poverty within the local government finance distribution system.
- Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Tuesday, 15 February 2000
-
Current Status:
Answered by Jim Wallace on 29 February 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to facilitate the use of police checks by vulnerable groups and individuals employing care assistants and other types of assistants.
Answer
Part V of the Police Act 1997 provides for extended access to criminal record checks. New certificates, which will be available next year, will be phased in. Our first priority is to improve child protection and the highest level of check, the Enhanced Criminal Record Certificate (ECRC), will initially be for those regularly caring for, training, supervising or being in sole charge of children. We intend to extend these checks to those caring for vulnerable adults. Applications for ECRCs will have to be countersigned by a registered body, so it will not be possible for an individual to obtain this level of check for care assistants or others. Registration is essential to protect the use of sensitive information. Under Part V, individuals will be able to apply for Criminal Conviction Certificates (CCC) which will contain details of any unspent convictions. Those employing care assistants will be able to ask to see a copy of their CCC although the information will not be as comprehensive as that on the ECRCs.
- Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Friday, 11 February 2000
-
Current Status:
Answered by Sarah Boyack on 29 February 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive when it intends to make a detailed response to the recommendations of the UK Raptor Working Group and to provide details of any bilateral discussions it has had or is planning to have with interested parties prior to issuing its own response.
Answer
I refer Mr Neil to my answer to question S1W-4163 in which I indicated that I had asked SNH for advice on the recommendations obtained in the UK Raptor Working Group Report and how they might be implemented in Scotland. The Scottish Executive has not held bilateral discussions on the report with interested parties, but I have asked SNH to consult relevant interests before offering advice.
- Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Friday, 11 February 2000
-
Current Status:
Answered by Sarah Boyack on 29 February 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it or any of its agencies have any plans to commission or undertake scientific studies on possible means of reducing predation on racing pigeons.
Answer
There are no such plans at present. I have, however, asked SNH for advice on the recommendations contained in the UK Raptor Working Group Report, including the recommendation that scientific studies be undertaken on the range of possible means of reducing predation on racing pigeons.
- Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Friday, 11 February 2000
-
Current Status:
Answered by Sarah Boyack on 25 February 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider bringing forward the Fenwick to Floak section of the proposed A77 upgrade.
Answer
As I made clear in my announcement on the outcome of the Strategic Roads Review, the upgrading of the A77 between Malletsheugh and Fenwick will be undertaken as a single project and to the fastest timetable possible.
- Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Friday, 11 February 2000
-
Current Status:
Answered by Sarah Boyack on 25 February 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive what its current estimate is of the likely vesting day for the A77 upgrade between Fenwick and Malletsheugh and for the proposed Glasgow Southern Orbital Road project.
Answer
Provided there are no objections to the Compulsory Purchase Orders which were published on 29 December, officials expect to conclude vesting for the land currently identified for the M77 later this year. The vesting date for the Glasgow Southern Orbital Road project will be a matter for East Renfrewshire Council and South Lanarkshire Council, the 2 local authorities promoting that project.
- Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Friday, 11 February 2000
-
Current Status:
Answered by Sarah Boyack on 25 February 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive what the current status is of the proposed upgrade of the A77 between Fenwick and Malletsheugh in respect of the planning and other statutory procedures which require to be undertaken prior to commencement and whether it will provide a detailed breakdown of the sequence of activities between now and the issuing of invitations to tender for the construction contract.
Answer
The following orders for the M77 scheme were made on 17 December 1999:
The M77 Special Road (Fenwick to Floak) Special Road Scheme 1999
The M77 Special Road (Fenwick to Floak) Side Roads Order 1999
The M77 Special Road (Fenwick to Floak) (Supplementary) Side Roads Order 1999
The M77 Special Road (Fenwick to Floak) Side Roads (No.2) Order 1999
The M77 Special Road (Fenwick to Floak) Appropriation Order 1999
The M77 Special Road (Fenwick to Floak) Compulsory Purchase Order 1999
The M77 Special Road (Floak to Malletsheugh) Special Road Scheme 1999
The M77 Special Road (Floak to Malletsheugh) Side Roads Order 1999
The M77 Special Road (Floak to Malletsheugh) Appropriation Order 1999
The M77 Special Road (Floak to Malletsheugh) Compulsory Purchase Order 1999
The following orders will be made shortly:
The M77 Special Road (Fenwick to Floak) Extinguishment of Public Rights of Way Order 2000
The A77 Trunk Road (Fenwick to Floak) de-trunking Order 2000
The M77 Special Road (Floak to Malletsheugh) Extinguishment of Public Rights of Way Order 2000
The A77 Special Road (Floak to Malletsheugh) de-trunking Order 2000 The main activities remaining are minor adjustments to the design to take account of changes to farm accesses, drainage and landscaping. These changes are likely to result in supplementary side road and land orders. The preparation of the tender document will follow, with ground investigation and archaeological investigations to be undertaken. My officials are working to a programme to invite tenderers to submit bids for a Design Build Finance and operate (PPP) contract in Spring 2001 with a view to a contract being awarded in Spring 2002. Design and construction work will be undertaken in advance of the main contract to provide replacement holes at Eastwood Golf Course.
- Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Friday, 11 February 2000
-
Current Status:
Answered by Sarah Boyack on 25 February 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive when it intends to publish the environmental study for the Floak to Malletsheugh section of the proposed A77 upgrade.
Answer
The Executive keeps in regular contact with Treasury on a range of reserved issues which affect Scottish interests.
- Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Friday, 11 February 2000
-
Current Status:
Answered by Sarah Boyack on 25 February 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive what its current assessment is of the viability of a public-private partnership for the proposed A77 upgrade between Fenwick and Malletsheugh.
Answer
I refer Mr Neil to my answer to question S1W-2395.
