- Asked by: Mr Keith Harding, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 April 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Frank McAveety on 21 June 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive whether (a) any Scottish local authorities have moved, or propose to move, to an "executive and scrutiny" model to replace the committee system in the light of The Report of the Commission on Local Government and The Scottish Parliament; (b) any Scottish Council has sought advice from the Scottish Executive on the way in which education functions should be discharged under the "executive and scrutiny" model given the requirements of section 124 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 (as amended) as to the appointment and full involvement of three persons representing churches and other religions in these decisions, and (c) it has given any advice on the way in which education functions should be discharged under the "executive and scrutiny" model and what that advice was.
Answer
One Scottish local authority has already moved to an executive model and a number of others are developing plans for new policy development and decision-making structures.
It is for individual local authorities to decide how best to discharge their education function within any new structures. One authority has sought advice from the Executive on the requirements of section 124 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 in relation to new structures and was advised that it was necessary to ensure that any new structure complies with the terms of existing legislation.
- Asked by: Mr Keith Harding, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 06 June 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Jack McConnell on 20 June 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the individual members, including their remuneration and expenses, of the Deprivation Review Steering Group, together with the criteria for selecting members of the group, its budget allocation and the number of times it has met so far.
Answer
The membership of the steering group, which I chair, is as follows:
Scottish Executive
Mr Jack McConnell, Minister for Finance
Ms Wendy Alexander, Minister for Communities
Ross Finnie, Minister for Rural Affairs
Mr Tom McCabe, Minister for Parliament
Mr Frank McAveety, Deputy Minister for Local Government
Convention of Scottish Local Authorities
Councillor David Green, Highland Council
Councillor Corrie McChord, Stirling Council
Councillor Rob Murray, Angus Council
Councillor Craig Roberton, Glasgow City Council
The ministerial representatives were nominated by The Scottish Executive. The CoSLA representatives were nominated by the convention. No remuneration or expenses are paid to members and the group has no separate budget.
The steering group has met once, on 5 April. The aim is to complete the review this year, in time for the conclusions to be considered for the 2001-02 local government settlement distribution.
- Asked by: Mr Keith Harding, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 30 May 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Frank McAveety on 19 June 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish, with regard to its Renewing Local Democracy Group, the criteria for selecting the individual members of the group, its budget allocation and details of the number of times it has met so far.
Answer
The Renewing Local Democracy Working Group is a cross-party group representing the four main political parties. The main criteria for selection of its members were their commitment to local government, individual skills and the perspectives they bring to bear on local government.
The budget for the group over its lifetime is £30,100, which includes travel expenses and printing and publication costs. There have been six full meetings of the group since September 1999 together with a number of meetings with local authorities and other bodies.
The group's report will be published before the summer recess.
- Asked by: Mr Keith Harding, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 02 June 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Frank McAveety on 16 June 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive what its policy is on elected provosts.
Answer
The Executive's policy on directly-elected provosts or leaders is being considered as part of the post-McIntosh consultation exercise. Our position will be announced shortly.
- Asked by: Mr Keith Harding, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 31 May 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Wendy Alexander on 14 June 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish, with regard to its Common Housing Registers Steering Group, the criteria for selecting the individual members of the Steering Group, its budget allocation and details of the number of times it has met so far.
Answer
The Scottish Executive invited representatives from the Chartered Institute of Housing, Shelter, Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, CoSLA and Scottish Homes to act as an informal steering group to consider the development of common housing registers. The group has met on three occasions. It does not have a budget allocation.
- Asked by: Mr Keith Harding, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 31 May 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Jackie Baillie on 14 June 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish, with regard to its Strategic Review of Executive Funding to the Black and Ethnic Minority Voluntary Sector, the criteria for selecting the individual members of the review group, its budget allocation and details of the number of times it has met so far.
Answer
Members of the Review Group were selected for their individual expertise and knowledge of the voluntary sector and the topics to be covered by the review. Although the review has not been allocated a specific budget, the Executive will fund any consultancy work required. The group has had one meeting, which took place on 3 May, with a second due to take place at the end of June. Group members are entitled to claim travelling and other expenses if required.
- Asked by: Mr Keith Harding, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 31 May 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Jackie Baillie on 14 June 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish, with regard to its Race Equality Advisory Forum, the criteria for selecting the individual members of the forum, its budget allocation and details of the number of times it has met so far.
Answer
A number of organisations were consulted about the membership of the forum. In deciding on the membership I aimed to balance the experience, skills and backgrounds of the individuals with the need for the membership as a whole to cover the range of interests necessary to make the forum's work a success. I look to individual members of the forum to contribute to the work of the forum so that it can reflect the views of communities and have access to wider networks; and have direct experience and understanding of the needs and experiences of the different minority groups in Scotland.
The forum has met six times now in plenary, and the working groups have met on a number of occasions.
No specific budget has been allocated for the forum; costs incurred are met from the Equality Unit's budget for programmed expenditure.
- Asked by: Mr Keith Harding, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 31 May 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Wendy Alexander on 14 June 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish, with regard to its Single Social Tenancy Working Group, the criteria for selecting the individual members of the Working Group, its budget allocation and details of the number of times it has met so far.
Answer
The Scottish Executive invited representatives from landlord, tenant and housing professional interests to act as an informal steering group for the production of a model single social tenancy agreement. The group has met once so far. It does not have a budget allocation.
- Asked by: Mr Keith Harding, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 31 May 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Jackie Baillie on 14 June 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish, with regard to its Review of Councils for Voluntary Service, the criteria for selecting the individual members of the review group, its budget allocation and details of the number of times it has met so far.
Answer
Members of the Steering Group to consider the Review of Councils for Voluntary Service were selected for their individual expertise and knowledge of the topic to be covered by the review, and their knowledge of the work of the voluntary sector. The group met five times - the final time being in January. Steering group members were entitled to claim travelling and other expenses if required.
- Asked by: Mr Keith Harding, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 30 May 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Jackie Baillie on 13 June 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish, with regard to its Supporting People Stakeholders' Group, the criteria for selecting the individual members of the group, its budget allocation and details of the number of times it has met so far.
Answer
The Supporting People Stakeholders' Group was established in January 2000. The Scottish Council of Voluntary Organisations, the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, Scottish Homes, the Confederation of Scottish Local Authorities, the Scottish Council for the Single Homeless and the Scottish Health Board Managers Group were invited to nominate members. The Scottish Executive laid down no criteria for selection. The group is an advisory group and has no dedicated budget allocation. It has so far met twice on 19 January and 24 March respectively.
