Chamber and committees

We initially sent out over 1,500 documents to a range of private and public individuals and organisations including all MSPs, Council leaders, Chief Executives, secondary schools and libraries. We subsequently received requests for additional copies and the final number of consultation papers sent out is 1,830. While the formal response to the document has been low, I am encouraged by the interest there has been in the document. As the Parliament only took up its powers on 1 July, timescales for consultation were limited this year and this will have affected the level of response. I will consider the timing and presentation of the exercise when we consult again next year.I will place copies of the responses to the consultation paper in SPICe.

The Final Report of the Best Value Task Force was published on Friday 10 December. It makes a number of recommendations about the development of Best Value in Scotland.Since the introduction of Best Value after the 1997 general election, local government has put real effort into delivering services which put the needs of their customers and communities first. Every local authority in Scotland has declared its commitment to Best Value, encouraging a performance culture and local accountability.The Scottish Executive shares those aims, which are central to the modernisation agenda for central and local government. Ministers have already declared the intention to continue the moratorium on CCT in order to encourage progress.The Executive is happy to consider ALL the recommendations in the report. Local authorities do a great deal of good work, and we share their commitment to wanting to do even better.Copies of the report have been placed in SPICe and the report is also available on the Scottish Executive website. With this report, the Task Force has discharged its remit and its work is done.

Both councils have responded. They have begun to address the financial failures in their DLO and DSO. I am not therefore proposing to take any formal action at this stage. I have asked my officials to clarify a number of points with each council so that I can be fully satisfied that they will achieve their objectives of efficient and effective service delivery.

The information requested has been placed in SPICe.

The Executive is responding today to the Committee's report and copies are available to members in the Document Supply Centre.

I have to-day written to the Convener of the Rural affairs Committee announcing our plans for the detailed implementation of the Agenda 2000 CAP reform package and outlining our proposals for further consultation on the Rural Development Regulation and on the possible introduction of a scheme involving modulation of direct farm subsidies. A copy of this letter has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe).

Following discussions in Brussels, which involved the European Commission, French Government and UK Government, including Scottish Executive representatives, a document has been prepared which enables the French Government to reconsider its original decision not to allow DBES beef into France. I understand that the French Food Safety Agency will consider this matter shortly.The Executive has arranged for copies of the Commission document to be available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe).

The Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment is publishing its report today.

This is a comprehensive report which addresses the concerns which have been expressed about the safety or organophosphate compounds. The statutory advisory committees, that is the Veterinary Products Committee, the Advisory Committee on Pesticides and the Committee on Safety of Medicines, have already been asked to consider urgently the implications of the report. Their advice will be published as soon as possible.I have arranged for copies of the COT Report to be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe).

It is clear from the responses to the consultation paper on Land Use Planning under a Scottish Parliament that while there is no major public outcry for massive change to the main elements of the planning system, there is equally no room for complacency about the effectiveness of the system. The overwhelming conclusion I draw is that priority should be given to make the system work better than it does at present.The main criticisms are that it is too slow, too bureaucratic and too negative. Those views were aired in the responses to the consultation paper and have come from a number of other quarters in recent months. In particular, from the construction industry, the retail sector and the financial sector in the Pathfinders to Parliament report where the need for greater vision in planning and speeding up planning decisions was strongly highlighted. Some of the criticisms are justified and we need to address them.The basic components of the system are in place but they need to work more efficiently and effectively. I should make it clear that, while I do not intend to disturb the arrangements for structure and local plans, that does not mean that I will turn a deaf ear to credible alternative proposals. But they must go beyond aims and aspirations. They must command widespread support and they must be workable.We need to change the perception of planning and the performance of the system and I propose to address this. As Planning Minister I intend to play my part in ensuring that the Scottish Executive plays a full part in re-energising the planning systemLocal authorities have a key responsibility too. So do others, including the private sector and the key agencies who need to be more active in the process at an early stage. It seems to me that the development industry uses up too much energy opposing policies in development plans rather than constructively contributing to policy development at an early stage to ensure that policies are right first time. I urge the private sector and local authorities to work in partnership to create long-term development frameworks. It is a process in which local communities should also be fully involved. We need to work together.I want planning to be positive. I want it to be seen as a service and activity that is recognised as much for its enabling role as for its regulatory function. It needs to earn that recognition by demonstrating not just Best Value but added value.I am today announcing new measures at the annual conference of the Scottish branch of the Royal Town Planning Institute. I have placed copies of my speech in SPICe but the following is a summary of the main changes I am introducing:

• new arrangements for preparing National Planning Policy Guidelines (NPPGs), to ensure more openness, transparency and inclusion. As part of the new approach, we will announce our intention to prepare or revise NPPGs in advance.
• our immediate priority is to start by revising NPPG1 on the planning system and NPPG6 on renewable energy.
• action to reduce the 12 month target for Scottish Ministers to approve structure plans.

• the need for clearer long-term vision in structure plans.

• that I am looking at introducing timetables for local and structure plan preparation etc.

• that the focus of the Planning Audit Unit's work with councils will move to development planning

• the production, jointly with COSLA, of a training manual and code of conduct for councillors; and

• our intention to prepare an "easy read" guide to the planning system

I believe that these measures when taken together will, over time, help to make the system work better. I look to others, however, to play their part as well. I will be keeping a close eye on developments and will act if I do not see appropriate improvements.

Future spending plans are given in the Finance Consultation Paper published today by the Minister for Finance. This proposes grant-in-aid of £17.3 million for SEPA in 2000-01 and £17.8 million in 2001-02. This provision, together with income from charging schemes, will allow SEPA to regulate industrial emissions effectively, co-ordinate implementation of a National Waste Strategy and improve the quality of Scotland's water environment.