Questions and answers

Question reference: S4W-02929

Asked by: Michael McMahon, MSP for Uddingston and Bellshill, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 26 September 2011
Current Status: Answered by Alasdair Allan on 17 October 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive when it introduced modern apprenticeships at SVQ level 2.

Question reference: S4W-02930

Asked by: Michael McMahon, MSP for Uddingston and Bellshill, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 26 September 2011
Current Status: Answered by Alasdair Allan on 17 October 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive how many SVQ level 2 courses are currently recognised as modern apprenticeships.

A modern apprenticeship framework consists of a competency based qualification, such as an SVQ, and Core Skills at an appropriate level. It may also include additional mandatory or optional enhancements, depending on the job role.

As at the 3 October 2011 there were 33 modern apprenticeship frameworks that contained a competency based qualification at SVQ level 2 or equivalent, 59 modern apprenticeship frameworks that contained a competency based qualification at SVQ level 3 or equivalent, nine modern apprenticeship frameworks that contained a competency based qualification at SVQ level 4 or equivalent and four modern apprenticeship frameworks that contained a competency based qualification at SVQ level 5 or equivalent.

59% of new starts in 2010-11 were on apprenticeship frameworks that contained a competency based qualification at SVQ level 3 or equivalent.

To view these frameworks please follow the attached link:

http://www.alliancescotland.org/ModernApprenticeships/MAFrameworks/MAFrameworks.aspx.

Question reference: S4W-02826

Asked by: Michael McMahon, MSP for Uddingston and Bellshill, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 20 September 2011
Current Status: Answered by Nicola Sturgeon on 29 September 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S4W-02518 by Nicola Sturgeon on 15 September 2011 and in light of the comments made by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing on 6 October 2009 that "there is a clear expectation that all boards will get on and complete [equal pay] reviews as quickly as they can, and that they will go beyond the letter of the law to ensure that they are exemplary employers that live up to all the duties required of them" (Official Report c.1293), what progress NHS boards have made in meeting these aspirations.

NHSScotland remains absolutely committed to providing equal pay for work of equal value. I can confirm that the expectation for all boards to complete equal pay reviews remains. As I also pointed out on 6 October 2009, however, there was an issue about the extent to which such reviews could be carried out whilst Agenda for Change reviews were under way. Whilst Agenda for Change reviews are now effectively complete, as I said in my answer to question S4W-02518, boards are now looking at how best to progress the equal pay review process but are awaiting the final element of the Agenda for Change pay system involving remuneration for on-call commitments being put in place.

Question reference: S4W-02827

Asked by: Michael McMahon, MSP for Uddingston and Bellshill, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 19 September 2011
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 29 September 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the District Valuer has been instructed to commence the resolution of compensation cases for landowners who were advised in 2007 that their land would be subject to a compulsory purchase order for the A8 Newhouse to Baillieston upgrade.

Question reference: S4W-02828

Asked by: Michael McMahon, MSP for Uddingston and Bellshill, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 19 September 2011
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 29 September 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will agree a vesting date for land subject to compulsory purchase order in respect of the A8 Newhouse to Baillieston upgrade.

Question reference: S4W-02518

Asked by: Michael McMahon, MSP for Uddingston and Bellshill, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 05 September 2011
Current Status: Answered by Nicola Sturgeon on 15 September 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive which NHS boards have published an equal pay review since 1999.

There is presently no statutory duty on public authorities to carry out equal pay reviews. However, NHSScotland recognises the value of this tool to the goal of being an exemplar employer. Only NHS 24 has so far published an equal pay review but all boards are looking at how best to progress the equal pay review process and are awaiting the last element of the Agenda for Change pay system involving remuneration for on-call commitments being put in place. Work in this regard is underway and is being taken forward in partnership.

Question reference: S4O-00070

Asked by: Michael McMahon, MSP for Uddingston and Bellshill, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 June 2011
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 23 June 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to review its position on sentencing for knife crime.

Question reference: S4W-00357

Asked by: Michael McMahon, MSP for Uddingston and Bellshill, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 31 May 2011
Current Status: Answered by Aileen Campbell on 13 June 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive how many delegated planning appeal decisions referred to the Reporter under the Town and Country Planning (Determination of Appeals by Appointed Persons) (Prescribed Classes) (Scotland) Regulations 1987 were (a) determined and (b) announced between 22 March and 25 May 2011.

Planning appeals are submitted to the Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals (DPEA). The majority of appeals are determined by reporters, appointed by Scottish ministers. In the period 22 March to 25 May 2011, 43 decisions were issued and published on the DPEA web site by reporters from DPEA. A further 10 appeals were turned during this period away by DPEA as they were not valid.

Question reference: S4W-00358

Asked by: Michael McMahon, MSP for Uddingston and Bellshill, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 31 May 2011
Current Status: Answered by Aileen Campbell on 13 June 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive which delegated planning appeal decisions referred to the Reporter under the Town and Country Planning (Determination of Appeals by Appointed Persons) (Prescribed Classes) (Scotland) Regulations 1987 remained outstanding at 22 March 2011.

Planning appeals are submitted directly to the Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals. The majority of appeals are determined by a reporter who is appointed by Scottish ministers. The following cases remained live as at 22 March 2011.

Reference	Site Address	Development Description
PPA-001-2004	Plot 13, Invercauld Gardens, Braemar, Aberdeenshire	Erection of Dwellinghouse (Change of House Type)
PPA-002-2004	Cononish Road, Tyndrum	Extraction of Gold and Silver Including Service Production and Storage Buildings, Access Road, Car Parking
PPA-100-2024	1 Belvidere Street, Rosemount, Aberdeen	Proposed Extension to Form Garage and Additional Accommodation and Alterations to Attic
PPA-100-2026	11 Baillieswells Road, Bieldside, Aberdeen	Proposed New House and Associated Works
PPA-110-2031	Wester Hatton Landfill Site, Potterton, Aberdeen	Variation of Condition 2 of Permission 98/1092/01 to Extend Time Limit to 2029
PPA-110-2033	Saltoun Hotel, Saltoun Square	Change from Hotel To House in Multiple Occupation, Bar, Function Room, Extension, Erection of Canopy and Fence
PPA-110-2059	Land Adjoining A92 at East New Tonleys Business Park, Stonehaven	Erection of Supermarket, Petrol Filling Station and Associated Site Works
PPA-110-2060	Land at Braehead and East Newtonleys, Stonehaven	Construction of a New Spine Road
PPA-110-2076	Site at Westerton Wood, Dess, Aboyne	Installation of a Micro Hydro Scheme, with Intake Weir, 70m Length Penstock and Turbine and Forebay Tank
PPA-110-2077	Land at Upper Grange, Off Fair Isle Crescent, Peterhead	Erection of Five Dwellinghouses, Seven Townhouses and 14 Flats
PPA-110-2078	29 Westbrae Crescent, Turriff,	Erection of Boundary Fence
PPA-110-2079	36 Hillhead Drive, Ellon	Alterations and Extension to Dwellinghouse
PPA-140-2021	Land at Minchmoor Elibank and Traquair Forest Walkerburn Peeblesshire	Wind Farm Comprising 12 Wind Turbines, Wind Monitoring Mast, Connection Building, Site Access Roads and Temp Site Comp.
PPA-140-2025	Land North East of Stanin Stane, Cardrona, Scottish Borders	Erection of Seven Dwellinghouses and One Detached Double Garage (Amendment to Previous Consent 08/01713/Ful)
PPA-140-2027	Land North of Jubilee Park, Peebles, Scottish Borders	Residential Development Comprising 21 Detached Dwellinghouses
PPA-170-2019	Land Adjacent to Park Crescent, Creetown, Newton Stewart	Erection of 68 Dwelling Houses, Formation of Vehicular Access, Ancillary Parking, Open Space, Landscaping
PPA-170-2020	Spottes Mill, Haugh Of Urr, By Castle Douglas	Demolition of Former Mill Building and Erection of New Dwellinghouse and Installation of Septic Tank (In Retrospect)
PPA-180-2011	Land South of, Riverside Avenue, Dundee	Erection of 102 Bedroom Hotel with Restaurant And Formation of Associated Car Parking and Landscaping
PPA-190-2011	Cowans Law, Moscow, Galston,	Erection of 20 Wind Turbines, Construction of Access Tracks, Crane Hardstanding, Temporary Construction Compound
PPA-190-2012	Land Adjacent to Whitelee Windfarm, North East of Kilmarnock on Eaglesham Moor	Extension to Whitelee Windfarm Comprising the Erection of Seven Wind Turbines and Associated Works.
PPA-210-2015	Vacant Land to North of Asdastore, Spott Road, Dunbar	Erection of Garden Centre Including a Building for Use Class 1 (Retail) and Use Class 3 (Café) and Associated Works
PPA-210-2016	Rose Cottage, 4 Saltcoats Road, Gullane	Erection of One House and Associated Works
PPA-230-2041	Land 260 Metres South of Dreghorn Loan, Edinburgh	Residential Development and Associated Open Space, Tree Planting, Access Road, Pedestrian Routes and All Ancillary Works
PPA-230-2047	Land 196 metres South of 49 Burdiehouse Road, Edinburgh	Res. Dev.(Incl. Affordable Housing Provision) Open Space, Structure Planting and Access Junction and Road Alignment
PPA-230-2048	88 Dudley Avenue, Edinburgh,	Removal of Existing Outhouse and its Replacement with a New Enlarged Extension to Form New Kitchen
PPA-230-2049	33 South Gyle Gardens, Edinburgh	Change of Use from Amenity Ground to Private Garden With Erection of Timber Fence (in Retrospect)
PPA-230-2051	Land 15 metres South of 127 to 130 Lower Granton Road, Edinburgh	Live Work Unit Comprising a Dwelling House and a Photographic Studio
PPA-230-522	129 Liberton Brae, Edinburgh	Change of Use to Form Hot Food Take Away Shop
PPA-240-2013	Land to the North of 17 Kinacres Grove, Bridgeness Road, Bo'ness	Erection of Four Flatted Dwellings and Associated Infrastructure
PPA-240-2014	Land to the East of 53 Hazel Road, Auchincloch Drive, Banknock	Erection of 30 Dwellinghouses and Associated Works
PPA-240-2015	Darnbogue Farm, Plean,	Use of Land for the Siting of Portable Structures, Erection of Fencing and Keeping of Dogs (Renewal of Temp Permission)
PPA-240-2016	Land Adjacent to Ashbank, Bo'ness Road, Polmont, Falkirk	Proposed Erection of New One Three/Four Storey Veterinary Practice
PPA-250-2010	Land to the East of Keith Place, Inverkeithing	Erection of Five Dwellinghouses
PPA-250-2058	Land Adjacent to Station, South of Main Street Aberdour Fife	Erection of Two Two-Storey Blocks of Flatted Dwellings Comprising Eight Residential Units with Associated Parking
PPA-250-2059	Land to East of 135 Main Street, Coaltown Of Balgonie, Fife	Erection of Two Dwellinghouses with Detached Garages
PPA-250-2060	Fettykil Mills, Norman Place, Leslie, Glenrothes	Redevelopment of Land for Residential and Office Use
PPA-250-2061	39-41 Market Street, St Andrews,	Change of Use from Flatted Property To HMO (Five Persons) including Alterations
PPA-250-2062	Land North East of Kilmany Road, Kilmany Road, Wormit, Fife	Residential Development and Associated Works
PPA-250-2063	Pickletillum Inn, Pickletillum, Drumoig, St Andrews	Residential Development (Five Units) (Including Demolition of Existing Buildings) and Formation Of Improved Vehicular Access
PPA-250-2064	Land to west Of Kingsbarns, North of Station Road, Kingsbarns	Erection of 18 Dwellinghouses
PPA-250-2065	Land to West of Kingsbarns, South of Station Road, Kingsbarns	Erection of 22 Dwellinghouses Including (12 Affordable Dwellinghouses) Formation of Access Roads, Parking Spaces,
PPA-250-2066	South Cassingray Farm, Cadgers Road, Largoward, Leven, Fife,	Erection of Two 100m (Ground to Tip of Blade) Wind Turbines and Construction of Connection Building and Access Tracks
PPA-260-2017	384-386 Tantallon Road, Langside, Glasgow	Erection of Four Storey Residential Development Of 24 Flats
PPA-270-2017-1	Cromarty Firth Industrial Park, Invergordon	Erection of Waste to Energy Combined Heat and Power Plant
PPA-270-2040	Annat Pier, Corpach, Fort William,	Additional Sunday Stevedoring Six Sundays per annum for Loading/Unloading Vessels. Emergency Use Between Hours 1000-1800
PPA-270-2043	Approximately 8km North East of Tomatin	Construction of Wind Farm Comprising 17 Wind Turbines, Associated Access Tracks and Infrastructure
PPA-270-2048	Sunnyside Croft, 2 Bunacaimbe, Arisaig	Installation of Three Wind Turbines
PPA-320-115	Land To Rear Of 1-11 Wishaw High Road, Cleland, Motherwell	Construction of 47 Dwellinghouses (Amendment to Layout)
PPA-320-2011	Land at Former Shanks and McEwan Site, 251 Glasgow and Edinburgh Road, Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire,	Commercial, Industrial and Municipal Waste Material Recovery and Renewable Energy Facility
PPA-320-2018	Raiziehill Farm, Airdrie Road, Caldercruix, North Lanarkshire	Construction of Treatment Rooms with Associated Guest Accommodation; Construction of Lodge; Retention of Existing Access
PPA-320-2020	Vacant Ground, West of Hutchison Coaches, Castlehill Road, Overtown, Wishaw	Siting of Hot Food Snack Van
PPA-320-2021	75 Cumbernauld Road, Stepps, Glasgow, North Lanarkshire,	Part Cou of Dwellinghouse to Children/Adult Religious Education/Workshop Establishment Children Mon-Fri and Adults Fri PM
PPA-320-2022	Land to the West Of Scott's Place, Airdrie, North Lanarkshire	Amendment to Planning Permission C/08/00311/Ful to Remove the Requirement for Footway
PPA-340-2021-1	Lomond Hotel, Main Street, Glenfarg, Perth	Demolition of Hotel and Erection of Residential Building Containing 14 Flats over Four Levels and Lower Ground Car Parking
PPA-340-2044	Myreside Farm, Errol, Perth	Demolition of Existing Shed, Convert Existing Steading into Three Residential Units and Construct Further Five Residential Units
PPA-340-2048	Sunnybrae, Windsole, Auchterarder,	Erection of a Dwellinghouse (in principle)
PPA-340-2049	Land 60 metres North of Green Hotel, 2 Muirs Kinross	Erection of 41 Retirement Flats
PPA-340-2050	Viewfield Cottage, Brucefield Road, Blairgowrie,	Erection of Detached Dwellinghouse
PPA-340-2051	Horn Farm, Errol, Perth,	Alterations and Conversion of Existing Steading to Create Eight Dwellinghouses, Courtyard, Parking and 16 Residential Units
PPA-340-337	Castlemains Farm, Auchterarder, Perthshire, PH3 1DX	Change of Use from Agricultural Building to Storage And Distribution
PPA-360-2002	Utnabrake, Upper Scalloway, Scalloway	To Provide Mixed Used Development Incorporating Residential Business and Commericial Zones,
PPA-360-2003	Utnabrake, Upper Scalloway, Scalloway	Erection of 21 Dwellinghouses and Associated Parking and Access Roads
PPA-370-2010	Land in Front of 72-82 Midton Road, Ayr	Erection of a Dwellinghouse
PPA-380-2010	18/20 West Mains Road, East Kilbride	Erection of Class 1 Retail Superstore with Associated Car Parking and Landscaping
PPA-380-2011	Unit 8, Braidfute Retail Park, Lanark	Extension to Existing Retail Unit
PPA-380-2012	33 Wellshot Drive, Cambuslang,	Erection of Two Storey Rear Extension
PPA-380-435	Land East of Nutberry Hill, Cumberhead Forest Complex, Approximately 7 Km south of Lesmahagow known as Nutberry Wind Farm	Erection and Operation Of Windfarm (Six turbines) and Associated Infrastructure, Access, Control Building and Monitoring Mast
PPA-390-2007	Land to east of Rochoill, Dasher Road, Kippen	The Erection of Five Dwelling Houses on Site of Former Agricultural/Mink Shed
PPA-400-2016	22-32 West Main Street and Volunteer Park, North Street, Armadale	Redevelopment of Exist Class 1 Store to Form Smaller Store, New Class 1 Store and Alts to Exist Used Car Display Area
PPA-400-2018	Edgar Allen Works, Whitburn Road, Bathgate	Variation of Conditions 1,32,33, of Outline Planning Permission Ref. 1119/P/03 for Residential Development
PPA-400-2019	102 West Main Street, Whitburn,	Extension to Hot Food Takeaway and Formation of Managers Flat Above
PPA-400-290	Camps Industrial Estate, East Calder, West Lothian	Skip Hire Base with Recycling Compound

Question reference: S4F-00038

Asked by: Michael McMahon, MSP for Uddingston and Bellshill, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 07 June 2011
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 9 June 2011

To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Government remains confident in the costings for a five year council tax freeze set out in the SNP 2011 election manifesto.

Chamber and committees