Chamber and committees

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24476 on 8 October 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24476 on 8 October 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

Health Protection Scotland will undertake and coordinate the public health impact assessment, drawing on the expertise of others including NHS Health Scotland and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.

The Scottish Government remains committed to working with North Lanarkshire Council and other parties on options for the further redevelopment of the Ravenscraig site.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-23791 on 20 January 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26272 on 27 July 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

The announced reduction in income thresholds in tax credits and work allowances in Universal Credit, along with the increase in the tax credits taper rate will affect between 200,000 and 250,000 households in Scotland.

We have taken action to mitigate this and other welfare changes within the limited powers we currently have. For example we are spending £104 million in 2015-16 to mitigate the worst aspects of welfare reform. And as an Accredited Living Wage Employer we are making a decisive long term commitment to those on the lowest incomes. The Scottish Living Wage Accreditation Initiative has now signed up over 330 employers.

The Town and Country Planning Scotland Act 1997 sets out that the reporter must make their decision in accordance with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. The reporter will consider the status of the plan, any emerging policies that may be relevant, and all the evidence submitted by parties involved in an appeal, and make their decision on the planning merits of the case. Having regard to the development plan the reporter considered that the determining issues in this appeal were whether there was a need for the proposal, and whether it would have acceptable effects on the living conditions of nearby residents, the historic environment, the green network, and nature conservation interests. The reporter concluded that the proposal satisfied almost all requirements of the development plan and that any conflict was of a minor nature and outweighed by the benefits of the scheme which would:

Make a valuable contribution towards the significant national shortfall in the provision of waste management infrastructure.

Have an acceptable impact on local communities and would cause no significant individual or cumulative local environmental effects.

Have no significant impact on any of the built heritage features and has imposed a condition to secure a programme of archaeological works to protect the historic assets within the historic environment.

Despite the localised adverse effect on the green network and consequent development plan conflict, cause very limited harm to the green network as a whole.

Not have any significant effects on the nature conservation interests and would not threaten the objectives of the designation and the overall integrity of the area.

The reporter gave consideration in his decision notice to the concerns expressed by local residents over potential adverse effects on public health due to emissions of pollutant gases and dust from the site itself during construction and operation and as a result of traffic congestion, bearing in mind the close proximity of residential areas, three schools, a food factory and a leisure centre. The council’s environmental health team, the roads authority and Transport Scotland all raised no objections to the proposals and SEPA also confirmed that it was satisfied with the proposals. The reporter further concluded that, subject to safeguards which SEPA have confirmed would be Pollution Prevention and Control requirements, noise emissions from the building would not have any significant adverse effects on any residential neighbour.

Drumgrew Road bridge closed to all traffic on 27 July 2015 to enable the electrification of the Edinburgh-Glasgow line as part of the Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Programme. The bridge is expected to re-open on 31 March 2016. The M80 Glasgow to Stirling trunk road between Junction 6 and Junction 6a Castlecary will be closed overnight on five occasions between 16 September 2015 and 1 November 2015 to enable Network Rail to carry out essential maintenance work to Castlecary Viaduct.

The diversionary routes for both closures, along with traffic management planning and signage, were agreed in consultation with the relevant authorities including Transport Scotland, BEAR Scotland, Police Scotland and North Lanarkshire, East Dunbartonshire and Falkirk Councils. M80 closures will be carried out overnight to minimise disruption and Network Rail have worked closely with local communities to publicise the appropriate diversionary routes.

No meetings have been held between the current Minister for Transport and Islands and Peter D Stirling Ltd regarding planning applications. Transport Scotland officials met with P.D. Stirling Ltd on two occasions, to discuss alternative access routes to serve Mossend Rail Freight Terminal. The meetings took place in September 2007 and January 2013.

Scottish Government officials attended NHS Lanarkshire's Annual Review on 25 August and I chaired the regular meeting of NHS Board Chairs including the Chair of NHS Lanarkshire on 31 August.