Chamber and committees

A wide range of actionsis required to meet the 2012 target and it is for each local authority to decidethe most effective methods of achieving the target in their area. Central Governmentfunding for homelessness services, housing supply and the wider range of servicesrequired to meet the target will be considered as part of the Spending Review process.

We are committed toensuring that the implementation of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007 is carefully managed and that all sectors andusers are supported through the transition from the existing multiple disclosureregime to the new modern, streamlined, efficient and effective vetting and barringsystem. It is recognised that this is of particular relevance to the voluntary sectorespecially small, voluntary organisations. As implementation plans are developedand advanced, careful consideration will be given to specific and aggregate fundingrequired for this sector and we will keep the Scottish Parliament and stakeholdersinformed of progress and plans through regular reports.

The Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007 is intended to deliver a modern, streamlined,efficient and effective vetting and barring system. The legislation will come into force once all the constituent elementsare in place to ensure that that is what is delivered. This necessarily involvesthe development of processes and IT systems, a comprehensive programme of consultationand secondary legislation and guidance and training for users prior to the systemgoing live. A substantial implementationprogramme has already begun but it is too early in that process to be definitive about when the legislationwill come into force. We will keep the Scottish Parliament and stakeholders informedof progress and planned commencement dates through regular reports.

The Scottish Government’sspending plans for the period 2008-11 will be announced in late autumn, when thestrategic spending review is concluded.

This information isnot available centrally.

We support the practiceof three-year funding for the voluntary sector across the public sector and encouragethe use of longer term funding agreements, where possible, to provide a stable andefficient operating environment for the sector.

I refer the memberto the answer to question S3W-2446 on 14 August 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are availableon the Parliament’s website the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

I will write to youshortly on this issue, setting out in more detail an answer to your question.

I refer the memberto the answer to question S3W-2446 on 14 August 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are availableon the Parliament’s website the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

The Scottish Governmentis committed to supporting the third sector. We believe that the third sector hasa major role to play in delivering our overarching purpose which is to focusgovernment and public services on creating a more successful country, with opportunitiesfor all of Scotland to flourish, through increasing sustainable economic growth.The government’s five strategic objectives underpin that purpose and we are keento develop new partnerships and relationships with all sectors to help us achieveour aims for a more successful Scotland.

The Local Governmentin Scotland Act (2003) introduced the statutory responsibility of best value forlocal authorities. To ensure that best value is consistentlyapplied by local authorities Audit Scotland carries out an audit of best value andcommunity planning of each local authority, normally on a three year cycle. Allpublished audit reports are available from the Accounts Commission.