Chamber and committees

The Active Schools Programme was established in 2004. The programme is designed to increase the number of opportunities for children to get engaged in physical activity and sport and develop links with sports clubs and other community organisations to give pupils a pathway to continue their participation in sport beyond school. This activity is over and above PE.

Active schools managers and coordinators are responsible for developing and supporting an infrastructure for active schools within the school and wider community. They do this by recruiting, supporting and sustaining a network of volunteers coaches, leaders and teachers who in turn deliver physical activity and sport before, during and after school and in the wider community.

sportscotland provided around £13 million to fund this programme in 2009-10 which supports over 450 Active Schools staff overseeing over 2,500 schools in all 32 local authority areas. Last year this delivered just under 5 million sessions (a 5% increase on the previous year) providing opportunities for young people to be physically active beyond PE.

It is vital that physical activity forms part of all young people''s lives and that there are appropriate opportunities to stimulate and develop interest and commitment that will provide a foundation for sustained physical activity throughout their lives. Our investment into sports governing bodies allows them to provide a range of programmes for children to take part in sport. In addition, we have invested into a number of targeted programmes which focus on providing opportunities for children in schools to take part in sport including our clubgolf and top-up swimming investments.

The quality of children and young people''s learning in physical education is evaluated and reported on in every school inspection. In every school inspection report HM Inspectorate of Education (HMIE) makes comment on whether or not the school is providing pupils with two hours physical education in line with national expectations. HMIE gathers evidence about the quality of experiences for learners and other factors such as staffing, resourcing and timetabling. Where it has concerns about the quantity and quality of pupil experiences in PE, it has further discussion with relevant staff about and around the school''s proposals to make the necessary adjustments.

In addition, through ongoing inspection tasks and ongoing work with education authorities, HMIE maintains a clear overview of progress towards the target and will periodically publish on its website a report on this progress for parents, elected members and the public. This ensures that inspection and reporting look not only at the quantitative aspects of PE but also consider the quality of the provision for children and young people.

Curriculum for Excellence places an emphasis on two hours of planned, timetabled, quality physical education for every pupil each week. It is for individual schools to decide, in the light of local needs and circumstances, what activities should be included in pupils two hours per week timetabled physical education experience and where these activities should take place.

In addition to planned physical education sessions, children and young people will participate in physical activity and sport in the classroom, during travel such as walking and cycling, in the outdoor environment and in the community.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-28088 on 5 November 2009. 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/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx

The Scottish Government is aware that patients are experiencing delays in accessing the scoliosis service. A review of the scoliosis service is currently being undertaken to address service issues. The review is due to be completed by February 2011.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-28088 on 5 November 2009. 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/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx

Best Value 2 is the name of the approach that the Accounts Commission for Scotland is taking to its second phase of Best Value audits of local authorities in Scotland. The role of governing arrangements for Best Value audits for the Scottish Government, NHS bodies and other public bodies rests with the Auditor General for Scotland, not the Accounts Commission.

Audit Scotland has set out its approach to auditing Best Value on behalf of the Auditor General in the leaflets Auditing Best Value in Central Government Bodies and Auditing Best Value in the NHS that are available on Audit Scotland''s website at:

http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/docs/corp/2009/bv_audit_best_value_central_gov.pdf and

http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/docs/corp/2009/bv_audit_best_value_nhs.pdf.

The information requested is not held centrally.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-37531 on 25 November 2010. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

Since April 2002, there has been a duty of best value on accountable officers to ensure arrangements are in place to secure best value. Compliance with the duty of Best Value is an auditable requirement for public bodies under section 22(1)(c) of the Public Finance and Accountability (Scotland) Act 2000. The organisation''s auditors will typically audit performance alongside its finances. Audit Scotland set out its approach in the leaflet Auditing Best Value in central government bodies which is available on the Audit Scotland website at:

http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/docs/corp/2009/bv_audit_best_value_central_gov.pdf

Guidance about best value in public bodies was issued in 2003 and revised in 2006. In May 2009, Officials wrote to all chief executives of agencies, non-departmental public bodies, non-ministerial departments and public corporations reminding them of the specific duty on accountable officers to ensure that arrangements are in place to secure best value. A small reference group, the Best Value Reference Group, was also formed.

The Best Value Reference Group is currently refreshing the guidance on the duty of best value for public bodies. The group also worked closely with Audit Scotland on the development of its 18 best value toolkits. These toolkits are used by Audit Scotland auditors during the annual financial audit of a public body. The toolkits were published in August 2010 and are available on the Audit Scotland website at:

http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/toolkits/.

Under the terms of the Public Finance and Accountability Scotland Act 2000 all accountable officers of the Scottish administration and of public bodies are under a specific duty to ensure that arrangements are in place to secure best value. As public bodies are accountable to ministers, and through ministers to the Parliament, the Scottish Government does not consider it necessary to apply an express statutory duty to public bodies in respect of best value.

Compliance with the duty of best value is an auditable requirement for public bodies under section 22(1)(c) of the Public Finance and Accountability (Scotland) Act 2000. Audit Scotland set out its approach in the leaflet Auditing Best Value in central government bodies which is available on the Audit Scotland website at:

http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/docs/corp/2009/bv_audit_best_value_central_gov.pdf

Scottish ministers are clear that best value is a powerful tool for improving performance and accountability across the public sector, including local government, central government and public bodies.