Chamber and committees

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01717 on 25 August 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01717 on 25 August 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

 

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01717 on 25 August 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

 

As at 30 June 2016, there were 17,242 full time equivalent police officers in Scotland – 1,008 more than on 31 March 2007. The Scottish Government budget for 2016-17 made a commitment to retain police officer numbers at 1,000 higher than in 2007 while at the same time working with the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) to consider the implications of changing demands on Scottish policing. That work is currently on-going and no conclusions have been reached on implications for the future shape and size of the police workforce. We are committed to ensuring that the police have more specialists, such as experts in cyber-crime and counter-fraud and that the service has the right mix and numbers of staff for the future. We are also committed to protecting the police revenue budget in real terms for the entirety of this parliament – delivering an additional £100 million of investment by 2020-21.

 

The Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland published and submitted to Scottish Ministers on 26 May 2016 its final recommendations for the number of councillors and the electoral ward boundaries in each of Scotland's 32 local authorities, following completion of its Fifth Electoral Reviews. Ministers have been considering those recommendations, and will announce their decisions on whether to implement them in early course.

<>On 24 June 2016 the First Minister announced that in order to keep open all options to protect Scotland’s place in Europe, officials would be instructed to prepare the legislation that would be required to enable a new independence referendum to take place. That draft legislation is currently being prepared.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00863 on 11 August 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

 

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00865 on 11 August 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

The Initial Hawick Action Plan was developed by the Scottish Government, Scottish Borders Council, Scottish Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland, local businesses and other local stakeholders to address the challenges and maximise the opportunities for the Hawick economy. It draws together ideas and actions that can ensure a positive future for the town and looks at how to support Hawick to become a:

Great place for working and investing – covering digital and physical connectivity, developing empty property and a business incubation centre, exploring how to deliver the benefits of an enterprise zone, if appropriate, and taking forward flood prevention work to improve investor confidence in key areas of the town centre and the industrial estate at Burnfoot;

Great place for living and learning – to retain and attract school leavers, attract a new workforce and ensure relevant training is provided;

Great destination to visit – identify the tourism offer, address hotel provision and issues facing the high street.

The Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Borders Council are working together to lead delivery of the priority actions already identified in the Action Plan. The public, private and third sectors all have a role to play in delivering those actions. The draft flood prevention scheme design will be put on display on 23 and 24 August 2016.

Since the business engagement event held in Hawick on 2 February 2016, there has been regular and continuing dialogue between partners about the range of initiatives in the Action Plan. Discussions have also taken place with a number of businesses in order to take forward action and further engagement with local business leaders is taking place over the summer. That work will lead to an updated version of the Action Plan being published later in the autumn.

It is important that local business leaders and other local stakeholders in Hawick are fully involved in taking forward actions and activities that encourage economic activity, promote growth and increase inward investment, while protecting and creating employment opportunities in Hawick to ensure that the town has a bright future and can benefit from sustainable economic growth.

The proposal is being explored as part of the range of initiatives set out in the Initial Hawick Action Plan. However, the range of incentives attached to an Enterprise Area could be delivered without the need for formal designation. An evaluation of the Enterprise Area policy, published on 21 March 2016, showed that Enterprise Areas are specifically targeted on sites and sectors where there are specific opportunities ready to be developed, and where companies can be anchored in areas, and supply chains developed that support growth and jobs in the wider area. While the enterprise (or regeneration) zone proposal will continue to be considered, as part of the discussions around the Action Plan, there is currently little evidence that suggests that this approach would benefit Hawick, although I would be interested to receive any evidence the member may have that might demonstrate how it may benefit the town’s economy.

I also refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00863 on 11 August 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

For details of the evaluation of Enterprise Areas, please see the following link:

http://www.hie.co.uk/regional-information/economic-reports-and-research/archive/review-of-enterprise-areas-in-scotland---summary-report.html