Chamber and committees

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-12185 on 7 November 2017. 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 provision of resources for GME is a matter for local authorities. The SG has, however, put in place a number of measures to support authorities with the delivery of GME. In addition, SG officials meet regularly with local authority representatives and with representatives of Gaelic parents groups to obtain updated information on the level of parental demand for GME. The Scottish Government and Bòrd na Gidhlig have produced a staff audit for local authorities to use in identifying GME staffing needs and SG funds a Teacher Recruitment Officer in BnG to assess potential growth and to take steps to respond.

There are no current plans to extend the fleet of Marine Scotland Compliance vessels.

CO2 emissions directly correspond to the actual fuel consumption of the fleet.

When the fleet was last renewed, the best possible engines for fuel efficiency on the market at that time were bought with investment in diesel electric plant, which was at a higher cost than conventional propulsion systems. This ensured the most efficient vessels possible. Fisheries Protection Vessel "Norna", built in 1988, used 6 tonnes of fuel per day. The current Marine Protection Vessels "Jura" and "Hirta" use 2 tonnes of fuel per day for the same mileage covered.

Since then, further fuel efficiencies have been derived from greater reduction in electrical consumption on the vessels whether it be through slower steaming speeds; and better targeting of assets.

Marine Scotland Compliance maintains fuel consumption records but will only be required to have CO2 emissions logged from March 2018.

I met the developers on 31 August to hear about their proposals for a golf course at Coul Links. Officials met representatives of the developers on
8 March (for a site visit with Scottish Natural Heritage), on 16 March (with Scottish Natural Heritage, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, and Visit Scotland), on 24 April and on 30 August.

Official engagement with the developers has focused on explaining procedures and ensuring good communication with relevant agencies such as Scottish Natural Heritage, Highlands & Islands Enterprise and Visit Scotland.

No assurances have been given to the developer.

The Scottish Government recognises the importance of ensuring criminal justice services have the resources they need, and I am committed to ensuring that available funding for criminal justice social work and support services is released as it becomes available. Funding for community justice services across Scotland remains at record levels. We have allocated around £100m funding to local authorities who work with a range of organisations and partners to help deliver community sentences, support the rehabilitation of people with convictions and reduce re-offending. This includes an extra £4m investment in community sentences which was introduced in 2016-17 and was continued in 2017-18, helping to support local authorities to deliver robust community sentences.

‘Global Scotland – Scotland’s Trade and Investment Strategy
2016-2021’ recognises the ‘growing demand from citizens and consumers and from NGOs and Governments for a responsible approach to business which considers human rights and economic, social and environmental impacts.’ A range of policies and processes on issues such as effective use of public funds and procurement are already in place to guide the use of public money by the Scottish Government and its agencies. The Scottish Government is also working with partners, including the Scottish Human Rights Commission, to develop a National Action Plan (NAP) to implement the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights in Scotland. In line with internationally recognised best practice, a national baseline assessment was published in October 2016 to underpin the development of the Plan, and further engagement with stakeholders in Autumn 2017 will help inform the development of an action plan. The Scottish Government is also encouraging our business sector to be mindful of ethical concerns in investment, supporting the Global Ethical Finance Forum, held in Edinburgh for the second time in September 2017.

Responsibility for Orkney’s internal ferry services rests with Orkney Islands Council. Orkney Ferries is owned by Orkney Islands Council.

Funding provided by the Scottish Government to local authorities is allocated using a needs-based formula. There is no separately identifiable allocation of funding for individual services, such as ferry services.

Included with the funding allocations for Orkney Islands Council is a supplement, known as Special Islands Needs Allowance (SINA) which is added to the core local government finance settlement to reflect the additional costs of a local authority servicing its island communities. Orkney Islands Council’s SINA allocation in the current year (2017-18) amounts to £5.8 million (or £269 per head) in 2017-18. This is equivalent to over 28 per cent of the Scotland-wide SINA total.

Orkney Islands Council would be best placed to advise on its allocation of the total financial resources available to it, including funding of its internal ferry services. It is the responsibility of all local authorities to allocate their resources on the basis of local needs and priorities having first fulfilled their statutory obligations and the jointly agreed set of national and local priorities including the Scottish Government’s key strategic objectives and manifesto commitments.

Transport Scotland has not provided any funding towards the operation of Orkney’s internal ferry services.

The Ferries Plan 2013-22 committed that the Scottish Government is willing to consider taking on responsibility for local authority lifeline ferry services, and set out the principles involved for such a transfer to move forward. The Plan indicated that assessment would be made on a case-by-case basis and that ultimately it may not always be agreed that a transfer of responsibility goes ahead. The Plan also indicated that the Scottish Government could not guarantee to be in a position to provide any additional funding.

Following publication of the Ferries Plan, Transport Scotland has been in discussion with a number of local authorities regarding their internal ferry services.

Responsibility for Orkney Islands Council's internal ferries remains with the local authority, but our pledge of further dialogue on this issue shows we remain committed to the principle of fair funding in the provision of ferry services and ferry infrastructure. Orkney Islands Council has submitted a funding request for 2018-19 and this will be considered as part of the on-going Spending Review. Scottish Government funding for Orkney's internal ferry services is not in our budget plans at present. However, we would welcome further engagement with the Council as the priorities of the Spending Review are finalised.

The Scottish Government is not in direct contact with the Council’s ferry operating company, or the trade unions.