Chamber and committees

The Scottish Arts Trust is an independent charitable trust that gives artists the opportunity to showcase their work through the Scottish Portrait Awards exhibition. This is held each year in Edinburgh and Glasgow and on alternate years at the Kirkcudbright Galleries or Duff House in Banff. I understand there are no plans to exhibit in the Highlands and Islands region.

There is an online exhibition available on the Scottish Arts Trust website at https://www.scottishartstrust.org/exhibitions-artists

The Hill, Upland and Crofting Group last met in March 2021 and the work of the group is completed. I am grateful for the work they undertook in very short order which has informed our work on Agricultural Reform, the National Test Programme and issues being considered by the Agriculture Reform Implementation Oversight Board.

This information is not held centrally by the Scottish Government. NHS orthodontic services are provided by independent contractors/high street orthodontists and any management information on waiting times will be held by each practice. There is no central consolidation of this information, nor definition of waits in orthodontics.

Historic Environment Scotland is currently undertaking a prioritised inspection programme on each Property in Care affected by High Level Masonry issues. Access restrictions, while regrettable, remain necessary to prioritise the health and safety of staff, contractors and visitors. Each assessment will study the condition and impact of climate change on the site and will inform a subsequent programme of repairs and conservation work at affected properties.

I understand from Historic Environment Scotland that there are no further sites due to be closed due to High Level Masonry issues in the next 12 months.

The amount of resource allocated to each property in care is determined by Historic Environment Scotland under its operating plans.

Questions regarding day-to-day operational matters of Historic Environment Scotland, including information relating to grants and awards for conservation repairs, are best answered directly by Historic Environment Scotland.

Information on grants that have been awarded can be found online on the Historic Environment Scotland website at https://www.historicenvironment.scot/grants-and-funding/grants-awarded-by-us/

I have asked Historic Environment Scotland to respond directly to the member with a full reply to his question in writing.

Questions regarding day-to-day operational matters of Historic Environment Scotland, including information relating to the efficacy of Historic Environment Scotland’s HistoricScot Youth Forum are best answered directly by Historic Environment Scotland.

I have asked Historic Environment Scotland to respond directly to the member with a full reply to his question in writing.

Scottish Government has provided over £150 million to date in additional support to maintain the capacity and capability of the independent sector.

We have also introduced new incentives for recruitment and retention of dentists in certain remote and rural areas. This will mean that dentists, including orthodontists, who join the NHS Board list in Scotland for the first time can receive up to £25,000 over a two-year period.

Four bids were submitted for Creative Scotland’s recent tender for a partner organisation to deliver ‘Youth-led Arts Funding For Young People’. The successful organisation will be announced early in the new year.

The Scottish Government is continuing to consider options for the delivery of a National Towns of Culture scheme. As this progresses, the Scottish Government will consult with the culture and creative sectors and community groups to help inform its decision making.

Questions regarding day-to-day operational matters of Historic Environment Scotland, including information relating to Historic Scotland membership numbers, are best answered by Historic Environment Scotland.

I have asked Historic Environment Scotland to respond directly to the member with a full reply to his question in writing.