Chamber and committees

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-35761 on 12 March 2021. 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-35761 on 12 March 2021. 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-35761 on 12 March 2021. 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 process to recruit a new Chief Executive for Scottish Enterprise is underway. The position was advertised on 15 February 2021, with applications requested by 15 March 2021. The advertisement can be viewed on the opportunities pages of the Odgers Berndtson website ( www.odgersberndtson.com ).

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-27514 on 28 February 2020. 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

Due to the scope and timeframe of the question, the information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost as this data is not available from a single source.

To date in developing the public energy company ambition, independent consultants have produced a Strategic Outline Case, Outline Business Case and a research report into the concept of Heat as a Service, totalling £517,876.10 inc VAT.

All work to update the Scottish Government’s comprehensive plan for an independent Scotland from 2014 has been paused since 18 March 2020, to focus on the response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

If there is majority support for an independence referendum in the next parliamentary term, once the Covid-19 pandemic is over, the Scottish Government will return to this work to ensure that the people of Scotland have the information they need to make informed choices over the future of the country.

The Enterprise & Skills Strategic Board aims to create alignment and collaboration across the enterprise & skills system in Scotland, to drive economic growth and provide better support for businesses and users of the skills system. Over the past year the board has undertaken reviews of the Industry Leadership Groups and measures to mitigate the labour market impact from COVID-19, with all the recommendations accepted by Ministers. The immediate priorities for the board include: reviewing the innovation funding landscape to identify opportunities for greater collaboration and alignment; identifying how the enterprise and skills system can best support Scottish businesses with the new trading arrangements with the EU; and refreshing the board’s Strategic Plan in light of the new challenges facing the Scottish economy. More information on the board’s work can be found on its website.

The board is an independent body, supported by the Analytical Unit who monitor the impact and outcomes of agency activity through a Performance Framework and the Secretariat Team who support the work stemming from the board’s priorities. A total of 10 staff (8.4 full time equivalent) work in the Analytical Unit and Secretariat for the board.

Public library services in Scotland are devolved to local authorities which have a statutory duty to secure the provision of adequate library facilities for all persons resident in their area.

The last figures which have been published by CIPFA are for 2019-20 which show 544 libraries open in Scotland. No figures have been published yet for 2020-21. Due to the pandemic, we are not able to provide an estimate of which libraries would be ‘open’ otherwise and whether any have been permanently closed. We do not have records for 2007.