Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government intends to reopen the Open Market Shared Equity (OMSE)scheme at the earliest opportunity, with the necessary operational arrangements currently being finalised to ensure the scheme can reopen. Further information will be published on the Scottish Government's website once the reopening date has been confirmed.

The Register of Ancient Woodlands will present location data, condition assessments and restoration requirements for all recognised ancient woodlands in Scotland. The Register will help decision-makers prevent further loss or reduction in the extent of ancient woodlands through development or inappropriate management, and it will support efforts to bring all ancient woodlands into acceptable condition.

The Register of Ancient Woodlands will provide up-to-date information on the location and condition of ancient woodlands, enabling decision-makers, including planners, to make effective decisions that support their protection. The Register will also help land managers identify ancient woodlands that require intervention and target management support more effectively.

Information relating to overseas ownership of property in Scotland is available through Registers of Scotland, including its Country of Origin report. Information on overseas entities that own or transact in land and property in Scotland is also available through the UK Government's Register of Overseas Entities, maintained by Companies House.

EMIS originally joined the framework agreement with its EMIS-X product. It later advised NSS (now Public Services Delivery Scotland) that the solution to be delivered in Scotland would instead be EMIS Web. However, in October 2022, EMIS notified NSS that it was withdrawing from the framework agreement.

As per answer for S7W-01554 The Loch Lomond Byelaws, which came into force on 1 November 2024, contain the following powers in relation to jet skis and powered vessels:

• Mandatory User Registration – any person in charge of a powered vessel (including jet skis) must register their personal details and vessel with the National Park Authority. Registered vehicles must display the unique, highly visible identification stickers;
• Low Speed Zones – Vessels (jet skis) must stay below 6 kph in Low Speed Zones to avoid generating a wake and prevent collisions with paddleboarders and swimmers. These are located in high-traffic or mixed use areas of the loch at Balloch Castle Country Park, Duck Bay, Manse Bay, Milarrochy Bay, Luss, Sallachy and Rowardennan. There is also a speed limit of 11kph around the southern islands;
• If an alleged byelaw contravention is assessed to be worthy of charging an individual, LLTNPA will report the case directly to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, which can result in a defendant gaining a criminal record if they are found guilty.

The Scottish Government considers that the Vision 3 system meets the operational needs of GP practices, having successfully met the standards and requirements set through the national procurement framework. These requirements were developed with input from GPs and other stakeholders to ensure that procured systems support the operational needs of general practice.

The Scottish Government has no plans at this time to include a review of the regulation of the keeping and sale of exotic animals as pets in the forthcoming Programme for Government.

The Scottish Animal Welfare Commission's final report on exotic pets was published on 11th November 2022, and we will give due consideration to the conclusions of their report in any future policy development work.

Scottish Government has received a range of correspondence in relation to Vision 3. We take all feedback received seriously and are actively engaged with Public Services Delivery Scotland as the lead organisation responsible for delivery of the programme to ensure any concerns raised are proactively investigated and addressed in conjunction with One Advanced, the supplier of Vision 3.

A contract was signed in 2022, its Initial Term ends in August 2029 and appropriate governance (Public Services Delivery Scotland Contract Approval Board) will consider extending or replacing at that time. In the meantime, the functional specifications and Service Levels achievements continue to be monitored, and the KPIs reviewed, by existing governance groups to ensure that the Vision system is managed and maintained efficiently and safely.