Chamber and committees

We are not aware of any research (or plans to research) by, or on behalf of, the Scottish Government, that has investigated distance decay in relation to health outcomes in the Highlands and Islands.

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing an aviation strategy. Our public consultation document on developing the strategy noted that sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) were most likely to deliver the biggest reductions in lifecycle emissions for aviation in the medium term. The consultation invited views on what the Scottish Government could do to help increase the use of SAF. An independent analysis of the responses has been published. In addition, Transport Scotland is working with Scottish Enterprise who have commissioned a SAF supply chain mapping study for Scotland in order to review the economic opportunity.

Since the conclusion of our consultation, the UK Government has published its own ‘Jet Zero’ aviation strategy. As aviation is reserved, this strategy contains various SAF-related measures that will apply throughout the UK, for example, the introduction of a SAF mandate.

Research commissioned by Sustainable Aviation UK claimed that SAF production could create between 1,060 and 2,310 jobs in Scotland and generate between £153 and £332 million Gross Value Added per year. The Scottish Government has not specifically assessed the number of jobs that SAF could create in Scotland nor the future value of SAF.

The Scottish Government will consider all such material in determining potential actions on SAF for inclusion in the final aviation strategy.

All new planting schemes on the trunk road network include a 5-year establishment period throughout which regular inspections are undertaken by professional landscape architects and by the landscape contractor. These inspections assess the establishment of the plants and determine any specific maintenance required, including the replacement of any failed material.

The trunk road operating companies assume responsibility after this period and are required to annually assess and report on all planting and other vegetation within their area of operation and to recommend management interventions as appropriate, such as pruning and thinning etc.

Following completion, all major road schemes are monitored and assessed through the Scottish Trunk Road Infrastructure Project Evaluation (STRIPE) procedure to determine whether the scheme objectives have been met and to assess how well the scheme has been implemented, including the planting element.

There are approximately 1.5 million new trees planted alongside the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route. No further tree planting is planned other than replacement planting which may be required in future where insufficient numbers of trees have become established to satisfy the environmental objectives and the Indicative Landscape Design.

NHS Forth Valley provide a full progress update against their published Improvement Plan to the Assurance Board on a monthly basis. Material relating to the escalation is proactively published by both the Scottish Government and NHS Forth Valley.

NHS Forth Valley recently published the latest iteration of their Improvement Plan, which included a progress update and incorporated additional actions in governance, leadership, culture and integration. A Measurement Framework has also been developed and published by NHS Forth Valley to allow them to demonstrate and evidence tangible progress. These documents can be found on NHS Forth Valley’s website: NHS Forth Valley – Escalation and HIS

The onus remains on NHS Forth Valley to deliver and evidence the required improvements in governance, leadership and culture; and, in turn, on performance. The Assurance Board will continue to monitor and scrutinise NHS Forth Valley’s progress.

The Aberdeen Western Peripheral Road/Balmedie-Tipperty (AWPR/B-T) section of the A90 is managed on behalf of Scottish Ministers/Transport Scotland by the Design Build Finance and Operate (DBFO) company Aberdeen Roads Limited (ARL). The associated landscaping areas are included in the Agreement with ARL. Around 1.5 million trees were planted. The project is in year 4 of the 5 year Establishment Period. As the name suggests the Establishment Period is designed to closely monitor plant development and take action if appropriate to address tree plant establishment failures.

During the Establishment Period ARL’s appointed specialist landscape architect is required to undertake inspections of the tree planting 6 times in year one, 4 times in year 2, and 3 times for each of years 3, 4 and 5. On completion of the Establishment Period the landscaping enters the Operation and Maintenance (O&M) phase when annual inspections are required. The O&M period ends in 2047.

Following each inspection the landscape architect makes recommendations which are carried out by ARL and which could include tree tube/guard removal as the trees develop as well as identifying opportunities to enhance biodiversity and reduce pesticide application. Other work carried out over the last 4 to 5 years includes weed control, grass cutting in amongst those trees, pruning of damaged branches and re-staking of trees.

The appointed Contracting Authority (Jacobs consultants) receive annual reports and undertake joint inspections to ensure the contractual requirements are being fulfilled. Jacobs subsequently advise Transport Scotland of progress and discuss any matters as necessary.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-16183 on 5 April 2023. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers 

Please find the following table providing the name and location of each bridge on the trunk road network highlighted in our previous answer to S6W-15567. The dates that upgrades were first identified as required and projected to be completed are also contained:

The Chair of the Assurance Board, Christine McLaughlin, wrote to members on 31 March 2023 with a full progress update on NHS Forth Valley’s escalation in Governance, Leadership and Culture. The letter has been published on the Scottish Government website: NHS Forth Valley Assurance Board update: letter from the Chair to MSPs - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) .

The onus remains on NHS Forth Valley to deliver and evidence the required improvements in governance, leadership and culture; and, in turn, on performance. The Assurance Board will continue to monitor and scrutinise NHS Forth Valley’s progress.

Empty Property Relief was devolved to councils on 1 April 2023, including non-domestic rates exemptions for unoccupied listed buildings. Listed buildings were specifically included following discussion with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities in 2019, as set out in a letter from the then Minister for Public Finance and Digital Economy to the Local Government and Communities Committee dated 7 October 2019.

The Scottish Budget 2023-24 confirmed a financial transfer of £105m to local authorities to spend at their discretion, concurrent to this devolution. This allows local authorities to tailor any support for unoccupied property, including listed buildings, to best support their local needs.

The Scottish Government will collect data from local authorities on any local relief awarded to unoccupied properties, including listed buildings, which will inform an early evaluation of the impact of the devolution of EPR in advance of the next revaluation.