The Scottish Parliament

Question reference: S7W-03561

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Hannah Mary Goodlad on 7 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding its local government proposals, what planning functions would be exercised by (a) regional authorities and (b) community authorities.

The Government’s Proposal for Reform of Local Governance is a starting point for discussion. It is intended to facilitate debate and discussion with the objective of establishing a measure of shared agreement about the scale and the broad shape that reform could take.

Our proposals should mean decisions are taken closer to people where that could improve local outcomes, on the services and functions most appropriate.

We are aware that there is a lot to explore with partners and to examine in greater detail to support decisions on the future of local governance at the end of the three-month dialogue.

Question reference: S7W-03558

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Hannah Mary Goodlad on 7 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether its proposed regional authorities would become the planning authorities responsible for preparing Local Development Plans and, if so, what statutory changes would be required to give effect to that arrangement.

The Government’s Proposal for Reform of Local Governance is a starting point for discussion. It is intended to facilitate debate and discussion with the objective of establishing a measure of shared agreement about the scale and the broad shape that reform could take.

The role of authorities in the planning system will be part of this dialogue. Our proposals should mean decisions are taken closer to people where that could improve local outcomes, on the services and functions most appropriate. The existing framework for local development plans remains in place at present and we are supporting their timely delivery.

Question reference: S7W-03566

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Hannah Mary Goodlad on 7 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether national park authorities will continue to be designated planning authorities following the implementation of its proposed reforms to local government.

The Government’s Proposal for Reform of Local Governance is a starting point for discussion. It is intended to facilitate debate and discussion with the objective of establishing a measure of shared agreement about the scale and the broad shape that reform could take.

The possible functions of regional authorities, community authorities and the national parks will be a key part of discussions going forward.

Question reference: S7W-03562

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Hannah Mary Goodlad on 7 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential implications of its proposed local government reform for planning application fees, including whether applicants would face different fee arrangements during or following the transition to a potential new structure of regional and community authorities.

The Government’s Proposal for Reform of Local Governance is a starting point for discussion. It is intended to facilitate debate and discussion with the objective of establishing a measure of shared agreement about the scale and the broad shape that reform could take.

Our proposals should mean decisions are taken closer to people where that could improve local outcomes, on the services and functions most appropriate.

Planning fees play an important role in the overall resourcing of the Planning Service. It is too early to say definitively whether or what changes might be made to planning fees.

Question reference: S7W-03560

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Hannah Mary Goodlad on 7 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether any planning authorities affected by its proposed local government reforms will be required to review, revise or recommence the preparation of their Local Development Plans.

The Government’s Proposal for Reform of Local Governance is a starting point for discussion. It is intended to facilitate debate and discussion with the objective of establishing a measure of shared agreement about the scale and the broad shape that reform could take.

The role of authorities in the planning system will be part of this dialogue. Our proposals should mean decisions are taken closer to people where that could improve local outcomes, on the services and functions most appropriate. The existing framework for local development plans remains in place at present and we are supporting their timely delivery.

Question reference: S7W-03559

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Hannah Mary Goodlad on 7 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to whether existing Local Development Plans would remain in force following any reorganisation of local government, and, if so, for how long they would remain in force.

The Government’s Proposal for Reform of Local Governance is a starting point for discussion. It is intended to facilitate debate and discussion with the objective of establishing a measure of shared agreement about the scale and the broad shape that reform could take.

Our proposals should mean decisions are taken closer to people where that could improve local outcomes, on the services and functions most appropriate. The existing framework of local development plans remains in place at present and we are supporting their timely delivery.

Question reference: S7W-03563

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Hannah Mary Goodlad on 7 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what consultation it plans to undertake with planning authorities, professional planning bodies, community organisations, developers and other planning stakeholders before finalising its proposals for local government reform.

The Government’s Proposal for Reform of Local Governance is a starting point for discussion. It is intended to facilitate debate and discussion with the objective of establishing a measure of shared agreement about the scale and the broad shape that reform could take.

Planning stakeholders will be part of wider engagement on proposals. Our proposals should mean decisions are taken closer to people where that could improve local outcomes, on the services and functions most appropriate.

Question reference: S7W-03567

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Hannah Mary Goodlad on 7 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans that its proposed new regional authorities will have any planning functions within the boundaries of a national park, and, if so, how those functions would interact with the statutory functions of the relevant national park authority.

The Government’s Proposal for Reform of Local Governance is a starting point for discussion. It is intended to facilitate debate and discussion with the objective of establishing a measure of shared agreement about the scale and the broad shape that reform could take.

The possible functions of regional authorities, community authorities and the national parks will be a key part of discussions going forward.

Question reference: S7W-04050

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Tuesday, 06 October 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 3 November 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how much financial support it is providing to Glasgow City Council to assist with pay protection, in light of the recent fire and rehire dispute.

Question reference: S7W-03564

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 6 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether its proposals for local government reform would result in any change to the constitutional, administrative or statutory status of Scotland's two national park authorities.

The Scottish Government’s proposals for local government reform will not alter the constitutional, or statutory status of Scotland’s two National Park Authorities. The Scottish Government’s proposals for local government reform is a starting point for discussion. It is intended to facilitate debate and discussion with the objective of establishing a measure of shared agreement about the scale and the broad shape that reform could take. The relationship of regional authorities to Scotland’s two national park authorities will be taken into consideration during that dialogue.

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Question reference: S7W-03561

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