Chamber and committees

The consultation “Review of the Regional Strategic Bodies within the Glasgow and Lanarkshire college regions” opens today, 17 June, and it will run until midnight on 20 September 2024. The consultation can be accessed by using the following link: review of the regional strategic bodies within the Glasgow and Lanarkshire college regions.

The Scottish Government recognises some duplication in how parents and carers are engaged by a range of parental focused organisations at local and national level, including the National Parent Forum of Scotland and Connect. However, we must ensure that, at this critical juncture for education reform, meaningful engagement draws on a wide range of perspectives and experiences from all parts of Scotland. As such, we have concluded that there is a need to establish a broader, more representative model to support engagement from parents and carers through the National Parent Panel.

The Scottish Government does not expect to incur any costs as a result of not awarding any further grants to the National Parent Forum of Scotland. Detailed costings for the new panel are still in discussion with Connect.

There have been no recent discussions between Ministers and/or officials and the other bodies mentioned regarding the establishment of a dedicated non-departmental public body for housebuilding in Scotland.

No plans have been actively considered to establish a non-departmental body for housing.

Under standard and ongoing grant management arrangements, the National Parent Forum Scotland (NPFS) has had many opportunities to provide advice and challenge to a range of Scottish Government policies since the organisation was established in 2009.

We have not been actively considering the establishment of a non-departmental public body and therefore have made no assessment of the potential costs associated with doing so.

The Scottish Government will bring forward plans for the replacement for the National Parent Forum of Scotland and I am happy to ensure that the member is kept informed.

Under standard and ongoing grant management arrangements, Scottish Government officials met representatives from National Parent Forum of Scotland and their host organisation, Children in Scotland, on 21 May 2024. Issues relating to the decision to cease funding NPFS were discussed.

The Chair of the National Parent Forum of Scotland was informed on 14 May 2024 that the Scottish Government would not be continuing to grant fund the organisation beyond 2023/24.