Chamber and committees

The consultation has been published today and is be available on the Scottish Government’s Consultation Hub, Citizen Space ( https://consult.gov.scot/college-policy/trade-union-nominees/ ). It builds on the work of The Good College Governance Task Group, which made a set of recommendations to improve college governance in Scotland. One of these recommendations was to add trade union nominees to the boards of college institutions and the consultation will seek views of a set of proposals to implement this. This work marks the beginning of a wider programme of improvements in governance across the tertiary education and skills sector. The closing date is‎ 27 January 2023.

The Scottish Government received a copy of the letter on the evening of 22 November 2022.

Under the Deposit and Return Scheme for Scotland Regulations 2020, consumers are only entitled to have their deposit redeemed if they present a container that is identifiable as a scheme article, intact, empty, and not soiled.

Retailers and other return-point operators are required to retain scheme articles they have been accepted for collection by the scheme administrator, Circularity Scotland Ltd (CSL) or their agent. Once collected the containers are the responsibility of CSL.

With regard to the safe collection and disposal of dead wild birds suspected of having been infected with this strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), current government disease control guidance is for carcases to be left in situ.

At present there is no scientific evidence that the removal of carcases significantly reduces the risk of onward spread of the current strain of HPAI H5N1 amongst wild birds and a recent veterinary risk assessment carried out by the Centre of Expertise on Animal Disease Outbreaks (EPIC), commissioned by the Scottish Government has supported this position.

Without such evidence, there is no animal disease control reason for the collection and disposal of wild bird carcases and, as such, no additional funds have been, or are planned to be, allocated.

It is recognised by Scottish Government that local authorities may choose, at their own discretion, to collect and dispose of dead wild birds from areas with a high public footfall, and for this reason Scottish Government has provided all local authorities in Scotland with guidance for the safe collection and disposal of dead birds. NatureScot’s guidance reflects this position.

Scottish Government, in partnership with NatureScot and the HPAI task force are currently developing a Scottish Wild Birds Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Contingency Plan for wild birds, which will set out how the Scottish Government and partners will respond to future outbreaks. This plan will include a guidance on the removal of carcases, drawing on the findings of the EPIC risk assessment .

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-12239 on‎ 1 December 2022. 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

The Scottish Government has committed to undertake further work to quantify Scotland’s offshore wind potential. Once this work has concluded a letter will be sent to the Presiding Officer.

I have raised this issue with Julie White, Chief Officer in the Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership, who has advised that following the temporary closure of the in-patient facilities a total of 52 staff were re-deployed.

The deployed community staff are currently supporting:

• 102 packages of care (535.5 hrs) which equates to circa 120 individuals to support care at home sector
• The opening of 18 beds in Mountainhall Treatment Centre as an intermediate care facility as a step down from Acute Care.
• The Marie Curie and district nursing 24/7 services have resulted in reducing the need for cottage hospital beds as the partnership are able to support caring for more people in their homes.

In Scotland the provision of education is the responsibility of local authorities who have a duty under the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 to provide adequate and efficient school education. Under the Standards in Scotland’s Schools etc. Act 2000 the local authority is responsible for improving the quality of education within their schools with a view to raising standards.

In the case of Dargavel Primary School, Renfrewshire Council is responsible for ensuring the quality of education within the school and any concerns should be raised with them.

Renfrewshire Council has commissioned an independent review to determine what went wrong and why – the findings of which will be made public.

The Council is working on a long-term solution for the school, and has committed to engaging with parents and carers on proposals.

Scottish Government officials meet regularly with their Welsh Government counterparts sharing best practice, including discussing mobility programmes and ways to maximise participation opportunities for those who need it most. In this context, wider discussion around mobility and exchange, including Taith, take place regularly to ensure both sides collaborate, are up to date and improve efficiency in developing and delivering opportunities for learning and exchange.

We are taking the capacity issues at Dargavel Primary School very seriously, and we continue to be in close contact with Renfrewshire Council.

On 30 November, I met with Dargavel Primary Parent Council, Neil Bibby MSP and Natalie Don MSP, and had a constructive discussion about this important matter. Officials will remain in close contact with the Council on this matter going forward.