Chamber and committees

As this is an operational matter for Scottish Water I have asked them to respond. Their reply is as follows:

Scottish Water has responded to requests for data from Windrush Against Sewage Pollution (WASP) under a number or FOI/EIR requests. Where data was available, Scottish Water has made efforts to provide this, as requested. Where data is not held by Scottish Water, as per the request, it has not been able to provide it - and Scottish Water has provided explanations. This is being tested by the Scottish Information Commissioner under appeal from WASP, reflecting the appropriate process in these circumstances.

This would be an operational matter for Scottish Water.

Any discharge from a wastewater asset is covered by the requirements of authorisations issued under the Environmental Authorisation (Scotland) Regulations 2018. In the event of a potential non-compliance identified by the appropriate regulator, Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), this would be investigated by Scottish Water and action taken as appropriate.

The Scottish Government recognises the importance of data centres to Scotland’s digital infrastructure and is engaging with planning authorities, the energy sector and other stakeholders to understand emerging development trends. Whilst there are no current proposals for sector-specific guidance or regulatory changes, the need for further guidance will be kept under review and considered as part of ongoing work, and the National Planning Hub will continue to work on Data Centres, developing knowledge, capacity and understanding with Local Government.

As planning authorities, local authorities are able to regulate development including the creation of new shops. Changes to the specific range of goods sold within an existing shop do not constitute development so are not within the scope of planning control.

Scotland has a Tobacco and Vapes Retail Register. All businesses need to be registered to be able to sell these products in Scotland. It is the responsibility of local authorities to enforce compliance with the register in their local areas.

The Scottish Government supports the development of a paediatric palliative care suite in Greater Glasgow and Clyde. We want to ensure that children and young people receive high quality palliative care and that their families and carers have flexible support, based on their individual needs, in a location that suits them.

‘Molly’s suite’ will build on the work done by young cancer patient Molly Cuddihy to ensure children and young people at the end of their life are properly supported and treated with dignity. Work to develop it is being led by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHS GGC), working in partnership with Children’s Hospices across Scotland (CHAS).

My officials have asked the Board for an update on progress, which I will share with the Member in due course.

Trading standards officers are appointed by local authorities in order to comply with their statutory obligations.

While it is up to each local authority to manage its own day-to-day business, including decisions in relation to the delivery of statutory services locally, Scottish Government retains a strategic interest in the effective delivery of trading standards services across Scotland.

Scottish Ministers have asked Consumer Scotland to develop recommendations that will inform Scottish Government’s continued support for local authorities in delivering effective, well resourced, trading standards services that deliver positive outcomes for people and communities.

Trading standards officers are appointed by local authorities. Trading Standards Scotland (TSS) is the national team for trading standards in Scotland and is funded by UK Government’s Department for Business and Trade (DBT). Workforce planning is an operational matter for individual local authorities and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) as employers.

Scottish Ministers have asked Consumer Scotland to develop recommendations that will inform Scottish Government’s continued support for local authorities in delivering effective, well resourced, trading standards services that deliver positive outcomes for people and communities.

Scottish Government does not provide guidance on prioritisation of enforcement activity to local authorities. It is for each local authority to manage its own day-to-day business, including decisions in relation to the delivery of statutory services locally.

Trading Standards Scotland (TSS) is the national team for trading standards in Scotland. The team is funded by UK Government’s Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and managed by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA). TSS has a duty to coordinate and enforce cross boundary and national casework.

The Scottish Government has not received any reports of illegal sewage spills identified by Windrush Against Sewage Pollution (WASP).

Any discharge from a wastewater asset is covered by the requirements of authorisations issued under the Environmental Authorisation (Scotland) Regulations 2018. In the event of a potential non-compliance identified by the appropriate regulator, Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), this would be investigated by Scottish Water and action taken as appropriate.

We have committed to begin consulting with partners in our first 100 days to ensure the planning system acts as an enabler to economic growth and investment. Our engagement over the coming months will help to inform our decisions on the scope of any reforms to the planning system, including the potential need for a Planning Bill.