IOG: Parliament News, issue 37/may 2004

Scottish Affairs web site

Events

4 May: Jack McConnell, First Minister, attended an event in Edinburgh organised by the European Commission and the Irish Presidency to mark the entry of 10 new states to the EU on 1 May. Mr McConnell said that enlargement will bring new challenges to all the governments and that devolved governments, especially those like Scotland with legislative powers, will have a key role to play in making sense of the increasing complexity in decision making.

4 May: Dr Le Gales-Camus, the World Health Organisation Assistant-Director General (Noncommunicable Diseases & Mental Health), said that Scotland's combined strategic approach to diet and physical activity is an excellent example of how policymakers can adopt an integrated and multi-sectoral approach to improve public health and reduce chronic disease. Tom McCabe, Deputy Minister for Health, welcomed the WHO's endorsement and outlined the next steps in improving Scotland health: recruiting 600 active school co-ordinators to get school pupils more active; developing safer routes to school; and improving opportunities for children to walk and cycle more.

5 May: a reception took place in Glasgow hosted by the Executive, in conjunction with Scottish Development International, the Scottish Council for Development and Industry and the Glasgow Euro Info Centre, to allow businesses to share knowledge and experience gained with others who are seeking new opportunities in the new EU member states. The EU already accounts for 55% of Scottish manufactured exports.

6 May: Jim Wallace, Minister for Lifelong Learning, announced that a key target to increase trainees on the Modern apprenticeship (MA) programme was reached. The Partnership Agreement aimed to increase the number of trainees to 30,000 by 2006 and this number has already been achieved.

7 May: Jack McConnell, First Minister, launched the Fresh Talent website, available at www.scotlandistheplace.com, with information for people wanting to come and live and work in Scotland.

10 May: Mary Mulligan, Deputy Minister for Communities, launched the Respect newsletter. The first edition outlines:

the Antisocial Behaviour Bill;
the Executive's investment in an extra £95 million to tackle underlying causes and effects;
the introduction of community warden schemes;
improving restorative justice schemes where young offenders can make good the damage they cause.

The Respect publication will be produced every three to four months and will be distributed to community councils, registered tenants' organisations and everyone who responded to the Putting our Communities First consultation paper

18 May: Frank McAveety, Minister for Culture, attended Scotland Day at the Cannes International Film Festival and announced details of a new scheme which will fully fund three low budget feature films and give them world-wide distribution. The Scheme is open to teams of Scottish based writers, producers and directors as well as independents.

24 May: Ross Finnie, Minister for Environment and Rural Development, announced the agreement by European Fisheries Ministers to establish Regional Advisory Councils (RACs). This agreement provides the principles and guidelines, as well as funding, to allow members to take forward proposals for the creation of RACs in the North Sea, Mediterranean, Baltic, South Western Waters, North Western Waters, International Waters, and the herring and mackerel fishery of the Western Waters. A shadow RAC for the North Sea has already been set up.

25 May: George Reid, Presiding Officer, informed the Parliament's Finance Committee that the overall estimated final cost of the Holyrood project remains unchanged from the previous report, at £424.7 - £430.5 million.

25 May: Andy Kerr, Minister for Finance and Public Services, launched the new food procurement guidelines. These guidelines encourage public bodies, such as schools and hospitals to ensure that suppliers meet appropriate farm assurance standards, and that they promote local fresh and seasonal produce of high nutritional quality.

26 May: Ross Finnie, Minister for Environment and Rural Development, announced a new line of defence to protect Scotland's livestock industry against any future outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease. Agricultural services provider, Genus plc, has been appointed to provide vaccination teams across Great Britain to support the State Veterinary Service. A decision on vaccination, in the event of an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in Scotland, would be taken by Scottish Minister on the basis of veterinary and other advice.

Appointments

6 May: Karen Carlton was nominated by the Parliament as the first Commissioner for Public Appointments in Scotland. The creation of this post is to help provide Scotland with an open and fully accountable public appointments system, based on merit and commanding public confidence.

19 May: Alan Hardie, Chairman and Managing Director of the Paterson Arran company based in Livingston, was appointed as a new member to the Council of Food From Britain, which is a cross border public body set up under the Agriculture Marketing Act 1983 to assist British companies to export their produce.

Bills

5 May: the Nature Conservation Bill: Stage 3 was passed by Parliament. The main objective of the Bill is to improve protection for Scotland's natural heritage, to be achieved by tough new legal protection for designated sites and improved measures for dealing with wildlife crime.

6 May: the NHS Reform Bill: Stage 3 was passed by Parliament. The main objectives of the Bill are to improve public services as set out in the Partnership Agreement and include commitments to legislate to abolish NHS Trusts, establish community health partnerships, ensure co-operation in delivering regional service, increase public involvement and promote health improvement.

A summary of the Bills passed by the Parliament in the 1999-2003 session can be found on the Parliament website at www.scottish.parliament.uk/parl_bus/bills/bill%20summaries.pdf

Committees

6 May: the Audit Committee welcomed Scottish Enterprise's positive response to a special audit of aspects of SE's performance and management. The Committee's findings and recommendations included:

after an appropriate period SE should review its improved procedures for EU funding applications to ensure that they are resulting in increased compliance;
supporting the proposal that the auditors undertake a further review of the use of consultants and contractors as part of a future examination of the Business Transformation Project;
SE should ensure that appropriate and proportionate arrangements are in place to ensure that consultancy services are providing value for money.

20 May: the Enterprise and Culture Committee published their report on the state of Broadband Scotland and welcomed the Executive's contribution to the widespread roll-out of high-speed internet access, but are calling for the target to be increased to 100% coverage.

27 May: the Stirling-Alloa-Kincardine Railway & Link Improvement Bill Committee published its report recommending support for the Private Bill to reconstruct the railway between Stirling, Alloa and Kincardine.

Research opportunities

The Scottish Parliament has a budget for commissioning research for Parliamentary committees and holds a database of researchers interested in tendering for committee research. Anyone wishing to be included in the database should complete the on-line form on the Parliament website at
www.scottish.parliament.uk/whats_happening/contracts/contract02-01.htm

Scottish Executive Publications

Scottish Executive publications can be accessed on the Scottish Executive website at www.scotland.gov.uk/publications/recent.aspx

Some of those published in the last month include:

The Scottish Human Rights Commission: Analysis of Consultation Responses: a publication showing an analysis of 58 responses received on proposals for this body. 4.5.04

The National Grid for Learning: Summary of Progress Report 3. 7.5.04

RESPECT issue one April 2004 Tackling Antisocial Behaviour: a 3-monthly info sheet for community groups and individuals. 11.5.04

The Licensing (Scotland) Bill: A Consultation on Liquor Licensing: a publication setting out the Executive's key proposals and request for responses. 17.5.04

Scottish Planning Policy: SPP17. Planning for Transport: Consultation Responses. 21.5.04

Scotland's Biodiversity - It's in Your Hands - A strategy for the conservation and enhancement of biodiversity in Scotland. 25.5.04

Regional Advisory Councils Proposal for a Council Decision establishing RACs under the Common Fisheries Policy: Summary of responses to Executive consultation. 25.5.04

Output Specification - Building Our Future: Scotland's School Estate: brief of PPP project - Local Authority Requirements. 26.5.04

Responses to Consultation Draft on Rural Development. 27.5.04

Links to other issues of Parliament News

Contact

Should you have any comments or enquiries please do not hesitate to contact Margaret MacPherson at the Institute of Governance.

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