IOG: Parliament News, issue 38/june-july 2004

Scottish Affairs web site

Events

1 June: Peter Peacock, Minister for Education, unveiled the next stage of Scotland's school buildings programme, bringing the total investment to over £2.2 billion. Four councils, Falkirk, Moray, Scottish Borders and West Dunbartonshire, are joining the 24 that are already part of the Public Private Partnerships (PPP) school building programme.

1 June: the Parliament issued its Publication Scheme document as part of its commitment to the implementation of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002. The document, available on the Parliament's website and in hard copy, lists all the information it currently makes, or intends to make, available to the public. It also describes how to access such information and provides details of their format and any cost involved.

2 June: Andy Kerr, Minister for Finance and Public Services, announced measures to end the two-tier workforce for staff working to deliver public services in local government. The Executive has issued draft statutory guidance which will ensure that all staff working to provide local government services are fairly treated, whether they are employed directly by local government or by a third party service partner.

2 June: visit of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the Parliament where the focal point of his programme was to lead the Parliament in Time for Reflection in the main chamber.

4 June: Frank McAveety, Minister for Tourism, speaking at the Highlands and Islands Enterprise Network annual conference at Sabhal Mor Ostaig on Skye, said that National Geographic magazine recently placed the Highlands and Islands among the top ten global destinations for its natural beauty. Mr McAveety said that they should develop every aspect of the tourism industry to achieve more world accolades.

7 June: the Executive has agreed to support Scottish Opera's business plan aimed at producing a sustainable future for the company. The Executive will make available up to £7 million to meet potential restructuring costs. In return the company will repay its £4.5 million advance over four years.

7 June: Tom McCabe, Deputy Minister for Health, launched a wide-ranging consultation to consider the introduction of more smoke-free areas, giving the Scottish people the chance to voice their opinions on what should be done about smoking in public places.

8 June: Frank McAveety, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport, launched a plan to build on Edinburgh's success as a tourism destination. A team of twenty two Champions has been formed who will lead the delivery of a wide range of projects that form the core of the Edinburgh Tourism Action Group's (ETAG) development plan for the industry.

8 June: the latest phase of a five-year plan to increase adult participation in sport was launched. Nine individual strategies have been developed to deliver the targets set out in 'Sport 21 2003-2007'. The targets are all based on three visions for Scotland - a nation where sport is more widely available to all, where sporting talent is recognised and nurtured, and world class performances in sport are achieved and sustained.

10 June: the Executive published Scottish Local Government Financial Statistics for 2002-2003. Local Authority Gross Revenue expenditure in 2002-03 was £14.5 billion, an increase of 11.7 per cent on 2001-2002.

11 June: First Group was selected as the preferred bidder for the new Scottish passenger rail franchise, which will begin later this year.

11 June: Jack McConnell, First Minister, announced that the next G8 Summit will be held at Gleneagles and over the coming months the Executive will work closely with partners throughout Scotland and with the UK Government to ensure the event is a success.

14 June: new laws which give local groups rights to buy land came into effect. Community bodies throughout Scotland now have the right to register an interest in land and to buy that land when it comes to be sold. Crofting communities can now buy the land where they work and live. These rights are included in Parts 2 and 3 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act.

14 June: the Executive released today its new Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD). This Index ranks small areas across the whole of Scotland by their levels of relative deprivation. It therefore enables anyone interested in comparing and contrasting small areas across Scotland to do so on a consistent basis. A report providing summary details on the approach taken by the Executive to construct the SIMD 2004 can be found at www.scotland.gov.uk/SIMD2004Report and the full details on the rankings and underlying data behind the SIMD 2004 at www.scotland.gov.uk/SIMD2004Data.

15 June: the Executive issued the country's first ever Green Jobs Strategy discussion paper, with the aim of realising opportunities for Scotland in renewable energy, recycling and waste management, and resource efficiency.

16 June: a White Paper outlining proposals to improve transport in Scotland was launched. Proposals in Scotland's Transport Future include:

the creation of a new transport agency for Scotland;
tightened legislation to improve the co-ordination and quality of road works across the country with an independent watchdog able to impose tougher penalties;
powers to deliver improved national concessionary fare schemes for young people and for older and disabled people.

16 June: The Independent Review of Local Government Finance was launched. It will examine different forms of local taxation, including reform of council tax. The Review will look at the impact of any changes, including the implications for the rest of the local government finance system and any wider economic consequences.

17 June: MSPs approved the Edinburgh and the Lothian Structure Plan. The Plan provides a long term vision to shape development and safeguard the environment in the area until 2015. MSP's approval is subject to a number of modifications.

17 June: Malcolm Chisholm announced the creation of an expert group to review NHS genetic services and the application of new genetic knowledge in Scotland. The aim of the group is to ensure that Scotland continues to maintain a leading role in the field of genetic services. The group will be chaired by Professor Sir Kenneth Calman, the former Chief Medical Officer of Scotland.

17 June: a group of young scientists from 8 new EU member states arrived in Scotland to attend a Crossroads for Ideas science workshop, where they exchanged ideas and got to know a number of leading UK scientists.

18 June: Jack McConnell, First Minister, delivered the 13th Sabhal Mor Ostaig annual lecture on Skye, saying that the economic and cultural renaissance of the Highlands and Islands was an inspiration for Scotland's future.

18 June: Andy Kerr, Minister for Finance, speaking at the launch of Glasgow's new International Strategy, welcomed the approach by Glasgow City Council to place international considerations at the heart of policy and action, and to give the ongoing regeneration of the city an international perspective. The International Strategy aims to create the best possible conditions for Glasgow's economy to prosper, to enhance the city's image throughout the world and to ensure that Glasgow's urban policy agenda is heard at all levels in Europe.

21 June: Tom McCabe, Deputy Minister for Health, attended the Child Obesity Conference - Changing Scotland's Culture, saying that Government has a key role to play in improving health by providing support, encouragement and opportunity for everyone in Scotland to lead healthier lives.

21 June: Presiding Officer George Reid wrote to the Finance Committee with the final update on costs and programme for Holyrood before the summer recess, stating that the overall estimated cost is unchanged at a maximum of £430.5m and occupation of the building will take place over the summer.

22 June: publication of the Parliament's Annual Report showing that the work undertaken in the first year of its second session included the introduction of 22 bills and 34 inquiries carried out. The report covers the 12-month period from May 2003 when the second session began and covers the election results, party composition and new committee and group memberships. All MSPs are listed with their constituency or regional responsibilities.

24 June: Cathy Jamieson, Minister for Justice, announced that a review is to be carried out on the way Scotland's police forces handle complaints against their officers. The group's report will inform the Executive's plans to establish an independent police complaints body.

24 June: Jim Wallace, Minister for Lifelong Learning, announced a package of measures to protect Scottish students from the consequences of the UK Government's plan to introduce variable fees. The Executive will fund loans for Scottish students studying in England of up to £3,000 per year to enable them to pay for the variable fees associated with their chosen course. Mr Wallace also announced plans to increase fees for students from the rest of the UK coming to Scottish universities from 2006, saying that it would protect the opportunities for Scottish domiciled students to take up places at Scottish universities.

24 June: Andy Kerr, Minister for Finance and Public Services, announced details of the Efficient Government initiative, designed to deliver public sector savings of £500 million by 2007-08 and £1 billion by 2009-10. Mr Kerr said the Executive will set targets for efficiency gains from each government department, health board and all public agencies and these gains will be reinvested in frontline staff and services.

28 June: launch of a consultation on the use of bail and remand in Scotland by the Sentencing Commission for Scotland. The Sentencing Commission, which was set up in November 2003, was invited by the Executive to review and make recommendations on the use of bail and remand as a matter of priority. Responses to the consultation should arrive by the end of September.

30 June: Margaret Curran, Minister for Communities, announced that three areas of Stirling, Clydebank and Edinburgh were granted 'pathfinder' Urban Regeneration Company (URC) status, backed by £20 million from the Executive. Raploch in Stirling, Clydebank and Craigmillar in Edinburgh are the areas at the forefront of a pioneering approach aimed at regenerating run-down areas of Scotland with a long term vision emphasising a co-ordinated approach from public and private sector organisations.

1 July: last day of the parliamentary session before the summer recess and last session in the Assembly Hall.

6 July: Allan Wilson, Deputy Minister for Environment and Rural development, announced £38.6 million to encourage the management of farmland habitats to benefit wildlife and improve water quality, and a further £3.7 of grants for organic farming.

12 July: Chancellor Gordon Brown announced that the Executive budget will rise to £25.5 billion by 2007-08 as part of the Overall UK Spending Review.

12 July: Margaret Curran, Minister for Communities, announced that a new £104 million Community Regeneration Fund has been established to bring improvement to Scotland's most deprived areas. The fund will target the communities identified the previous month in the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation.

15 July: Allan Wilson, Deputy Minister for the Environment, announced the creation of the Executive's Biodiversity Action Grants Scheme, which is intended to stimulate and encourage a range of projects that will assist implementation of the aims of the Scottish Biodiversity strategy to protect and enhance Scotland's natural environment. The £200,000 scheme is open to a wide range of public bodies, voluntary bodies and local groups to support projects the benefit biodiversity locally or nationally.

22 July: launch of the consultation paper Maintaining Houses, Preserving Homes, which sets out options for action to improve the quality of private sector housing and give local authorities powers to intervene to stop properties falling into disrepair.

27 July: the Registrar General for Scotland released data from the 2001 Census, showing the origin and destination of migrants and people who travel to work or study. Customers who wish to analyse the data can do so either by obtaining the data on CD from GROS Customer Services at customer@gro-scotland.gov.uk Information on the tables for which origin-destination data is being provided can be found at http://www.statistics.gov.uk/census2001/op23.asp

28 July: Jim Wallace, Minister for Enterprise, unveiled details of a new grant scheme aimed at helping young entrepreneurs across Scotland to take their first step into business. The fund will provide grants of £1,000 to young people aged 18-30 starting up in business in the Scottish Enterprise area.

30 July: the Registrar General for Scotland released his Annual Review of Demographic Trends. The report highlights trends in births, deaths and marriages and shows that Scotland's population rose slightly last year by 2,600 people.

Appointments

17 June: six new members were appointed to the Board of Scottish Enterprise: Pat Denzler, Fred Hallsworth, Douglas Lamb, Donald MacRae, Colin McClatchie and Ray Perman.

16 June: Mrs Diana Murray was appointed as the new Secretary (Chief Executive) of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland.

30 June: Colin Mair was appointed as Chief Executive of the Improvement Service for local government and its partners in Scotland.

30 June: the group who will conduct the Independent Review of Local Government Finance was named: Sir Peter Burt (Chair), Professor John Baillie, Peter Daniels and Janet Lowe.

20 July: Joe O'Donnell, was appointed as the first permanent Chief Inspector of the Independent Inspectorate of Prosecution in Scotland.

21 July: William Roe was appointed as the new Chair of Highlands and Island Enterprise. This post was previously held by Dr Jim Hunter for 6 years.

30 July: Kathleen McQuillan was appointed as a new member to the Parole Board for Scotland.

Bills

3 June: the Parliament agreed the general principles of the Tenements (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1. The Bill has two main objectives. The first is to clarify and re-state the common law rules which demarcate ownership of the various parts of a tenement. The second objective is to provide a statutory system of management for tenements. The overall effect will be that every tenement will have a management scheme and hence a mechanism for ensuring that repairs are carried out and that decisions are reached on other matters of mutual interest and concern.

17 June: the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3, was passed by Parliament. The Bill focuses on four themes:

protecting and empowering communities;
preventing antisocial behaviour by working with children and families;
building safe, secure and attractive communities; and
effective enforcement.

23 June: the Local Governance (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3, was passed by Parliament. The Bill makes changes to the way councillors are elected through the introduction of the Single Transferable Vote (STV) with wards of either three or four councillors. The Bill also proposes changes to remuneration of councillors, changes to the rules concerning political restrictions on council staff and introduces other measures aimed at widening access to council membership.

24 June: the Parliament agreed the general principles of the School Education (Ministerial Powers and Independent Schools) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1. The objective of the Bill is to give Ministers proportionate powers that will assist them to endeavour to secure improvement in the quality of school education for Scotland.

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

1 June: the Justice 2 Committee issued an open call for evidence from all interested parties for its Youth Justice Inquiry. The purpose of the inquiry is to review the effectiveness of multi-agency working and to identify and assess the impact of gaps in service provision in the youth justice field.

4 June: launch of the Enterprise and Culture Committee's call for evidence on the state of Scottish football. They are seeking evidence from all Scotland's professional football clubs as well as from grass-roots organisations.

8 June: publication of a report by the Environment and Rural Development Committee which broadly endorsed the Executive's implementation of reform of the Common Agricultural Policy in Scotland and recommends that the executive should revise its 'Forward Strategy for Scottish Agriculture' to provide a clear strategy for moving forward.

9 June: publication of a report by the Audit Committee stating that a series of system failures, as well as flaws in working relationships and the introduction of a new accounting system, led to the qualification of the Parliament's accounts for 2002-03. The Committee emphasises that there has been no suggestion or evidence of fraud having occurred within the Parliament and welcomes a range of improvements that have already been made to accounting arrangements.

17 June: a majority of MSPs on the Parliament's European and External Relations Committee called for further clarification from the UK Government on its plans to overhaul the European Union's regional development policy. Under current funding arrangements, Scotland will receive more than £1 billion between 2000 and 2006. All Members expressed disappointment that UK Ministers were not prepared to meet with them and felt this refusal to meet hindered the Inquiry and was unreasonable,

17 June: the Environment and Rural Development Committee issued a call for evidence seeking views from all interested parties on the general principles of the Water Services Etc. (Scotland) Bill.

22 June: the Equal Opportunities Committee launched an 18-month long inquiry 'Removing Barriers and Creating Opportunities' into disability issues in Scotland. The Committee will focus upon barriers within further and higher education, access to work, and leisure and the arts.

23 June: the Finance Committee announced a call for evidence for its cross-cutting inquiry into Economic Development. The Committee aims to find out whether the level and structure of government spending on economic development in Scotland has been appropriate.

24 June: the Finance Committee published a report on public sector jobs relocation. The report raises concerns over inconsistency in the way that criteria were used in assessing previous relocations and has strongly questioned the lack of transparency in the decision to move Scottish Natural Heritage's headquarters to Inverness.

30 June: publication of the Enterprise Committee's Renewable Energy report. The Committee calls upon the Executive and Westminster to develop a fully-fledged Scottish energy policy to meet Scotland's future energy needs. The report concludes that the opportunities and benefits of renewable energy are so great that the Executive should invest significantly in the sector, but should now focus investment on developing marine technologies.

1 July: the Procedures Committee published a report New Procedures for Members' Bills which recommends a requirement to consult on an initial proposal for a Bill for a minimum of 12 weeks, a higher threshold of support for a final proposal (18 MSP supporters from at least half the parties instead of the current requirement of 11 fellow Members), and a mechanism to enable the Executive to intervene in cases where it or the UK Government are planning similar legislation.

2 July: publication of a report by the Audit Committee on NHS overview and staff pay modernisation. The report states that the Executive's Health Department is not in a position to measure whether the new contracts will deliver their predicted benefits or whether services will improve as a result.

2 July: publication of a report by the Enterprise Committee criticising the Executive for having spent two years reviewing the Area Tourist Board (ATB) structure and still not having identified a clear, new structure to replace it.

2 July: Justice 1 Committee received confirmation from the Law Society that it has agreed to make a practice rule requiring solicitors to provide their clients with a letter of engagement which specifies, among other things, the work to be carried out and the fees and outgoings to be charged. This decision follows on from strong representations made by the Justice 1 Committee pressing for such a rule to be made.

5 July: the Procedures Committee issued a call for written evidence from all interested parties for its inquiry on Private Bill procedures. The deadline for submitting written evidence is 27 September 2004.

5 July: the Enterprise and Culture Committee issued a call for evidence on its inquiry on arts in the community. The closing date for evidence is 15 September 2004.

8 July: the Education Committee published a report which expresses concern over the performance of Disclosure Scotland in managing the reporting of criminal histories to employers and voluntary organisations where job applicants are seeking to work with children. The Committee insists that Ministers ensure that disclosure turnaround times decrease quickly to meet Disclosure Scotland's target of 90 per cent of properly completed applications being processed within 14 days.

20 July: the Health Committee announced its support of the general principles of the Breastfeeding etc (Scotland) Bill. The Bill seeks to make it an offence to prevent or stop someone from feeding milk to children under the age of two in a public place or on licensed premises.

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:

Draft Charities and Trustee (Scotland) Bill: Consultation Paper. 2.6.04

Smoking in Public Places: A Consultation. 7.6.04

Scottish Local Government Financial Statistics 2002-3: annual publication of Income and Expenditure of Scottish Local Authorities, 2002-03. 10.6.04

Guidance Pack on Crofting Community Right to Buy. 14.6.04

National Dossier on Education and Training in Scotland 2004 Summary. 16.6.04

Update on the Recommendations of the Cross-Party Working Group on Religious Hatred. 28.6.04

Framework for Developing Nursing Roles Consultation. 28.6.04

Parents' Access to and Demand for Childcare in Scotland. 29.6.04

Scotland's International Image: Findings from Consultation & Research. 1.7.04

Scottish Agriculture: A Guide to Grants and Services 2004. 5.7.04

Review of Marches and Parades in Scotland: Consultation Letter inviting views on the Review of Marches and Parades in Scotland. 15.7.04

Governance and Accountability in the Further Education Sector: Consultation Paper on proposed changes to FE college Boards of Management. 15.7.04

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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