- Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 08 December 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Peter Peacock on 22 December 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive why the local authority grant increases announced by the Minister for Finance and Local Government on 7 December 2000, are higher in 2001-02 than in 2002-03 and higher in 2002-03 than in 2003-04.
Answer
The grant allocations arise out of the spending plans announced on 20 September, and represent a 10.5% increase in real terms over the three-year period.
- Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 08 December 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Sam Galbraith on 22 December 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Clyde Port Authority regarding the recommencement of dredging of the River Clyde to minimise the potential for flooding.
Answer
Dredging of the River Clyde is not a matter for the Executive and no discussions have taken place with Clydeport Plc - formerly the Clyde Port Authority. The company has powers to dredge part of the River Clyde for the purposes of navigation whilst maintenance of rivers for other purposes is a matter for the riparian owners.
Additionally, under the Flood Prevention (Scotland) Act 1961 local authorities have a duty to maintain watercourses if this would substantially reduce the likelihood of flooding of non-agricultural land in their areas.
- Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 08 December 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Peter Peacock on 22 December 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to impose any new statutory duties or responsibilities on local authorities over the next 12 months and, if so, whether it will fully fund any such duties or responsibilities in this period and in future years.
Answer
We will consider any new statutory duties and responsibilities, and whether they impose any additional financial burden on local government, as they arise.
- Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 08 December 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Sam Galbraith on 22 December 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive what the current average cost is per hectare of (a) restoring a plot of derelict land and (b) bringing a plot of vacant land to productive industrial use.
Answer
This information is not held centrally.
- Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 08 December 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Wendy Alexander on 22 December 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to improve the poor perception of jobs in the service sector amongst males as highlighted in the Action Teams for Jobs Report 2000.
Answer
Action Teams for Jobs is a Department for Education and Employment initiative which targets the most disadvantaged areas to help workless people get a job and keep it. The Glasgow Action Team for Jobs believes from their work with clients that this perception is changing.
The Scottish New Deal Advisory Task Force and the Glasgow Employer Coalition are also taking initiatives which address this issue.
- Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 08 December 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Susan Deacon on 22 December 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to encourage flexible working practices in the NHSiS which would allow doctors, nurses and ancillary staff to combine work with caring responsibilities.
Answer
Our National Health: A Plan for Action, a Plan for Change makes clear that all NHS employers will be required to meet or exceed best practice guidance on family-friendly policies as part of the new Staff Governance Standard. To help employers, guidance on family-friendly policies will issue in the New Year, and will address issues such as flexible working; childcare; breastfeeding and career breaks. The guidance will apply to all staff in NHS Scotland.
- Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 08 December 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Peter Peacock on 22 December 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive how each local authority's aggregate external finance increase for 2001-02 to 2003-04 was arrived at.
Answer
Each authority's grant for 2001-02 was calculated using the existing client group based distribution formula adjusted to reflect a number of distribution reviews completed this year. A minimum grant increase (or "floor") of 5% was put in place. For 2002-03 and 2003-04, the formula was updated using projections of population changes in key client groups. Floors of 4% in 2002-03, and 3.4% in 2003-04, were applied.
- Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 08 December 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Peter Peacock on 22 December 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide additional resources to local authorities over the next three years if inflation exceeds 2.5% in any year.
Answer
The increases in grant support announced recently significantly exceed the predicted rate of inflation. It is for local authorities to manage their finances to take account of inflation and other factors just as other public bodies, and the Scottish Executive itself, has to do.
- Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 08 December 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Iain Gray on 22 December 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce a community legal service delivered by a range of providers including independent agencies, law centres and solicitors in private practice.
Answer
The Deputy First Minister has set up a working group to make recommendations about how a "Community Legal Service" might be established in Scotland. The group is broadly based and will report to him in October 2001.
- Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 08 December 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Susan Deacon on 22 December 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive what impact "family friendly" policies would have in retaining trained and skilled staff within the NHSiS.
Answer
The introduction of family friendly policies is expected to improve morale and show that NHS Scotland cares about its staff. It sends the message that NHS Scotland is serious about recruiting new staff and retaining its staff by offering them the ability to work the hours they want to combine work with family commitments.
