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As I said when I published our draft social isolation strategy A Connected Scotland: Tackling social isolation and loneliness and building stronger social connections on 16 January we are actively organising a number of events – including in the member’s area – to ensure we are engaging with local communities and organisations and enabling them to have their say.

While Government can create the conditions, it is communities themselves that are best placed to tackle these issues and lead on ensuring those at risk of becoming lonely or isolated have access to the right support networks, so I want to hear from them what they need to do that. Local services are a vital part of this work, and I would encourage any organisation with an interest to respond. Following this period of consultation, we will consider carefully how we can practically implement this strategy to make a real difference for people and communities across Scotland.

Scottish Ministers are routinely involved in a range of stakeholder meetings as part of normal Government business. Decisions about whether a record of a meeting is required are a matter of official judgement. On this occasion senior officials were clear that the actions were for the Chair of the Scottish Police Authority to take forward, so no record was taken. A full account was given to Parliament by me on 10 and 24 January, as well as in a follow up letter to the Public Audit and Post-Legislative Scrutiny Committee from Paul Johnston, Director General, Education, Communities & Justice. Going forward, the Government is committed to ensuring that appropriate records are kept of meetings between the Scottish Government and the Scottish Police Authority.

The integration of BTP in Scotland into Police Scotland is the long-standing policy of the Scottish Government. The case for integration was submitted to the Smith Commission in 2014 with subsequent all party agreement for the devolution of railway policing. Ministers set out during Stage 1 evidence on the Railway Policing (Scotland) Bill why alternative options to full integration were discounted.

Section 16A of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 defines a “relevant event” as “any sporting event, social event or entertainment which is held on a road”. It is for the relevant traffic authority to reach a view as to whether or not a particular event falls within that definition.

Section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act and section 62 of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 also provide for a traffic authority to temporarily restrict or prohibit traffic on a road by means of an order when the circumstances and conditions set out in those sections are fulfilled.

It is for each traffic authority to consider the powers available to them to regulate traffic for a particular event.

As regards the possibility of multiple TTROs being made for the same stretch of road, section 16B of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 provides that where a s16A order has been made by a local traffic authority in any calendar year, no further order (affecting the same length(s) of road) may be made under that section in that year, unless the further order is made with the consent of the Scottish Ministers.

In September 2015, Transport Scotland issued ‘Section 16A Special Events – Guidance’ to the Society of Chief Officers of Transportation in Scotland (SCOTS), which was subsequently distributed to local authorities. This can be accessed at . The guidance was prepared in order to facilitate an effective and efficient handling process in the instances where local authorities are required to obtain Scottish Ministers’ consent to section 16A orders.

Transport Scotland, on behalf of Scottish Minsters, will continue to process any applications for consent to such orders as set out in the above guidance.

The Scottish Government is aware of the concerns raised by Police Scotland in relation to traffic regulation for pre planned events. We recognise that any change in Police Scotland’s approach to traffic regulation for such events could have an impact on event organisers and traffic authorities and that the issues arising affect all pre-planned events, not just marches and parades.

We are in discussions with Police Scotland in relation to these issues and are committed to continuing our engagement with Police Scotland and Local Authorities with a view to reaching a shared understanding of the issues and the means by which these matters might be progressed. We have proposed that a joint working group be established to take that work forward.

In terms of guidance, the Scottish Ministers do not provide guidance to traffic authorities on the scope of the powers available to regulate traffic for pre-planned events, or on the issue of costs for any Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders that are to be promoted.

Guidance for event organisers in relation to galas and events affecting public roads was prepared by the then Scottish Executive, in partnership with Local Authorities, police forces and event organisers. The intention is that this guidance will be reviewed following the discussions referred to above.

Procurement of Structural Fire Kit and PPE is an operational matter for SFRS. Ministers do not routinely see copies of Internal Audit reports as this is a matter for the SFRS management and Board.

The Internal Audit review of Procurement of Structural Fire Kit and PPE was commissioned by SFRS and its findings subsequently provided on 27 October 2017. The review was commissioned to ensure a thorough independent investigation was carried out to enable robust scrutiny of the processes in place and ensure lessons could be identified. SFRS has accepted all of the recommendations in the Audit Report and further consideration will be given by the SFRS Board and the relevant governance committee.

Joint Programme Board partners are working together to understand the current performance measures for railway policing to ensure they can be replicated and developed post integration. Integration will provide a single command structure, with seamless access to wider support facilities and specialist resources of the second largest police service in the UK, providing an enhanced service to the rail industry and travelling public.

I refer the Member to answer to question S5W-13700 on 23 January 2018. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at

Arrangements for railway policing agreements are a matter for the Scottish Police Authority under the terms of the Railway Policing (Scotland) Act 2017. The Scottish Police Authority and Police Scotland last met with the railway industry on 29 November 2017 to discuss the integration of the British Transport Police in Scotland into Police Scotland and these meetings will continue.

Funding for railway policing comes primarily from rail operators and that will not change following integration. The Joint Programme Board is closely monitoring the progress of the programme and will provide advice to Ministers on any issues that arise.