Parliamentary questions
Murray Tosh
706 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
10 May 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what (a) representations it has made, (b) discussions it has had and (c) correspondence it has exchanged with (i) the British Airports Authority and (ii) National Air Traffic Services Ltd in relation to (1) the objections which the consultees lodged to the proposed wind farm at Corlic Hil…
Answer · Allan Wilson: The Executive has made no representationsand there have been no discussions about the objection by BAA plc, dated 2 September 2003, tothis wind farm proposal. Correspondence between the Executive and BAA on this matterhas been restricted to an e-mail from the…
10 May 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it received the inquiry reporter’s recommendation and when it expects to issue a decision, in relation to the application for a 22-turbine wind farm at Corlic Hill in Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park.
Answer · Allan Wilson: A report from the InquiryReporter was received by the Executive on 8 September 2005 on the Corlick Hill consent application. A determination on the application is currently being considered byScottish ministers and will be announced once that process has been…
10 May 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will identify all wind farm applications which have been granted consent within the area covered by the Glasgow and Clyde Valley Structure Plan, under the powers delegated to ministers by the Electricity Acts, since the publication in September 2003 of the Joint Committee’s pro…
Answer · Allan Wilson: Scottish ministers have grantedconsent for two wind farm developments located within the Glasgow and Clyde ValleyStructure Plan (draft 2006) potential areas for wind energy development. These wereBlacklaw, which is entirely within a potential area for develop…
3 May 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review the operation of the Kingston Bridge in Glasgow, following the removal of tolls from the Erskine Bridge, and consider the removal of the barrier which separates the two western lanes from the rest of the carriageway, thereby forcing northbound M8 traffic to divert i…
Answer · Tavish Scott: The safety barrier on the westboundcarriageway of the Kingston Bridge was introduced in 1994 for safety reasons during majorworks on the bridge. As the safety barrier considerably reduced accident rates byremoving the weaving effect of traffic changing lanes …
3 May 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to replace the Scotland Act 1998 (Transitory and Transitional Provisions) (Removal of Judges) Order 1999 under an Act of the Scottish Parliament.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: Ministers are consulting onproposals for a Bill on the Judiciary which would include repeal of the 1999Order and its replacement with new provisions.</p>
3 May 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide details of the (a) membership, (b) remit, (c) timescales and (d) targets for the Affordable Housing Working Party, announced by the Minister for Communities at the Chartered Institute of Housing in Scotland's annual conference on 7 March 2006.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The membership and work programmefor the group will be finalised in the near future. It is my intention that thefirst meeting of the group should be held in late June.</p>
24 Apr 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive , further to the answer to question S2W-24697 by Malcolm Chisholm on 20 April 2006, whether it made representations in its own submission to HM Treasury on planning gain supplement (PGS) that affordable housing developments should be exempt from the proposed PGS and, if not, whether it wi…
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: We have raised the issue of exemptionsto planning-gain supplement in discussions with the UK Government and understandother organisations have done so too as part of the consultation. We note and endorse the UK Government’s position thatany planning-gain supp…
24 Apr 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-23170 by Malcolm Chisholm on 20 March 2006, whether it is also negotiating to transfer surplus public sector housing to providers of affordable housing and, in particular, whether it is pursuing an agreement with the Ministry of Defence to transfer e…
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: There are past instances wherewe have supported the transfer of surplus public sector housing to Registered SocialLandlords, and further opportunities to do so will be considered when they arise.</p><p>In respect of the specific sitesmentioned in the question…
30 Mar 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how new local strategic water and drainage infrastructure, such as major trunk sewers and trunk water mains, will be planned, funded and procured in circumstances where developer contributions to Scottish Water are required from a wide range of companies developing in areas to be serviced…
Answer · Rhona Brankin: The detailed planning, fundingand procurement of new local strategic water and drainage infrastructure are operationalmatters for Scottish Water.</p><p>Whereinvestment in such infrastructure is included in Scottish Water’s investment programme,either through …
30 Mar 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much income Scottish Water expects to receive from infrastructure and connection charges on new development under the Provision of Water and Sewerage Services (Reasonable Cost) (Scotland) Regulations 2006; for what purposes this income will be used, and what criteria will be applied i…
Answer · Rhona Brankin: It is not possible to estimatethe income Scottish Water will receive from infrastructure charges payable for everynew water or sewerage connection to its networks as this will depend on the totalnumber of new connections made in any year. However, for the pur…
27 Mar 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether its understanding of the proposed planning gain supplement is that it will apply to any category, or all categories, of affordable housing development in Scotland.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The UK Government is consideringthe scope of planning-gain supplement - and any exemptions to it - in light of responsesto its recent consultation. We do not have any information at this stage about itsapplicability to affordable housing developments.</p>
27 Mar 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-23450 by Malcolm Chisholm on 9 March 2006, whether it understands it to be possible, under the proposals for planning gain supplement, for developers and/or landowners to be exempted from planning gain supplement in circumstances where planning oblig…
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The UK Government’s consultationpaper on a planning-gain supplement states that it is envisaged that planning obligationswould be factored into the planning value for any site. Any obligations enteredinto under section 75 would therefore be a prior charge and…
27 Mar 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-23450 by Malcolm Chisholm on 9 March 2006, whether the planning gain proposed in the business case and in the Private Bill to provide powers for the Borders railway falls within the category of planning obligations which would be scaled back in the e…
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: Policy on planning agreementsand future obligations under section 75 of the Town and Country Planning Act (Scotland) 1997is a devolved matter. We have not come to any conclusion on whether policy on planningobligations should be amended, and will do so in the…
27 Mar 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the information showing the reasons for refusing placing requests, contained in Table 8 of Placing Requests in Schools in Scotland, 2004/05, published on 21 March 2006, is collected on a local authority basis and, if so, whether it will publish the information in respect of each l…
Answer · Peter Peacock: The information requested iscollected on a local authority basis. A table, <i>Placing Requests Refused by Reasonfor Refusal, All schools, by Local Authority, 2004-05</i>, has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 39385).</p>
27 Mar 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will present the information contained in Placing Requests in Schools in Scotland, 2004/05, published on 21 March 2006, in such a way as to show separately the outcome of placing requests from parents resident in the areas of the local authorities to whom the requests were made…
Answer · Peter Peacock: The information requested isnot currently collected. As part of our on-going improvement in the quality of ourstatistics we have already put in place arrangements to collect information on thenumber of placing requests made across local authority boundaries, …
20 Mar 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the city region plans proposed in the Planning Bill will be drawn up by permanent, dedicated teams of planners on the model of Glasgow and Clyde Valley or whether the alternative model employed in the Edinburgh and Lothian Structure Plan process will be used.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The Executive’s preferred modelfor drawing up the new strategic development plans (SDPs) is a joint committee anda dedicated team of officials, in order to effectively promote the best strategyfor the city region as a whole. We want these arrangements to work…
20 Mar 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether local authorities charged with identifying sites for infrastructural or other major developments under the proposed national planning framework will be required to determine planning applications for such developments on their merits, with no reference to other potential locations…
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: It is intended that theidentification of a development as a “national development” will establish theneed for the development in principle. It will still be open to the planningauthority to address locational questions in considering development planpolicies …
20 Mar 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the identification of sites for major mineral extractions will be included in the proposed national planning framework and, if so, whether the framework will make requirements of individual local authorities in this regard.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: <i>The </i><i>Planning</i><i>etc. (</i><i>Scotland</i><i>) Bill</i>includes provisions requiring planning authorities to take the nationalplanning authority into account in preparing development plans. It does notprescribe the types of development which may b…
20 Mar 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has established from Scottish Water how many development sites in local plans are constrained by a lack of water and sewerage infrastructure and whether it will provide an estimate of the number of houses which could be provided on established housing land supplies which are re…
Answer · Rhona Brankin: This information is not held centrally and would have to be collated from respectively Scottish Water (SW) andindividual local authorities. SW’s first <i>Annual Strategic Asset Capacity andDevelopment Plan</i> was issued on Friday 31 March to local authoritie…
20 Mar 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it accepts the contents of the report submitted by Pennie Taylor on 23 November 2005, Redrawing NHS Boundaries in Argyll & Clyde - A Public Consultation, and whether it will amend guidance to health boards and other public bodies in response to the criticisms made of the quality o…
Answer · Andy Kerr: In line with the interim guidanceon <i>Informing, Engaging and ConsultingPatients, Carers and Members of the Public in Developing Health and Community CarePolicies and Services </i>issued to the NHS in March 2004, Pennie Taylor was askedto take part in evalua…
20 Mar 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to increase the uptake of Rural Home Ownership Grant outwith the Highlands and Islands local authority areas, particularly in Argyll and Bute, Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders and the areas which include the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Par…
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: I have asked Angiolina Foster,Chief Executive of Communities Scotland, to respond. Her response is as follows:</p><p>Communities Scotland is takingthe following steps to increase the uptake of Rural Home Ownership Grants (RHOGs):</p><p>In Argyll and Bute, in …
23 Feb 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-21906 by Malcolm Chisholm on 24 January 2006, whether it was consulted in any way by HM Treasury before the announcement of proposals for a planning gain supplement and whether powers exist for Scottish Ministers to distribute any revenues passed to …
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The Scottish Executive has heldgeneral discussions with HM Treasury about the implications of the Barker Report,including the possible introduction of a Planning Gain Supplement (PGS). We wereaware that the Chancellor’s Pre-Budget Report. would include an ann…
23 Feb 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many houses were built with funding from Scottish Homes or Communities Scotland in each year since 1997-98 for (a) all forms of shared ownership, (b) private rented housing and (c) owner-occupied housing where the houses came under its definition of affordable housing.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: I have asked Angiolina Foster,Chief Executive of Communities Scotland, to respond. Her response is as follows:</p><p>The number of houses approvedwith funding from Scottish Homes or Communities Scotland in each year since 1997-98for (a) all forms of shared ow…
23 Feb 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether any of the proposals in the Planning etc. (Scotland) Bill will impact on how the Executive processes and determines applications for those electricity generating developments which are currently determined by Scottish Ministers under the Electricity Acts and whether any provisions…
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The Electricity Act is a reserved matter and powers in respect of consents have been executively devolved to the Scottish ministers. The arrangements for consideration of applications for consent under the Electricity Act 1989 are separate from those for the …
13 Feb 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-19671 by Malcolm Chisholm, what advice it gives to public bodies on attaching title conditions or other legal agreements to land transferred on favourable terms for affordable housing to ensure that the housing developed is protected as affordable ho…
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: A number of options exist to ensure that affordable units which are built for low-cost home ownership remain affordable in the future. In order to control subsequent sales, conditions can be placed in sale missives, or public bodies may consider transferring …
13 Feb 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-19671 by Malcolm Chisholm, with which other public bodies, including UK Government departments, it is negotiating to develop framework agreements with a view to securing transfers of surplus land for affordable housing in areas where particular need …
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The Executive andCommunities Scotland are engaged in discussion with a number of public bodies andagencies about the use of surplus public sector land across Scotland foraffordable housing. A national agreement is in place with Forestry CommissionScotland and…
1 Feb 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-21906 by Malcolm Chisholm on 24 January 2006, whether it has obtained, or is seeking, assurances from HM Treasury that the proceeds of the proposed planning gain supplement generated by planning consents granted in Scotland will be returned to Scotla…
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The actual mechanisms for re-distributing the revenue raised by planning gain supplement have still to be developed between HM Treasury and the Executive. They will take account of the recent consultation exercise. The consultation paper states that “PGS reve…
18 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether Transport Scotland will publish the full report, commissioned by the Executive, on the proposed A737 Dalry bypass.
Answer · Tavish Scott: <a name="se_IndexHeading"></a>Enterprise, Transport and LifelongLearning Department</p><p><b> Murray Tosh (West of Scotland) (Con): </b>To ask the Scottish Executive <a name=QuestionText>whetherTransport </a>Scotland will publish the full report, commissioned…
20 Dec 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-21459 by Malcolm Chisholm on 19 December 2005, what information it has on whether all revenue raised in Scotland from planning gain supplement will be returned to Scotland; whether the money will be paid directly to local authorities by HM Treasury o…
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: There is currently little information available on these issues in addition to that contained in the consultation paper <i>Planning Gain Supplement: a consultation</i>, issued by HM Treasury in December. These are issues on which views can be expressed on the…
20 Dec 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it regards the five core business areas identified by English Partnerships as core business areas for Scotland and, if so, which agency is responsible for delivering development of a portfolio of strategic sites in Scotland, which agency acts as its specialist adviser on brownfiel…
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: While important, the five core business areas identified by English Partnerships represent only some of the aspects required for successful regeneration. In Scotland, responsibility for these areas is shared between individual Scottish Executive departments, …