John Swinburne

Answer · Rhona Brankin · 12 Oct 2006

As this is an operationalmatter for Scottish Water, I have asked the Chief Executive to reply to yourenquiry directly.</p>

Answer · Lewis Macdonald · 19 Jun 2006

Local authorities currently providefree personal care to elderly people who have been assessed as requiring it. Specificservices may vary locally, reflecting the discretion local authorities possess overhow to deliver their services. The extent and acceptability of such variabilitywill become clear as a result of our current policy evaluation and associated research.We will also discuss particular problems with COSLA and specific local authorities,and take further action if appropriate.</p>

Answer · Andy Kerr · 8 Jun 2006

I am aware of the concerns expressed.However, there is little difference to the procedures the Scottish Ambulance Servicehad in place prior to the introduction of Agenda for Change as the Working TimeRegulations required staff to have a recognised break where their working day wasmore than six hours – albeit this break was paid as part of the working day.</p><p>Operationally, the revised termsand conditions mean that a standard five day working week will be made up of fiveeight-hour shifts, each of which will consist of an unpaid break of 30 minutes –previously staff were employed on a 40-hour per week basis inclusive of meal breaks.</p><p>Agreement was reached throughpartnership to offer frontline operational staff an annual payment of £250 if theywished to make themselves available to work during their unpaid break and they would,in addition, receive a payment of £5 if they were called upon.</p><p>To maintain operational cover,the Emergency Medical Dispatch Centres monitor the situation to ensure that mealbreaks are managed and cover is provided at all times. This is done through a varietyof means including the use of tactical deployment to ensure that, where a crew ison a meal break, a crew from a neighbouring location is moved into the area to maintaincover; satellite tracking systems ensure the ambulance service does this accurately.Systems are also used to assist in ensuring that staff are afforded their breaksat appropriate times.</p>

Answer · Nicol Stephen · 6 Jun 2006

The new Assisted Areas map willbe determined in line with the broad criteria set out by the EuropeanCommission. The designation of Assisted Areas in the UK is areserved matter and we are working closely with the Department of Trade andIndustry (DTI) and other Whitehall Departments to ensure a fair and equitableoutcome for Scotland. In this, full account will continue to be taken of the views put forward by all interested parties in response to the on-goingconsultation process.</p>

Answer · Johann Lamont · 7 Jun 2006

I have asked Angiolina Foster,Chief Executive of Communities Scotland, to respond. Her response is as follows:</p><p>The contract documentation, issuedas part of the tendering process, emphasises a range of quality criteria such asenhanced delivery, improved service and better quality workmanship. The successfultenderer must deliver the programme in such a way that these standards are achieved.In addition, a performance-related fee element has been introduced to the contractto incentivise the managing agent to deliver a high standard of service.</p><p>Failure to comply with the contractspecification may result in the removal of  subcontractors or termination of thecontract.</p>

Answer · Patricia Ferguson · 14 Jun 2006

The provision of access to talkingnewspapers is a matter for local authorities. The Executive does not, therefore,allocate funding to groups providing such a service. The Executive encourages localauthorities to make appropriate arrangements under the Disability DiscriminationAct 1995 and the Local Government Act 2003.</p>

Answer · Patricia Ferguson · 7 Jun 2006

The Scottish Executive encourageslocal authorities to make appropriate arrangements under the Disability DiscriminationAct 1995 and the Local Government Act 2003. The provision of library services andsubscription to RNIB’s Talking Book Service are matters for local authorities.</p>

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm · 6 Jun 2006

The Scottish Executive and CommunitiesScotland encourage community action and engagement through a range of policies whichbenefit a range of community groups and individuals, including church and faithgroups. In particular, the Scottish Executive Volunteering Strategy works to supportgroups that use volunteers in their work by dismantling barriers to volunteeringand improving the volunteering experience. In practical terms, work to support communitygroups is taken forward by partners such as Volunteer Development Scotland, andthe network of Volunteer Centres. In addition, the Minister for Communities hasagreed to attend a conference in September which will promote the role that faithcommunities play in community regeneration.</p>