Liam Kerr

16 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6T-00960 by Lorna Slater on 15 November 2022, and the Minister’s comment that the figure relating to Scotland having 25% of Europe’s offshore wind potential was "outdated", what it has done to (a) review previous data and announcements regarding net ze…

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government has accepted that the 25% figure for offshore wind potential is dated. We are undertaking an examination of our records and have initiated work to quantify Scotland’s offshore wind potential. Once this work has concluded we will consid…

16 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6T-00960 by Lorna Slater on 15 November 2022, in relation to the Minister’s statement on the figure relating to Scotland having 25% of Europe’s offshore wind potential that "Ministers became aware of the issue on Tuesday 8 November [2022]", and in ligh…

Answer · Michael Matheson: We have accepted that the 25% figure for offshore wind potential is dated. The figure has been used widely and was included in a UK Government report in 2013. In relation to the Freedom of Information requests associated with the These Islands report, we reco…

14 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the total cost is to Forestry and Land Scotland for purchasing the Glenprosen estate in Angus.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) purchased Glenprosen Estate for £17,555,000 and incurred legal costs of £47,495 and surveyors cost of £6,802. The total cost of the acquisition was £17,609,297.

14 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the total amount was of any legal costs incurred by the purchase of the Glenprosen estate.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: Legal costs incurred by the purchase of Glenprosen amount to £47,495, inclusive of Registers of Scotland fees.

14 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide details of any payments made to (a) individuals, (b) contractors and (c) companies that had contracts with the Glenprosen estate, which were required to be terminated by (i) it and (ii) Forestry and Land Scotland, in light of the Glenprosen estate purchase. 

Answer · Mairi McAllan: Neither the Scottish Government nor Forestry and Land Scotland had cause to terminate any contracts and consequently no such payments were made to individuals, contractors or companies.

14 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide (a) minutes for and (b) a list of, any (i) consultation meetings and (ii) consultees with whom discussions took place in relation to the purchase of the Glenprosen estate.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: Consultation was undertaken on the broad principles of land use change with Scottish Forestry (SF) and RPID, prior to Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) submitting their offer. Officials from FLS would be happy to provide the responses received from SF / RPID.

14 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what meetings took place with any community organisations regarding the Glenprosen estate (a) purchase and (b) change of use.  

Answer · Mairi McAllan: Due to the off-market and confidentiality arrangements imposed by the seller, Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) were unable to consult with the local community prior to purchase. Full consultation with stakeholders, including the local community, will be under…

14 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the cost of surveyor fees was in relation to the purchase of the Glenprosen estate.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: Surveyors cost incurred with the purchase of Glenprosen amount to £6,802.

14 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to publish the (a) details and (b) costs of the Glenprosen estate purchase.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: The fact that Forestry and Land Scotland have purchased Glenprosen, along with the price paid, are already in the public domain.

14 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the full costs are of terminating the employment of any employees (a) during or (b) following the purchase of the Glenprosen estate.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: Termination of the previous employment was undertaken by the seller, when they wound down their business and FLS has no knowledge of the costs incurred.

14 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what guidance was required to be complied with in relation to the change of use of Glenprosen estate, and whether any such guidance was fully complied with.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: No change of use has yet taken place at Glenprosen. In due course Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) will require to have an approved Land Management Plan (LMP) in place for the area acquired at Glenprosen. That LMP will need to have been approved by Scottish F…

14 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what Forestry and Land Scotland’s estimated costs are for its plans for woodland creation on the Glenprosen estate.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: Until the Land Management Planning process and associated consultation has been completed there is no certainty over the level or nature of new planting at Glenprosen and therefore any costings would be speculative.

13 Nov 2022 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that its claim that Scotland has 25% of Europe’s offshore wind potential lacks evidence and that it knew that there was no basis for it.

13 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government further to the answer to question S6W-10554 by Michael Matheson on 21 September 2021, whether it will provide an update on the Iterative Plan Review (IPR) process relating to the Sectoral Marine Plan for Offshore Wind Energy (SMP-OWE); when it plans to report; what conclusions have been …

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Iterative Plan Review Process (IPR) is ongoing and officials have completed an initial review of the assessments conducted for the Sectoral Marine Plan for Offshore Wind Energy (SMP-OWE) adopted in 2020. This initial review identified which aspects of the…

10 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to its New Build Heat Standard (Part II) consultation, whether it is the case that it plans to remove the need to install solar PV systems on new properties and instead require the installation of heat pumps, from 2024, and, if so, for what reason.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: It is not the case that the Government plans to remove the need to install solar PV systems on new properties since no such requirement exists. The focus of the New Build Heat Standard is on heating systems which produce direct greenhouse gas emissions at the…

10 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what meetings it has had with the solar energy industry, including Solar Energy Scotland and individual companies, in relation to allowing the installation of solar panels up to 5MW capacity without the need to seek planning permission.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: The Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport met with Solar Energy Scotland (SES) in February, with the Minister for Public Finance, Planning and Community Wealth meeting with them in May and myself in September. In addition to ministerial meeting…

10 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what research and analysis it has done on the impact that freezing rents will have on the social housing sector’s ability to deliver energy efficiency projects.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: In advance of the emergency legislation we set up a working group with social landlords to help assess the options for rents beyond 31 March and to understand and gather evidence on the impact of the rent cap measures for tenants and the implications for land…

10 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government which (a) governments, (b) organisations and (c) projects will benefit from the £5 million fund pledged at COP27 to help tackle loss and damage caused by climate change; what process is required to be undertaken by any potential recipients in order to receive this funding, and what crite…

Answer · Mairi McAllan: Decisions on how the £5 million of loss and damage funding will be allocated are yet to be taken. Decisions will be made on the recommendation of needs assessments and undertaken in consultation with stakeholders and communities. These funds are in addition t…

9 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports from the Marine Conservation Society that litter on Scotland’s beaches has increased by 42% in 2022 compared with the same time in 2021.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: Marine litter is a global problem, and we know that more needs to be done. The Scottish Government thanks the Marine Conservation Society and their volunteers for their considerable efforts in gathering this data and also removing beach litter during the Grea…

8 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what outcomes or responses from its consultation would lead it to withdrawing its commitment to fully dual the A96.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Scottish Government remains committed to the north and north east of Scotland. This includes taking forward an enhancements programme on the A96 corridor that improves connectivity between surrounding towns, tackles congestion and addresses safety and env…

8 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish a timetable for the completion of dualling the A96.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: It is too early to provide a definitive timetable as future progress is partly dependent on the outcomes of the ongoing A96 Corridor Review. In relation to the A96 Dualling Inverness to Nairn (including Nairn Bypass) scheme, we continue to progress the prep…

8 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the publication of the consultation on the A96, who will have responsibility for making the final decision on whether to proceed with the dualling.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: As with all devolved matters, the Scottish Ministers make the final decision on investment in the transport network.

8 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the results of its consultation on dualling the A96.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: As advised at the recent Scottish Parliament debate on Essential Road Improvements held on 02 November 2022, the first part of the review, a report on the Public Consultation and the Initial Appraisal: The Case for Change will be published by the end of the y…

8 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it originally planned to begin fully dualling the A96, and what impact its consultation has had on that start date.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: As with all trunk road improvement projects, delivery of any section of the A96 Programme can only commence if approved under the relevant statutory procedures and thereafter a timetable for progress can be set in line with available budgets. The statutory ri…

8 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made on the establishment of a National Public Energy Agency; whether the agency will be in place by September 2025, and what the associated costs are to date.

Answer · Michael Matheson: I reaffirm the answer to S6W-11746, and in my letter of 26 October 2022 to the convener of the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee in which I updated on progress with establishing the virtual energy agency and the dedicated National Public Energy Agency.…

8 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) ministers, (b) civil servants, (c) ministerial staff and (d) other Scottish Government representatives attended COP27, and what (i) travel, (ii) accommodation and (iii) other expenses were incurred for this delegation.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: The information asked for is not fully available at this time. The Scottish Government intends to issue a proactive release on its attendance and expenses incurred.

3 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-10934 by Mairi McAllan on 26 September 2022, whether it will provide an update on when it will publish its formal response to the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee's December 2020 report on regional marine planning.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: We continue to carefully consider the report and recommendations made by the previous Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee as regards regional marine planning in the context of the emergency budget review and the recently announced developmen…

2 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to provide additional financial support for registered social landlords to reach the second Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing once it has concluded its review of the standard.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: The Scottish Government already provides funding to support energy efficiency works which contribute to our net zero target. Between 2018 and 2021, £7 million was made available to Local Authority and registered social landlords through the Energy Efficient S…

2 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will conclude its review of the second Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: The first meeting of the stakeholder review of the Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing post-2020 took place on 5 September 2022. We expect the Review Group to conclude by mid-2023.

31 Oct 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the timescale required between the point that a decision is made by a local authority to site a public electric vehicle (EV) charger in a certain place and for that charger to become operational.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The time between a decision by a local authority on the location for a public electric vehicle charge point and that charge point then going into operation will be influenced by a number of factors outwith the remit or control of Scottish Ministers. This incl…