Questions and answers

Question reference: S4W-18836

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 December 2013
Current Status: Answered by Derek Mackay on 19 December 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to ensure that local authorities have access to expert advice when considering applications for opencast coal developments.

This is primarily a matter for planning authorities. However, the Scottish Government’s current consultation Opencast Coal Restoration: Effective Regulation, invites views on capacity building and skills within planning authorities. The consultation is open until 27 February 2014. The Scottish Mines Restoration Trust has also been set up to offer advice and expertise to assist councils in the facilitation of plans for site restoration.

Question reference: S4O-02736

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 December 2013
Current Status: Answered by Margaret Burgess on 18 December 2013

To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting the building of new affordable housing in Edinburgh.

Question reference: S4F-01739

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 02 December 2013
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 5 December 2013

To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation report, Coping with the cuts? Local government and poorer communities.

Question reference: S4O-02596

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 13 November 2013
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 21 November 2013

To ask the Scottish Government when it last met the board of Edinburgh College.

Question reference: S4O-02524

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 October 2013
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 31 October 2013

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to introduce a scheme for local authorities similar to the City Deal programme in England.

Question reference: S4O-02464

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 September 2013
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 3 October 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what priority it attaches to community policing.

Question reference: S4O-02325

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 28 August 2013
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 4 September 2013

To ask the Scottish Government how much its pledge to maintain the so-called triple lock for pensions will cost.

Question reference: S4O-02311

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 June 2013
Current Status: Answered by Michael Russell on 26 June 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it has issued to further education colleges on the need to provide education and training opportunities for disabled people.

In my strategic guidance, I have asked the SFC to work in partnership with Enable, the Scottish Consortium for Learning Disabilities and other partners in securing improvements in retention, attainment and progression for college students with learning disabilities.

This has led to the SFC building partnerships to improve outcomes for disabled learners through a range of measures, including the creation of support posts in colleges and a new good practice guide.

Specific guidance to colleges is then provided by the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) who are responsible for negotiating college outcome agreements, which include targets for students with additional support needs.

Question reference: S4W-15788

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 18 June 2013
Current Status: Answered by Kenny MacAskill on 21 June 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what investment will be required to increase the capacity at Edinburgh Sheriff Court as a result of the proposed closure of Haddington and Peebles sheriff courts.

Question reference: S4W-15789

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 18 June 2013
Current Status: Answered by Kenny MacAskill on 21 June 2013

To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to the proposed closure of sheriff courts, what representations it or the Scottish Court Service has received regarding accessibility for disabled people (a) travelling to sheriff courts and (b) in the buildings housing sheriff courts.

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