- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Monday, 14 March 2016
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 17 March 2016
To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to the final report of the Commission on Widening Access.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 17 March 2016
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Monday, 15 February 2016
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Current Status:
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 14 March 2016
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-04688 by Fiona Hyslop on 8 October 2015 (Official Report, c. 2), whether any additional bids have been submitted for the development of a film studio.
Answer
The Film Studio Delivery Group (FSDG) welcomes proactive approaches from private sector developers and will assess each proposition in terms of value for the screen sector, value for money, whether the proposition meets the requirements of legal and financial due diligence and whether the proposition would be financially viable with the levels of financial support that the public sector is able to provide under European Commission rules on state aid. The FSDG has been recently approached to consider a new project, however this proposal is at a very early stage and I am unable to say more at this time.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Monday, 15 February 2016
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Current Status:
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 14 March 2016
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-04688 by Fiona Hyslop on 8 October 2015 (Official Report, c. 2), what recent discussions it has had with Creative Scotland and Scottish Enterprise regarding the development of a film studio.
Answer
The Film Studio Delivery Group (FSDG) consists of representatives from the Scottish Government, Creative Scotland and Scottish Enterprise. The FSDG meets on a fortnightly basis to discuss progress, actions, and any new potential opportunities for the development of a film studio. The last meeting took place on 1 March 2016 where the proposed planning application of Wardpark Studios Ltd for their site at Cumbernauld was discussed. The next meeting will take place on 15 March 2016.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Monday, 15 February 2016
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Current Status:
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 14 March 2016
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-04688 by Fiona Hyslop on 8 October 2015 (Official Report, c. 2), whether the film studio delivery group has assessed any sites for potential development.
Answer
<>The Film Studio Delivery Group procured EKOS in 2014 to undertake a feasibility study and options appraisal for a film studio which included a significant number of sites for potential development. This study was refreshed in December 2015. Wardpark at Cumbernauld has been assessed and their intention to expand was announced on 9 March 2016 when I gave evidence to the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee. The proposal of Pentland Studios for Straiton has been recalled by Scottish Ministers and I am unable to say anything further on this as it is a live appeal. In the meantime, Creative Scotland, through their Screen Commission, continues to promote a number of existing facilities which can be used for production as far north as Stornoway and Skye.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Monday, 15 February 2016
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Current Status:
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 14 March 2016
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-04688 by Fiona Hyslop on 8 October 2015 (Official Report, c. 2), whether the proposal from the private sector developer to build a film studio is still being considered by the film studio delivery group and, if so, what progress is being made with it.
Answer
<>As I set out in my recent evidence to the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee, progress is being made. The Film Studio Delivery Group (FSDG) is continuing to work with the private sector developer, announced on 9 March 2016 as Wardpark Studios Ltd at Cumbernauld. A planning application is about to be submitted to expand the impressive, existing facilities at Wardpark by an additional 30,000 square feet with a ceiling height of 50 feet. Once delivered, we will see a facility comprising, in total, of 78,000 square feet and six sound stages. The FSDG has been working intensively with this developer to deliver an outcome that satisfies EU State Aid rules whilst still meeting the needs of private and public sector interests. As I set out in my evidence, the FSDG will continue to welcome any new proposals because although the Wardpark planning application represents significant progress, we are keen to support the industry’s wider ambitions to see multiple sites available for production in Scotland.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 March 2016
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Current Status:
Answered by John Swinney on 10 March 2016
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has made representations to the UK Government in relation to the introduction of a statutory telecoms scheme to automatically offer compensation to consumers in Scotland when the service falls below expectations.
Answer
The Scottish Government has not made any specific representations to the UK Government around such a compensation scheme. We have, however, liaised with Ofcom on their strategic review of digital communications and encouraged them to maintain their focus on empowering and protecting consumers. We welcome Ofcom’s initial conclusions in this area, which recognise the importance of regulation in protecting consumers when telecoms providers fail to meet their obligations.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Thursday, 03 March 2016
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Current Status:
Answered by John Swinney on 10 March 2016
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29584 by John Swinney on 9 February 2016, which minister is leading its discussions with (a) the UK Government and (b) key stakeholders regarding the effectiveness of the regulations; what meetings have taken place; who attended; whether the issue of (i) making senior executives accountable for calls made by their companies and (ii) mandatory caller identification was discussed, and whether it will publish the minutes.
Answer
There have been no recent ministerial discussions with the UK Government or key stakeholders on the issue of nuisance calls. Scottish Government officials met with representatives of Which? in February and March 2016, and are currently considering how the Scottish Government can most effectively intervene with the limited powers available to us. Minutes of these meetings were not prepared.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Monday, 29 February 2016
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Current Status:
Answered by Alasdair Allan on 10 March 2016
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it will take within the curriculum for excellence to ensure that young people have a better understanding of mental health.
Answer
The Schools (Health Promotion and Nutrition) Act (Scotland) 2007 places a number of duties on local education authorities including ensuring that schools are health promoting. This includes promoting physical, social, mental and emotional wellbeing by supporting pupils to make positive lifestyle choices in relation to their health and wellbeing.
All adults who work in schools have a responsibility to support and develop mental, emotional, social and physical wellbeing. It is for the local authority and schools to decide how to develop their own approaches to implement Curriculum for Excellence, based on local needs and circumstances.
The experiences and outcomes describe the expectations for learning and progression in all areas of the curriculum. Under the experience and outcome (HWB 06a), teachers must ensure that children and young people understand the importance of mental wellbeing and that this can be fostered and strengthened through personal coping skills and positive relationships. Children and young people should have an understanding that there is support available to them if they need it.
A mental health link person is available to every school and this has been achieved in a variety of ways using various models working to meet local needs. The link worker may be a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) clinician or another speciality such as a primary care worker. However the named link person will be able to contact specialist CAMHS services for advice if they have any concerns about a pupil.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Friday, 22 January 2016
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Current Status:
Answered by Aileen Campbell on 9 March 2016
To ask the Scottish Government what financial impact assessment it carried out before withdrawing a £66,000 grant from the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs.
Answer
The Scottish Government provided the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs (SAYFC) with funding of £66,000 for a three year period which was always intended to end in March 2016, with no organisations guaranteed funding beyond this point. The application from SAYFC for the new Children, Young People and Families Early Intervention and Adult Learning and Empowering Communities Funds unfortunately did not meet the criteria and was unsuccessful. We have funded and encouraged all applicants to avail themselves of the expertise and advice that Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland can provide, particularly on signposting to alternative potential funding opportunities.
Given the role SAYFC plays in our rural communities, not least in supporting this government’s aim of attracting and maintaining young people in the agricultural sector, the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Food and the Environment was able to provide SAYFC with funding of £30,000 in recognition of the role it plays in his portfolio interests.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Friday, 22 January 2016
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Current Status:
Answered by Aileen Campbell on 9 March 2016
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it had with the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs before withdrawing a grant of £66,000.
Answer
The Scottish Government provided the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs (SAYFC) with funding of £66,000 for a three year period which was always intended to end in March 2016, with no organisations guaranteed funding beyond this point. The application from SAYFC for the new Children, Young People and Families Early Intervention and Adult Learning and Empowering Communities Funds unfortunately did not meet the criteria and was unsuccessful. Opportunities relating to guidance and advice on how to prepare applications for funding were provided to all potential applicants including beneficiaries of the previous funding. This included nineteen webinars which were held between 21 July and 19 August 2015, inclusive.
Given the role SAYFC plays in our rural communities, not least in supporting this government’s aim of attracting and maintaining young people in the agricultural sector, the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Food and the Environment was able to provide SAYFC with funding of £30,000 in recognition of the role it plays in his portfolio interests.
