Questions and answers

Question reference: S4W-08360

Asked by: Willie Coffey, MSP for Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 29 June 2012
Current Status: Answered by Michael Russell on 18 July 2012

To ask the Scottish Executive how it encourages engagement between denominational and non-denominational schools.

The Scottish Government published a guide promoting twinning arrangements between denominational and non-denominational schools in 2006. The guide, Building Friendships and Strengthening Communities, continues to be made available through the Scottish Government website at:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/12/07092739/0.

The Scottish Government supports engagement between schools to break down barriers between communities and encourage friendships between pupils.

Question reference: S4W-08371

Asked by: Willie Coffey, MSP for Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 29 June 2012
Current Status: Answered by Stewart Stevenson on 16 July 2012

To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation it has with local organisations regarding (a) countryside and (b) woodland development.

Consultation arrangements on countryside and woodland development depend on the nature of the development.

“Development” in the countryside as defined by the Town and Country Planning Act is, in most cases, considered by local authorities, who are responsible for consulting with local organisations.

Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) is responsible for determining whether applications for new woodland planting, woodland felling and deforestation and, in most cases, the construction of forest roads and quarries should be approved. All applications are advertised on the FCS public register and, in addition, FCS consults with local authorities, statutory consultees and local organisations (for example, Community Councils) on cases above a size threshold, or as otherwise agreed locally with the relevant authority and partners. Details of consultation arrangements can be found at: http://www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/consult.pdf/$FILE/consult.pdf.

In addition, proposals for afforestation, deforestation and the construction of forest roads and quarries are subject to environmental impact assessment under the Environmental Impact Assessment (Forestry) (Scotland) Regulations 1999. Full details of how forestry proposals are considered and consulted upon by FCS under the EIA regulations can be found at:

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/EIAGeneral09.pdf/$FILE/EIAGeneral09.pdf.

Question reference: S4W-08369

Asked by: Willie Coffey, MSP for Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 29 June 2012
Current Status: Answered by Stewart Stevenson on 16 July 2012

To ask the Scottish Executive how it monitors the impact on communities of odours from industrial premises.

Question reference: S4W-08362

Asked by: Willie Coffey, MSP for Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 29 June 2012
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 13 July 2012

To ask the Scottish Executive how it encourages the start-up of new businesses in Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley.

The Scottish Government is firmly committed to working with all partners across Ayrshire to maintain a supportive business environment, ensuring that measures are in place to encourage the development of new businesses in Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley. The Business Gateway, delivered by local authorities as part of their local economic development responsibility, is the key delivery channel offering a first point of contact for all publicly funded advice to start-up and existing businesses.

Our key economic development agencies in the area, Scottish Development International and Scottish Enterprise, are working closely with East Ayrshire Council on the Make it Kilmarnock initiative. One strand of this initiative, Business Nurture, promotes Kilmarnock as a location for new businesses, particularly through the promotion of business parks at Moorfield and Rowallan.

In addition, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth officially opened the Entrepreneurial Spark facility in Sir Tom Hunter's premises in Dundonald last month. This joint initiative, involving the three local authorities in Ayrshire, will provide extensive hands-on support and mentoring for new business with growth potential.

Question reference: S4W-08370

Asked by: Willie Coffey, MSP for Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 29 June 2012
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 5 July 2012

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ask local authorities to review the council tax liabilities of terminally ill people who are hospitalised and who have unoccupied second homes.

Under the Local Government Finance Act 1992, which governs council tax, it is for each local authority to interpret and apply the provisions set out in legislation. Depending on individual circumstances, a number of exemptions and discounts may be awarded. This can include exemption where an individual is away from home to receive care and council tax discount for second or unoccupied properties.

However, local authorities do not have powers to provide discretionary exemptions based on health or other issues. This type of support for individuals is provided through the social security system, which is reserved to the UK Parliament.

Question reference: S4W-08366

Asked by: Willie Coffey, MSP for Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 29 June 2012
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 3 July 2012

To ask the Scottish Executive how many court cases to resolve family contact disputes there have been under the Family Law (Scotland) Act 2006.

Question reference: S4O-01187

Asked by: Willie Coffey, MSP for Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 June 2012
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 28 June 2012

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to grow the economy in Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley.

Question reference: S4O-00982

Asked by: Willie Coffey, MSP for Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 May 2012
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 10 May 2012

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to strengthen the role of mediation in resolving family contact disputes.

Question reference: S4O-00870

Asked by: Willie Coffey, MSP for Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 March 2012
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 29 March 2012

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider introducing the transcatheter aortic valve implantation heart valve procedure.

Question reference: S4W-05637

Asked by: Willie Coffey, MSP for Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 14 February 2012
Current Status: Answered by Nicola Sturgeon on 12 March 2012

To ask the Scottish Executive for what reason operable pancreatic cancer cases might not result in an operation being carried out.

There are a number of reasons why pancreatic cancer cases might not result in an operation being undertaken. The fitness of the patient, the choice of whether they wish to be operated on, consideration of how the tumour has developed and the risks involved in potential removal are, as examples, some of the considerations that will be taken into account.

The most suitable treatment option will be selected following discussion at a multi-disciplinary team meeting and also, most importantly, between the clinician and the individual.

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