We are working with local authorities to finalise this information. Up to £50 million is available in 2016-17 for the Housing Infrastructure Fund for both loans and grant and we are working closely with local authorities as part of the Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) process to identify strategically important projects that could be supported by the fund in 2016. We have also invited local authorities, as part of their SHIP submissions, to identify projects they would wish to prioritise for consideration for funding over the five year period.

Infrastructure investment is central to the Scottish Government’s economic strategy and our vision for a prosperous, fair and well-connected Scotland. The Infrastructure Investment Plan 2015, published 16 December 2015, builds on the achievements delivered through our previous infrastructure plans and sets out a refreshed programme of long-term investment.

As set out in the Infrastructure Investment Plan 2015, the Scottish Government is fully committed to supporting and facilitating the delivery of infrastructure.

The Scottish Government is commissioning research to explore options for the introduction of an infrastructure charging mechanism within Scotland. This research project will inform a white paper, which we intend to fully consult on in winter 2016.

Earlier in 2016 the Scottish Government announced the introduction of a five year Housing Infrastructure Fund, to enable the delivery of housing on strategically important sites. More information on the operation of the fund is available at:

http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Built-Environment/Housing/supply-demand/housing-infrastructure-fund.

Section 75 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 (as amended) is a mechanism to allow local authorities to restrict or regulate development or the use of land. Section 75 agreements, otherwise known as planning obligations can be entered into by planning authorities and persons with an interest in the land.

Planning obligations have a limited but useful role to play in the planning process where they can be used to overcome obstacles to the grant of planning permission, (which could include lack of school capacity), where the tests set out in Circular 3/2012: Planning Obligations and Good Neighbour Agreements are satisfied.

Under the Education (Scotland) Act 1980, responsibility for the provision, management and maintenance of the school estate rests with the education authorities. The Scottish Futures Trust is not responsible for the provision of or delivery of schools. The responsibility for the management of independent schools including any capital projects is a matter for individual proprietors.

All of Scotland's 32 local authorities make annual service level expenditure and income statistical returns, which include planning, to the Scottish Government and these are published on the Scottish Government's website and are available via the following link: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Local-Government-Finance/PubScottishLGFStats

We are working closely with local authorities as part of the Strategic Housing Investment Plan process to identify strategically important projects that could be supported by the fund. The definition of what infrastructure can be supported is intentionally wide and could include on site and off site elements.

It is for local authorities to put forward sites they consider to be a priority for support in line with the eligibility criteria for the fund: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Built-Environment/Housing/supply-demand/housing-infrastructure-fund.

The Scottish Government has committed over £3 billion of grant funding to support the delivery of 50,000 affordable homes in Scotland (35,000 for social rent), during this parliamentary session. As part of its on-going engagement with local authorities in their role as strategic housing authorities, the Scottish Government has recently held discussions to identify any areas where more support could be provided to strengthen skills and capacity on housing delivery in the short term. The Scottish Government is currently considering the outcome of these discussions and the range of support it may provide, including, where appropriate, financial assistance. Further details on this, including any financial assistance that has been identified, will be set out this autumn.

Data on planning authority staffing have only been collected since 31 March 2013 as part of Planning Performance Frameworks. The information collected is staffing at all levels across planning authorities including planning staff, planning technicians and administrators. Not all authorities have provided information.

(a) None.

(b) I refer the member to the answer to his previous question S5W-01600 on 16 August 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:

http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.