14:04
The next item of business is general question time. Before I take the first question, I wish to clarify that, as in the previous session, members who have a general question also have a supplementary question. Other members can also press their request-to-speak button should they wish to ask a supplementary to a particular general question. The fact that a member has been selected to ask a general question does not preclude that member from asking a supplementary to another general question or, indeed, putting a question to the First Minister later this afternoon.
Sheriffhall Roundabout
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the progress of the Sheriffhall roundabout project. (S7O-00002)
Congratulations on your new role, Presiding Officer—it certainly suits you.
The Scottish Government is committed to the promotion of improvements at the Sheriffhall roundabout as part of a £300 million commitment to the Edinburgh and south-east Scotland city region deal. The Scottish spending review includes funding to continue to make progress in delivering those improvements, and the project is also included in the infrastructure delivery pipeline. The scheme remains subject to a statutory authorisation process, including the consideration of outstanding objections and the report of a public local inquiry.
I know that Colin Beattie MSP eagerly awaits the conclusion of that process, and I want to assure him that work on it is continuing at pace. I am awaiting urgent advice from officials on the project, and I will provide a further update to Mr Beattie and others with an interest in the matter as soon as possible. If the scheme is ultimately authorised, the construction of the proposed scheme can commence thereafter, when a programme and timetable for the scheme’s progress can also be set.
It is now almost nine years since funding for the project was first announced, and my constituents are growing very concerned about the delay. Will the cabinet secretary outline what reassurance can be given to the people of Midlothian North on when the scheme will be delivered?
Absolutely. I am new to the chamber, but I am certainly not new to the challenges of traffic at the Sheriffhall roundabout, the delays that have been experienced in relation to the project or the advocacy of Mr Beattie, which is reflected in the fact that he has been elected to the chamber on four separate occasions. I share the frustration of individuals who have been impacted by the delays in the project, and who are keen to see progress made. However, I remind colleagues that 2,770 objections were made, and some 1,200 pieces of information are there to be analysed. Notwithstanding the depth of that detail, I can give an assurance that we are very keen to make progress. I will try to come back to the chamber as soon as possible with further details for Mr Beattie and others who have an interest in the matter.
What the cabinet secretary has had to say is incredibly frustrating. When I raised the matter before we went into the election, the former transport secretary said that she was angry and frustrated that we did not have an opportunity for a decision to be taken. For 10 years, I have been asking different transport secretaries to get on and take a decision. What timetable can we expect for the transport secretary to come back to Parliament? Before summer recess would be ideal.
I reiterate the points that I have already made. I understand Mr Briggs’s frustration, but I re-emphasise to him that there were 2,770 objections and that more than 1,200 pieces of evidence were given to the public local inquiry. I am sure that he would agree with me that it is important that due process is followed, but I share his frustration and that of those who want progress to be made. I commit to him that we will come back to the chamber as soon as possible to give further detail.
I call Katherine Sangster.
To ask the Scottish Government what actions are being taken to address wildfire risks and to ensure appropriate—
Excuse me. I called you for a supplementary to the question that was asked by Colin Beattie.
Sorry.
Please resume your seat.
The next question is from Emma Roddick.
Public Sector Reform (Inverness and Nairn)
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it will undertake of any impact of its planned public sector reform on employment in Inverness and Nairn. (S7O-00003)
The Scottish Government will consider the impacts of public service reform across communities, including on employment, as we implement the public service reform strategy. The strategy recognises that improving delivery will involve workforce changes. Impact assessments, including an equality impact assessment, will be undertaken as proposals are developed. We will work closely with partners, including staff and trade unions, to support redeployment, reskilling and transition where necessary, while empowering staff, who know their roles and service users best, to improve and better integrate services. We will continue to engage with partners, including in Inverness and Nairn, as that work progresses.
The cabinet secretary will appreciate that there is great concern among employees of Government and arm’s-length organisations in the Highlands, who often do incredibly valuable work to ensure that national policies and decisions work for us. Many comments were made during and after the election campaign by various parties regarding the size of the current workforce and budgets. Will any public service reform keep it in mind that Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the Scottish Land Commission and many other organisations that are headquartered in the Highlands add real value to our policy landscape and protect local jobs in Inverness and Nairn?
We are committed to providing effective and efficient public services across the country. That includes the Scottish Government’s objective to support economic activity and employment across all regions, including rural and island areas. As our public service landscape changes, we will work with all parties, including public bodies, service users and trade unions, to ensure a smooth transition. That will include organisations in the Highlands and Islands and across the rest of the country.
Subsidence (Coalsnaughton)
To ask the Scottish Government what role it has in response to the incident of subsidence in Coalsnaughton Road, Tillicoultry, in which 30 houses have been evacuated—the figure is now 97 houses. (S7O-00004)
Presiding Officer, I welcome you and congratulate you on your new role.
Residents’ safety is my first priority. On Friday, I was pleased to meet the leader of Clackmannanshire Council and Keith Brown, the local constituency MSP, to ensure that immediate support is in place for those who are affected. Following that meeting, the Scottish Government continues to work directly with the council and the local resilience partnership to co-ordinate response efforts. Ministers have also activated the Bellwin scheme and stand ready to assist.
The Mining Remediation Authority, whose decision making is crucial in a case such as this, is leading site investigations, and we will work closely with it to ensure that decisions are made as quickly as possible, so that clear next steps can be identified for residents who will be understandably concerned and upset by what has happened to their homes.
As has been acknowledged, the number of houses had reached 97 at the latest count. I also met some of the residents, and it is good to know that that work is happening. Due to the incident’s seriousness and the likelihood of lengthy disruption for residents, will the Government commit to establishing an emergency hardship fund?
I congratulate Helen McDade on her election and thank her for her questions. The Government has already taken a number of steps to support residents and Clackmannanshire Council in its immediate response. I take this opportunity to pay tribute to the immense effort that has been put in by Clackmannanshire Council staff, who have gone above and beyond to support local residents.
We have triggered the Bellwin scheme. The Government is looking to provide additional human resources support to Clackmannanshire Council. Neighbouring authorities are also assisting through local resilience partnerships. We are looking at providing potential support for geological surveying, and we are working with utility companies to support residents and ensure that they do not continue to be charged.
I am pursuing an immediate meeting with the MRA to ensure that an immediate decision is made on whether the mine workings will have an impact, as well as looking to engage with the United Kingdom Government, given its MRA responsibilities. I am happy to keep in touch with Helen McDade and Keith Brown, the constituency MSP.
This is not the first time that Clackmannanshire residents have been evacuated at short notice. The reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete evacuations were handled badly by the council; houses were boarded up and personal possessions were left to rot for months on end. I hope that lessons were learned from that incident about the need to address the evacuees’ trauma while, at the same time, protecting their personal safety. What reassurances has the cabinet secretary had that the evacuation will be handled more sensitively than the previous one?
I welcome Mr Ruskell back to his place and congratulate him on his re-election.
I hear his point. That is part of what was discussed with the leader of Clackmannanshire Council and Keith Brown on Friday. I am confident that the local authority is doing all that it can to provide such support. The greatest uncertainty that residents and Clackmannanshire Council face is the Mining Remediation Authority’s future decision making, which will be critical for insurers, residents, the council and this Government.
Responsibility for the MRA rests with the UK Government, which is why I am pursuing an urgent meeting with the MRA and asking the UK Government to ensure that the fastest possible decision making is undertaken in this case, so that residents are able to get a clearer picture of the situation.
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