Questions and answers

Question reference: S5W-22924

Asked by: Willie Rennie, MSP for North East Fife, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 May 2019
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 14 May 2019

To ask the Scottish Government how the Sestran Regional Model (SRM12) takes account of step changes in (a) transport patterns and (b) land use that could result from new infrastructure.

(a) SRM12 considers responses to traveller choices such as which route to take, which mode to use and where to travel to. SRM12 can be run for a number of forecast years to help better understand forecast ‘step changes’ over time. These will include “Do-Something” runs in forecast years with a new transport infrastructure option added to the model.

(b) SRM12 is a typical transport model and does not by itself deal with land-use changes. These land-use changes are considered in the Transport and Economic Land Model of Scotland (TELMoS) which provides forecasts of employment, housing and population based on forecast planning data and economic data. SRM12 takes into consideration the outputs from TELMoS to determine the impact of new transport infrastructure options.

Question reference: S5W-22922

Asked by: Willie Rennie, MSP for North East Fife, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 May 2019
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 14 May 2019

To ask the Scottish Government whether the Sestran Regional Model (SRM12) includes the East Neuk and takes account of the value of the railhead that Levenmouth could provide.

The geographical scope of the SRM12 model covers the South East of Scotland, including the whole of Fife and the East Neuk. The Sestran Regional Model is a tool which may be used to provide quantitative evidence as part of Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG) which should be used for transport appraisal in Scotland. A transport appraisal determines the overall value of the multi-modal options. This involves the appraisal of each option against the transport planning objectives and the five STAG criteria, including the Environment, Safety, Economy, Integration, and Accessibility and Social Inclusion. The Levenmouth Sustainable Transport Study is being undertaken in line with STAG and includes a railhead at Levenmouth as one of the multi-modal options under consideration.

Question reference: S5F-03322

Asked by: Willie Rennie, MSP for North East Fife, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 13 May 2019
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 16 May 2019

Question to be taken in Chamber.

Question reference: S5F-03304

Asked by: Willie Rennie, MSP for North East Fife, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 07 May 2019
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 9 May 2019

Question to be taken in Chamber.

Question reference: S5O-03162

Asked by: Willie Rennie, MSP for North East Fife, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 24 April 2019
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 1 May 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what impact reductions to the Fife Health and Social Care Partnership budget will have on its ability to meet rising demand for social care.

Question reference: S5F-03258

Asked by: Willie Rennie, MSP for North East Fife, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 23 April 2019
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 25 April 2019

Question to be taken in Chamber.

Question reference: S5W-22470

Asked by: Willie Rennie, MSP for North East Fife, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 02 April 2019
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 18 April 2019

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the article in The Press and Journal on 2 April 2019, “Public foots bill for pair of lifeline freight ferries”, for what reason it considers that the purchase price that it paid for the MV Helliar and MV Hildasay should be withheld on the grounds of commercial confidentiality.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-22383 on 4 April 2019. 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

In addition, I can confirm that the Sale Agreement for both of the vessels contains a confidentiality clause which Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) advise is ordinary market practice in transactions of this nature. CMAL are therefore bound by this agreement and are unable to disclose information relating to the purchase price of the MV Helliar and MV Hildasay.

Question reference: S5F-03234

Asked by: Willie Rennie, MSP for North East Fife, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 01 April 2019
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 4 April 2019

Question to be taken in Chamber.

Question reference: S5F-03175

Asked by: Willie Rennie, MSP for North East Fife, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 18 March 2019
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 21 March 2019

Question to be taken in Chamber.

Question reference: S5W-21886

Asked by: Willie Rennie, MSP for North East Fife, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 28 February 2019
Current Status: Answered by Derek Mackay on 14 March 2019

To ask the Scottish Government how organisations and businesses can input into its consideration of what types of activities, programmes and support will be eligible to benefit from the financial commitment to mitigate the risks of Brexit that it announced in its Budget.

As a responsible government we must prepare for all EU Exit possibilities, and the 2019-20 Scottish Budget will support vital preparedness activities. All Portfolio areas have benefited from all of the 2019-20 EU Exit consequentials being allocated via the Scottish Budget. We are prioritising activity in areas that will be heavily impacted by Brexit - the economy, transport, food and drink, medicines, agriculture and the rural economy. The Scottish Government is working with all delivery partners to ensure that essential actions to reduce the impact of a no-deal Brexit can be taken.

Raising awareness in and action by businesses is vital. Last year we launched “Prepare for Brexit”, offering readiness self-assessment tools and expert advice as well as access to learning and networking events, and grants for Brexit planning support. That campaign can help many more businesses to take steps to enhance resilience despite the ongoing uncertainty.

We are also engaged in civil contingencies planning around any impacts that may have an immediate and direct effect on citizens. Intensive planning and preparation for a ‘no deal’ outcome has been underpinned by detailed work across government to identify the risks and potential impacts of EU exit and the mitigating actions that we and others could take across a wide range of issues, including impact to businesses.

Weekly meetings of SGoRR – the Scottish Government Resilience Room Committee – have been held with the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister convening. These meetings have input from Cabinet Secretaries including those responsible for Health, Justice, Transport, Rural and my own Portfolio, as well as other organisations such as Transport Scotland, COSLA, and Police Scotland.

I am working with the Deputy First Minister and the Cabinet Secretary for Government Business and Constitutional Relations to ensure that any decisions to reprioritise resource towards EU exit priorities are made collectively and consistently.

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