The Scottish Parliament

Question reference: S7W-03567

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Hannah Mary Goodlad on 7 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans that its proposed new regional authorities will have any planning functions within the boundaries of a national park, and, if so, how those functions would interact with the statutory functions of the relevant national park authority.

The Government’s Proposal for Reform of Local Governance is a starting point for discussion. It is intended to facilitate debate and discussion with the objective of establishing a measure of shared agreement about the scale and the broad shape that reform could take.

The possible functions of regional authorities, community authorities and the national parks will be a key part of discussions going forward.

Question reference: S7W-03558

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Hannah Mary Goodlad on 7 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether its proposed regional authorities would become the planning authorities responsible for preparing Local Development Plans and, if so, what statutory changes would be required to give effect to that arrangement.

The Government’s Proposal for Reform of Local Governance is a starting point for discussion. It is intended to facilitate debate and discussion with the objective of establishing a measure of shared agreement about the scale and the broad shape that reform could take.

The role of authorities in the planning system will be part of this dialogue. Our proposals should mean decisions are taken closer to people where that could improve local outcomes, on the services and functions most appropriate. The existing framework for local development plans remains in place at present and we are supporting their timely delivery.

Question reference: S7W-03559

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Hannah Mary Goodlad on 7 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to whether existing Local Development Plans would remain in force following any reorganisation of local government, and, if so, for how long they would remain in force.

The Government’s Proposal for Reform of Local Governance is a starting point for discussion. It is intended to facilitate debate and discussion with the objective of establishing a measure of shared agreement about the scale and the broad shape that reform could take.

Our proposals should mean decisions are taken closer to people where that could improve local outcomes, on the services and functions most appropriate. The existing framework of local development plans remains in place at present and we are supporting their timely delivery.

Question reference: S7W-03566

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Hannah Mary Goodlad on 7 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether national park authorities will continue to be designated planning authorities following the implementation of its proposed reforms to local government.

The Government’s Proposal for Reform of Local Governance is a starting point for discussion. It is intended to facilitate debate and discussion with the objective of establishing a measure of shared agreement about the scale and the broad shape that reform could take.

The possible functions of regional authorities, community authorities and the national parks will be a key part of discussions going forward.

Question reference: S7W-04050

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Tuesday, 06 October 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 3 November 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how much financial support it is providing to Glasgow City Council to assist with pay protection, in light of the recent fire and rehire dispute.

Question reference: S7W-03557

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 6 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to amend the National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000 as part of its proposed local government reforms and, if so, which provisions it anticipates amending.

Question reference: S7W-03568

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 6 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the delivery of suicide prevention education in secondary schools.

Suicide Prevention Scotland recently reviewed the academic evidence on teaching suicide prevention in schools. While the findings suggest there can be benefits from suicide prevention awareness education, some studies have identified an increased risk for students. Work is underway through the Creating Hope Together Action Plan to identify and evaluate delivery models which mitigate the risks and strengthen guidance and resources for schools to ensure appropriate safeguarding, staff training and access to support services are embedded.

Resources to support learning in mental health, self-harm, and suicide prevention are available from Education Scotland, including professional learning and links to NHS Inform. There is also a comprehensive package of resources including information on support organisations, designed to help primary and secondary school staff to support the positive mental wellbeing of learners.

It is for teachers, schools and local authorities to determine how best to deliver learning and teaching on suicide prevention, in line with the Curriculum for Excellence. We expect teachers to use their professional judgement, experience and understanding of their pupils to respond sensitively to complex and challenging issues.

Question reference: S7W-03564

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 6 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether its proposals for local government reform would result in any change to the constitutional, administrative or statutory status of Scotland's two national park authorities.

The Scottish Government’s proposals for local government reform will not alter the constitutional, or statutory status of Scotland’s two National Park Authorities. The Scottish Government’s proposals for local government reform is a starting point for discussion. It is intended to facilitate debate and discussion with the objective of establishing a measure of shared agreement about the scale and the broad shape that reform could take. The relationship of regional authorities to Scotland’s two national park authorities will be taken into consideration during that dialogue.

Question reference: S7W-03565

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 6 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans for national park authorities to form part of its proposed regional authority structure, and, if not, what relationship it anticipates national park authorities will have with any such regional authorities.

Question reference: S7W-03492

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 22 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Hannah Mary Goodlad on 6 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether the national planning and spatial guidance on hyperscale data centres that it has committed to publish will apply to planning applications that were registered before the guidance is published, and, if so, what consideration it has given to how that guidance will be taken into account in the determination of such applications.

We do not anticipate any applications will be determined by planning authorities before our planning guidance on data centres is issued later this year. Through the notification direction we issued during the summer we are actively monitoring live applications and their intended timescales for determination.

Before making a decision on a planning application, it is for the planning authority to interpret and implement all relevant planning legislation, policies and guidance as it deems appropriate, given the circumstances in each case, and to ensure that the provisions of the planning system are applied properly.

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Question reference: S7W-03567

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