- Asked by: Christine Grahame, MSP for Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 June 2017
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Current Status:
Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 28 June 2017
To ask the Scottish Government what legislation is in place to support and protect equine welfare.
Answer
The Scottish Government considers that the provisions of the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 are sufficient to ensure that action can be taken if the welfare of horses is not being met. The provisions of Part 2 of the Act apply to all people responsible for animals.
In addition, The Riding Establishments Acts of 1964 and 1970 require such establishments to be licenced by a local authority following inspection by a veterinarian and consideration of the ongoing provision of health and welfare.
- Asked by: Christine Grahame, MSP for Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 13 June 2017
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Current Status:
Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 21 June 2017
To ask the Scottish Government, with reference to section 11E of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (As amended), what information it holds on (a) the location of snares and (b) which animals were caught, and whether such information is in the public domain.
Answer
In reference to Section 11E of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981(as amended), the Scottish Government does not hold any information on (a) the location of snares, and (b) which animals were caught. This information is not in the public domain.
- Asked by: Christine Grahame, MSP for Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 May 2017
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Current Status:
Answered by Humza Yousaf on 15 May 2017
To ask the Scottish Government whether the proposed improvements to the Sheriffhall Roundabout will make any provision for cyclists.
Answer
Suitable provision for all users, including cyclists, is an important part of the proposed improvements to Sheriffhall Roundabout and this will be developed in further detail as we progress the development and assessment of the preferred option, in consultation with local interest groups.
- Asked by: Christine Grahame, MSP for Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 29 March 2017
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Current Status:
Answered by Kevin Stewart on 19 April 2017
To ask the Scottish Government what measures are in place to require an assessment of services, such as schools, public transport and medical facilities, to take place as a condition of planning consents for housing developments.
Answer
It is for individual planning authorities, in the first instance, to consider whether conditions should be attached to a permission in accordance with national guidance in Circular 4/1998. Developers should mitigate the impact of their development and Local Authorities can draw from a range of sources to support infrastructure, including the use of planning conditions and legal agreements. We have a plan led system, and Scottish Planning Policy makes clear that when identifying locations for new housing, planning authorities must take account of infrastructure requirements.
The challenge of delivering appropriate infrastructure to serve new development has been recognised in the recent consultation on the future of the Scottish planning system https://consult.scotland.gov.uk/planning-architecture/a-consultation-on-the-future-of-planning/. Responses to the consultation, which closed on 4 April, are currently being analysed and will be taken into account in preparation of a Planning Bill.
- Asked by: Christine Grahame, MSP for Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 29 March 2017
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Current Status:
Answered by Kevin Stewart on 18 April 2017
To ask the Scottish Government what measures are in place to permit the compulsory purchase of vacant commercial premises in town centres for the purpose of redeveloping them for social housing.
Answer
Local authorities have powers to compulsorily purchase land or property under a number of Acts of Parliament. These include powers under sections nine and ten of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 for, or in connection with, the provision of housing.
We committed in our Programme for Government to support interim measures to modernise compulsory purchase orders in advance of legislation, to ensure vacant and derelict land can be brought back into use in our communities, and are currently developing proposals to deliver on this commitment.
- Asked by: Christine Grahame, MSP for Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 29 March 2017
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Current Status:
Answered by Kevin Stewart on 18 April 2017
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has in its forthcoming planning legislation to make it a condition of planning consents for some developments for a proportion of very sheltered social housing to be constructed as part of these.
Answer
We have no current plans to amend the requirements for developer contributions for affordable and specialist housing, the provisions for which are set out in Scottish Planning Policy (SPP 2014) and Planning Advice Note 2/2010: Affordable Housing and Housing Land Audits. Such measures could be considered when SPP is next revised.
The recent consultation on the planning system highlights the need to diversify housing delivery to provide a greater choice and range of housing, including supported homes for the elderly. Responses to the consultation, which closed on 4th April, are currently being analysed and will be taken into account in the preparation of a Planning Bill.
- Asked by: Christine Grahame, MSP for Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 20 March 2017
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 23 March 2017
To ask the First Minister what forward planning is in place to meet the demographic challenges of an ageing population.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 23 March 2017
- Asked by: Christine Grahame, MSP for Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 02 March 2017
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 9 March 2017
To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, in light of exhibition places being oversubscribed, whether it will consider having a third exhibition space in the Garden Lobby area.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 9 March 2017
- Asked by: Christine Grahame, MSP for Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 27 February 2017
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 2 March 2017
To ask the First Minister what measures the Scottish Government will take to ensure that there is appropriate social housing to meet the requirements of disabled, vulnerable and frail older people.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 2 March 2017
- Asked by: Christine Grahame, MSP for Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 17 February 2017
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Current Status:
Answered by Andy Wightman on 24 February 2017
To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body how many cross party groups (a) have been approved and (b) are currently seeking approval.
Answer
As at 23 February 2017, 84 cross party groups have been approved. No proposed groups are currently seeking approval.