Seòmar agus comataidhean

I refer the Member to the answer to question S3W-10935 on 11 April 2008. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

I refer the Member to the answer to question S3W-10935 on 11 April 2008. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

No member of the Scottish Government saw the exhibition.

The ability of ministers and officials to instruct or direct non-departmental public body (NDPB) delivery partners is part of the long established governance framework between government and the bodies they sponsor.

Within this delivery relationship, there is a wide range of terminology used to describe instructions that can be given to NDPBs and this is normally contained in enabling legislation or other relevant corporate documentation underpinning the governance framework. The scope of instruction and direction can also vary considerably, ranging from simple accounting matters to issues of substance and can cover procedures and timescales where ministers believe there is a public interest. Whether of a general or specific nature, powers of direction allow government to exercise the degree of control necessary to ensure parliamentary, ministerial and public accountability for bodies in receipt of government funds.

The way in which the Scottish Government discharges these core functions is not recorded separately or given prominence over other issues of sponsorship activity. In addition, the way in which directions can be invoked and communicated will vary depending on the individual circumstances or context.

The governance framework which confers NDPB status provides for a degree of ministerial judgement in deciding the most appropriate level of interaction between body and government.

NDPB sponsorship guidance is contained on the Scottish Government''s public bodies website at:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Government/public-bodies.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-10935 on 11 April 2008. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

The correspondence of 9 November 2007 was a forwarded copy of a forwarded email, with an attached letter, which was not addressed to the First Minister: in line with established practice, this correspondence was therefore not shown to the First Minister. The correspondence of 13 November 2007 was a forwarded copy of an email which was not addressed to the First Minister: in line with established practice, this correspondence was therefore not shown to the First Minister.

I refer the Member to the answer to question S3W-10935 on 11 April 2008. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-9043 on 25 February 2008. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search. m¼$

Unlike structure plans which are approved by Scottish ministers, responsibility for the preparation and adoption of local plans lies with the planning authority for the relevant area. The planning authority has to comply with statutory requirements, including ensuring that the plan conforms with the approved structure plan. The planning authority is also responsible for considering any objections to the plan, if necessary by appointing a reporter and holding a local plan inquiry, considering the reporter's recommendations to them, incorporating any modifications it considers appropriate, and adopting the plan so that it is brought into force. It is for the planning authority to decide whether to accept or reject the recommendations made by the reporter. Scottish ministers can be expected to become involved only in exceptional circumstances. This could lead to modification or call-in of the local plan for Scottish ministers' own decision.

In respect of the Moray Council Local Plan the appointed reporter is currently working on his finalised report which is likely to be submitted to the council in summer 2008. I can however say that issues were raised by some local plan objectors regarding flood risk matters, including reference to current national planning policy and guidance on flooding and its relevance to development plan policies for flood risk areas. The council has proposed changes to the finalised plan in response to selected concerns raised by objectors. Accordingly, these and related sustainability issues did feature in both the informal hearings and formal sessions of this local plan inquiry and so will be reported by the reporter in due course as part of his overall report, conclusions and recommendations to the council.

With regard to the Aberdeen City Local Plan, objections relating to flooding were made. The topic Planning and Flooding may be found on pages 43 to 51 of chapter 16 of the report into objections to the plan. Coastal flooding also arose in a site-specific instance in regard to land at Seaton. From the report, it will be seen that references are made to Scottish Planning Policy 7: Planning and Flooding, to Planning Advice Note 61: Planning and Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems and to Planning Advice Note 69: Planning and Building Standards Advice on Flooding. The inquiry was aware that the Scottish Environment Protection Agency had prepared new flood maps (referred to at the inquiry as second generation flood maps). At the time of the inquiry, these maps had not been published and were thus not submitted to the inquiry. The recommendations made by the reporters, to the planning authority, did take full account of national guidance.

The Scottish Government does not have a corporate policy or standard procedures on minuting conversations.