Questions and answers

Question reference: S6W-30095

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 23 September 2024
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 30 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how much of the £10 million that the UK Government reportedly committed to providing in 2023 to carry out a feasibility study on the Borders Railway has been allocated to that project.

The Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal includes a commitment of up to £5m from both the Scottish Government and the UK Government to assess the benefits and challenges of extending the Borders Railway to Carlisle. This includes the undertaking of associated detailed feasibility work to fully understand the factors associated with re-instatement of the railway. Whilst the project is still going through the business case development phase, no funding has yet been drawn down to date, however the Scottish Government remains committed to enabling Growth Deal Partners to progress this project.

We recognise that there are a number of complexities within this project and we need to make sure that the extensive feasibility work undertaken is fit for purpose from both a transport appraisal perspective as well as meeting Growth Deal criteria. The cross-border nature of this particular project also means that input and agreement from both Governments is needed for this to advance. The Scottish Government recently approved its contribution for the recruitment of a Project Manager to progress the feasibility work necessary to support the project business case and we hope similar approval is obtained from UK Government post October Spending Review to allow this element of the project to commence .

The Scottish Government continues to work with UK Government and Scottish Borders Council, the lead delivery partner, in an effort to move this project forward.

Question reference: S6W-30092

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 23 September 2024
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 30 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government when signalisation will be introduced on the A75 at the Cuckoo Bridge Roundabout.

Question reference: S6W-28876

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 01 August 2024
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 16 August 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the required energy storage capacity to meet targets and the level of capacity being proposed through applications for battery energy storage systems.

The Scottish Government uses modelling evidence such as the Electricity System Operators Future Energy Scenarios (FES) to explore the future storage capacity that could be required in Scotland and GB under different decarbonisation pathways.

The level of capacity being proposed through applications for battery energy storage systems can be found on the Renewable Energy Planning Database: quarterly extract ( Renewable Energy Planning Database: quarterly extract - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) ).

Where Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) applications with a capacity greater than 50MW are brought forward, these will require consent from Scottish Ministers under the Electricity Act 1989. Proposals below 50MW are determined by the relevant planning authority in the first instance. Information on live applications under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 is available on the Energy Consents website, using the application search function and includes specific capacities, where this information is held.

Question reference: S6W-28878

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 01 August 2024
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 16 August 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any cumulative impact on communities of the development of battery energy storage systems.

Where new development proposals come forward, fourth National Planning Framework (NPF4), ensures that the impacts of proposals on communities and nature, including cumulative impacts, are important considerations in the decision-making process. All applications are subject to site specific assessments and the cumulative impacts of energy development proposals are also required to be considered through statutory Environmental Impact Assessment processes, where relevant and applicable.

The Scottish Ministers have an expectation that communities are engaged at an early stage and can meaningfully influence development proposals in their area. Where there is a need for co-ordination between applicants proposing development in the same area, all parties are expected to work together to co-ordinate development and minimise any impacts on communities and the environment.

When determining applications under the Electricity Act 1989, Scottish Ministers are required to seek advice from planning authorities to ensure that decision-making is co-ordinated to reflect local circumstances.

Question reference: S6W-28879

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 01 August 2024
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 13 August 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what policies it has in place to protect communities against any cumulative impact of the development of battery energy storage systems.

Where new development proposals come forward, National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4), ensures that the impacts of proposals on communities and nature, including cumulative impacts, are important considerations in the decision making process. All applications are subject to site specific assessments and the cumulative impacts of energy development proposals are also considered through statutory Environmental Impact Assessment processes, where relevant and applicable.

The Scottish Ministers have an expectation that communities are engaged at an early stage and can meaningfully influence development proposals in their area. Where there is a need for co-ordination between applicants proposing development in the same area, all parties are expected to work together to co-ordinate development and minimise any impacts on communities and the environment.

When determining applications made under the Electricity Act 1989, Scottish Ministers are required to seek advice from planning authorities to ensure that decision-making is co-ordinated to reflect local circumstances.

Question reference: S6W-28880

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 01 August 2024
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 13 August 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what policies it has in place to ensure that developers adhere to decommissioning plans when battery energy storage systems reach the end of their lifespan.

National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) at Policy 11 (Energy) ensures that consideration is given to the decommissioning of developments and site restoration, as well as to the quality of site restoration plans. This includes the measures in place to safeguard or guarantee availability of finance to effectively implement those plans. The enforcement of such matters is a matter for the relevant local authority.

Question reference: S6W-28877

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 01 August 2024
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 13 August 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what policies it has in place to ensure that the development of battery energy storage systems does not have a negative impact on the availability of prime agricultural land.

National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4), published and adopted in February 2023, sets out at Policy 5 (Soils) that development proposals on prime agricultural land, or land of lesser quality that is culturally or locally important for primary use, as identified by the local development plan, will only be supported in limited circumstances. This includes for the generation of energy from renewable sources where there is secure provision for restoration and the layout and design of the proposal minimises the amount of protected land required.

All development proposals are subject to site specific assessments.

Question reference: S6W-28102

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 10 June 2024
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 24 June 2024

To ask the Scottish Government when it will allocate funding to organisations from the Strengthening Communities Programme for 2024-25.

Every action is being taken to facilitate a decision on funding for the Strengthening Communities Programme (SCP), subject to UK Government election period guidance, following which officials will be in contact with stakeholders.

Given the ongoing nature of the review process, interim funding will be released to support delivery costs up to the end of Quarter 2 and on a month by month basis starting from October pending the final decision being made.

Question reference: S6W-28103

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 10 June 2024
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 24 June 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what the reasons are for the reported delays in awarding funding to organisations from the Strengthening Communities Programme for 2024-25.

The Scottish Budget confirmed that the financial outlook for 2024-25 across Government is particularly challenging with future prospects continuing to be volatile. Within the context of this challenging position, achieving a balanced budget requires difficult decisions and robust spending control. Discussions are ongoing to work through priorities and finalise funding allocations within budget lines, including the Strengthening Communities Programme. Funding is being released as decisions are taken to ensure that activity can proceed in agreed areas as soon as possible whilst this review continues.

Question reference: S6O-03545

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 29 May 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 6 June 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the reported calls for a moratorium on the closure of publicly owned care homes.

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