The first meeting of a group dedicated to successfully implementing Argyll and Bute’s Renewable Energy Action Plan (REAP) has been hailed as a big success.
The Argyll and Bute Renewable Energy Alliance (ABRA), which met last week, brings together key partners including Argyll and Bute Council, the Scottish Government, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Scottish Power Renewables, Marine Scotland, Scottish and Southern Energy, Crown Estate Commission and Skills Development Scotland.
The partners will work together to ensure a strategic overview of renewable development and a greater awareness of all the issues relating to this development across Argyll and Bute.
Argyll and Bute Council Leader and ABRA Chair, Councillor Dick Walsh, said: “It was excellent to see such a large number of partners around the table at this inaugural meeting, each working towards a shared vision of securing the best outcome for our area and communities.
“A positive response was expressed by all partners, who strongly supported the objectives and terms of reference of the alliance.
“Through the commitment and enthusiasm displayed by partners, I am confident that ABRA will positively build on the proactive approach already established within Argyll and Bute, through the development of the Renewable Energy Action Plan, and the strong history of partnership working.
“Argyll and Bute Council looks forward to future working with ABRA, to realise the vision for the development of the renewable energy sector, promote sustainable economic development and maximise the opportunity for everyone involved, not least our local communities.”
Energy Minister Jim Mather, who was also at the meeting, said: “Argyll and Bute has long been at the leading edge of renewable, and today’s first meeting of the Argyll and Bute Renewables Alliance confirms the passion and determination that exists to fully capitalise on the tremendous natural resources here.
“The alliance will optimise the economic and environmental benefits from renewables for businesses and communities, and the Scottish Government is ready to continue working with ABRA to continue to make that happen.”
The group will submit regular progress reports to the Community Planning Partnership.
Friday, 25 March 2011
EÒRPA ON BBC ALBA EXAMINES THE RUSSIAN SPACE INDUSTRY PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE
Wednesday 30 March, 8.30pm on BBC ALBA
In the last programme of the present series of Eòrpa, Roddy Munro reports from Russia. Nearly 50 years since Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin's momentous flight becoming the first human in space, Eòrpa examines the Russian space industry past, present and future.
With the USA's shuttle replacement some time away, Russia will soon find itself as the world leader in manned spaceflight. How, 50 years after Gagarin, has Russia regained its place at the top, and can it sustain this lofty position?
Eòrpa hears from industry experts and cosmonauts throughout the programme gaining insightful personal accounts of what it’s like to travel into space.
Cosmonaut, Sergei Viktorovich Zalyotin, said: “You experience a lot of emotions when you watch our earth from the height of 500km. On the one side you see the earth, on the other you see the black velvet of space, and the question arises: Who are you in this life? Why did you come into space? How will our life develop in the future? And from where did we come to this earth?"
Yuri Karash of the Russian Academy of Cosmonautics, said: “Yes, Russia launches more spaceships than other countries, more space rocket carriers, carries out more space launches, but you would not say that Russia is ahead of Italy in the field of motor industry because the Volga Automobile Plant produces more Lada cars than the Italian concern Ferrari produces cars of the same name.”
Produced by BBC Gàidhlig, Eòrpa will broadcast on BBC ALBA on Wednesday 30 March at 8.30pm.
In the last programme of the present series of Eòrpa, Roddy Munro reports from Russia. Nearly 50 years since Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin's momentous flight becoming the first human in space, Eòrpa examines the Russian space industry past, present and future.
With the USA's shuttle replacement some time away, Russia will soon find itself as the world leader in manned spaceflight. How, 50 years after Gagarin, has Russia regained its place at the top, and can it sustain this lofty position?
Eòrpa hears from industry experts and cosmonauts throughout the programme gaining insightful personal accounts of what it’s like to travel into space.
Cosmonaut, Sergei Viktorovich Zalyotin, said: “You experience a lot of emotions when you watch our earth from the height of 500km. On the one side you see the earth, on the other you see the black velvet of space, and the question arises: Who are you in this life? Why did you come into space? How will our life develop in the future? And from where did we come to this earth?"
Yuri Karash of the Russian Academy of Cosmonautics, said: “Yes, Russia launches more spaceships than other countries, more space rocket carriers, carries out more space launches, but you would not say that Russia is ahead of Italy in the field of motor industry because the Volga Automobile Plant produces more Lada cars than the Italian concern Ferrari produces cars of the same name.”
Produced by BBC Gàidhlig, Eòrpa will broadcast on BBC ALBA on Wednesday 30 March at 8.30pm.
Scotch Whisky Association says "A MIXED BUDGET FOR WHISKY DISTILLERS"
- Disappointment at 5 9p a bottle excise duty rise -
- Distillers welcome corporation tax and fuel duty reductions -
The 7.2% increase in spirits duty will penalise Scotch Whisky drinkers and distillers, The Scotch
Whisky Association (SWA) said today.
The SWA has , however, welcomed the Chancellor’s announcements on corporation tax, fuel
duty and help for manufactured exports.
The excise duty rise increases the tax discrimination faced by Scotch Whisky and other spirit
drinks. Today’s Budget means that the duty on a bottle of Scotch – nearly 40% higher than the
duty per unit on beer and 30% hi gher than wine – will rise by 59p (duty and VAT) .
The increase, which comes on top of a 22% duty rise since 2008, has widened the tax gap with
other alcoholic drinks.
Commenting on the excise duty rise, Gavin Hewitt, Scotch Whisky Association Chief
Executive , said:
“Today’s 59p a bottle tax rise unfairly penalises responsible whisky drinkers and a key UK
industry. Our alcohol duty system does not meet the principles of good tax policy set out by
the Chancellor. Alcohol duty reform is urgently needed. The system discriminates against
Scotch Whisky in favour of other alcoholic drinks, undermining an industry that should be at the
heart of the Chancellor’s export led growth agenda.”
On corporation tax and fuel duty, Mr Hewitt said:
“The changes promised to corporation tax and increased support for manufactured exports will
allow distill ers to invest for long term growth in overseas markets. Given that distilleries are
often in remote rural communities the cut in fuel duty is very welcome.”
- Distillers welcome corporation tax and fuel duty reductions -
The 7.2% increase in spirits duty will penalise Scotch Whisky drinkers and distillers, The Scotch
Whisky Association (SWA) said today.
The SWA has , however, welcomed the Chancellor’s announcements on corporation tax, fuel
duty and help for manufactured exports.
The excise duty rise increases the tax discrimination faced by Scotch Whisky and other spirit
drinks. Today’s Budget means that the duty on a bottle of Scotch – nearly 40% higher than the
duty per unit on beer and 30% hi gher than wine – will rise by 59p (duty and VAT) .
The increase, which comes on top of a 22% duty rise since 2008, has widened the tax gap with
other alcoholic drinks.
Commenting on the excise duty rise, Gavin Hewitt, Scotch Whisky Association Chief
Executive , said:
“Today’s 59p a bottle tax rise unfairly penalises responsible whisky drinkers and a key UK
industry. Our alcohol duty system does not meet the principles of good tax policy set out by
the Chancellor. Alcohol duty reform is urgently needed. The system discriminates against
Scotch Whisky in favour of other alcoholic drinks, undermining an industry that should be at the
heart of the Chancellor’s export led growth agenda.”
On corporation tax and fuel duty, Mr Hewitt said:
“The changes promised to corporation tax and increased support for manufactured exports will
allow distill ers to invest for long term growth in overseas markets. Given that distilleries are
often in remote rural communities the cut in fuel duty is very welcome.”
NFUS says "BUDGET RESULT ON FUEL AS GOVERNMENT DOES ITS ‘DUTY’ "
NFU Scotland and other organisations’ concerted efforts to encourage the UK Government to scrap the planned fuel duty increase and introduce a fair fuel stabiliser have paid off and should help to ease the financial stranglehold around the necks of many farming businesses and rural communities.
For several years, NFU Scotland has been lobbying the Government to cut fuel duty (on petrol, diesel, red diesel, gas and heating oil), introduce a fuel duty stabiliser and establish a rural fuel duty rebate scheme. NFUS has held several meetings with Treasury ministers and officials as well as MPs and MSPs in recent months, including two face to face meetings at the Treasury since the coalition government was formed, to impress these points upon them.
Alongside today’s fuel duty discount and fuel stabiliser announcements, the UK Government also published that it has formally submitted a derogation request to the EU Commission to conduct a rural fuel duty rebate pilot scheme, which NFUS believes could eventually provide further help to those living and working in remote, rural areas.
Other measures announced today - including a freeze on vehicle tax for heavy goods vehicles, an increase in the personal tax allowance, support for apprenticeships, the early introduction of a green investment bank with increased funding and the doubling of entrepreneurs’ relief - should also help a range of businesses.
NFU Scotland’s President, Nigel Miller said:
“Today’s Budget announcement is a real result for farming and the rural community and will see many people breathe a sigh of relief when they realise that the much feared, imminent price rise in fuel, will not actually take place. If the fuel duty escalator, which was abolished today, had followed its intended trajectory, fuel at the pump would have risen by around 5ppl. Instead, under the Government’s new stabiliser, fuel prices will be cut by a penny a litre from this evening.
“NFU Scotland has played a very definite role in bringing this about. We wrote jointly with the Road Haulage Association to the Chancellor just last week about the proposed duty rise, duty stabiliser and remote area duty regulator, and this was just the latest petition, following a series of meetings with politicians and Treasury officials.
“This was quite a change in tone from last summer’s meetings, when any measures we proposed which could cost the Government or were not revenue generating, were rejected altogether in our meetings with Treasury. Today’s announcement shows the kind of result you can get if you have a good idea and are a little persistent!
“It is important to emphasise, however, that farmers still require a fairer return from the marketplace. We welcome the UK Government’s action on fuel price, but we now really need them to sort the other side of the equation and introduce the long-promised adjudicator to enforce the Grocery Supply Code of Practice. Only then will we be well on the road to ensuring that, regardless of input costs, producers reliably receive a price for their produce which actually reflects the cost of production.”
For several years, NFU Scotland has been lobbying the Government to cut fuel duty (on petrol, diesel, red diesel, gas and heating oil), introduce a fuel duty stabiliser and establish a rural fuel duty rebate scheme. NFUS has held several meetings with Treasury ministers and officials as well as MPs and MSPs in recent months, including two face to face meetings at the Treasury since the coalition government was formed, to impress these points upon them.
Alongside today’s fuel duty discount and fuel stabiliser announcements, the UK Government also published that it has formally submitted a derogation request to the EU Commission to conduct a rural fuel duty rebate pilot scheme, which NFUS believes could eventually provide further help to those living and working in remote, rural areas.
Other measures announced today - including a freeze on vehicle tax for heavy goods vehicles, an increase in the personal tax allowance, support for apprenticeships, the early introduction of a green investment bank with increased funding and the doubling of entrepreneurs’ relief - should also help a range of businesses.
NFU Scotland’s President, Nigel Miller said:
“Today’s Budget announcement is a real result for farming and the rural community and will see many people breathe a sigh of relief when they realise that the much feared, imminent price rise in fuel, will not actually take place. If the fuel duty escalator, which was abolished today, had followed its intended trajectory, fuel at the pump would have risen by around 5ppl. Instead, under the Government’s new stabiliser, fuel prices will be cut by a penny a litre from this evening.
“NFU Scotland has played a very definite role in bringing this about. We wrote jointly with the Road Haulage Association to the Chancellor just last week about the proposed duty rise, duty stabiliser and remote area duty regulator, and this was just the latest petition, following a series of meetings with politicians and Treasury officials.
“This was quite a change in tone from last summer’s meetings, when any measures we proposed which could cost the Government or were not revenue generating, were rejected altogether in our meetings with Treasury. Today’s announcement shows the kind of result you can get if you have a good idea and are a little persistent!
“It is important to emphasise, however, that farmers still require a fairer return from the marketplace. We welcome the UK Government’s action on fuel price, but we now really need them to sort the other side of the equation and introduce the long-promised adjudicator to enforce the Grocery Supply Code of Practice. Only then will we be well on the road to ensuring that, regardless of input costs, producers reliably receive a price for their produce which actually reflects the cost of production.”
Postal Services in Scotland: Government Response to the Committee's First Report of Session 2010-11 - Scottish Affairs Committee Contents
Appendix: Government Report
Introduction
The Government welcomes the Committee's report on its inquiry to identify the importance of postal services throughout Scotland and how these might change in the future. It is helpful to have the analysis, conclusions and recommendations which the Committee has drawn from its inquiry and the evidence submitted to it.
Responses to Conclusions and Recommendations
We have set out below our responses to the Committee's conclusions and recommendations under the headings adopted by the Report. We have listed these in the order in which they appear in the Report with our response set out below each of them.
Conclusions and recommendations
The Comprehensive Spending Review and Post Office Funding
1. We welcome the coalition Government's commitment to the continued provision of postal services and the future of the Post Office network as signified in the Postal Services Bill 2010-11 and in the Comprehensive Spending Review 2010. We particularly welcome the financial commitment to the Post Office of £1.34 billion over the four years of the Comprehensive Spending Review period, and the fact that this package of funding is designed to secure the network of Post Offices across the UK at its current level (11,500). Nevertheless, the network in Scotland is in a precarious position financially, with rural branches typically being less well remunerated and less economically viable - thereby many Post Offices in Scotland remain vulnerable to closure and customers face the threat of a demise in the provision of postal services. We recommend that the Government take note of the position of large parts of the network in Scotland, as highlighted in this Report, and take the appropriate measures required to secure a viable and sustainable network, equipped to deliver a range of postal services in Scotland. (Paragraph 20)
The Government welcomes the Committee's recognition of its commitment to the continued provision of postal services throughout the United Kingdom and to the future of its national post office network. In its policy statement 'Securing the Post Office Network in the Digital Age' published in November 2010, the Government set out a clear strategy for the future delivery of postal services which committed £1.34 billion of funding to 2015 to support modernisation of the network and to sustain it at around its current size. This includes some 1,400 post offices in Scotland, of which over 900 serve rural communities across the country.
Universal Service Obligation
2. The Universal Service Obligation (USO) is the cornerstone of mail and postal services in the UK. The six day a week delivery and collection service, and the universal tariff are fundamental to the future of postal services and the Post Office network in Scotland, and consequently, to ensuring the financial sustainability and viability of many remote and rural communities throughout Scotland. We therefore strongly resist any potential diminution of the USO. (Paragraph 40)
The Government shares the Committee's view of the importance of the Universal Service Obligation (USO) and we have therefore placed at the heart of our legislation the requirement for six days per week collection and delivery of letters at uniform and affordable prices - the same requirement as now. The Bill also puts in place new safeguards against downgrade of the universal service: first that any changes can only be made after Ofcom has conducted a review of user needs; secondly that any changes are approved by a vote in both Houses of Parliament at Westminster; and thirdly that prices must remain uniform and there cannot be different minimum requirements in different parts of the country.
3. We were particularly concerned with two clauses in the Bill. First, clause 32 (2) (b), which allows Ofcom to waive the USO if there are "geographical or other" conditions which it deemed to be "exceptional". Given its unique geography and the financial position of much of the existing network, we fear this has the potential to allow the regulator to categorise large areas of Scotland as "exceptional". We note that this wording is the same as the current legislation and welcome the Minister's assurances and his explanation that this, and other similar clauses in the Bill, do not mean that the USO is no longer applicable to parts of Scotland—either on the grounds of geography or economics. We recommend that this clarification be included on the face of the Bill and that this clause should only ever be applied to a very small number of addresses, similar in order to the current number. (Paragraph 41)
Clause 32(2) (b) gives Ofcom the power to waive the Clause 30 requirements for delivery and collection "in such geographical conditions or other circumstances as Ofcom consider to be exceptional". This wording is precisely the same as in Section 4(1)(a) of the Postal Services Act 2000. It stems from the Postal Services Directive, where Article 3 states "Member States shall take steps to ensure that the universal service is guaranteed not less than five working days a week, save in circumstances or geographical conditions deemed exceptional..."
It is important for the universal service and the employees of the universal service provider that Ofcom has this power. The universal service could be put under disproportionate strain if the universal service provider was required to, for example, charter boats to deliver letters every day to addresses on remote islands only visited by boat once a week. The employees of the universal service provider could be put at risk if they were required to deliver mail to addresses posing health and safety risks, including, for instance, dangerous dogs.
The Government reiterates the assurances given by the Minister for Postal Affairs in his oral evidence to the Committee and agrees that the number of exceptions should be kept to a minimum - but this system is only workable if we give Ofcom, as the expert independent regulator, the necessary discretion. The Government is not aware of any concerns with the way Postcomm have set up and run the existing system for exceptions and Ofcom have indicated that they have every intention of continuing with the Postcomm system.
4. Clause 34 allows Ofcom to designate more than one universal service provider. If this clause were used to allow the cherry picking of the most profitable parts of the network, this would impact the USO and be detrimental for Scotland. We welcome the Minister's assurance that this is not the Government's intention. We welcome the safeguards in the Bill which protect the USO, and which provide for more than one USO provider only in the most extreme circumstances, e.g. the bankruptcy of the Postal Services in Scotland of the existing USO provider. We recommend that the Government provide further clarity to that effect during the passage of the Bill. (Paragraph 42)
The Government reiterates the assurances given by the Minister for Postal Affairs in his oral evidence to the Committee that it is only under two extreme scenarios that there would be more than one universal service provider. The first is where the Bill ensures that if providing the universal service is found to represent an unfair financial burden on Royal Mail, then it would allow for more than one universal service provider to be designated if it was decided by the Secretary of State that procuring part of the universal service was the optimal way of addressing the unfair burden. The second scenario in which there could be more than one universal service provider is a special administration scenario - in which case Royal Mail would already be in extreme difficulties. In both scenarios, the viability of the universal service would be in danger and, as such, the Bill provides additional protection to ensure the universal service itself. We do not believe any further clarity is required in the Bill on this issue and that Clause 34(2), 34(3) and 34(4) are sufficiently explicit.
5. We note the importance of Ofcom in providing safeguards to the USO, but are concerned about the Bill's requirement for Ofcom to review the minimum requirements for the USO within 18 months. We fear this may be seen as an opportunity to decrease the requirements of the USO. While we appreciate the need to review the service, as customer needs may change, we recommend that further safeguards be put in place to guarantee that the needs of customers and small businesses who live and work in remote, rural or island communities, are met. Any change to the USO would have a disproportionate impact on these communities. We recommend that Ofcom not merely consult with stakeholders, but to undertake assessments of the social and economic impact of proposed changes before making recommendations. We therefore recommend that the Bill include a requirement for Ofcom to consult with representatives of key groups in these communities, including residential, small business and vulnerable users, before they make any recommendations to change the existing USO. (Paragraph 46)
It is important to be clear that the review Ofcom must undertake within 18 months of the Bill coming into force is not a review of the minimum requirements. The minimum requirements are clearly set in statute in Clause 30 and we have increased the safeguards against any changes to those through the inclusion of Clause 33.
The '18 month review' is a market assessment and will look at the needs of users to assess the more detailed products and services that Royal Mail must provide. At present these services are specified in Royal Mail's licence from Postcomm. As we are moving to a general authorisation regime, in future this detail will be set out in a 'Universal Postal Services Order' made by Ofcom. The review will inform any future universal postal service orders.
The Postal Services Bill must also be read in conjunction with the Communications Act 2003. Section 3(4) of that Act makes clear that in all they do (which will include postal matters once the Bill is passed), Ofcom must have regard to 'the needs of persons with disabilities, of the elderly and of those on low incomes' as well as 'the different interests of persons in the different parts of the United Kingdom, of the different ethnic communities within the United Kingdom and of persons living in rural and urban areas'. In this context 'persons' means businesses as well as individuals.
6. Private firms are making profit off the work of Royal Mail and the Post Office network in parts of the country that are unprofitable. If Royal Mail is going to provide this service at a loss in the unprofitable and difficult parts of Scotland, they should be able to charge the private companies a higher price. Royal Mail need to be able to negotiate sustainable terms for last mile delivery of private mail and parcels. (Paragraph 48)
The Bill is clear that Ofcom's primary duty is to secure the provision of the universal service. Furthermore, it requires Ofcom to have regard to the financial sustainability and efficiency of the provision of the universal service when performing their primary duty. Clause 37 sets a framework for the regulation of access to Royal Mail's network. And Clause 38 will enable the regulator to get better information about the costs of different aspects of Royal Mail's operation, ensuring that any access prices are evidence-based and do not create unfair subsidies. Government has been clear - competition is beneficial but it cannot be at the expense of the universal postal service.
Drawing on the framework set out in the Bill, Postcomm have recently published a consultation into the current access regime specifically to consider some of the basic operational aspects of access to Royal Mail's network.
Separation of Royal Mail and the Post Office
7. The separation of Royal Mail Group and Post Office Limited, and the future ownership of both organisations has been the subject of much political debate. Regardless of the ownership of Royal Mail, we see considerable advantages to a long, stable and robust relationship between RMG and POL, not least to facilitate proper business and financial planning. We recognise that the Inter Business Agreement (IBA) is a commercial agreement and we welcome the Minister's commitment not to put anything in the way of such an agreement. However, we recommend the Government take a more proactive approach to facilitating a long and robust IBA, through removing any obstacles: practical, legal or otherwise that may exist. Ideally, a ten year agreement should be reached prior to any sale of Royal Mail. We understand that this may affect the marketability of Royal Mail, but it is essential to the sustainability of Postal Services in Scotland. It is in everyone's interest, not least that of the consumers, that such an agreement is reached as soon as possible. (Paragraph 56)
Royal Mail and the Post Office already have a long term commercial contract to provide services to one another. And there is an overwhelming commercial imperative for Royal Mail and Post Office Ltd to continue this in the future. The Chief Executive of Royal Mail has said that it would be "unthinkable" that there won't always be a very strong relationship between the Post Office and Royal Mail. The Chairman of Royal Mail has said that before separation Royal Mail and Post Office would agree the longest legally permissible contract. The Minister for Postal Affairs committed during the Commons Report stage of the Postal Services Bill that the Government would ensure that Royal Mail honoured that commitment to Parliament.
The Government is opposed to legislation requiring a 10 year exclusive arrangement between Royal Mail and POL as it would face a significant risk of legal challenge as being incompatible with competition law. Guaranteeing a revenue stream for the Post Office would also face a risk of a successful state aid challenge. Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union contains rules prohibiting anti-competitive agreements between undertakings. Article 4(3) of the Treaty on the European Union obliges member states not to jeopardise the attainments of the objectives of the Treaties. The effect of those provisions, together with article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, is that member states cannot introduce measures that would render the competition rules ineffective. There is a wide range of case law on such issues.
It is important to note that a successful state aid or competition law challenge to the Post Office's commercial relationship with Royal Mail which struck down the contract would present a serious threat to the post office network.
The Network in Scotland
8. We welcome the Government's 'access criteria' which guarantee the geographic dispersal of the Post Office network, which are crucial in maintaining the network across the whole of Scotland. However, we are concerned that the Bill neither makes provision for the number of Post Offices nor sets out access criteria. This is of particular concern given that the Government could meet its current access criteria with a network of 7,500, but has stated that it is committed to preserving a network of 11,500 branches. We recommend that the Government give assurances to this effect during the passage of the Bill. (Paragraph 68)
The Government does not see the need for provisions in the Bill covering the number of post offices or access criteria. There is already a legally binding commitment to a minimum number of post offices as part of the recent £1.34 billion funding package for the Post Office. We believe that this Government funding commitment and our plans for the future of the Post Office are the best ways of ensuring that it will continue to provide a network of at least 11,500 branches and to meet the Access Criteria. The UK's post office access criteria are the strongest we know of in Europe taking into account our safeguards for urban, rural and urban deprived areas. No other country has specific provision for urban deprived areas.
Direct comparisons with other countries are difficult as some countries have criteria based on minimum distances, and others on population size. In Germany for example the requirement is for a post office every 80km2 - whereas in the UK 95% of the rural population must be within 3 miles of the nearest post office. In Australia, the requirement is for there to be a minimum of 4,000 postal outlets, including 2,500 in rural and remote areas. Although these requirements may be in legislation, they appear to offer less accessibility to post offices than in the UK.
9. The distinction between a closure programme and a readiness to let unviable post offices cease to trade may be a genuine difference of policy but it may result in similar or worse effects. After all, the closure programmes were undertaken with the declared intention of supporting the viability of the remaining offices. If the policy is instead to let offices close in an unstructured way, it is not necessarily any sort of improvement, nor does it offer much hope of sustaining the post office network in Scotland. A policy of "no closure programme" is only a cause for optimism if it is backed by a policy of support for the remaining network. (Paragraph 69)
As previously noted in response to recommendation 8 above, as part of the recent £1.34 billion funding package Post Office Ltd is required to provide a network of at least 11,500 branches. This, taken together with the requirement to comply with the Government's access criteria, constitutes a strong safeguard against an unstructured decline in the network. The access criteria for rural and remote and sparsely populated areas provide particular protection for the network across rural Scotland.
The aim of the Government's strategy and associated funding package is to transform the underlying economics of the post office network and enable the network to become financially stable over time.
10. We note the high number of Outreach services in Scotland. While this is better than no service at all, it is not a long term solution. We are deeply concerned about the reliability and quality of the service currently being provided by Outreach services. Long waiting times, unreliable arrival times and failures in the technology severely compromise the value of such a service. Significant improvements are required to makes Outreach services sufficiently robust in order to provide a reliable and satisfactory service. We recommend that the Government impress upon the Post Office Limited and on the regulator the need to ensure that such improvements are delivered as a matter of urgency. (Paragraph 75)
We note the Committee's comments about Outreach services in Scotland. Whilst Post Office Ltd recognises that individual sites have had some technical issues in the past, most of these have been ironed out. We understand that a recent analysis of availability of technical equipment at outreach sites showed well over 99% availability. If there are problems with equipment Post Office Ltd has arrangements in place for urgent engineer call out to resolve the issue.
11. We are also concerned about reports that the drop in the number of services provided by Outreach services led to a drop in the number of Post Office customers, as consumers were forced to take their business elsewhere, for example, to a bank or travel agent. We fear that this will become a vicious circle, whereby the reduction in the Post Office's footfall further threatens the financial viability of the service. This could lead to further Post Office closures, thereby increasing the need for Outreach services. If this cycle continues, the short term solution provided by Outreach services could, in the longer term, lead to a downgrading of the network and the level of service provision across Scotland. (Paragraph 76)
The Government notes the Committee's concern but would reiterate, as set out in the supplementary written evidence submitted by the Minister for Postal Affairs, that Outreach outlets offer an extensive range of services. In the majority of cases these are the same as those offered by the branch it replaced and in a significant number, over 300 nationally, the introduction of an Outreach service brought in services which had not been available at the post office it replaced.
It is also worth noting that Consumer Focus undertook extensive research into Post Office outreach services and published their report in September 2010. Their key finding was that 'It appears that the majority of consumers living in areas with Outreaches have adapted well to the new arrangements. While most consumers would have preferred not to lose their previous fixed counter branch, they were pleased that the community has retained access to post office services, and on balance report that Outreach services generally met their needs'.
12. We welcome the Minister's assertion that Outreach services are not part of the coalition Government's overall strategy for the network. However, we fear that 'Post Office Local' or 'Essentials', which is the Governments preferred option, may also represent a diminution in service, as while they meet 95% of customer requirements, they provide only 85% of Post Office services. While we welcome the potential for extended opening hours and for cost savings to be made, we fear that the trade off — a slimmed down and limited service—could lead to a significant downgrading of the network and the service to consumers. This has particularly severe consequences in remote areas, where travelling times and distances to a main Post Office may be prohibitively difficult and expensive. We recommend that in expanding the pilot or in rolling out Post Office local—the Government take the necessary steps to provide a full range of services at all branches. (Paragraph 81)
The Government believes that the Post Office Local model has the potential to play an important role in the future development and maintenance of the Post Office network. Independent research for Post Office Ltd in 2010 involving over 1000 customers at the pilot sites showed 94% were extremely or very satisfied with the overall experience at the Post Office Local site. As the Committee points out the greatly extended opening hours are attractive to customers looking for convenience amidst busy lifestyles. The product range of these pilot sites covers the vast majority of the Post Office's regularly used transactions. The customer research showed 82%, of customers being completely or very satisfied with the range of post office services offered with a further 10% fairly satisfied. In the research, the additional product that was most called for was the provision of Motor Vehicle Licences (which is currently only available at a minority of Post Offices).
It is recognised that a very small number of more complex or lengthy transactions may not be best suited for the Post Office Local format. However, within its overall network Post Office Ltd would always ensure that there is reasonable distribution throughout the UK of all the products it transacts (as is the case for products that are not, for a variety of reasons, transacted in all branches at present - such as Motor Vehicle Licences)
Overall, as Post Office Ltd continues its pilot processes for Post Office Local it will be looking to see whether other services can be added to the current extensive Post Office Local product suite.
Post Office and Postal Services
13. Small businesses are the life blood of small, remote communities in Scotland, both on the mainland and in the islands. The Post Office network and the provision of postal services are vital in enabling small businesses to exist and operate from these locations, and therefore also crucial for the viability and sustainability of the communities of which they are part. The Government should ensure that the Bill does not jeopardise the USO that customers pay the same price regardless of where they are sending the letter to and from within the UK, and that Royal Mail collect and deliver once every working day to every address. (Paragraph 86)
The Government fully recognises the importance of post offices and postal services in small remote communities and for small businesses based in such areas in particular. As noted in response to recommendation 2, the Postal Services Bill reflects the Government's commitment to the present USO provision and includes additional safeguards to protect it.
14. Online retailing is an expanding market which should provide a major source of revenue. Evidence suggests the customer would like to choose the method of delivery according to the standard of service as well as price. In particular this includes the time of delivery and the ease of pick up from a depot if the parcel is undelivered. The Government and the regulator should do all they can to encourage retailers to offer the online shopper the choice of which company delivers their parcel and to make it clear on their website that Royal Mail is an option. (Paragraph 91)
It is a commercial decision for retailers whether they wish to agree arrangements with delivery companies and the nature of those agreements. There is no role for Government in such matters and the regulator would only be involved if there were competition issues. Consumers who are not content with a delivery method should take up the issue with the retailer in question or might want to consider alternative suppliers.
15. Transparency of price is crucial for the parcels market in Scotland. Online retailers should make it clear if a surcharge will be added to remote areas at an early stage in the purchase transaction, and provide a comparison with the service offered by Royal Mail. (Paragraph 92)
The carrier and courier providers that are usually used to deliver parcels purchased online are not regulated as the sector is a highly competitive market. In such a commercial and highly competitive environment, it is for private carriers and couriers to review their own pricing structures in response to competitive pressures and market demands.
Customers will want to consider carefully delivery policies when making orders and where an extra charge is being applied they should take the matter up direct with the respective company, especially in those cases where they feel an extra charge is being wrongly applied or hidden. This should be done preferably before making an order, but where customers have only become aware of the extra charge after the order has been delivered, they should formally register their concern direct with the respective company. In cases where there is evidence that an operator is behaving in an anti-competitive manner, customers should be advised to raise the matter with the Office of Fair Trading.
New Services
16. We welcome the coalition Government's plans to use the Post Office network as a "genuine front office for government". This is an example of a step change of the type that is required to guarantee the sustainability and viability of the network. However, we are concerned that there appears to be a lack of joined up thinking across Government in this respect. In the past it has often been too tempting for a Government Department to save money from its budget by awarding a contract to a company which has submitted a lower bid than the Post Office, but which cannot deliver as high a quality of service throughout rural Scotland as the Post Office. In order for the Government's stated policy to be delivered effectively, the key service delivery departments in Whitehall and other public bodies need to be committed to the policy—and to implement it through their tendering, procurement and contracting processes. (Paragraph 101)
As noted by the Committee, this Government is strongly supportive of the Post Office building up its role as a 'front office for government', helped by the modernisation of the network that our injection of £1.34bn will fund.
The Post Office is working hard to develop new services that will be attractive to both central and local government, and Ministers from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and Cabinet Office have been working with government departments to identify new opportunities where the Post Office will be able to compete for future government business. However, services must be awarded in line with EU procurement rules as well as demonstrating value for money for taxpayers' funds. Departmental procurement processes should consider quality, as well as cost.
17. The provision of reliable and long term contracts between the Government and Post Office Limited is essential for the long term planning required to secure the network, and this policy needs to take immediate effect. If tangible benefits are not delivered soon, the risk of closure of many Scottish Post Offices remains. We were surprised to hear that successful pilots already undertaken had not been rolled out in a timely and effective way across the network, if at all. We recommend that the Government take urgent action to remedy this. (Paragraph 102)
The Government has committed to a viable future for the Post Office network, and ensuring that the Post Office is well placed to compete for new revenue streams will be an important part of this. Post Office Limited is working hard to develop its offer to both national and local Government to meet its ambition to become a 'front office for government'. We absolutely support the Post Office in this, and will encourage the wider roll-out of successful pilots developed through this initiative.
18. We also share the concerns of our witnesses that contracts for services which could be given to the Post Office are being awarded elsewhere. We understand the Government's commitment to the modernisation of the Post Office, and its desire to improve the competitiveness of the Post Office through this process. However, we recommend a series of interim measures be put in place to enable the immediate increase in the number of government services provided through the network. These include the provision and timely rollout of essential technology and the removal of any financial, legal or other obstacles which may prevent the network from providing a service. (Paragraph 103)
The £1.34bn of funding which Government has recently committed will enable Post Office Limited to invest in its network, including in technology. This will place the network on a more sustainable footing and improve the customer experience, helping the Post Office to compete for new revenue streams from Government services. The Post Office is working with both central and local government to develop the role it will play in the provision of services in the future, and is making good progress. For example, the Department of Work and Pensions has outlined exciting plans for working with the Post Office in the future, including three pilots and opportunities to support the Universal Credit reforms. However, Government is not able to simply award Post Office new contracts, which must be awarded in line with EU procurement rules and take into account value for money for taxpayers' funds.
19. We note that many government services in Scotland are provided by the Scottish Executive and local government. We urge the UK Government to work closely with all tiers of government in order both to facilitate, and remove any practical obstacles to, the provision of devolved and local government services through the Post Office network. (Paragraph 104)
The Post Office is working with both local and national Government to develop the services that it offers and the role it will play in the future delivery of services - including as they move increasingly online. This Government is committed to supporting this, and the Post Office is at the centre of discussions on how government and local authorities can deliver services in new and more efficient ways. We welcome the Committee's support and will continue to strongly encourage this engagement as suggested by the Committee.
20. We support links between the Post Office and the Credit Unions and would urge the Post Office to be more proactive in co-operating with the Credit Unions and other financial service providers to increase throughput. (Paragraph 107)
The Government shares the Committee's views on the importance of cooperation between Post Office and Credit Unions, and were clear in our November 2010 policy statement 'Securing the Post Office Network in the Digital Age' that we support a stronger link up between the two. Reflecting this, Government recently announced a significant package of support for the Credit Union sector. This includes funding set aside for a shared credit union banking platform, subject to a feasibility study, which would open up opportunities for the Post Office to provide Credit Unions services - such as banking transactions, bill payments and low cost credit services - to many more people.
Aside from this opportunity, Post Office Limited continues to make progress. For example, a service has recently been introduced in Glasgow and South Lanarkshire that allows people to collect their credit union loans at a local post office branch using Post Office's 'Payout' technology. Post Office Limited plans to build on this and is already in discussions with other credit unions about extending these services.
The Post Office has also recently issued guidance to sub-postmasters to clarify issues around local, individual arrangements between post offices and their local Credit Unions, thereby facilitating these individual arrangements where both parties wish to participate.
It is important to remember that this progress builds upon significant existing co-operation. For example, arrangements are already in place where Credit Unions can link up with the Post Office via the Co-operative Bank. Customers of Credit Unions who have signed up to this service can use any post office to withdraw and pay in cash and obtain a balance using a Credit Union card. Post Office Limited expects that around 170, 000 such transactions will be carried out in this way in the coming year.
Mutualisation and the future of the Post Office
21. The proposals for the mutualisation of the Post Office have appeal, because this would enable the public to have an element of ownership in the Post Office network. However, the proposals are vague at present. At the very least, the Post Office needs to be a sustainable business before any such plans could proceed. We will therefore return to a detailed consideration of this issue at a later stage. (Paragraph 115)
The Government considers that a mutually-owned Post Office could be ideally suited for the particular commercial and social functions that the Post Office network provides throughout the country. We also believe that mutualisation could help make the network more sustainable. But we fully recognise, as does the Committee, that before any changes can be made the network will need a secure financial footing, so that a mutual could be built from solid foundations. We would welcome the Committee's consideration of this issue after Co-operatives UK have presented options for mutualising the post office to Ministers in April.
Introduction
The Government welcomes the Committee's report on its inquiry to identify the importance of postal services throughout Scotland and how these might change in the future. It is helpful to have the analysis, conclusions and recommendations which the Committee has drawn from its inquiry and the evidence submitted to it.
Responses to Conclusions and Recommendations
We have set out below our responses to the Committee's conclusions and recommendations under the headings adopted by the Report. We have listed these in the order in which they appear in the Report with our response set out below each of them.
Conclusions and recommendations
The Comprehensive Spending Review and Post Office Funding
1. We welcome the coalition Government's commitment to the continued provision of postal services and the future of the Post Office network as signified in the Postal Services Bill 2010-11 and in the Comprehensive Spending Review 2010. We particularly welcome the financial commitment to the Post Office of £1.34 billion over the four years of the Comprehensive Spending Review period, and the fact that this package of funding is designed to secure the network of Post Offices across the UK at its current level (11,500). Nevertheless, the network in Scotland is in a precarious position financially, with rural branches typically being less well remunerated and less economically viable - thereby many Post Offices in Scotland remain vulnerable to closure and customers face the threat of a demise in the provision of postal services. We recommend that the Government take note of the position of large parts of the network in Scotland, as highlighted in this Report, and take the appropriate measures required to secure a viable and sustainable network, equipped to deliver a range of postal services in Scotland. (Paragraph 20)
The Government welcomes the Committee's recognition of its commitment to the continued provision of postal services throughout the United Kingdom and to the future of its national post office network. In its policy statement 'Securing the Post Office Network in the Digital Age' published in November 2010, the Government set out a clear strategy for the future delivery of postal services which committed £1.34 billion of funding to 2015 to support modernisation of the network and to sustain it at around its current size. This includes some 1,400 post offices in Scotland, of which over 900 serve rural communities across the country.
Universal Service Obligation
2. The Universal Service Obligation (USO) is the cornerstone of mail and postal services in the UK. The six day a week delivery and collection service, and the universal tariff are fundamental to the future of postal services and the Post Office network in Scotland, and consequently, to ensuring the financial sustainability and viability of many remote and rural communities throughout Scotland. We therefore strongly resist any potential diminution of the USO. (Paragraph 40)
The Government shares the Committee's view of the importance of the Universal Service Obligation (USO) and we have therefore placed at the heart of our legislation the requirement for six days per week collection and delivery of letters at uniform and affordable prices - the same requirement as now. The Bill also puts in place new safeguards against downgrade of the universal service: first that any changes can only be made after Ofcom has conducted a review of user needs; secondly that any changes are approved by a vote in both Houses of Parliament at Westminster; and thirdly that prices must remain uniform and there cannot be different minimum requirements in different parts of the country.
3. We were particularly concerned with two clauses in the Bill. First, clause 32 (2) (b), which allows Ofcom to waive the USO if there are "geographical or other" conditions which it deemed to be "exceptional". Given its unique geography and the financial position of much of the existing network, we fear this has the potential to allow the regulator to categorise large areas of Scotland as "exceptional". We note that this wording is the same as the current legislation and welcome the Minister's assurances and his explanation that this, and other similar clauses in the Bill, do not mean that the USO is no longer applicable to parts of Scotland—either on the grounds of geography or economics. We recommend that this clarification be included on the face of the Bill and that this clause should only ever be applied to a very small number of addresses, similar in order to the current number. (Paragraph 41)
Clause 32(2) (b) gives Ofcom the power to waive the Clause 30 requirements for delivery and collection "in such geographical conditions or other circumstances as Ofcom consider to be exceptional". This wording is precisely the same as in Section 4(1)(a) of the Postal Services Act 2000. It stems from the Postal Services Directive, where Article 3 states "Member States shall take steps to ensure that the universal service is guaranteed not less than five working days a week, save in circumstances or geographical conditions deemed exceptional..."
It is important for the universal service and the employees of the universal service provider that Ofcom has this power. The universal service could be put under disproportionate strain if the universal service provider was required to, for example, charter boats to deliver letters every day to addresses on remote islands only visited by boat once a week. The employees of the universal service provider could be put at risk if they were required to deliver mail to addresses posing health and safety risks, including, for instance, dangerous dogs.
The Government reiterates the assurances given by the Minister for Postal Affairs in his oral evidence to the Committee and agrees that the number of exceptions should be kept to a minimum - but this system is only workable if we give Ofcom, as the expert independent regulator, the necessary discretion. The Government is not aware of any concerns with the way Postcomm have set up and run the existing system for exceptions and Ofcom have indicated that they have every intention of continuing with the Postcomm system.
4. Clause 34 allows Ofcom to designate more than one universal service provider. If this clause were used to allow the cherry picking of the most profitable parts of the network, this would impact the USO and be detrimental for Scotland. We welcome the Minister's assurance that this is not the Government's intention. We welcome the safeguards in the Bill which protect the USO, and which provide for more than one USO provider only in the most extreme circumstances, e.g. the bankruptcy of the Postal Services in Scotland of the existing USO provider. We recommend that the Government provide further clarity to that effect during the passage of the Bill. (Paragraph 42)
The Government reiterates the assurances given by the Minister for Postal Affairs in his oral evidence to the Committee that it is only under two extreme scenarios that there would be more than one universal service provider. The first is where the Bill ensures that if providing the universal service is found to represent an unfair financial burden on Royal Mail, then it would allow for more than one universal service provider to be designated if it was decided by the Secretary of State that procuring part of the universal service was the optimal way of addressing the unfair burden. The second scenario in which there could be more than one universal service provider is a special administration scenario - in which case Royal Mail would already be in extreme difficulties. In both scenarios, the viability of the universal service would be in danger and, as such, the Bill provides additional protection to ensure the universal service itself. We do not believe any further clarity is required in the Bill on this issue and that Clause 34(2), 34(3) and 34(4) are sufficiently explicit.
5. We note the importance of Ofcom in providing safeguards to the USO, but are concerned about the Bill's requirement for Ofcom to review the minimum requirements for the USO within 18 months. We fear this may be seen as an opportunity to decrease the requirements of the USO. While we appreciate the need to review the service, as customer needs may change, we recommend that further safeguards be put in place to guarantee that the needs of customers and small businesses who live and work in remote, rural or island communities, are met. Any change to the USO would have a disproportionate impact on these communities. We recommend that Ofcom not merely consult with stakeholders, but to undertake assessments of the social and economic impact of proposed changes before making recommendations. We therefore recommend that the Bill include a requirement for Ofcom to consult with representatives of key groups in these communities, including residential, small business and vulnerable users, before they make any recommendations to change the existing USO. (Paragraph 46)
It is important to be clear that the review Ofcom must undertake within 18 months of the Bill coming into force is not a review of the minimum requirements. The minimum requirements are clearly set in statute in Clause 30 and we have increased the safeguards against any changes to those through the inclusion of Clause 33.
The '18 month review' is a market assessment and will look at the needs of users to assess the more detailed products and services that Royal Mail must provide. At present these services are specified in Royal Mail's licence from Postcomm. As we are moving to a general authorisation regime, in future this detail will be set out in a 'Universal Postal Services Order' made by Ofcom. The review will inform any future universal postal service orders.
The Postal Services Bill must also be read in conjunction with the Communications Act 2003. Section 3(4) of that Act makes clear that in all they do (which will include postal matters once the Bill is passed), Ofcom must have regard to 'the needs of persons with disabilities, of the elderly and of those on low incomes' as well as 'the different interests of persons in the different parts of the United Kingdom, of the different ethnic communities within the United Kingdom and of persons living in rural and urban areas'. In this context 'persons' means businesses as well as individuals.
6. Private firms are making profit off the work of Royal Mail and the Post Office network in parts of the country that are unprofitable. If Royal Mail is going to provide this service at a loss in the unprofitable and difficult parts of Scotland, they should be able to charge the private companies a higher price. Royal Mail need to be able to negotiate sustainable terms for last mile delivery of private mail and parcels. (Paragraph 48)
The Bill is clear that Ofcom's primary duty is to secure the provision of the universal service. Furthermore, it requires Ofcom to have regard to the financial sustainability and efficiency of the provision of the universal service when performing their primary duty. Clause 37 sets a framework for the regulation of access to Royal Mail's network. And Clause 38 will enable the regulator to get better information about the costs of different aspects of Royal Mail's operation, ensuring that any access prices are evidence-based and do not create unfair subsidies. Government has been clear - competition is beneficial but it cannot be at the expense of the universal postal service.
Drawing on the framework set out in the Bill, Postcomm have recently published a consultation into the current access regime specifically to consider some of the basic operational aspects of access to Royal Mail's network.
Separation of Royal Mail and the Post Office
7. The separation of Royal Mail Group and Post Office Limited, and the future ownership of both organisations has been the subject of much political debate. Regardless of the ownership of Royal Mail, we see considerable advantages to a long, stable and robust relationship between RMG and POL, not least to facilitate proper business and financial planning. We recognise that the Inter Business Agreement (IBA) is a commercial agreement and we welcome the Minister's commitment not to put anything in the way of such an agreement. However, we recommend the Government take a more proactive approach to facilitating a long and robust IBA, through removing any obstacles: practical, legal or otherwise that may exist. Ideally, a ten year agreement should be reached prior to any sale of Royal Mail. We understand that this may affect the marketability of Royal Mail, but it is essential to the sustainability of Postal Services in Scotland. It is in everyone's interest, not least that of the consumers, that such an agreement is reached as soon as possible. (Paragraph 56)
Royal Mail and the Post Office already have a long term commercial contract to provide services to one another. And there is an overwhelming commercial imperative for Royal Mail and Post Office Ltd to continue this in the future. The Chief Executive of Royal Mail has said that it would be "unthinkable" that there won't always be a very strong relationship between the Post Office and Royal Mail. The Chairman of Royal Mail has said that before separation Royal Mail and Post Office would agree the longest legally permissible contract. The Minister for Postal Affairs committed during the Commons Report stage of the Postal Services Bill that the Government would ensure that Royal Mail honoured that commitment to Parliament.
The Government is opposed to legislation requiring a 10 year exclusive arrangement between Royal Mail and POL as it would face a significant risk of legal challenge as being incompatible with competition law. Guaranteeing a revenue stream for the Post Office would also face a risk of a successful state aid challenge. Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union contains rules prohibiting anti-competitive agreements between undertakings. Article 4(3) of the Treaty on the European Union obliges member states not to jeopardise the attainments of the objectives of the Treaties. The effect of those provisions, together with article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, is that member states cannot introduce measures that would render the competition rules ineffective. There is a wide range of case law on such issues.
It is important to note that a successful state aid or competition law challenge to the Post Office's commercial relationship with Royal Mail which struck down the contract would present a serious threat to the post office network.
The Network in Scotland
8. We welcome the Government's 'access criteria' which guarantee the geographic dispersal of the Post Office network, which are crucial in maintaining the network across the whole of Scotland. However, we are concerned that the Bill neither makes provision for the number of Post Offices nor sets out access criteria. This is of particular concern given that the Government could meet its current access criteria with a network of 7,500, but has stated that it is committed to preserving a network of 11,500 branches. We recommend that the Government give assurances to this effect during the passage of the Bill. (Paragraph 68)
The Government does not see the need for provisions in the Bill covering the number of post offices or access criteria. There is already a legally binding commitment to a minimum number of post offices as part of the recent £1.34 billion funding package for the Post Office. We believe that this Government funding commitment and our plans for the future of the Post Office are the best ways of ensuring that it will continue to provide a network of at least 11,500 branches and to meet the Access Criteria. The UK's post office access criteria are the strongest we know of in Europe taking into account our safeguards for urban, rural and urban deprived areas. No other country has specific provision for urban deprived areas.
Direct comparisons with other countries are difficult as some countries have criteria based on minimum distances, and others on population size. In Germany for example the requirement is for a post office every 80km2 - whereas in the UK 95% of the rural population must be within 3 miles of the nearest post office. In Australia, the requirement is for there to be a minimum of 4,000 postal outlets, including 2,500 in rural and remote areas. Although these requirements may be in legislation, they appear to offer less accessibility to post offices than in the UK.
9. The distinction between a closure programme and a readiness to let unviable post offices cease to trade may be a genuine difference of policy but it may result in similar or worse effects. After all, the closure programmes were undertaken with the declared intention of supporting the viability of the remaining offices. If the policy is instead to let offices close in an unstructured way, it is not necessarily any sort of improvement, nor does it offer much hope of sustaining the post office network in Scotland. A policy of "no closure programme" is only a cause for optimism if it is backed by a policy of support for the remaining network. (Paragraph 69)
As previously noted in response to recommendation 8 above, as part of the recent £1.34 billion funding package Post Office Ltd is required to provide a network of at least 11,500 branches. This, taken together with the requirement to comply with the Government's access criteria, constitutes a strong safeguard against an unstructured decline in the network. The access criteria for rural and remote and sparsely populated areas provide particular protection for the network across rural Scotland.
The aim of the Government's strategy and associated funding package is to transform the underlying economics of the post office network and enable the network to become financially stable over time.
10. We note the high number of Outreach services in Scotland. While this is better than no service at all, it is not a long term solution. We are deeply concerned about the reliability and quality of the service currently being provided by Outreach services. Long waiting times, unreliable arrival times and failures in the technology severely compromise the value of such a service. Significant improvements are required to makes Outreach services sufficiently robust in order to provide a reliable and satisfactory service. We recommend that the Government impress upon the Post Office Limited and on the regulator the need to ensure that such improvements are delivered as a matter of urgency. (Paragraph 75)
We note the Committee's comments about Outreach services in Scotland. Whilst Post Office Ltd recognises that individual sites have had some technical issues in the past, most of these have been ironed out. We understand that a recent analysis of availability of technical equipment at outreach sites showed well over 99% availability. If there are problems with equipment Post Office Ltd has arrangements in place for urgent engineer call out to resolve the issue.
11. We are also concerned about reports that the drop in the number of services provided by Outreach services led to a drop in the number of Post Office customers, as consumers were forced to take their business elsewhere, for example, to a bank or travel agent. We fear that this will become a vicious circle, whereby the reduction in the Post Office's footfall further threatens the financial viability of the service. This could lead to further Post Office closures, thereby increasing the need for Outreach services. If this cycle continues, the short term solution provided by Outreach services could, in the longer term, lead to a downgrading of the network and the level of service provision across Scotland. (Paragraph 76)
The Government notes the Committee's concern but would reiterate, as set out in the supplementary written evidence submitted by the Minister for Postal Affairs, that Outreach outlets offer an extensive range of services. In the majority of cases these are the same as those offered by the branch it replaced and in a significant number, over 300 nationally, the introduction of an Outreach service brought in services which had not been available at the post office it replaced.
It is also worth noting that Consumer Focus undertook extensive research into Post Office outreach services and published their report in September 2010. Their key finding was that 'It appears that the majority of consumers living in areas with Outreaches have adapted well to the new arrangements. While most consumers would have preferred not to lose their previous fixed counter branch, they were pleased that the community has retained access to post office services, and on balance report that Outreach services generally met their needs'.
12. We welcome the Minister's assertion that Outreach services are not part of the coalition Government's overall strategy for the network. However, we fear that 'Post Office Local' or 'Essentials', which is the Governments preferred option, may also represent a diminution in service, as while they meet 95% of customer requirements, they provide only 85% of Post Office services. While we welcome the potential for extended opening hours and for cost savings to be made, we fear that the trade off — a slimmed down and limited service—could lead to a significant downgrading of the network and the service to consumers. This has particularly severe consequences in remote areas, where travelling times and distances to a main Post Office may be prohibitively difficult and expensive. We recommend that in expanding the pilot or in rolling out Post Office local—the Government take the necessary steps to provide a full range of services at all branches. (Paragraph 81)
The Government believes that the Post Office Local model has the potential to play an important role in the future development and maintenance of the Post Office network. Independent research for Post Office Ltd in 2010 involving over 1000 customers at the pilot sites showed 94% were extremely or very satisfied with the overall experience at the Post Office Local site. As the Committee points out the greatly extended opening hours are attractive to customers looking for convenience amidst busy lifestyles. The product range of these pilot sites covers the vast majority of the Post Office's regularly used transactions. The customer research showed 82%, of customers being completely or very satisfied with the range of post office services offered with a further 10% fairly satisfied. In the research, the additional product that was most called for was the provision of Motor Vehicle Licences (which is currently only available at a minority of Post Offices).
It is recognised that a very small number of more complex or lengthy transactions may not be best suited for the Post Office Local format. However, within its overall network Post Office Ltd would always ensure that there is reasonable distribution throughout the UK of all the products it transacts (as is the case for products that are not, for a variety of reasons, transacted in all branches at present - such as Motor Vehicle Licences)
Overall, as Post Office Ltd continues its pilot processes for Post Office Local it will be looking to see whether other services can be added to the current extensive Post Office Local product suite.
Post Office and Postal Services
13. Small businesses are the life blood of small, remote communities in Scotland, both on the mainland and in the islands. The Post Office network and the provision of postal services are vital in enabling small businesses to exist and operate from these locations, and therefore also crucial for the viability and sustainability of the communities of which they are part. The Government should ensure that the Bill does not jeopardise the USO that customers pay the same price regardless of where they are sending the letter to and from within the UK, and that Royal Mail collect and deliver once every working day to every address. (Paragraph 86)
The Government fully recognises the importance of post offices and postal services in small remote communities and for small businesses based in such areas in particular. As noted in response to recommendation 2, the Postal Services Bill reflects the Government's commitment to the present USO provision and includes additional safeguards to protect it.
14. Online retailing is an expanding market which should provide a major source of revenue. Evidence suggests the customer would like to choose the method of delivery according to the standard of service as well as price. In particular this includes the time of delivery and the ease of pick up from a depot if the parcel is undelivered. The Government and the regulator should do all they can to encourage retailers to offer the online shopper the choice of which company delivers their parcel and to make it clear on their website that Royal Mail is an option. (Paragraph 91)
It is a commercial decision for retailers whether they wish to agree arrangements with delivery companies and the nature of those agreements. There is no role for Government in such matters and the regulator would only be involved if there were competition issues. Consumers who are not content with a delivery method should take up the issue with the retailer in question or might want to consider alternative suppliers.
15. Transparency of price is crucial for the parcels market in Scotland. Online retailers should make it clear if a surcharge will be added to remote areas at an early stage in the purchase transaction, and provide a comparison with the service offered by Royal Mail. (Paragraph 92)
The carrier and courier providers that are usually used to deliver parcels purchased online are not regulated as the sector is a highly competitive market. In such a commercial and highly competitive environment, it is for private carriers and couriers to review their own pricing structures in response to competitive pressures and market demands.
Customers will want to consider carefully delivery policies when making orders and where an extra charge is being applied they should take the matter up direct with the respective company, especially in those cases where they feel an extra charge is being wrongly applied or hidden. This should be done preferably before making an order, but where customers have only become aware of the extra charge after the order has been delivered, they should formally register their concern direct with the respective company. In cases where there is evidence that an operator is behaving in an anti-competitive manner, customers should be advised to raise the matter with the Office of Fair Trading.
New Services
16. We welcome the coalition Government's plans to use the Post Office network as a "genuine front office for government". This is an example of a step change of the type that is required to guarantee the sustainability and viability of the network. However, we are concerned that there appears to be a lack of joined up thinking across Government in this respect. In the past it has often been too tempting for a Government Department to save money from its budget by awarding a contract to a company which has submitted a lower bid than the Post Office, but which cannot deliver as high a quality of service throughout rural Scotland as the Post Office. In order for the Government's stated policy to be delivered effectively, the key service delivery departments in Whitehall and other public bodies need to be committed to the policy—and to implement it through their tendering, procurement and contracting processes. (Paragraph 101)
As noted by the Committee, this Government is strongly supportive of the Post Office building up its role as a 'front office for government', helped by the modernisation of the network that our injection of £1.34bn will fund.
The Post Office is working hard to develop new services that will be attractive to both central and local government, and Ministers from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and Cabinet Office have been working with government departments to identify new opportunities where the Post Office will be able to compete for future government business. However, services must be awarded in line with EU procurement rules as well as demonstrating value for money for taxpayers' funds. Departmental procurement processes should consider quality, as well as cost.
17. The provision of reliable and long term contracts between the Government and Post Office Limited is essential for the long term planning required to secure the network, and this policy needs to take immediate effect. If tangible benefits are not delivered soon, the risk of closure of many Scottish Post Offices remains. We were surprised to hear that successful pilots already undertaken had not been rolled out in a timely and effective way across the network, if at all. We recommend that the Government take urgent action to remedy this. (Paragraph 102)
The Government has committed to a viable future for the Post Office network, and ensuring that the Post Office is well placed to compete for new revenue streams will be an important part of this. Post Office Limited is working hard to develop its offer to both national and local Government to meet its ambition to become a 'front office for government'. We absolutely support the Post Office in this, and will encourage the wider roll-out of successful pilots developed through this initiative.
18. We also share the concerns of our witnesses that contracts for services which could be given to the Post Office are being awarded elsewhere. We understand the Government's commitment to the modernisation of the Post Office, and its desire to improve the competitiveness of the Post Office through this process. However, we recommend a series of interim measures be put in place to enable the immediate increase in the number of government services provided through the network. These include the provision and timely rollout of essential technology and the removal of any financial, legal or other obstacles which may prevent the network from providing a service. (Paragraph 103)
The £1.34bn of funding which Government has recently committed will enable Post Office Limited to invest in its network, including in technology. This will place the network on a more sustainable footing and improve the customer experience, helping the Post Office to compete for new revenue streams from Government services. The Post Office is working with both central and local government to develop the role it will play in the provision of services in the future, and is making good progress. For example, the Department of Work and Pensions has outlined exciting plans for working with the Post Office in the future, including three pilots and opportunities to support the Universal Credit reforms. However, Government is not able to simply award Post Office new contracts, which must be awarded in line with EU procurement rules and take into account value for money for taxpayers' funds.
19. We note that many government services in Scotland are provided by the Scottish Executive and local government. We urge the UK Government to work closely with all tiers of government in order both to facilitate, and remove any practical obstacles to, the provision of devolved and local government services through the Post Office network. (Paragraph 104)
The Post Office is working with both local and national Government to develop the services that it offers and the role it will play in the future delivery of services - including as they move increasingly online. This Government is committed to supporting this, and the Post Office is at the centre of discussions on how government and local authorities can deliver services in new and more efficient ways. We welcome the Committee's support and will continue to strongly encourage this engagement as suggested by the Committee.
20. We support links between the Post Office and the Credit Unions and would urge the Post Office to be more proactive in co-operating with the Credit Unions and other financial service providers to increase throughput. (Paragraph 107)
The Government shares the Committee's views on the importance of cooperation between Post Office and Credit Unions, and were clear in our November 2010 policy statement 'Securing the Post Office Network in the Digital Age' that we support a stronger link up between the two. Reflecting this, Government recently announced a significant package of support for the Credit Union sector. This includes funding set aside for a shared credit union banking platform, subject to a feasibility study, which would open up opportunities for the Post Office to provide Credit Unions services - such as banking transactions, bill payments and low cost credit services - to many more people.
Aside from this opportunity, Post Office Limited continues to make progress. For example, a service has recently been introduced in Glasgow and South Lanarkshire that allows people to collect their credit union loans at a local post office branch using Post Office's 'Payout' technology. Post Office Limited plans to build on this and is already in discussions with other credit unions about extending these services.
The Post Office has also recently issued guidance to sub-postmasters to clarify issues around local, individual arrangements between post offices and their local Credit Unions, thereby facilitating these individual arrangements where both parties wish to participate.
It is important to remember that this progress builds upon significant existing co-operation. For example, arrangements are already in place where Credit Unions can link up with the Post Office via the Co-operative Bank. Customers of Credit Unions who have signed up to this service can use any post office to withdraw and pay in cash and obtain a balance using a Credit Union card. Post Office Limited expects that around 170, 000 such transactions will be carried out in this way in the coming year.
Mutualisation and the future of the Post Office
21. The proposals for the mutualisation of the Post Office have appeal, because this would enable the public to have an element of ownership in the Post Office network. However, the proposals are vague at present. At the very least, the Post Office needs to be a sustainable business before any such plans could proceed. We will therefore return to a detailed consideration of this issue at a later stage. (Paragraph 115)
The Government considers that a mutually-owned Post Office could be ideally suited for the particular commercial and social functions that the Post Office network provides throughout the country. We also believe that mutualisation could help make the network more sustainable. But we fully recognise, as does the Committee, that before any changes can be made the network will need a secure financial footing, so that a mutual could be built from solid foundations. We would welcome the Committee's consideration of this issue after Co-operatives UK have presented options for mutualising the post office to Ministers in April.
Thursday, 24 March 2011
Isle of Jura Direct Passenger Ferry
Press Statement from Jura Development Trust.
It is with great regret that we must announce that the Direct Passenger Ferry linking the Isle of Jura with Tayvallich in Knapdale, Argyll will not operate from Easter, 2011 as had been planned. The inability to run the service has been caused by the unwillingness of public bodies to provide the necessary operating subsidy.
Direct appeals to Argyll & Bute Council and to the Scottish Government have met with indifference. In January, Sandy MacTaggart, Argyll & Bute’s Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services failed to attend a meeting with representatives of Isle of Jura Development Trust to discuss future financing of the ferry. The meeting had been arranged to suit Mr MacTaggart, cost over four hundred pounds and 60 man-hours for the Jura representatives to attend and the only information imparted was that Argyll & Bute Council had no spare money for the Jura Ferry.
Councillor Robin Currie, (Kintyre & the Islands) has since established that £275,000 exists in a Discretionary Transport Fund, but, as of mid-March, no directive on how that money can be accessed has been issued by Argyll & Bute Council.
The response from the Scottish Government is worse. Direct appeals to them in November, 2010 and February, 2011 have been sidelined. Eventually, responses were received from junior members of staff dismissing any further discussion on funding because the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure considered the ferry to be a locally supported service and not part of the remit of Transport Scotland.
This argument is inaccurate. The successful, and award winning, trial of the ferry over the past three years has established that the link is feasible and effective. Passenger numbers are rising and there is a proven economic benefit to businesses in Jura and Tayvallich. In addition there are demonstrable social benefits to Jura having a direct mainland link once more. The Scottish Government dismisses these benefits as being insignificant when it should be willing to enter into an extensive discussion on how the ferry can obtain immediate funding, to allow the ferry to operate in 2011, and sustainable funding for future years. The ferry will always require a subsidy, but this is true for most transport links in Scotland. However, the percentage of subsidy required by the Jura Direct Passenger Ferry is less than most other ferries and has been declining year on year. The economic benefit derived from the subsidy is almost 3 to 1. That is, each £1 spent on subsidy increases the local economy by £3.
Jura needs a direct mainland link and that as the only feasible link presently available, the Passenger Ferry should qualify for support from Transport Scotland and, considering how little money is required relative to the overall budget, support should be immediately available. An island without a direct ferry service is an island without a heart. Transport Scotland should recognise this and enter into discussions on finance for the ferry. They should not dismiss the Jura Ferry as being insignificant and unimportant and should be willing to discuss openly why they will not fund this vital ferry.
It is with great regret that we must announce that the Direct Passenger Ferry linking the Isle of Jura with Tayvallich in Knapdale, Argyll will not operate from Easter, 2011 as had been planned. The inability to run the service has been caused by the unwillingness of public bodies to provide the necessary operating subsidy.
Direct appeals to Argyll & Bute Council and to the Scottish Government have met with indifference. In January, Sandy MacTaggart, Argyll & Bute’s Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services failed to attend a meeting with representatives of Isle of Jura Development Trust to discuss future financing of the ferry. The meeting had been arranged to suit Mr MacTaggart, cost over four hundred pounds and 60 man-hours for the Jura representatives to attend and the only information imparted was that Argyll & Bute Council had no spare money for the Jura Ferry.
Councillor Robin Currie, (Kintyre & the Islands) has since established that £275,000 exists in a Discretionary Transport Fund, but, as of mid-March, no directive on how that money can be accessed has been issued by Argyll & Bute Council.
The response from the Scottish Government is worse. Direct appeals to them in November, 2010 and February, 2011 have been sidelined. Eventually, responses were received from junior members of staff dismissing any further discussion on funding because the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure considered the ferry to be a locally supported service and not part of the remit of Transport Scotland.
This argument is inaccurate. The successful, and award winning, trial of the ferry over the past three years has established that the link is feasible and effective. Passenger numbers are rising and there is a proven economic benefit to businesses in Jura and Tayvallich. In addition there are demonstrable social benefits to Jura having a direct mainland link once more. The Scottish Government dismisses these benefits as being insignificant when it should be willing to enter into an extensive discussion on how the ferry can obtain immediate funding, to allow the ferry to operate in 2011, and sustainable funding for future years. The ferry will always require a subsidy, but this is true for most transport links in Scotland. However, the percentage of subsidy required by the Jura Direct Passenger Ferry is less than most other ferries and has been declining year on year. The economic benefit derived from the subsidy is almost 3 to 1. That is, each £1 spent on subsidy increases the local economy by £3.
Jura needs a direct mainland link and that as the only feasible link presently available, the Passenger Ferry should qualify for support from Transport Scotland and, considering how little money is required relative to the overall budget, support should be immediately available. An island without a direct ferry service is an island without a heart. Transport Scotland should recognise this and enter into discussions on finance for the ferry. They should not dismiss the Jura Ferry as being insignificant and unimportant and should be willing to discuss openly why they will not fund this vital ferry.
Tuesday, 22 March 2011
NEW EU FUNDING FOR FISHING COMMUNITIES
4.5m million pounds to support local projects in coastal communities
4.5 million pounds is to be made available for projects that involve and benefit local people in fishing communities across Scotland.
The Scottish Government is inviting councils to set up Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAGS), which will consider applications and decide on the projects that have the greatest local benefit. Community-driven projects will be encouraged, including those relating to tourism, food and drink, renewable energy, training and environmental protection.
The funding – available through Axis 4 of the European Fisheries Fund – will support projects that improve quality of life and promote economic diversification in coastal communities. £1.5 million can be accessed for the Highlands and Islands with a further £3 million for rest of Scotland.
Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, said:
"The Scottish Government is fully committed to supporting our fishing communities. This new funding has the potential to make a real difference, by improving the quality of life for people in what can be fragile coastal communities.
"We are now looking for councils to create Fisheries Local Action Groups, which will be responsible for taking forward local decision-making on the projects that will be accepted within their area. This will empower communities and ensure that that only those projects that will give something back are selected.
"By making our fishing communities more resilient and successful, we can encourage diversification beyond traditional fishing and create new employment opportunities. The funding can also help attract a greater number of visitors to parts of Scotland that offer some the most beautiful coastlines and stunning scenery anywhere the world.”
Background
The Scottish Government is inviting expressions of interest from 12 local authorities to apply for funding under Axis 4 of the European Fisheries Fund. Funding will be allocated through Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAGS), with FLAGS expected to seek applications from autumn 2011.
The funding is divided into two main allocations - 1.5 million pounds for councils in Highlands & Islands local authorities (Shetland, Orkney, Highland, Western Isles and Argyll & Bute) and £3 million pounds for the rest of Scotland (Aberdeenshire, Angus, Fife, Scottish Borders, Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway, and Moray).
Axis 4 supports the sustainable development of fisheries regions. In particular it supports initiatives aimed at adding value to fisheries products; and measures to promote economic diversification in areas such as tourism and leisure, food and renewable energy that exploits local resources. It also aims to improve the quality of life in areas affected by the decline in fishing activities, such as small scale infrastructural projects environmental protection and training and capacity building for local communities.
The fifth tranche of funding awards for the fishing industry under the EFF programme will be announced on Monday, March 21st
4.5 million pounds is to be made available for projects that involve and benefit local people in fishing communities across Scotland.
The Scottish Government is inviting councils to set up Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAGS), which will consider applications and decide on the projects that have the greatest local benefit. Community-driven projects will be encouraged, including those relating to tourism, food and drink, renewable energy, training and environmental protection.
The funding – available through Axis 4 of the European Fisheries Fund – will support projects that improve quality of life and promote economic diversification in coastal communities. £1.5 million can be accessed for the Highlands and Islands with a further £3 million for rest of Scotland.
Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, said:
"The Scottish Government is fully committed to supporting our fishing communities. This new funding has the potential to make a real difference, by improving the quality of life for people in what can be fragile coastal communities.
"We are now looking for councils to create Fisheries Local Action Groups, which will be responsible for taking forward local decision-making on the projects that will be accepted within their area. This will empower communities and ensure that that only those projects that will give something back are selected.
"By making our fishing communities more resilient and successful, we can encourage diversification beyond traditional fishing and create new employment opportunities. The funding can also help attract a greater number of visitors to parts of Scotland that offer some the most beautiful coastlines and stunning scenery anywhere the world.”
Background
The Scottish Government is inviting expressions of interest from 12 local authorities to apply for funding under Axis 4 of the European Fisheries Fund. Funding will be allocated through Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAGS), with FLAGS expected to seek applications from autumn 2011.
The funding is divided into two main allocations - 1.5 million pounds for councils in Highlands & Islands local authorities (Shetland, Orkney, Highland, Western Isles and Argyll & Bute) and £3 million pounds for the rest of Scotland (Aberdeenshire, Angus, Fife, Scottish Borders, Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway, and Moray).
Axis 4 supports the sustainable development of fisheries regions. In particular it supports initiatives aimed at adding value to fisheries products; and measures to promote economic diversification in areas such as tourism and leisure, food and renewable energy that exploits local resources. It also aims to improve the quality of life in areas affected by the decline in fishing activities, such as small scale infrastructural projects environmental protection and training and capacity building for local communities.
The fifth tranche of funding awards for the fishing industry under the EFF programme will be announced on Monday, March 21st
HIE Investment Supports £9 million Kintyre Transformation
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is supporting international investors in the creation of a £9 million tourism development in the Kintyre peninsula.
HIE Board is announcing its support package has increased to £2.2 million including £886,000 from the European Regional Development Fund. This will support the delivery of the restoration of The Royal Hotel in Campbeltown and The Ugadale Hotel at Machrihanish, by the Kintyre Development Company (KDC).
KDC is a subsidiary of Southworth International Holdings Ltd, a US based international golf and leisure developer. It currently owns the new Machrihanish Dunes golf course and the award winning Ugadale Golf Cottages.
The restoration of these two hotels will result in the creation of over 50 jobs and bring more than £3 million to the economy annually.
The HIE board is in Machrihanish and Campbeltown today (Thursday) to meet with a range of businesses delivering key projects for the area.
Chair of HIE, William Roe commented: “The Kintyre peninsula has a long history as a leisure and golfing centre. This significant investment from HIE demonstrates our ambition for the area and our desire to see a vibrant community and economy attracting visitors from around the world.”
“Southworth’s commitment and investment is having a major impact on the future opportunities for our communities. The restoration of these magnificent hotels will complement the renowned golf courses in this community and encourage visitors to stay longer to enjoy the benefits the wider area offers.”
The project itself will redevelop The Ugadale Hotel, which overlooks the famous Old Tom Morris Machrihanish Golf Club and is minutes away from the Machrihanish Dunes Golf Course. Both courses have been featured in the list of Top 100 Scottish and World courses. The hotel will comprise 23 rooms, a day spa and a beautiful restaurant and bar.
The Royal Hotel, located in the centre of Campbeltown, with views across the famous Campbeltown Loch, will be reconfigured and refurbished to provide 23 rooms, all en suite, a pub and a high quality full service restaurant.
HIE Board is announcing its support package has increased to £2.2 million including £886,000 from the European Regional Development Fund. This will support the delivery of the restoration of The Royal Hotel in Campbeltown and The Ugadale Hotel at Machrihanish, by the Kintyre Development Company (KDC).
KDC is a subsidiary of Southworth International Holdings Ltd, a US based international golf and leisure developer. It currently owns the new Machrihanish Dunes golf course and the award winning Ugadale Golf Cottages.
The restoration of these two hotels will result in the creation of over 50 jobs and bring more than £3 million to the economy annually.
The HIE board is in Machrihanish and Campbeltown today (Thursday) to meet with a range of businesses delivering key projects for the area.
Chair of HIE, William Roe commented: “The Kintyre peninsula has a long history as a leisure and golfing centre. This significant investment from HIE demonstrates our ambition for the area and our desire to see a vibrant community and economy attracting visitors from around the world.”
“Southworth’s commitment and investment is having a major impact on the future opportunities for our communities. The restoration of these magnificent hotels will complement the renowned golf courses in this community and encourage visitors to stay longer to enjoy the benefits the wider area offers.”
The project itself will redevelop The Ugadale Hotel, which overlooks the famous Old Tom Morris Machrihanish Golf Club and is minutes away from the Machrihanish Dunes Golf Course. Both courses have been featured in the list of Top 100 Scottish and World courses. The hotel will comprise 23 rooms, a day spa and a beautiful restaurant and bar.
The Royal Hotel, located in the centre of Campbeltown, with views across the famous Campbeltown Loch, will be reconfigured and refurbished to provide 23 rooms, all en suite, a pub and a high quality full service restaurant.
TFF WELCOMES HOLDINGS CONSULTATION
Issued on behalf of the Tenant Farming Forum
Scotland’s Tenant Farming Forum (TFF), which aims to promote a healthy tenanted farm sector in Scotland, has given its welcome to the publication of the Scottish Government consultation on the Agricultural Holdings (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill.
The consultation invites comments on proposals to extend the definition of ‘near relative’ to include grandchildren and to prohibit lease terms that provide for ‘upward only’ or ‘landlord only initiated’ rent reviews. It also seeks to clarify that alterations to rents arising from tax changes would not constitute a ‘variation of rent’ that would prevent either landlord or tenant from seeking a determination of rent for a period of three years.
The proposals contained in the Draft Bill were part of an original package of recommendations from the TFF to Scottish Government on improving the amount of land available for let in Scotland. Many of the TFF’s recommendations were incorporated into the recent Public Services Reform (Scotland) 2011 act but measures related to succession and rents were deemed to require a separate Bill.
The chairman of the influential Forum, made up of organisations representing both landowners and tenants, is Professor Phil Thomas. Commenting on the consultation, he said:
“The TFF welcomes the proposals in this consultation. Taken in combination with the changes made by the Public Services Reform (Agricultural Holdings) (Scotland) Order 2011, we will see the original package of recommendations from the TFF to Scottish Government being considered.
“If adopted, all these changes could help to create a better environment for encouraging the letting of more land and will show that a united agreement by TFF members can deliver change.
“A great deal of hard work by Forum members is now resulting in actual and potential changes to the rules governing the letting of land which I hope will give confidence to all those considering the letting of land.”
Scotland’s Tenant Farming Forum (TFF), which aims to promote a healthy tenanted farm sector in Scotland, has given its welcome to the publication of the Scottish Government consultation on the Agricultural Holdings (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill.
The consultation invites comments on proposals to extend the definition of ‘near relative’ to include grandchildren and to prohibit lease terms that provide for ‘upward only’ or ‘landlord only initiated’ rent reviews. It also seeks to clarify that alterations to rents arising from tax changes would not constitute a ‘variation of rent’ that would prevent either landlord or tenant from seeking a determination of rent for a period of three years.
The proposals contained in the Draft Bill were part of an original package of recommendations from the TFF to Scottish Government on improving the amount of land available for let in Scotland. Many of the TFF’s recommendations were incorporated into the recent Public Services Reform (Scotland) 2011 act but measures related to succession and rents were deemed to require a separate Bill.
The chairman of the influential Forum, made up of organisations representing both landowners and tenants, is Professor Phil Thomas. Commenting on the consultation, he said:
“The TFF welcomes the proposals in this consultation. Taken in combination with the changes made by the Public Services Reform (Agricultural Holdings) (Scotland) Order 2011, we will see the original package of recommendations from the TFF to Scottish Government being considered.
“If adopted, all these changes could help to create a better environment for encouraging the letting of more land and will show that a united agreement by TFF members can deliver change.
“A great deal of hard work by Forum members is now resulting in actual and potential changes to the rules governing the letting of land which I hope will give confidence to all those considering the letting of land.”
BBC ALBA – WEEKLY PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS Saturday 2 April – Friday 8 April 2011
Title: SPL Motherwell v Aberdeen
The latest full-match coverage from the SPL as Motherwell host Aberdeen at Fir Park.
Transmitted: Saturday 2nd April 2011
Time: 17:25
Title: Live Rugby - Munster v Leinster
Live Magners League coverage as Munster face Leinster at the Thomond Park Stadium.
Transmitted: Saturday 2nd April 2011
Time: 19:25
Title: Turas a’ Bhradain
Another chance to see episode three of series two of Turas a’ Bhradain – The Salmon’s Journey. In this show we see the Scottish salmon rivers of the far north.
Transmitted: Tuesday 5th April 2011
Time: 20:30
Title: Seonaidh / Shaun the Sheep
Fun and games with Shaun the Sheep and friends.
Transmitted: Wednesday 6th April 2011
Time: 18:00
Title: Gleusta
Gleusta is a fast, exciting studio game show in which two teams of youngsters go head to head in a battle of brains, wit and agility. Each week school teams made up of two P7 pupils with the support of a special guest, meet on the studio set of Gleusta and battle over five rounds of competition.
This week's programme features teams from Back Primary School and Balivanich Primary School, with special guests Joy Dunlop and Darren MacLean. Gleusta is presented by Liz Pyper & Steven MacIver, directed by Michael Hines and produced for Sealladh by Morag Stewart.
Transmitted: Wednesday 6th April 2011
Time: 18:30
The latest full-match coverage from the SPL as Motherwell host Aberdeen at Fir Park.
Transmitted: Saturday 2nd April 2011
Time: 17:25
Title: Live Rugby - Munster v Leinster
Live Magners League coverage as Munster face Leinster at the Thomond Park Stadium.
Transmitted: Saturday 2nd April 2011
Time: 19:25
Title: Turas a’ Bhradain
Another chance to see episode three of series two of Turas a’ Bhradain – The Salmon’s Journey. In this show we see the Scottish salmon rivers of the far north.
Transmitted: Tuesday 5th April 2011
Time: 20:30
Title: Seonaidh / Shaun the Sheep
Fun and games with Shaun the Sheep and friends.
Transmitted: Wednesday 6th April 2011
Time: 18:00
Title: Gleusta
Gleusta is a fast, exciting studio game show in which two teams of youngsters go head to head in a battle of brains, wit and agility. Each week school teams made up of two P7 pupils with the support of a special guest, meet on the studio set of Gleusta and battle over five rounds of competition.
This week's programme features teams from Back Primary School and Balivanich Primary School, with special guests Joy Dunlop and Darren MacLean. Gleusta is presented by Liz Pyper & Steven MacIver, directed by Michael Hines and produced for Sealladh by Morag Stewart.
Transmitted: Wednesday 6th April 2011
Time: 18:30
BBC ALBA – WEEKLY PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS Saturday 26 March – Friday 1 April 2011
Title: Live Rugby - Edinburgh v Ospreys
LIVE Magners League coverage as Edinburgh host Ospreys at Murrayfield.
Transmitted: Saturday 26th March 2011
Time: 18:25
Title: Soillse: Ayen’s Cooking School
What happens when a Sudanese woman in Australia starts a cooking school for the refugee men and asks them to prepare a feast for their biggest critics - the elders' women?
The women of Sudan do not allow their men into the kitchen because, amongst other reasons, they believe their penises might burn over the cooking fires. But when a group of refugee Sudanese men in Adelaide, Australia, are found starving because they don't know what to do with a fridge full of groceries, something has to change. Ayen Kuol, a Sudanese health worker decides to challenge a million years of custom and culture and start a cooking school for African men.
The generations battle it out for their right to be in the kitchen and Ayen eventually throws down the gauntlet. The boys should cook a feast for the elder women.
Transmitted: Wednesday 30th March 2011
Time: 21:00
Title: Eadar Duil is Dochas/Football Crazy
Through the eyes of a few passionate football fans we get an insight into their unique world. Featuring loyal followers of Ross
County, Rangers, Celtic, Ness, Southend and Scotland.
Transmitted: Thursday 31st March 2011
Time: 21:00
Title: Live Rugby - Connacht v Edinburgh
LIVE Magners League coverage as Edinburgh travel to face Connacht at Galway Sportsground.
Transmitted: Friday 1st April 2011
Time: 19:40
Title: Air an Urlar
A musical showcase from 2005 featuring talented youngsters and established performers. In this programme a variety of
Performers are featured including Deirdre Graham, Darren MacLean and the band Fine Friday.
Transmitted: Friday 1st April 2011
Time: 21:35
LIVE Magners League coverage as Edinburgh host Ospreys at Murrayfield.
Transmitted: Saturday 26th March 2011
Time: 18:25
Title: Soillse: Ayen’s Cooking School
What happens when a Sudanese woman in Australia starts a cooking school for the refugee men and asks them to prepare a feast for their biggest critics - the elders' women?
The women of Sudan do not allow their men into the kitchen because, amongst other reasons, they believe their penises might burn over the cooking fires. But when a group of refugee Sudanese men in Adelaide, Australia, are found starving because they don't know what to do with a fridge full of groceries, something has to change. Ayen Kuol, a Sudanese health worker decides to challenge a million years of custom and culture and start a cooking school for African men.
The generations battle it out for their right to be in the kitchen and Ayen eventually throws down the gauntlet. The boys should cook a feast for the elder women.
Transmitted: Wednesday 30th March 2011
Time: 21:00
Title: Eadar Duil is Dochas/Football Crazy
Through the eyes of a few passionate football fans we get an insight into their unique world. Featuring loyal followers of Ross
County, Rangers, Celtic, Ness, Southend and Scotland.
Transmitted: Thursday 31st March 2011
Time: 21:00
Title: Live Rugby - Connacht v Edinburgh
LIVE Magners League coverage as Edinburgh travel to face Connacht at Galway Sportsground.
Transmitted: Friday 1st April 2011
Time: 19:40
Title: Air an Urlar
A musical showcase from 2005 featuring talented youngsters and established performers. In this programme a variety of
Performers are featured including Deirdre Graham, Darren MacLean and the band Fine Friday.
Transmitted: Friday 1st April 2011
Time: 21:35
Glenmorangie’s historic deal to shine light on the Picts
Glenmorangie renews its groundbreaking partnership with National Museums Scotland to research Early Historic Scotland ---
The Glenmorangie Company has re-signed a three-year sponsorship deal with National Museums Scotland to support the study and understanding of the Early Historic people of Scotland, it was announced today (Monday 21 March).
This innovative partnership began in 2008 with the creation of an archaeological post at the National Museum of Scotland: the Glenmorangie Research Officer. During this first phase the past was brought to life with the recreation of artefacts from AD 300-900, the period after the Romans and before the Vikings, including the first Pictish throne to be built in a thousand years.
The second phase of the collaboration will run until the end of 2013 and shed more light on Early Historic Scotland. The research will dispel popular myths that cast Scotland during this time as the archetypal Dark Age.
The Glenmorangie Company’s six-year partnership with National Museums Scotland represents a major long term investment in what is a challenging economic climate.
The partnership is regarded as a model for how business can support culture and last year won an Arts and Business Scotland Award in recognition of its work.
Barclay Price, Director of Arts & Business Scotland said, “It’s terrific to see this inspired support of Scottish culture continue. The Glenmorangie Research Project is an innovative partnership that breaks new ground in sponsorship activity and shows how such private-public collaborations can enrich the cultural life of the nation.”
A landmark book “A Jewel of Gold…Placed in a Silver Dish: the Glenmorangie project on Early Historic Scotland”, will provide a fascinating insight into what archaeology can tell us about how Early Historic people lived when it is published this summer.
The findings will challenge misconceptions about the period and reveal that Early Historic Scotland was a vibrant, creative and sophisticated time when some of our national treasures, such as the Monymusk Reliquary, were produced.
Paul Neep, Chief Executive of The Glenmorangie Company, said: “We are delighted to renew our unique partnership with National Museums Scotland. We can expect more exciting discoveries to be made about Early Historic people in this formative period of Scotland’s past.
“In the current economic climate we are very proud to be making a real and lasting contribution to the arts. We now have a six-year partnership with National Museums Scotland which takes us up to 2013.
“At Glenmorangie, heritage is very important. Many of our products take their names from the Gaelic language and our emblem was inspired by the Pictish Hilton of Cadboll Stone.”
Alice Blackwell, The Glenmorangie Research Officer, said: “The Early Historic period was a creative melting pot, and is a fascinating period to study. Glenmorangie’s support means we can continue to shed more light onto what is a formative period of Scotland’s past.
“The exciting programme of artistic recreations of historic objects means we can bring more of the past to life. A new book we are publishing this summer will also take a fresh look at how these people lived.
“This is a great opportunity to dispel popular myths that cast Scotland during this time as the archetypal Dark Age. We hope instead to show people how vibrant and sophisticated Early Historic Scotland really was.”
National Museums Scotland collections include the eighth-century Hilton of Cadboll Stone, which was discovered near Glenmorangie House in Ross-shire, and is the inspiration for the brand icon that adorns Glenmorangie's range of single malt whiskies.
BBC ALBA INVESTIGATES THE STORY OF ‘COP TURNED KILLER’ HOWARD WILSON
COP TURNED KILLER - SGEULACHD HOWARD WILSON
BBC ALBA – Wednesday 23rdMarch at 9pm
The latest in the compelling BBC ALBA series Scottish Killers looks back at Glasgow murders that shocked 1960s Scotland – and led to calls for the death penalty to be reinstated.
The victims were serving police officers, shot dead by a man who had previously worked alongside them. The explosive incident one December afternoon in 1969 shattered a number of families - and made Howard Wilson forever known as Scotland’s “cop turned killer.”
Nine years after he was paroled, the drama documentary charts Wilson’s breathtaking crimes – from leaving the force to armed robbery, and eventually the cold-blooded shooting of three former colleagues – two of whom lost their lives.
In 1969, Glasgow was the focus of UK headlines as the sinister, so-called ‘Bible John killings’ appalled the public, frustrating detectives in their failure to catch the killer. But the Glasgow police force itself was to play centre stage to brutal murder, just as the year drew to a close. As former BBC reporter David Scott recalls in the programme, “it was almost unbelievable.”
Howard Wilson, an ambitious young policeman, had left the force when he was passed over for promotion. He set up a shop, but the enterprise failed dismally. Having obtained a handgun and accompanied by two friends on a similar downturn of fortune, Wilson orchestrated a robbery at the British Linen Bank in Giffnock in the south side of Glasgow. The three men made away with £21,000 – an enormous sum at the time.
Some months later, arrogant after their success, the same trio raided the Clydesdale Bank in Linwood. This time they terrorised customers including a woman with a baby, threatening them with guns and knives. Having fled with £14,000, they headed straight for Wilson’s home in Govan – near the local police station. Spotted by officers long suspicious of Wilson’s activities, they were followed into his tenement flat. What happened next ruined lives, and left a bitter legacy.
In detailed dramatic reconstruction and with exclusive interviews with surviving relatives of the victims, the story of Howard Wilson is told in full in this powerful BBC ALBA documentary.
It was 30 December, 1969. As Glasgow busied itself with New Year preparations, Wilson snapped when confronted. Young officer on the scene, Angus Mackenzie was shot dead, with two bullets. His colleague Edward Barnett was also fired upon, and survived just a matter of days following the horrific attack. Inspector Andrew Hyslop, who had led the team to the flat, was left badly debilitated for life after Wilson shot him in the face. In the programme, Wilson’s two sons describe the dreadful aftermath and enduring effects of that day, on all their lives.
Only the intervention of other brave officers prevented further bloodshed. As news of the shootings spread, there was a public outcry. Families of the officers petitioned for the return of hanging, abolished in the UK just a few weeks before. In a deeply moving interview, the brother of the late Angus Mackenzie talks of being inconsolable with grief for his murdered sibling.
Presented by John Morrison, the programme examines what may have made a man once sworn to uphold the law, commit society’s most heinous crime - with little apparent motive, and no remorse.
Howard Wilson was sentenced to life. But far from disappearing from the public eye, he went on to be involved in the infamous Porterfield riots along with Jimmy Boyle – fellow criminal he had once staked out as a policeman. Wilson also became a best-selling crime fiction author, before being released from prison in 2002, amid further furore.
Produced by STV, “Cop Turned Killer – Sgeulachd Howard Wilson” can be seen on BBC ALBA on Wednesday 23rd March at 9pm, and repeated on Thursday 24th at 10pm.
BBC ALBA – Wednesday 23rdMarch at 9pm
The latest in the compelling BBC ALBA series Scottish Killers looks back at Glasgow murders that shocked 1960s Scotland – and led to calls for the death penalty to be reinstated.
The victims were serving police officers, shot dead by a man who had previously worked alongside them. The explosive incident one December afternoon in 1969 shattered a number of families - and made Howard Wilson forever known as Scotland’s “cop turned killer.”
Nine years after he was paroled, the drama documentary charts Wilson’s breathtaking crimes – from leaving the force to armed robbery, and eventually the cold-blooded shooting of three former colleagues – two of whom lost their lives.
In 1969, Glasgow was the focus of UK headlines as the sinister, so-called ‘Bible John killings’ appalled the public, frustrating detectives in their failure to catch the killer. But the Glasgow police force itself was to play centre stage to brutal murder, just as the year drew to a close. As former BBC reporter David Scott recalls in the programme, “it was almost unbelievable.”
Howard Wilson, an ambitious young policeman, had left the force when he was passed over for promotion. He set up a shop, but the enterprise failed dismally. Having obtained a handgun and accompanied by two friends on a similar downturn of fortune, Wilson orchestrated a robbery at the British Linen Bank in Giffnock in the south side of Glasgow. The three men made away with £21,000 – an enormous sum at the time.
Some months later, arrogant after their success, the same trio raided the Clydesdale Bank in Linwood. This time they terrorised customers including a woman with a baby, threatening them with guns and knives. Having fled with £14,000, they headed straight for Wilson’s home in Govan – near the local police station. Spotted by officers long suspicious of Wilson’s activities, they were followed into his tenement flat. What happened next ruined lives, and left a bitter legacy.
In detailed dramatic reconstruction and with exclusive interviews with surviving relatives of the victims, the story of Howard Wilson is told in full in this powerful BBC ALBA documentary.
It was 30 December, 1969. As Glasgow busied itself with New Year preparations, Wilson snapped when confronted. Young officer on the scene, Angus Mackenzie was shot dead, with two bullets. His colleague Edward Barnett was also fired upon, and survived just a matter of days following the horrific attack. Inspector Andrew Hyslop, who had led the team to the flat, was left badly debilitated for life after Wilson shot him in the face. In the programme, Wilson’s two sons describe the dreadful aftermath and enduring effects of that day, on all their lives.
Only the intervention of other brave officers prevented further bloodshed. As news of the shootings spread, there was a public outcry. Families of the officers petitioned for the return of hanging, abolished in the UK just a few weeks before. In a deeply moving interview, the brother of the late Angus Mackenzie talks of being inconsolable with grief for his murdered sibling.
Presented by John Morrison, the programme examines what may have made a man once sworn to uphold the law, commit society’s most heinous crime - with little apparent motive, and no remorse.
Howard Wilson was sentenced to life. But far from disappearing from the public eye, he went on to be involved in the infamous Porterfield riots along with Jimmy Boyle – fellow criminal he had once staked out as a policeman. Wilson also became a best-selling crime fiction author, before being released from prison in 2002, amid further furore.
Produced by STV, “Cop Turned Killer – Sgeulachd Howard Wilson” can be seen on BBC ALBA on Wednesday 23rd March at 9pm, and repeated on Thursday 24th at 10pm.
A’ Phàrlamaid a’ cumail taic do sgoil Ghàidhlig ann an Dùn Èideann
Tha buidheann Thar-Phàrtaidh na Gàidhlig aig Pàrlamaid na h-Alba an impis an taic a chuir às ùr dhan an iomairt gus sgoil Ghàidhlig a stèidheachadh ann am prìomh bhaile na h-Alba.
A’ coinneachadh an dè (Diciadain 16mh Màirt), dh’aontaich buill na buidhne sgrìobhadh gu Comhairle Bhaile Dhùn Èidinn a’ moladh dhaibh sgoil Ghàidhlig ùr a stèidheachadh ann am Bonnington ‘sa bhaile – aon de na roghainnean air am bheil a’ Chomhairle a’ beachdachadh aig an t-àm a tha seo.
Chuala na bha an làthair tagradh bho riochdaire meur Dhùn Èidinn de Chomunn nam Pàrant a’ mìneachadh gum bheil trì roghainnean anns am pròiseas co-chomhairleachaidh anns am bheil Comhairle Dhùn Eìdinn an sàs aig an ìre sa: foghlam Gàidhlig a ghluasad gu seann sgoil ann am Bonnington a dheidheadh a leasachadh as ùr; leasachadh a dhèanamh air bun-sgoil Crois na Cise (far am bheil foghlam tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig [FTMG]ga thoirt seachad an dràsta); agus mu dheireadh gin càil a dhèanamh.
A rèir nam pàrantan, nan deidheadh gabhail ris an dàrna neo an treas roghainn, chan fhada gus am bitheadh casg ga chuir air sgoilearan ùra bhi leantainn FTMG.
Dh’aontaich buill na buidhne Thar Phàrtaidh gun robh e cudromach dha rìreabh gum bitheadh cothrom fàs mu choinneamh FTMG ann an Dùn Èideann, agus gun robh iad deònach an taic a chumail ri na pàrantan. Thèid litir chuir chun Chomhairle a’ mìneachadh na beachd seo mas tig am pròiseas co-chomhairleachaidh gu crìoch Diluain-sa-tighinn (21mh Màirt).
Thuirt Fear Gairm na buidhne, Iain Fearchar Rothach BPA gum bu chòir an aon ghoireas a thoirt dha pàrantan is clann ann an Dùn Èideann ‘s a bha nis ga thabhann ann an cuid de phrìomh bhailtean eile na duthcha, leithid Glaschu is Inbhir Nis: “Tha e follaiseach dhuinn uile a nis an ùidh a th’aig pàrantan ann an foghlam tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig, is gu h-àraid far am bheil ‘sgoiltean Ghàidhlig’ ann, seach ionadan Ghàidhlig ann an sgoiltean nas motha.
“Tha sinn tuigse gum bheil a’ Chomhairle an ìre mhath taiceil dhan ghluasad tha seo, agus mar bhuidheann tha sinn gu mòr airson taic chumail riutha, is a bhi moladh gun gabh iad an ceum chudromach seo gus ligeil le FTMG a ghluasad chun an ath ìre ann an Dùn Èideann.”
Be seo a choinneamh mu dheireadh den bhuidheann thar phàrtaidh ron taghadh airson a’ Phàrlamaid Albannach ‘sa Chèitean. Dh’aontaich na buill gun robh e gu bhith cudromach cuir ri iomhaigh na Gàidhlig ‘sa Phàrlamaid ùr airson aire an tuilleadh Buill Pàrlamaid tharraing dhan obair leasachaidh.
Leis gum bheil e ligeil seachad a dhreuchd mar Ball Pàrlamaid Albannach, is nach eil e an dùil seasamh aig àm an taghaidh, be seo cuideachd a’ choinneamh mu dheireadh aig Mghr Rothach mar Fear Gairm na buidhne Thar Phàrtaidh. Thuirt Dòmhnall MacNèill, Ceannard Chomunn na Gàidhlig, a tha cuideachd na Rùnaire air a’ Bhuidheann Thàr Phàrtaidh gun robh h-uile duine bha an làthair gu math taingeil dhan obair a bha Mghr Rothach air dhèanamh fad na bliadhnachan: “Bha na buill a bha an làthair an dè gu h-aon ghuthach a’ toirt an taing làidir dha Mghr Rothach. Be am beachd a bh’aca nach robh obair agus toradh na buidhne air a bhi faisg cho èifeachdach as aonais, agus gun robh e airidh air moladh sònraichte airson an taic a chùm e ri obair leasachaidh na Gàidhlig.”
A’ coinneachadh an dè (Diciadain 16mh Màirt), dh’aontaich buill na buidhne sgrìobhadh gu Comhairle Bhaile Dhùn Èidinn a’ moladh dhaibh sgoil Ghàidhlig ùr a stèidheachadh ann am Bonnington ‘sa bhaile – aon de na roghainnean air am bheil a’ Chomhairle a’ beachdachadh aig an t-àm a tha seo.
Chuala na bha an làthair tagradh bho riochdaire meur Dhùn Èidinn de Chomunn nam Pàrant a’ mìneachadh gum bheil trì roghainnean anns am pròiseas co-chomhairleachaidh anns am bheil Comhairle Dhùn Eìdinn an sàs aig an ìre sa: foghlam Gàidhlig a ghluasad gu seann sgoil ann am Bonnington a dheidheadh a leasachadh as ùr; leasachadh a dhèanamh air bun-sgoil Crois na Cise (far am bheil foghlam tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig [FTMG]ga thoirt seachad an dràsta); agus mu dheireadh gin càil a dhèanamh.
A rèir nam pàrantan, nan deidheadh gabhail ris an dàrna neo an treas roghainn, chan fhada gus am bitheadh casg ga chuir air sgoilearan ùra bhi leantainn FTMG.
Dh’aontaich buill na buidhne Thar Phàrtaidh gun robh e cudromach dha rìreabh gum bitheadh cothrom fàs mu choinneamh FTMG ann an Dùn Èideann, agus gun robh iad deònach an taic a chumail ri na pàrantan. Thèid litir chuir chun Chomhairle a’ mìneachadh na beachd seo mas tig am pròiseas co-chomhairleachaidh gu crìoch Diluain-sa-tighinn (21mh Màirt).
Thuirt Fear Gairm na buidhne, Iain Fearchar Rothach BPA gum bu chòir an aon ghoireas a thoirt dha pàrantan is clann ann an Dùn Èideann ‘s a bha nis ga thabhann ann an cuid de phrìomh bhailtean eile na duthcha, leithid Glaschu is Inbhir Nis: “Tha e follaiseach dhuinn uile a nis an ùidh a th’aig pàrantan ann an foghlam tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig, is gu h-àraid far am bheil ‘sgoiltean Ghàidhlig’ ann, seach ionadan Ghàidhlig ann an sgoiltean nas motha.
“Tha sinn tuigse gum bheil a’ Chomhairle an ìre mhath taiceil dhan ghluasad tha seo, agus mar bhuidheann tha sinn gu mòr airson taic chumail riutha, is a bhi moladh gun gabh iad an ceum chudromach seo gus ligeil le FTMG a ghluasad chun an ath ìre ann an Dùn Èideann.”
Be seo a choinneamh mu dheireadh den bhuidheann thar phàrtaidh ron taghadh airson a’ Phàrlamaid Albannach ‘sa Chèitean. Dh’aontaich na buill gun robh e gu bhith cudromach cuir ri iomhaigh na Gàidhlig ‘sa Phàrlamaid ùr airson aire an tuilleadh Buill Pàrlamaid tharraing dhan obair leasachaidh.
Leis gum bheil e ligeil seachad a dhreuchd mar Ball Pàrlamaid Albannach, is nach eil e an dùil seasamh aig àm an taghaidh, be seo cuideachd a’ choinneamh mu dheireadh aig Mghr Rothach mar Fear Gairm na buidhne Thar Phàrtaidh. Thuirt Dòmhnall MacNèill, Ceannard Chomunn na Gàidhlig, a tha cuideachd na Rùnaire air a’ Bhuidheann Thàr Phàrtaidh gun robh h-uile duine bha an làthair gu math taingeil dhan obair a bha Mghr Rothach air dhèanamh fad na bliadhnachan: “Bha na buill a bha an làthair an dè gu h-aon ghuthach a’ toirt an taing làidir dha Mghr Rothach. Be am beachd a bh’aca nach robh obair agus toradh na buidhne air a bhi faisg cho èifeachdach as aonais, agus gun robh e airidh air moladh sònraichte airson an taic a chùm e ri obair leasachaidh na Gàidhlig.”
HIE Investment Supports £9 million Kintyre Transformation
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is supporting international investors in the creation of a £9 million tourism development in the Kintyre peninsula.
HIE Board is announcing its support package has increased to £2.2 million including £886,000 from the European Regional Development Fund. This will support the delivery of the restoration of The Royal Hotel in Campbeltown and The Ugadale Hotel at Machrihanish, by the Kintyre Development Company (KDC).
KDC is a subsidiary of Southworth International Holdings Ltd, a US based international golf and leisure developer. It currently owns the new Machrihanish Dunes golf course and the award winning Ugadale Golf Cottages.
The restoration of these two hotels will result in the creation of over 50 jobs and bring more than £3 million to the economy annually.
The HIE board is in Machrihanish and Campbeltown today (Thursday) to meet with a range of businesses delivering key projects for the area.
Chair of HIE, William Roe commented: “The Kintyre peninsula has a long history as a leisure and golfing centre. This significant investment from HIE demonstrates our ambition for the area and our desire to see a vibrant community and economy attracting visitors from around the world.”
“Southworth’s commitment and investment is having a major impact on the future opportunities for our communities. The restoration of these magnificent hotels will complement the renowned golf courses in this community and encourage visitors to stay longer to enjoy the benefits the wider area offers.”
The project itself will redevelop The Ugadale Hotel, which overlooks the famous Old Tom Morris Machrihanish Golf Club and is minutes away from the Machrihanish Dunes Golf Course. Both courses have been featured in the list of Top 100 Scottish and World courses. The hotel will comprise 23 rooms, a day spa and a beautiful restaurant and bar.
The Royal Hotel, located in the centre of Campbeltown, with views across the famous Campbeltown Loch, will be reconfigured and refurbished to provide 23 rooms, all en suite, a pub and a high quality full service restaurant.
HIE Board is announcing its support package has increased to £2.2 million including £886,000 from the European Regional Development Fund. This will support the delivery of the restoration of The Royal Hotel in Campbeltown and The Ugadale Hotel at Machrihanish, by the Kintyre Development Company (KDC).
KDC is a subsidiary of Southworth International Holdings Ltd, a US based international golf and leisure developer. It currently owns the new Machrihanish Dunes golf course and the award winning Ugadale Golf Cottages.
The restoration of these two hotels will result in the creation of over 50 jobs and bring more than £3 million to the economy annually.
The HIE board is in Machrihanish and Campbeltown today (Thursday) to meet with a range of businesses delivering key projects for the area.
Chair of HIE, William Roe commented: “The Kintyre peninsula has a long history as a leisure and golfing centre. This significant investment from HIE demonstrates our ambition for the area and our desire to see a vibrant community and economy attracting visitors from around the world.”
“Southworth’s commitment and investment is having a major impact on the future opportunities for our communities. The restoration of these magnificent hotels will complement the renowned golf courses in this community and encourage visitors to stay longer to enjoy the benefits the wider area offers.”
The project itself will redevelop The Ugadale Hotel, which overlooks the famous Old Tom Morris Machrihanish Golf Club and is minutes away from the Machrihanish Dunes Golf Course. Both courses have been featured in the list of Top 100 Scottish and World courses. The hotel will comprise 23 rooms, a day spa and a beautiful restaurant and bar.
The Royal Hotel, located in the centre of Campbeltown, with views across the famous Campbeltown Loch, will be reconfigured and refurbished to provide 23 rooms, all en suite, a pub and a high quality full service restaurant.
HIE to focus on four priorities for economic and community growth
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has announced the four priorities it will pursue over the coming years to support Scotland’s economic recovery and deliver sustainable growth across the region.
The priorities, which are mutually dependent, form the core of HIE’s new Operating Plan 2011-14, which takes effect from April. HIE will:
support businesses and social enterprises to shape and realise their growth aspirations;
strengthen communities and fragile areas;
develop key sectors, particularly distinctive regional opportunities, and
create the conditions for a competitive and low carbon region.
The new plan is the organisation’s first since Alex Paterson became Chief Executive last August.
It sets out HIE’s vision for a successful Highlands and Islands in which increasing numbers of people choose to live, work study and invest, and details actions the development agency will take to help deliver sustainable economic and community growth in all parts of the Highlands and Islands.
“The opportunities and prospects for the Highlands and Islands over this decade are exciting and significant,” said Mr Paterson.
“In particular, I want the Highlands and Islands to fulfil its potential as an internationally-significant hub for renewable energy, and to use superfast broadband to become one of the most digitally-connected regions in Europe.
“Developments in renewables and in broadband are important for all parts of Scotland, but they will have a vital role in our most rural and fragile communities in particular.
“HIE has a unique remit which integrates both economic and community development, and one of the features of our plan is placing our role in strengthening communities and fragile areas absolutely centre stage.
“Through account managers based in our area teams across the region, we will work closely with hundreds of local businesses, social enterprises and communities to help them define and deliver their own plans for sustainable growth.
“Going forward we are giving increased prominence to helping client businesses explore new, particularly export markets, both through our own initiatives and in partnership with Scottish Development International and others..
“At the same time, many of our major projects are taking shape in areas which face significant challenges, including Argyll, Moray, Caithness, and the Outer Hebrides.
“It’s critical that we sustain HIE’s historic commitment to support all parts of the Highlands and Islands, and this Operating Plan sets out the framework to help us achieve this.”
HIE’s leadership team has been reshaped to put the new Operating Plan into action.
Carroll Buxton, who was Regional Director – East, becomes Director of Regional Development.
Forbes Duthie retains his previous post as Director of Finance and Corporate Services.
The Director of Strengthening Communities is also unchanged, with John Watt fulfilling that role.
Charlotte Wright, previously Regional Director – Highland, has been appointed Director of Business and Sector Growth.
A new post of Director of Energy and Low Carbon has also been created, underlining the significance of renewable energy to the region’s future development. Calum Davidson, previously HIE’s Head of Key Sectors, has been appointed to this post.
Front line service delivery remains a prime focus under the new structure. All eight of the agency’s locally-based area teams remain in place, underlining HIE’s commitment to deliver growth in every part of the Highlands and Islands.
HIE’s total budget for 2011-12 is £75,297,000, a reduction of around £7.7m compared with 2010-11.
With government finances certain to remain under pressure for the foreseeable future, HIE is setting out to target alternative sources of funding to supplement its own investments.
At the same time, the agency will continue its drive to keep operating costs and back office employment to a minimum. Twelve members of staff who applied for voluntary severance will have left HIE by the end of March.
Chair of HIE William Roe CBE says the Operating Plan and organisational changes will enable HIE to plan for the next decade while contributing fully to the more urgent timescale of Scotland’s economic recovery.
“HIE is ambitious for all parts of the Highlands and Islands, and ambitious for Scotland as a whole,” said Mr Roe.
“We’re committed to play our part in delivering national economic recovery, alongside our partners in the private, public and third sectors, and this Operating Plan will help us do that.
“The actions HIE and our partners will take over the coming years aim to ensure that the Highlands and Islands is home to some of Scotland’s most exciting growth businesses, particularly in key sectors, has international ambitions, and is a prime asset for attracting inward investment to the country.”
The Operating Plan is available on the HIE website at: www.hie.co.uk/about-hie/policies-and-publications/operating-plan.html
The priorities, which are mutually dependent, form the core of HIE’s new Operating Plan 2011-14, which takes effect from April. HIE will:
support businesses and social enterprises to shape and realise their growth aspirations;
strengthen communities and fragile areas;
develop key sectors, particularly distinctive regional opportunities, and
create the conditions for a competitive and low carbon region.
The new plan is the organisation’s first since Alex Paterson became Chief Executive last August.
It sets out HIE’s vision for a successful Highlands and Islands in which increasing numbers of people choose to live, work study and invest, and details actions the development agency will take to help deliver sustainable economic and community growth in all parts of the Highlands and Islands.
“The opportunities and prospects for the Highlands and Islands over this decade are exciting and significant,” said Mr Paterson.
“In particular, I want the Highlands and Islands to fulfil its potential as an internationally-significant hub for renewable energy, and to use superfast broadband to become one of the most digitally-connected regions in Europe.
“Developments in renewables and in broadband are important for all parts of Scotland, but they will have a vital role in our most rural and fragile communities in particular.
“HIE has a unique remit which integrates both economic and community development, and one of the features of our plan is placing our role in strengthening communities and fragile areas absolutely centre stage.
“Through account managers based in our area teams across the region, we will work closely with hundreds of local businesses, social enterprises and communities to help them define and deliver their own plans for sustainable growth.
“Going forward we are giving increased prominence to helping client businesses explore new, particularly export markets, both through our own initiatives and in partnership with Scottish Development International and others..
“At the same time, many of our major projects are taking shape in areas which face significant challenges, including Argyll, Moray, Caithness, and the Outer Hebrides.
“It’s critical that we sustain HIE’s historic commitment to support all parts of the Highlands and Islands, and this Operating Plan sets out the framework to help us achieve this.”
HIE’s leadership team has been reshaped to put the new Operating Plan into action.
Carroll Buxton, who was Regional Director – East, becomes Director of Regional Development.
Forbes Duthie retains his previous post as Director of Finance and Corporate Services.
The Director of Strengthening Communities is also unchanged, with John Watt fulfilling that role.
Charlotte Wright, previously Regional Director – Highland, has been appointed Director of Business and Sector Growth.
A new post of Director of Energy and Low Carbon has also been created, underlining the significance of renewable energy to the region’s future development. Calum Davidson, previously HIE’s Head of Key Sectors, has been appointed to this post.
Front line service delivery remains a prime focus under the new structure. All eight of the agency’s locally-based area teams remain in place, underlining HIE’s commitment to deliver growth in every part of the Highlands and Islands.
HIE’s total budget for 2011-12 is £75,297,000, a reduction of around £7.7m compared with 2010-11.
With government finances certain to remain under pressure for the foreseeable future, HIE is setting out to target alternative sources of funding to supplement its own investments.
At the same time, the agency will continue its drive to keep operating costs and back office employment to a minimum. Twelve members of staff who applied for voluntary severance will have left HIE by the end of March.
Chair of HIE William Roe CBE says the Operating Plan and organisational changes will enable HIE to plan for the next decade while contributing fully to the more urgent timescale of Scotland’s economic recovery.
“HIE is ambitious for all parts of the Highlands and Islands, and ambitious for Scotland as a whole,” said Mr Roe.
“We’re committed to play our part in delivering national economic recovery, alongside our partners in the private, public and third sectors, and this Operating Plan will help us do that.
“The actions HIE and our partners will take over the coming years aim to ensure that the Highlands and Islands is home to some of Scotland’s most exciting growth businesses, particularly in key sectors, has international ambitions, and is a prime asset for attracting inward investment to the country.”
The Operating Plan is available on the HIE website at: www.hie.co.uk/about-hie/policies-and-publications/operating-plan.html
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