Scottish Parliament e-Brief
Issue 182, 15^th December 2003

SECTION 1 - BUSINESS THIS WEEK

THE CHAMBER

IN COMMITTEE
This week’s likely highlights in the Committee Corridors include: 

SECTION 2 – NEWS

New access to schools' information
A new website which gives parents instant and easy access to information on every Scottish school was launched today.

Scottish Schools Online, part of the Parentzone website, provides parents with a broad, clear picture of schools’ achievements.

The website includes:

·         School exam results;

·         Attendance and absence rates;

·         School leaver destinations;

·         Information on the number of pupils taking free school meals; and

·         Links to school inspection reports and school websites

All exam data for each school will cover three years and will allow year-on-year comparisons to be made, as well as comparisons with the results for the local authority as a whole.

Paper copies of school information, for parents without web access, are available by calling 0870 333 2870 (9am-5pm, Monday to Friday). Alternatively, information on the nearest public internet access point is available on 0800 771 234. School handbooks will also continue to be available from individual schools.

Full story

Rough Sleepers Initiative
The number of people sleeping rough in Scotland has dropped by a third since 2001, according to a research report published today.

In October 2003, 328 people reported sleeping rough compared to 500 people in May 2001.  The report also shows that there was a significant drop – almost 19% - in the last 6 months alone.

The research project, carried out by George Street Research on behalf of the Executive, consists of: a twice yearly (Spring/Autumn) prevalence assessment of the numbers of people sleeping rough in Scotland; a twice yearly audit of direct access accommodation available to people sleeping rough; and a qualitative assessment of how demand and supply factors work together in local authority areas.

Full Story

SECTION 3 - NOTES ON THIS WEEK’S CHAMBER BUSINESS

WEDNESDAY’s business in the Chamber begins with a Ministerial Statement, the subject of which is to be announced.

This is followed by a Finance Committee debate on Stage 2 of the 2004-05 Budget Process.

This debate will conclude Stage 2 of the annual Budget cycle. This, as regular readers will know, comprises:

Stage 1

·         31st March – publication of the Annual Expenditure Report.

·         Consultation follows with and through the Scottish Parliament’s subject committees.

·         Finance Committee produces report, debated in Parliament in June.

Stage 2

·         20th September – Executive publishes draft Budget.

·         Scrutinised by Subject Committees.

·         Finance Committee produces report, debated in Parliament in November / December.

Stage 3

·         Executive prepares Budget (Scotland) Bill.

·         Parliament debates general principles of the Bill at stage 1. If the Parliament disagrees with the general principles, the Bill fails. If the Parliament agrees with them, the Bill begins its Parliamentary passage.

·         Finance Committee considers the Bill.

·         Stage 3 debate in Parliament to accept or reject the Bill.

Once the Bill is passed and receives Royal Assent, the Executive is authorised to make the expenditure payments set out in the Act.

For the enthusiast, this year’s full report from the Finance Committee is online here: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/finance/reports/fir03-04-vol01-01.htm

The day concludes with a Member’s Business debate on the subject of Access to Children’s Therapy Services in North East Scotland from the SNP’s Richard Lochhead.

THURSDAY is largely devoted to Stage 3 of the Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Bill.

Introduced by the Executive to the Scottish Parliament on 23^rd June 2003, the Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Bill is primarily an enabling Bill, which sets out the legislative framework for the implementation of the new contract for providers of general medical services (GMS).  It covers both general medical services and personal medical services. It makes provision for primary care medical services and covers the duties of Health Boards and the contract terms of General Practitioners.

The Executive states that “the aim of this Bill is to link investment to the specialist health needs of local communities and practice populations, rather than simple payments for services and allowances for doctors.”

Click here to read the Bill as amended at Stage 2
Click here to read the Explanatory Note
Click here to read the Policy Memorandum

This is followed by First Minister’s Question Time.

In the afternoon, after Question Time, Stage 3 of the Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Bill is concluded.

The day is rounded off with a Member’s Debate on Edinburgh’s Proposals for Congestion Charging from Labour’s Bristow Muldoon.

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