Scottish Parliament e-Brief, Issue 317

Scotland to get annual check up
There is to be an annual public review of the state of Scotland's health, First Minister Jack McConnell has announced.

The announcement came as the first annual Health Improvement Report was published by Health Minister, Andy Kerr. The report was approved by Scotland's Cabinet last month for publication at the World Health Organisation (WHO) conference taking place in Edinburgh this week. It will be the first of a new form of annual reports to the First Minister covering all actions on health improvement.

At the WHO conference, the First Minister explained that the report will now form part of a new systematic annual process to examine Scotland's health needs and to identify priorities for the year ahead.

The new approach is aimed at enabling better co-ordination and prioritisation of initiatives already taking place to improve Scotland's health record. The report also measures progress being made across government to improve Scotland's health with the aim of bringing it up to a par with the best in Europe.

Mr McConnell pointed to the impact poor health has on people's quality of life, economic growth and the cost to the NHS as "reasons why improving our health matters and it matters to all of us, not just those in the NHS". The FM made it clear that, for this reason, the new public review will engage expertise from outside the health service and harness a more rounded approach to addressing health needs.

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Inverclyde tenants vote for stock transfer
Inverclyde's council house tenants have voted overwhelmingly to bring their housing stock into community ownership.

Of the 4,564 people who took part in the ballot, 71% voted in favour of switching from local authority to community control.

"I am delighted at this landmark decision by Inverclyde tenants. It will see thousands of local people and their families benefit from £50 million of new investment which will improve and upgrade their homes.

"It means rent guarantees, with 40p in every pound they currently pay to pay off old debt being used instead for much needed improvements in their homes. It also means 1,000 new affordable homes for rent.

"Perhaps even more importantly, it gives tenants a direct and much stronger say in shaping the future of their neighbourhoods. That is what the Community Ownership programme is all about. This is a brilliant result for tenants and a huge step forward for the regeneration of Inverclyde."

WEDNESDAY begins with an Executive debate entitled Civic Participation – Trade Union Engagement with Scotland’s Civic Society.

This debate is timed to coincide with Trade Union Week (4th – 7th December 2006), during which a range of events and exhibitions will be held in the parliament. This is the 1st Trade Union Week to be held at the Scottish Parliament. Topics covered will include lifelong learning and the launch of Scottish Science Study.

This is followed by a Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party debate on Council Tax.

As is normal with opposition debates, no motion has yet been published and so the focus of the debate and what will be proposed - other than what is plain from the title - are unclear. The motion will, as always, be published in the Business Bulletin in due course and a full transcript will be available from the Official Report on Thursday.

The day concludes with a Member's Business debate entitled Threat to the Rural Post Office Network in Scotland from John Swinney (SNP).

THURSDAY morning begins Stage 3 of the Adoption and Children (Scotland) Bill.

A not uncontroversial Bill, it aims to modernise the adoption system and ensure more children and young people enjoy a stable home life.

The day closes with a Member's Business debate on A Century of Change from Sarah Boyack (LAB).

Wednesday 6th December 2006
14:35 – 15:30	Executive Debate: Civic Participation – Trade Union Engagement with Scotland’s Civic Society
15:30 – 17:00	Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party Debate: Council Tax
17:00 – 17:30	Member's Business: Threat to the Rural Post Office Network in Scotland (John Swinney (SNP))

Thursday 7th December 2006
09:15 – 11:40	Stage 3 Proceedings: Adoption and Children (Scotland) Bill
11:40 – 12:00	General Question Time
12:00 – 12:30	First Minister's Question Time
14:15 – 14:55	Themed Question Time * Health and Community Care; * Environment and Rural Development
14:55 – 15:30	Stage 3 Proceedings: Adoption and Children (Scotland) Bill (cont.)
15:30 – 17:00	Executive Debate: Fisheries
17:00 – 17:30	Member's Business: A Century of Change (Sarah Boyack (LAB))

Tuesday 5th December 2006
AM	Audit	The Committee will receive a briefing from the Auditor General for Scotland on his follow-up report on catering for patients.
	Subordinate Legislation	The Committee will consider the delegated powers in the Legal Profession and Legal Aid (Scotland) Bill as amended at Stage 2 and will consider Executive responses in relation to the Police (Minimum Age for Appointment) (Scotland) Regulations 2006, (SSI 2006/552).
PM	Health	British Psychological Society representatives give evidence on the proposed statutory regulation of psychologists.
	Enterprise and Culture	A Senior Research Specialist from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre will brief the Committee on the Scottish Executive’s employability framework and strategy to reduce the proportion of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET). This is followed by a roundtable discussion on the issue featuring a wide range of interested figures.
	European and External Relations	Representatives from the Local Government Association / Local Government International Bureau and the Europa Institute give evidence on the inquiry into the European Commission's Strategy for Growth and Jobs.
	Justice 2	Members consider a petition which calls for the Scottish Parliament to oppose the introduction of any ban on the sale or possession of swords which are used for legitimate historical, cultural, artistic, sporting, economic or religious purposes.
	Local Government and Transport	The Committee will consider a draft of its Stage 1 Report on the Prostitution (Public Places) (Scotland) Bill.
Wednesday 6th December 2006
AM	Justice 1	Asbestos campaigners; asbestos victims' solicitors; and representatives of the insurance industry give evidence on the Rights of Relatives to Damages (Mesothelioma) (Scotland) Bill.
	Environment and Rural Development	The Committee will consider a petition on behalf of the Society for the Protection of Salmon and Sea Trout, calling for greater protection for the rivers, streams and lochs of Scotland from fish farm developments.
	Communities	New Education Minister, Hugh Henry, gives evidence on the Schools (Health Promotion and Nutrition) (Scotland) Bill.