Scottish Government consultations

We asked for views on a minor amendment to road works legislation. We sought views on the proposal to revoke the Scottish Statutory Instrument,  “The “Scottish Road Works Register (Prescribed Fees) Regulations 2019” and replace it with a new Regulation to account for the running costs of £911,000 for the 2020/21 financial year.

In total, twelve responses to the consultation were received, from utility undertakers, roads authorities, one contractor and one individual. Brief analysis of these responses is detailed below. 

There was overall support for the proposal: six responses gave full support; and two gave support with a note that over the long term either the costs or the supporting cost sharing model should be reviewed. Of the four remaining responses, two were not content with the agreed cost sharing matrix developed by the Roads Authority and Utility Committee (Scotland). One response objected to any kind of cost sharing, noting that the costs should not be borne by local government. One response discussed a lack of clarity over how the monies raised are spent. It should be noted that this information is available at a high level through the Scottish Road Works Commissioners annual account, and can be made available in more detail through information access regimes. 

The consultation responses have been carefully considered. The majority of respondents supported the proposal to replace the 2019 Scottish Statutory Instrument. As a result, we will now revoke the Scottish Statutory Instrument, “The “Scottish Road Works Register (Prescribed Fees) Regulations 2019”, and replace it with a new Regulation as proposed.

The Human Tissue (Authorisation) (Scotland) Act 2019 (‘the 2019 Act’) provides a framework for the authorisation and carrying out of pre-death procedures.  When the 2019 Act is implemented in autumn 2020, pre-death procedures must be specified as either Type A or Type B in order for them to be carried out. 

We asked for views on whether a proposed list of medical procedures that will form the content of the Human Tissue (Authorisation) (Specified Type A Procedures) (Scotland) Regulations was both accurate and comprehensive. It was explained that pre-death procedures are the routine medical procedures normally completed in an intensive care unit to assess the suitability of organs and tissue for transplantation, or to increase the likelihood of successful transplantation for the recipient.

Type A procedures are those medical procedures which are currently routinely carried out and which Scottish Ministers consider are appropriate to be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the 2019 Act and not requiring any further restrictions or requirements.  They include procedures such as the taking of a blood sample, taking of a urine sample and other routine procedures such as an electrocardiogram (ECG).

19 responses were submitted, including nine from organisations. Responses were primarily from those directly involved in the deceased donation and transplantation pathway across NHS Scotland.

In response to consultation questions on the proposed list of procedures, a number of respondents highlighted two procedures that they recommended for removal as a Type A pre-death procedure (which were computerised tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)). A number of other potential amendments were variously put forward to more accurately reflect current practice and also to suggest inclusion of a variety of other medical procedures which are less common, in the context of facilitating deceased donation and transplantation.

The responses to this consultation have informed and shaped the content of the  Human Tissue (Authorisation) (Specified Type A Procedures) (Scotland) Regulations 2020, which have now been laid before the Scottish Parliament on 03 February 2020. This can be viewed here: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/sdsi/2020/9780111043981/contents

Where permission to publish has been provided, the consultation responses are now available to view online.

An analysis of the responses to the consultation has been published on the Scottish Government website and can be viewed here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/human-tissue-authorisation-specified-type-procedures-scotland-regulations-analysis-consultation-responses/ 

We asked for feedback on our draft 2020-23 Corporate Plan to make sure our final Plan fully reflects views from all of Scotland.

The consultation covered activity related to rural estates, coastline, seabed, investing in built development and more.

Helping attract offshore wind investment, supporting new ways of growing food and closer working with communities – particularly on the coastline – are just some of the proposals we asked for views on.

A Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) was undertaken to assess the likely environmental effects of the draft Corporate Plan. An Environmental Report, detailing the findings of the SEA, was also consulted on.

The consultation was open online from 31^st August to 9^th December. In total 44 responses were received. The responses have provided constructive views and suggestions to questions asked on the draft Plan and the Environmental Report. 

The non-confidential responses to the consultation are now published and available on this consultation summary page.

The overall response to the direction of the Draft Plan was positive. Most respondents agreed with strategic direction outlined in the Plan and supported the proposed investment strategy as well as our focus on partnership working.

Respondents also highlighted some areas we could improve on, including simplifying the Plan structure and language, further embedding community engagement and making clearer our role in helping create a net zero economy.

We received a total of 18 responses to the Environmental Report prepared as part of the Plan’s Strategic Environmental Assessment.

Responses received by Consultation Authorities were generally positive with comments focussing on additional baseline information sources, providing a more detailed explanation of the Screening process and flagging supplementary mitigation and enhancement opportunities we could engage with.

Wider consultation responses focussed on potential ways the Plan could maximise positive environmental effects and flagged additional information sources to inform the assessment findings.

The consultation responses were considered by an independent agency who put together a consultation analysis report, highlighting key themes and findings from the responses. This report can be found on this consultation summary page and on the Crown Estate Scotland website.

We will also be publishing a Post-Adoption Statement, detailing how we have included the feedback on the Environmental Report in the final Plan and how we plan to monitor it’s continued environmental impacts.

The Post-Adoption Statement will be published on our website, alongside the final 2020-23 Corporate Plan and a note detailing how we have responded to points raised through the consultation and through the additional impact assessments (Island communities; equalities and children’s rights and wellbeing).

We will be launching the final 2020-23 Corporate Plan in April 2020.