Consultation Hub

For your views on the detailed policy proposals for the key themes to be included in the forthcoming Education (Scotland) Bill. These themes include:

• Establishing a Headteachers' Charter to define headteachers’ responsibilities as leaders of learning in schools and set out the support they can expect;

• Providing the legislative underpinning for the establishment of Regional Improvement Collaboratives;

• Improving parental and community engagement in school life and learning;

• Promoting Ensuring that the views of children and young people are considered and that they have an opportunity to participate in decisions about school life and learning.

• Establishing an Education Workforce Council to take on the responsibilities of the General Teaching Council for Scotland and the Community Learning and Development Standards Council and to register other education professionals.

Nearly 900 responses were received from a wide range of interested parties including individual teachers and parents, parent councils, teacher groups, local authorities, third sector organisations, teaching unions, and other professional organisations.  Responses covered a range of views including support for and concerns about the proposals together with a number of suggestions.

Independent analysis of the consultation responses is being carried out, the final report of which will be published in due course.  Your views will inform the drafting of the Education Bill which will be introduced to Parliament during the current parliamentary year.

For your views on a draft code of practice on the exercise of powers by constables to search for cash and/or listed assets under sections 289 and 303C of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

Seven responses were received - four from individuals and three from organizations. Main themes discussed included prior approval and the accessibility of the code.

We have carefully considered the responses and made changes to the draft code as appropriate.

1. Do you agree that the current allocation (1000 tonnes) for the North Sea stock is the right amount?

2. Do you agree that the additional allocation (300 tonnes) for the western stock should be reduced to 50 tonnes?

3. Do you agree with the Scottish Government’s proposal to establish handline mackerel as a fishery open to all 10mu licences and therefore remove all Handline Mackerel Entitlements from licences?

4. Do you agree with the arrangements for the current quota allocation pools for the NS mackerel stock? Do you think that the allocation shares between these pools should change?

5. Should all non-sector vessels (under and over 10m in length) have access to the inshore mackerel fishery?

Support was strong for most proposals bar the reduction in western allocation and opening access to the fishery for over 10m vessels.

Please read the analysis report for fuller details.

1. NS mackerel allocation will be 1,000 tonnes.

2. WS mackerel allocation will be reduced to 100 tonnes.

3. Access to the fishery will be open to all Scottish, non-sector, 10mu vessels.

All handline mackerel entitlements will be removed from licences by 1 May 2018.

4. Allocation and management by geographic pools will continue as per 2017 (i.e. monthly limits).

5. No expansion of access for non-sector, over 10m vessels.