Scottish Government consultations

For views on a list of Scottish Bodies that the Scottish Government is considering adding to Schedule 7 (debt powers) and Schedule 8 (fraud powers) of the Digital Economy Act 2017. We also asked whether there were any other Scottish Bodies that should be considered.  

We received responses from 18 organisations and 7 individuals. The majority were supportive of the proposals. Some asked to be included in them. Three individuals said that the Scottish Bodies listed should not be added to the Schedules.

We published a further consultation https://consult.gov.scot/digital-directorate/public-authorities-sharing-data-2 on certain additional Scottish Bodies being considered for inclusion in the Schedules.

We sought your views on a proposal to postpone the determination of the period of the bathing season for 2020 and of the designation of any bathing waters, in light of the on-going COVID-19 pandemic, and to keep the matter under review throughout the summer months in line with the Scottish Government’s COVID-19 framework for decision making.

The consultation received 551 responses. 36 were from organisations and 515 from individuals.

60 responders agreed to the proposal to postpone the 2020 bathing water season and keep it under review over the summer in line with the Scottish Government COVID-19. 23 of these were organisations including key public bodies such as local authorities and regional NHS Boards, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, and other relevant public bodies. 37 responders who agreed were individuals.

Objections to the proposal were received from 491 responders. 13 of these were from organisations such as the Marine Conservation Society, Surfers Against Sewage, sailing and water sports clubs and associations, and two community councils. 478 responders who disagreed were individuals.

Scottish Ministers have considered the responses to the consultation. In light of the on-going pandemic, particular recognition was given to the responses from local authorities, regional NHS Boards, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, and other relevant public bodies.

Scottish Ministers have determined that the bathing water season will be postponed and bathing waters will not be designated during Phase 1 of lockdown easing. This decision will be kept under review throughout the summer of 2020 in line with the Scottish Government’s phased approach to easing lockdown restrictions as set out in the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions) (Scotland) Regulations 2020, the Scottish Government’s COVID-19 Framework for Decision Making and associated guidance.

It should be understood that postponing the bathing season does not imply that beaches are closed. They remain open for local individuals to enjoy in line with the above-noted Regulations and guidance.

In January 2020, the steering committee overseeing the development process published a scoping document setting out proposals for Scotland's AI strategy.  A consultation on these proposals ran from 17 February to 22 May.

Over 80 responses were received, Alongside broad support for the proposals, the desire for more dialogue and case studies on AI, skills and training, people-centeredness and the need for an ethical approach were highlighted. 

We’ll consider these and other issues that emerged as we move forward. We will also draw on the outputs from the public engagement programme and working groups that took place over summer 2020.