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Every contribution to the Official Report — chamber and committee — searchable in one place. Pulled from data.parliament.scot, indexed for full-text search, linked through to every MSP.

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2,355,091
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1999–2026
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Showing 60 of 2,355,091 contributions. Latest 30 days: 148. Coverage: 12 May 1999 — 14 May 2026.
Ross Thomson Con Committee
01 Jun 2017
National Fraud Initiative
I have spoken to the other authorities. Is there a consensus on those considerations and proposed changes? Is there agreement among councils that there could be some welcome changes?
Ross Thomson Con Committee
01 Jun 2017
National Fraud Initiative
I refer to one of your previous answers, and the example of the Aberdeen exhibition and conference centre, which is also mentioned in your written submission. It is interesting because, given the financial environment for councils across Scotland and the depleting resource, co...
Ross Thomson Con Committee
01 Jun 2017
National Fraud Initiative
It has been mentioned in evidence that there is a high volume of work for each investigation team and that things are very busy. Would legislative change through the Parliament increase your workload if you were referring cases to the procurator fiscal? Would new resource have...
Ross Thomson (North East Scotland) (Con) Con Committee
01 Jun 2017
National Fraud Initiative
Before I ask my question, I should probably remind the committee that up until a couple of weeks ago I was a councillor on Aberdeen City Council. My question is directed to Mr Muldoon. Aberdeen City Council’s submission states: “Instead of solely matching data against public...
Ross Thomson Con Committee
31 May 2017
Workforce Planning (Schools)
Last week, we heard a view from one of our witnesses that the scheme had not been successful. Moreover, constituents have got in touch with us to say that some of the issues with accessing the scheme have been about funding, and there have been press reports to that effect. Ca...
Ross Thomson Con Committee
31 May 2017
Workforce Planning (Schools)
Thank you for that answer, cabinet secretary. When you talked in your opening statement about those new routes into education, you called the recruitment campaigns a central plank of the Scottish Government’s efforts. In February 2016, the transition training fund was announc...
Ross Thomson Con Committee
31 May 2017
Workforce Planning (Schools)
Have you done any work on what local authorities are doing and whether such competition is taking place?
Ross Thomson Con Committee
31 May 2017
Workforce Planning (Schools)
He suggested a national scheme.
Ross Thomson Con Committee
31 May 2017
Workforce Planning (Schools)
I am referring to evidence that Mr Findlay gave to the committee—
Ross Thomson Con Committee
31 May 2017
Workforce Planning (Schools)
In answer to my question, Mr Findlay said that local knowledge was important in the local scheme, but he also said that it was important that local authorities did not outbid one another with golden hellos, for example, or by giving the most money or the better package. He sai...
Ross Thomson (North East Scotland) (Con) Con Committee
31 May 2017
Workforce Planning (Schools)
In oral and written evidence to the committee on this issue, we have heard about the challenges in recruiting and retaining teachers in the north-east and north of Scotland and the measures that local authorities such as Moray, Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire are taking to address ...
Ross Thomson (North East Scotland) (Con) Con Chamber
31 May 2017
Portfolio Question Time · Average Speed Cameras (A90)
Will the minister provide Parliament with a timeline for completing the improvements to the A90 junction at Laurencekirk?
Ross Thomson Con Committee
25 May 2017
“Principles for a digital future: Lessons learned from public sector ICT projects”
Is it the case that, as well as not having the right governance structure or reporting structure, we sometimes just do not have the people with the right skills to project manage?
Ross Thomson Con Committee
25 May 2017
“Principles for a digital future: Lessons learned from public sector ICT projects”
Another key principle is that of leadership. It was interesting to read that ICT projects often fail because of weak leadership. That sounds familiar from my experience as a councillor. Issues often arise with council projects, whether they be infrastructure projects or capita...
Ross Thomson Con Committee
25 May 2017
“Principles for a digital future: Lessons learned from public sector ICT projects”
You have partly answered my second question, which was about what the Scottish Government is doing. I appreciate that it is taking the time to ensure that people are trained and given the necessary skills. When we looked at the CAP payments process, we saw that staff morale w...
Ross Thomson (North East Scotland) (Con) Con Committee
25 May 2017
“Principles for a digital future: Lessons learned from public sector ICT projects”
When I read the key principles, particularly the principle on planning, I was amazed at how, in some ways, the report seemed to be stating the obvious with its reference to the need for the right skills throughout a project. Often those skills have been lacking; indeed, we hav...
Ross Thomson Con Committee
24 May 2017
Workforce Planning (Schools)
We have touched on the flexibility of the GTCS criteria. Do you agree that there should be more flexibility to allow highly skilled individuals—who may have some experience of teaching abroad, in languages, or through youth work—to enter teaching? Do you believe that a Teach F...
Ross Thomson Con Committee
24 May 2017
Workforce Planning (Schools)
That is okay. The number of registered supply teachers has fallen across the north of Scotland. In Aberdeen city there has been a 30 per cent drop in the number, with older teachers making up the majority of supply teachers. What is putting people off? Is it changes in the cu...
Ross Thomson Con Committee
24 May 2017
Workforce Planning (Schools)
You said that the scheme had not been a success, and you are right that, in particular, the numbers of those who have gone into the teaching profession have been really low. Why do you think that is and what do you think could have been—or could be—done differently?
Ross Thomson Con Committee
24 May 2017
Workforce Planning (Schools)
Of course. Thank you. I would like to pick up on one of Dr Redford’s earlier answers, about the scheme in Aberdeen that helps those who have been made redundant from the oil and gas industry into teaching. I presume that that is the transition training fund—is that right?
Ross Thomson (North East Scotland) (Con) Con Committee
24 May 2017
Workforce Planning (Schools)
I want to return to the issue of mobility, particularly in the north-east, which is the region that I represent and where, as you know, there are chronic shortages in teachers. We have heard from trainee teachers that there is a tendency to gravitate towards the central belt a...
Ross Thomson (North East Scotland) (Con) Con Chamber
18 May 2017
General Question Time · Scottish Futures Trust (Payment of Subcontractors)
What action is the Scottish Government taking to ensure that businesses pay their smaller suppliers faster? A recent report by the Federation of Small Businesses in Scotland showed that adopting the payment practices of Norway would see 2,075 fewer firms closing annually in Sc...
Ross Thomson Con Committee
17 May 2017
Workforce Planning (Schools)
In its submission, Aberdeen City Council mentioned the need for GTCS registration and said that including candidates from elsewhere, even in the UK, can be a protracted process. The council said that there is an opportunity to consider how we make the process more flexible. Do...
Ross Thomson Con Committee
17 May 2017
Workforce Planning (Schools)
If we look at the submissions from, for example, Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeenshire Council and Moray Council, we see that a number of incentives are in place, but every authority is different. Should there be a more national approach to incentives? In the north-east, for ex...
Ross Thomson Con Committee
17 May 2017
Workforce Planning (Schools)
When I asked trainee teachers what was preventing them from moving to parts of Scotland where there are job vacancies, one said that his local authority had decided to pay for his postgraduate diploma in education, but another said that it was because of the place and that per...
Ross Thomson (North East Scotland) (Con) Con Committee
17 May 2017
Workforce Planning (Schools)
The discussion has been interesting. As the panel will be aware, the region that I represent, North East Scotland, has significant teacher shortages, just like Moray. In the committee papers, there was a submission from the General Teaching Council for Scotland, which suggeste...
Ross Thomson (North East Scotland) (Con) Con Chamber
17 May 2017
Teacher Training Programme
Everyone in the teaching profession should be in no doubt as to the value that we attach to it—not simply for young people but for the country as a whole. It is difficult to put into words our gratitude to the hard-working and dedicated teachers who work across Scotland. From...
Ross Thomson (North East Scotland) (Con) Con Chamber
17 May 2017
Fisheries
Will the minister take an intervention?
Ross Thomson Con Chamber
17 May 2017
Portfolio Question Time · Social Security Agency
Has the Scottish Government quantified exactly what the increased cost will be?
Ross Thomson Con Chamber
17 May 2017
Portfolio Question Time · Social Security Agency
In the Finance and Constitution Committee, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Constitution conceded that the cost of the delivery of the 11 devolved benefits will be greater than the present cost. When quizzed by my colleague Adam Tomkins on the matter, Derek Mackay was...
1. Ross Thomson (North East Scotland) (Con) Con Chamber
17 May 2017
Portfolio Question Time · Social Security Agency
To ask the Scottish Government how it reached its estimate of £150 million annual running costs for the new social security agency. (S5O-00979)
Ross Thomson Con Committee
11 May 2017
Section 22 Reports
Thank you.
Ross Thomson Con Committee
11 May 2017
Section 22 Reports
I have one final question for Mr Penman about his inspection, which will specifically consider leadership and governance. He asked if there was anything else that we thought might be of benefit. Will you be looking specifically at the treatment of Moi Ali and the understanding...
Ross Thomson Con Committee
11 May 2017
Section 22 Reports
Convener, I will take guidance from you. I have listened to that answer and to what was said in terms of challenge around the chair not being fit to continue. You might recall that, at our previous meeting, we took evidence from Andrew Flanagan. I asked him for his thoughts on...
Ross Thomson Con Committee
11 May 2017
Section 22 Reports
Mr Graham, I have heard you say that you are unqualified to talk about the contents of the letter. Given that board members have said that they are confident in recording their dissent and challenges, could the situation have been handled more appropriately? What would be the ...
Ross Thomson Con Committee
11 May 2017
Section 22 Reports
I have a question for Moi Ali. We need people with experience on boards. Given your experience, do you think that what has happened has the potential to dissuade talented people whom we need from taking up roles on boards such as the SPA’s?
Ross Thomson Con Committee
11 May 2017
Section 22 Reports
My question is for George Graham and Iain Whyte. Do you think that this issue has had an impact on your ability to challenge?
Ross Thomson Con Committee
11 May 2017
Section 22 Reports
Did you receive a letter from the board chair about your dissent being minuted?
Ross Thomson Con Committee
11 May 2017
Section 22 Reports
That dissent was minuted. Is that correct?
Ross Thomson Con Committee
11 May 2017
Section 22 Reports
I have heard board members express the thought that they are unqualified to comment on the letter. Moi Ali has said in her evidence this morning that the letter was “straightforward punishment for speaking out.” It is clear from this morning’s evidence that there may have be...
Ross Thomson (North East Scotland) (Con) Con Committee
11 May 2017
Section 22 Reports
My first question is to the other board members. In his evidence, Mr Barbour said that the board had been “passive”, only “speaking up when forced to do so” and that, in relation to current media coverage, it “has remained silent”. Has anyone asked you not to comment on an...
Ross Thomson Con Committee
10 May 2017
Workforce Planning (Schools)
Do you think that it is more about selling the place?
Ross Thomson Con Committee
10 May 2017
Workforce Planning (Schools)
No. I am talking about people looking for permanent places and a school to settle in.
Ross Thomson Con Committee
10 May 2017
Workforce Planning (Schools)
Do you think that people are put off by costs of rent, mortgages and transport?
Ross Thomson Con Committee
10 May 2017
Workforce Planning (Schools)
Is that to do with the cost of living, as well? For example, the salary might not meet the costs of living in Aberdeen, given the cost of housing there.
Ross Thomson (North East Scotland) (Con) Con Committee
10 May 2017
Workforce Planning (Schools)
In the North East Scotland region, which I represent, we are still struggling to recruit and retain teachers. In Aberdeen alone, we still have more than 200 vacancies in primary and secondary schools, which is a significant number. We have been struggling to recruit people—in ...
Ross Thomson (North East Scotland) (Con) Con Chamber
09 May 2017
Literacy
It is disappointing that the cabinet secretary refuses to face head on the issues in our education system. Rather than tackle the core of the problem, such as why the curriculum guidance is cluttered and why standards are not clear, we see time and time again mere sticking-pla...
Ross Thomson (North East Scotland) (Con) Con Chamber
09 May 2017
Forensic Examination
The minister has said quite clearly that the task force for the improvement of services for victims of rape and sexual assault has “a clear mandate” and that it must deliver. Will he commit to return to Parliament to update us on the performance of the task force and its indiv...
Ross Thomson Con Chamber
03 May 2017
Portfolio Question Time · Literacy Rates
Will the cabinet secretary answer my question?
Ross Thomson (North East Scotland) (Con) Con Chamber
03 May 2017
Portfolio Question Time · Literacy Rates
For the final time, I declare an interest as a councillor on Aberdeen City Council. The Scottish Government’s statistics show that in the city of Aberdeen, not even half of pupils reach the expected standard of writing by primary 7. Is it not about time that the Scottish Gove...
Ross Thomson (North East Scotland) (Con) Con Chamber
03 May 2017
Point of Order
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. Yesterday, the Scottish Government issued a press release announcing a regeneration project in Glasgow, which everyone knows is a Scottish National Party target. I have written to the permanent secretary to the Scottish Government to com...
Ross Thomson Con Committee
27 Apr 2017
Section 23 Report
My last question is about paragraph 31, on page 16 of your report, which says that “Ensuring a smooth transition of powers from the UK Parliament to the Scottish Parliament requires officials in the bodies involved to build and maintain effective working relationships.” I ag...
Ross Thomson Con Committee
27 Apr 2017
Section 23 Report
I appreciate that. I know from Aberdeen City Council that when we cannot recruit directors, for example, we usually have to pay over the odds for someone from an agency to fill the post. I am not sure whether this case is similar.
Ross Thomson Con Committee
27 Apr 2017
Section 23 Report
Paragraph 42 of your report mentions an interim chief executive and an appointed interim deputy chief executive. From my experience on Aberdeen City Council, I know that there is usually an additional cost to having someone who is interim or covering a post. Has there been any...
Ross Thomson Con Committee
27 Apr 2017
Section 23 Report
I come from a region—the north-east—where we struggle to recruit in the public sector in a variety of areas. Not being able to have a full staff complement, especially on something new like the commission, could really hold you back. How high is the risk of not being able to r...
Ross Thomson Con Committee
27 Apr 2017
Section 23 Report
On page 19 of the report, paragraph 42 reads: “One of the biggest challenges facing the transition programme is the recruitment of enough staff with the right skills. Recruitment campaigns that ran from September to December 2016 did not fill all posts on a permanent basis, i...
Ross Thomson Con Committee
27 Apr 2017
Section 23 Report
On page 14, paragraph 23 starts with: “Individual directorates and programmes are also identifying the staff and skills they need to implement and manage the financial powers in the Scotland Acts.” Paragraph 24 says: “The Scottish Government recognises the significant staff...
Ross Thomson (North East Scotland) (Con) Con Committee
27 Apr 2017
Section 23 Report
On page 13, halfway through paragraph 17, the report says: “The Scottish Government will need to develop more detailed cost estimates and refine them as policy decisions are made about how to implement and deliver certain powers.” Then you give an example. For clarity, when ...
Ross Thomson Con Committee
26 Apr 2017
“Performance and Role of Key Education and Skills Bodies” (Education Scotland Response)
Yes, convener. I looked back to the implementation group’s inception in 2011. In September that year, Dr Maxwell told our predecessor committee: “my vision is of an education system that is based on a strong national consensus about the purposes of education and the commit...
Ross Thomson Con Committee
26 Apr 2017
“Performance and Role of Key Education and Skills Bodies” (Education Scotland Response)
In advance of an evidence session on 30 November 2016, at which guidance from Education Scotland was to be looked at, the committee asked teachers whether they agreed that the guidance and support associated with CFE built a world-class curriculum for all learners in Scotland....
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Committee

Public Audit and Post-legislative Scrutiny Committee 01 June 2017

01 Jun 2017 · S5 · Public Audit and Post-legislative Scrutiny Committee
Item of business
National Fraud Initiative
Thomson, Ross Con North East Scotland Watch on SPTV
I have spoken to the other authorities. Is there a consensus on those considerations and proposed changes? Is there agreement among councils that there could be some welcome changes?

In the same item of business

The Acting Convener (Jackie Baillie) Lab
Welcome to the 15th meeting in 2017 of the Public Audit and Post-legislative Scrutiny Committee. I ask everybody to make sure that their electronic devices a...
Brian Muldoon (Aberdeen City Council)
We have been involved in the national fraud initiative since it started, and we believe that it is important to tackle fraud within public authorities. We li...
The Acting Convener Lab
I was looking for whether the legislation is clear about which bodies should take part in the initiative, how they should do so and whether participation is ...
Brian Muldoon
I believe that all public bodies should participate in the initiative; after all, public money is involved. I know that there seemed to be issues with univer...
The Acting Convener Lab
I do not know whether Elaine Greaves or Heather Mohieddeen wants to take on that question. I am asking principally about what the existing legislation covers...
Elaine Greaves (Midlothian Council)
It is very important that participation should be compulsory, because the more organisations that take part, the more the value of doing so is increased. The...
The Acting Convener Lab
Does Heather Mohieddeen have anything to add to that?
Heather Mohieddeen (Midlothian Council)
No—I have nothing to add.
Atholl Scott (Moray Council)
From a Moray Council perspective, the NFI should be compulsory. We have dealt with it for a number of rounds now, and all local authorities participate, unde...
Yvonne Douglas (South Lanarkshire Council)
I support much of what my colleagues have already said. We make extensive use of the NFI exercise, and we welcome as many public bodies as possible participa...
The Acting Convener Lab
We turn to questions from members, starting with Colin Beattie.
Colin Beattie (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) SNP
I am interested in Audit Scotland’s submission, as this is the first time that I have seen reference to “real time, pre transaction checking”. I did not kn...
Brian Muldoon
We are aware of the facility on the website to allow us to do it. There is certainly an argument that, if we do checks at the beginning of a claim, we can pe...
Colin Beattie SNP
Is it a significant cost?
Brian Muldoon
I did not bring the print-out with me.
Elaine Greaves
I think the cost of the check is about £300.
Brian Muldoon
There is a scale. If you do more checks, it is better value, but I cannot remember the costs just now. As Atholl Scott said, councils have deadlines for ben...
Colin Beattie SNP
Do others have views?
Atholl Scott
You are talking about a preventative measure. It is interesting that the people who are involved in the councils are generally auditors, and auditors tend to...
Colin Beattie SNP
Okay. I was interested because I had not seen reference to real-time checking before. We have talked about the possibility that, given the scope of the NFI,...
Yvonne Douglas
I think the end result would just be that we had more matches. The matches run into the thousands. We are trying to make sure that they are good matches, whi...
Colin Beattie SNP
If housing associations, for example, were included, what would be the cost implications for local authorities?
Yvonne Douglas
In South Lanarkshire Council, we are the facilitators, so we do not do the investigation. We co-ordinate the upload of data to Audit Scotland and then we fac...
Colin Beattie SNP
I am still looking at the implications of the matching process. Would mandatory follow-ups of matches improve things?
Atholl Scott
I would say definitely not. In my submission, I indicated that it is absolutely essential that public bodies participate in the process. The requirement on u...
Colin Beattie SNP
You would not favour mandatory follow-ups.
Atholl Scott
I would not favour mandatory follow-ups of all matches.
Colin Beattie SNP
Does anyone disagree with that?
Brian Muldoon
I do not disagree. I echo Atholl Scott’s point. I do not see any benefit from a specific deadline. We have to remember that the volume of matches that come ...
Colin Beattie SNP
Does a year not seem an extraordinary length of time?