§ Mrs. Ray MichieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what measures he has taken to ensure that emergency planning teams will be adequately financed and staffed in future years; and if he will make a statement. [24264]
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonCivil defence grant will continue to be paid to local authorities, police forces and fire brigades, in support of planning which is aimed at developing an effective response to a wide range of emergencies, irrespective of their cause.
265WThe grant is seen as a contribution towards emergency planning and its current total level is expected to be maintained.
§ Mrs. Ray MichieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what consultations he has had with the emergency planning teams to discuss the effects of local government reorganisation. [24265]
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe Scottish Office wrote to chief executives, offering to discuss emergency planning arrangements in a revised local government structure, in April 1994. This offer was not accepted at the time due to the position of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities with regard to the then Local Government etc. (Scotland) Bill.
Since the convention's position was relaxed, officials have discussed the matter with regional emergency planning officers in December and will again do so in early June. They have also met representatives of chief executives in February and numerous discussions have taken place at local level during emergency co-ordinating group meetings and various seminars.
New unitary authorities—appointments of head of paid service Head of paid New council service Current position Aberdeen, City of Not yet appointed — Aberdeenshire Alan Campbell Chief Executive, Grampian Regional Council Angus Sandy Watson Chief Executive, Tayside Regional Council Argyll and Bute James McLellan Director of Administration, Argyll and Bute District Council Borders, The Alistair Croall Depute Chief Executive, Borders Regional Council Clackmannan Robert Allan Chief Executive, Clackmannan District Council Dumbarton and Clydebank Not yet appointed — Dumfries and Galloway Ian Smith Chief Executive, Dumfries and Galloway Regional Council Dundee, City of Alex Stephen Chief Executive, City of Dundee District Council East Ayrshire Not yet appointed — East Dumbartonshire Cornelius Mallon Chief Executive, Strathkelvin District Council East Lothian John Lindsay Depute Chief Executive and Director of Finance, East Lothian District Council East Renfrewshire Peter Daniels Chief Executive, Clydesdale District Council Edinburgh, City of Tom Aitchison Chief Executive, Lothian Regional Council Falkirk Walter Weir Chief Executive, Falkirk District Council Fife Dr. John Markland Chief Executive, Fife Regional Council Glasgow, City of John Anderson Depute Chief Executive, Strathclyde Regional Council Highland Arthur McCourt Assistant Chief Executive, Tayside Regional Council Inverclyde Graeme Bettison Senior Depute Director of Administration, Grampian Regional Council Midlothian Trevor Muir Chief Executive, Midlothian District Council Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Administration, Grampian Regional Moray Anthony Connell Council North Ayrshire Bernard Devine Chief Executive, Cunninghame District Council North Lanarkshire Andrew Cowe Managing Director, Renfrew District Council Perthshire and Kinross Harry Robertson Chief Executive, Perth and Kinross District Council Renfrewshire Not yet appointed — South Ayrshire George Thorley Alastair J. H. Assistant Chief Executive, Strathclyde Regional Council South Lanarkshire MacNish Depute Director of Social Work, Strathclyde Regional Council Stirling Keith Yates Assistant Chief Executive, Central Regional Council West Lothian Alex Linkston Chief Executive and Director of Finance, West Lothian District Council Source: Local Government Staff Commission.
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§ Mrs. Ray MichieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what measures he has taken to ensure that emergency planning is maintained after the completion of local government reorganisation. [24263]
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonEach of the new authorities will be responsible for civil defence and civil emergency planning arrangements. It is up to each to decide how its responsibilities will be delivered, and there are various powers under local government legislation, including section 58 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994, which provide scope for joint arrangements or other options to be considered. Grant to local authorities, police forces and fire brigades will continue.
§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the names of those persons selected to be the chief executives of the new unitary councils giving their academic and technical qualifications where appropriate and their current employment and employers; and if he will make a statement. [23035]
§ Mr. Kynoch[holding answer 16 May 1995]: The appointment of chief executives—strictly speaking heads of paid service—is entirely a matter for the new councils. Information on appointments made to date is given in the table.
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