Written Question · S5W-29242 · Session 5
How many times “written authority” has been sought by accountable officers in the Scottish Government since 2007, as set out in section 6.7…
The question
To ask the Scottish Government how many times “written authority” has been sought by accountable officers in the Scottish Government since 2007, as set out in section 6.7 of the Scottish Ministerial Code, and what the reason for each instruction was.
The answer
The Principal Accountable Officer for the Scottish Administration (the Permanent Secretary) and Accountable Officers designated by them for parts of the Scottish Administration are under a statutory duty to obtain written authority from the relevant Minister where they consider that any action they are required to take would be inconsistent with their responsibilities. These responsibilities include ensuring financial propriety and regularity and ensuring that relevant resources are used economically, efficiently and effectively (i.e. value for money). There has only been one occasion when a written authority has been requested by an Accountable Officer of the Scottish Government since the beginning of 2007. Since devolution there have only been five occasions overall where Accountable Officers for parts of the Scottish Administration have sought such written authority. All were sought in relation to value for money, two were in regards to the same issue. The table below details each instance since 1 July 1999 and the reason for each instruction being made.
Description
Background
Accountable Officer
Minister
Date
Campbeltown to Ballycastle Ferry Service
In the light of the financial and economic appraisals that were carried out officials had advised Ministers that, with a high anticipated subsidy requirement and a low level of forecast employment creation, the project represented very poor value for money in terms of the probable costs and economic benefits.
Nicola Munro
Wendy Alexander
29-1-02
Lifeline Air Services Glasgow & Barra
Officials advised Ministers that the savings from the withdrawal of air services out of Barra would have a positive NPV for the Sound of Barra vessel. A written authority was therefore sought to act on the Ministers' decision to continue the Glasgow
- Barra air service.
Nicola Munro
Iain Gray
19-3-03
Relocation of Scottish Natural Heritage
SNH were subject to a relocation review in pursuance of the Executive’s relocation policy. Their main headquarters functions are at present housed in two buildings in Edinburgh. The option appraisal showed that a move to anywhere outside Edinburgh would be significantly more expensive than the status quo.
John Graham
Ross Finnie
26-3-03
Campbeltown to Ballycastle Ferry Service
In light of the financial and economic appraisals that had been carried out officials had advised Ministers that, with a high subsidy requirement and a low level of forecast employment creation, the project did not pass the value for money appraisals applied to such proposals. (The 2002 written authority did not cover this tendering exercise – it was effectively spent at the conclusion of that tendering exercise.)
Eddie Frizzell
Nichol Stephen
30-3-05
HMP Bishopbriggs
The Accountable Officer was concerned that cancelling the competition for a PFI design, build and operate contract and beginning a new competition to design and build a prison for public sector operation would result in significant additional expenditure (because of the gap in cost efficiency between public and private operation) and import significant delay into the project (because the procurement process would effectively go back to start).
Mike Ewart
Kenny MacAskill
22-8-07
Description
Background
Accountable Officer
Minister
Date
Campbeltown to Ballycastle Ferry Service
In the light of the financial and economic appraisals that were carried out officials had advised Ministers that, with a high anticipated subsidy requirement and a low level of forecast employment creation, the project represented very poor value for money in terms of the probable costs and economic benefits.
Nicola Munro
Wendy Alexander
29-1-02
Lifeline Air Services Glasgow & Barra
Officials advised Ministers that the savings from the withdrawal of air services out of Barra would have a positive NPV for the Sound of Barra vessel. A written authority was therefore sought to act on the Ministers' decision to continue the Glasgow
- Barra air service.
Nicola Munro
Iain Gray
19-3-03
Relocation of Scottish Natural Heritage
SNH were subject to a relocation review in pursuance of the Executive’s relocation policy. Their main headquarters functions are at present housed in two buildings in Edinburgh. The option appraisal showed that a move to anywhere outside Edinburgh would be significantly more expensive than the status quo.
John Graham
Ross Finnie
26-3-03
Campbeltown to Ballycastle Ferry Service
In light of the financial and economic appraisals that had been carried out officials had advised Ministers that, with a high subsidy requirement and a low level of forecast employment creation, the project did not pass the value for money appraisals applied to such proposals. (The 2002 written authority did not cover this tendering exercise – it was effectively spent at the conclusion of that tendering exercise.)
Eddie Frizzell
Nichol Stephen
30-3-05
HMP Bishopbriggs
The Accountable Officer was concerned that cancelling the competition for a PFI design, build and operate contract and beginning a new competition to design and build a prison for public sector operation would result in significant additional expenditure (because of the gap in cost efficiency between public and private operation) and import significant delay into the project (because the procurement process would effectively go back to start).
Mike Ewart
Kenny MacAskill
22-8-07
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S5W-29242 by reference.