This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
Relocation Policy A Significant Step For Regional Policy: McLeish
01/12/2000
RELOCATION POLICY A SIGNIFICANT STEP FOR REGIONAL POLICY: McLEISH
First Minister Henry McLeish today hailed the announcement of the next phase of the government's relocation policy as marking a significant step forward in developing regional policy in Scotland. His comments followed the answer to a Parliamentary Question by Angus MacKay , Minister for Finance and Local Government, on the location of a number of public sector organisations in Scotland.
Mr McLeish said:
"We are determined to govern for the whole of Scotland and we want the whole of Scotland to benefit from the distribution of high quality civil service jobs across the country.
"This is a new look regional policy for Scotland which demonstrates the Executive's commitment to serve all of Scotland and to bring the benefits of devolution to every part of the nation.
"In line with the government's policy of decentralisation we will for the first time examine whether we can move jobs in a number of departments and agencies away from the capital.
"Not only does this demonstrate our belief that the whole of Scotland should benefit from the work of the executive but it also shows that we are a cost conscious government looking for value from tax-payers money ."
In an answer to a parliamentary question Angus MacKay announced the outcome of a preliminary exercise examining the location of a number of public sector organisations in Scotland. He also said that detailed studies into the location of six existing public bodies will now begin and that a decision has been made that two new public bodies will be located outwith Edinburgh.
The full text of Mr MacKay's Answer is:
"Mr Jack McConnell's Answer of 6 July (S1W-08578, Karen Gillon) announced a preliminary examination of 9 organisations to establish whether the option of relocation from Edinburgh should be examined further or in detail. The announcement also covered the setting up of three new bodies, where there is a presumption against an Edinburgh location, and the Scottish Agricultural Science Agency where a scientific review had been initiated into the feasibility of relocating to a site near Dundee.
"In relation to the new bodies I can confirm that, if the Parliament passes the necessary legislation to enable them to be established, the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care and the Scottish Social Services Council will not be located in Edinburgh. Decisions on the location of these bodies are expected in February 2001. The Minister for Justice announced on 11 October that the Public Guardian's Office, which will eventually employ some 40 staff, will be located in Falkirk.
"The preliminary reviews of the other bodies are now complete. Further studies into the location of each of the following organisations will now be undertaken, and they will be completed by the dates shown. The studies will include detailed work on alternative locations and consider the individual circumstances of each body on a case by case basis.
- The Scottish Public Pensions Agency; decision by March 2001
- The Health Education Board for Scotland; decision by mid 2001
- Sportscotland; decision by the end of 2001
- The Common Services Agency of the National Health Service in Scotland; decision by mid 2002
- The Scottish Arts Council; decision before 2003 in line with general review announced in Creating our Future: Minding our Past
- Registers of Scotland; decision by the end of 2004
"The dates set for completion of each review reflect operational factors, the timing of any lease breaks and the time necessary to secure new property if this proves necessary.
"The detailed reviews do not mean that a decision has been taken to relocate these organisations. The option of an Edinburgh location will be considered along with alternatives.
"In relation to the Scottish Executive Inquiry Reporter's Unit we have postponed a decision about further consideration of the relocation issue until uncertainty about the status of the body flowing from the County Properties Ltd judgement is resolved. We have also decided that, because of particular operational links to other bodies in Edinburgh, further consideration should not be given to the Crown Office Management Services Group or the Scottish Council for Post-Graduate Medical and Dental Education's facilities in Edinburgh.
"The scientific review undertaken to investigate the feasibility of locating the scientific work of the Scottish Agricultural Science Agency at a site adjacent to the Scottish Crop Research Institute near Dundee has been concluded. Its results indicate that ground conditions are not compatible with the Agency's work on the certification of seed potatoes. Accordingly the Agency will take forward its existing plans for relocation of this work in the Edinburgh area.
"As stated previously our principal consideration is to ensure that government business is conducted efficiently, that high quality services are delivered to the public, and that Scotland as a whole benefits from sound decisions about the location of the Executive's work. In considering alternative locations we will have regard to the aims of the policy and the position of staff, and we will seek the views of their trade union representatives and of the management of each organisation.
"The Scottish Executive will write to Local Enterprise Councils and Local Authorities about the process setting out the cost, efficiency and other criteria which will inform decisions."
BACKGROUND
1. The then First Minister set out the Scottish Executive's policy on the location and relocation of staff by way of written PQ on 15 September 1999. The main points were:
- that there will be a presumption against an Edinburgh location for new units established by the Scottish Executive or where existing units are merged or reorganised;
- that where a significant property break is reached, relocation options outside Edinburgh will be considered;
- that for reasons of effectiveness headquarters functions would be expected to remain in Edinburgh (or Glasgow for ELLD).
2. Mr McConnell subsequently announced on 6 July 2000 preliminary reviews of the following bodies; the Common Services Agency for the NHS in Scotland, Crown Office Management Services Group, Health Education Board for Scotland, Registers of Scotland, Scottish Arts Council, Scottish Council for Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education, Inquiry Reporters Unit, Scottish Public Pensions Agency, Sportscotland, Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care (SCRC), Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), Scottish Court Service, Public Guardian's Office, and the Scottish Agricultural Science Agency.
News Release: SE3108/2000
1 Dec 2000