Scottish Government expenditure since May 2021: FOI release

Description 

Background 

Portfolio 

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. 

ELLD 

Nicola Munro 

Wendy Alexander 

29/01/02 

Lifeline Air Services Glasgow and 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. 

ETLLD 

Nicola Munro 

Iain Gray 

19/03/03 

Relocation of Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) 

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. 

ERAD 

John Graham 

Ross Finnie 

26/03/03 

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.) 

ETLLD 

Eddie Frizzell 

Nichol Stephen 

30/03/05 

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). 

Justice/ SPS 

Mike Ewart 

Kenny MacAskill 

22/08/07 

Ferguson Marine (Port Glasgow) 

At the time of the written authority regularity and propriety of completing vessel 802 under construction at Ferguson Marine (Port Glasgow), was in line with the existing contract. Yet in a value for money case, where the Accountable Officer was required to be satisfied that resources are used economically, efficiently, and effectively, was more challenging. 

A comparison of the projected costs until the vessel was completed with the alternative options; allied to risks driven by inflationary pressures and supply chain issues and an uncertain economic outlook, combined made it very difficult for the Accountable Officer to gain sufficient assurance on value for money. The written authority was provided and was based on the value for money position of the 802 vessel compared to procuring a new vessel. 

DG 
Economy 

Gregor Irwin 

Neil Gray 

14/05/23