As usual, lots of interesting reading.
For various reasons I wasn't able to be present at this meeting.
(Aye weel, apart from meeting #1 which I missed, I'd previously had a 100% attendance record, - I'd love to have been at that first meeting, but you'll need to read the minutes to work out why
)Under item 9.1 there is fascinating info on the 168 hours limit.
90 days instead of 168 hours!?, - probably, but please read the following.........
Not everyone realises that the power of the final decision on this and other matters related to ScotlandsPeople does not lie with GROS, but with the Scottish Parliament.
Even to change something relatively simple, if that has been defined in an Act of the Parliament or associated Order - sometimes termed a Statutory Instrument, - it is necessary to go through a time-consuming, expensive process in order for there to be a new Statutory Instrument, - expensive, because Scottish Executive lawyers and others need to comment on the text, - quite possibly multiple iterations, - and time-consuming because not only of that but the need to wait until it is clear that there is parliamentary time available.
Normally, the process involving a new Statutory Instrument is quite straightforward, but there is a provision at one stage whereby a single MSP can object, and the process fails at that point
Which is all a method of getting everyone to understand that GROS can have an intention, but it is ultimately the Scottish Parliament (or even a single MSP if one objects) who can decide the matter in relation to a new Statutory Instrument.
Obviously lots of formal and informal consultation at various levels takes place before any new proposed Statutory Instrument is put before the parliament, and it is unusual, but not unknown, for such a proposal to fail, - obviously the sponsoring department or agency would then "get egg all over their face", - so to speak
Which is a very long-winded way of saying that GROS have decided to go for a new Statutory Instrument which, inter alia, will increase the 168 hrs period for use of credits to 90 (ninety) days
=D> =D> (I assume that it's 90 days rather than 3 months due to the problem of the number of days in a three month period varying over a year !!)Timescale? The draft Order was due to be laid before parliament late in September, so may already be passed, and shortly in force........... any volunteers to go onto the Scottish Parliament website and track this down
David
