Permanent Secretary Sir Peter Housden KCB ~ T: 0131-244 4026 F: 0131-244 2312 E: perm.sec@scotland.gsLgov.

uk

The Scottish Government

Willie Rennie MSP Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats The Scottish Parliament Edinburgh EH991SP

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....7DELIVERING A GAMES LEGACY FOR SCOTlAND

Your ref: A1028/2012/CK 2 May 2012 Dear Mr Rennie Thank you for your letter of 24 April concerning the announcement made by the First Minister on 19 April. You were concerned that this announcement might have been in breach of the Government's guidance on the local elections. The guidance makes clear that the responsibility for reaching a judgement on whether to make or defer an announcement during the local election period rests with Ministers in the light of political sensitivities, with each case to be considered on its merits. In this case, the announcement resulted from an agreement between the Scottish Government and all Scottish local authorities that benefits all areas of Scotland. It was endorsed by the COSLA Convention on 30 March. COSLA represents all local authorities and involves representatives of all political parties. In addition, the announcement was made jointly with COSLA, and the funding to underpin the agreement is to be provided jointly. These are all material factors in considering the application of the guidance. On timing, the agreement was reached just as Parliament went into recess. 19 April was thus the first available date for an announcement by the First Minister. I hope this is helpful in explaining the basis on which Ministers reached a judgement in this matter.

Yours sincerely

St Andrew's House, Regent Road, Edinburgh www.scotland.gov.uk

EH1 3DG
INVE..'iTOR IN PEOPI.E