Trusting the trust
We know the key personnel. .
The existing four non-exec directors also stay in post.
However, opposition parties remain resolutely sceptical about the role to be enacted by the SFT.
Labour's Johann Lamont is strong on scepticism. When she is challenging the SNP, her face, her voice, her entire demeanour suggest that she regards her rivals as intrinsically untrustworthy.
In response, the deputy first minister, Nicola Sturgeon can be equally direct. Her tactic is to retaliate early and often, pre-empting attacks where possible.
The two faced each other at Holyrood today, deputising for Alex Salmond and Iain Gray who were both attending .
The topic? . As expected, the exchanges were robust and the debate sharp.
Few schools
Indeed, in ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Scotland's live coverage, Alan Cochrane of the Telegraph was moved to comment that the substitutes had, collectively, performed better than the regulars.
Ms Lamont attacked, accusing SNP ministers of sanctioning relatively few new schools.
Ms Sturgeon countered, arguing that the SNP administration had been lumbered with umpteen schools in dreadful condition and was making substantial progress.
At one point, Alex Fergusson in the chair once more showed his renewed determination to keep FMQs participants in check.
He gently reminded Ms Sturgeon that she had not answered one direct point from Ms Lamont - on the subject of the futures trust.
And so back to that. Ms Sturgeon said the trust was closely involved in schools and other projects, ensuring best practice and value.
It would seem, however, the role has altered somewhat from the original ambitions which talked of the trust as, ultimately, a funding source via bonds and other devices.
On track
To be fair, the business plan for the SFT also envisaged an agency role, co-ordinating efforts across the public sector to drive down costs and find innovative methods of financing projects.
Its second envisaged role was to take part in governance arrangements: basically, keeping projects on track.
Role three was more direct participation in funding, potentially as an asset owner or finance conduit.
At this stage, it would seem that the emphasis is presently more on roles one and two, less on role three.
In short, though, as the business plan noted, "the SFT's success will be measured against the value for money benefits it achieves."
Quite.
PS: May I record, once more, my sympathy and respect to the family of ?
I knew him and covered him in sundry roles: STUC leader, poverty campaigner, Home Rule activist especially via the Convention and Scotland United.
At all points, his contribution was substantial and serious, delivered with a useful leavening of mischievous humour. He will be much missed.
I'm 
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