Chamber and committees

That the Parliament acknowledges what it sees as the significant public safety issues regarding the misuse of off-road vehicles, including quad bikes, being used dangerously, inappropriately and often illegally on roads, footpaths and various open spaces, which, it believes, poses a serious risk of injury and risk to life for those driving such vehicles, as well as others within the community; considers that their misuse can also have a detrimental impact on a community due to nuisance, antisocial behaviour and damage caused; notes the belief that registration of off-road vehicles, which is a reserved power, may assist Police Scotland with what it considers to be the often hazardous and unenviable tasks regarding policing, identification and enforcement; further notes that the Off-Road Vehicles (Registration) Bill is being progressed by Anne McLaughlin MP within the UK Parliament, and that the UK Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport has agreed to establish a task force to look at the wider issues caused by off-road vehicles, and notes the belief that such a working group in Scotland should include the Scottish Government, local authorities, Police Scotland and others to consider what more can be done to keep the public safe and nuisance-free from the misuse of off-road vehicles across Scotland, including in the Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn constituency.

That the Parliament commends the hard work and dedication shown by volunteers in Scotland; celebrates the 40th anniversary of Volunteers’ Week, which runs from 3 to 9 June 2024; considers that this is an opportunity to highlight the vital role that volunteers play in local communities across Scotland; understands that without volunteers many services would not function, and pays thanks to the millions of people who volunteer across Scotland to make a genuine difference to people’s lives.

That the Parliament welcomes the announcement of the ClanFest two-day festival to mark Clan Cancer Support's 40th anniversary; understands that the festival, which is sponsored by Hosie Electrical, will take place at The Drouthy Laird in Inverurie on 6 and 7 September 2024, starting with a ceilidh on day one, and multiple live acts from across the north of Scotland playing from noon until midnight on day two; notes that the event is part of Clan's #PartoftheClan campaign, which seeks to raise £2 million to support Clan's services across the north east, Moray, Orkney and Shetland in its anniversary year; hopes that the event is a great success in raising funds for such an excellent cause, and wishes Clan well with all its fundraising efforts in this, its 40th anniversary year.

That the Parliament recognises that Wishaw Golf Club will host a golf tournament and fundraiser in memory of Natalie Hughes; notes that around 150 golfers will take part in the annual Funky Natz Foundation tournament, which, it understands, raises money for Epilepsy Scotland in memory of 11-year-old Natalie, who died suddenly in March 2011; understands that the foundation was set up by the East Kilbride youngster's mum and dad, Eileen and Eddie, following her unexplained death, and that Natalie’s uncle, Iain Cairns, from Wishaw, forms part of the committee and helps to organise the golf tournament each year, which surpassed the £100,000 mark last year; applauds the committee and players who competed for the Funky Natz Foundation Charity Trophy on 26 May 2024 at Wishaw Golf Club, and sends its best wishes all those taking part, as well as Natalie’s family and friends.

That the Parliament congratulates Dobbies Dunfermline for raising more than £42,800 for Teenage Cancer Trust; understands that the amount was raised though generous in-store donations, seasonal events, team challenges and carrier bag donations; further understands that staff at the store also raised funds by completing challenges such as the FireWalk and Kiltwalk; believes that donations will assist the charity in funding specialist nurses, youth support coordinators and offering vital support to teenagers and young adults diagnosed with cancer, and expresses its thanks to all involved in Dunfermline for supporting these worthwhile fundraising efforts.

That the Parliament welcomes Aberdeen Fascination of Plants Day on 18 May 2024; notes that Fascination of Plants Day is a global event highlighting the important role that plants play in society, and encouraging people to give more recognition to the impact that plants have on our lives and wider environment, with organisations from 56 countries taking part; understands that events celebrating the day will take place from 16 to 19 May at venues across Aberdeen, including Duthie Park, University of Aberdeen's Zoology building, and Cruickshank Botanic Garden, with events organised by University of Aberdeen, Robert Gordon University, Friends of the Cruickshank Garden, Duthie Park Ranger Service, Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) and James Hutton Institute; believes that the activities, ranging from plant sales to workshops exploring the impact of plants on people's senses, can help educate people more on the importance of plants and plant science; congratulates the event coordinator, Dr Morag McFadyen of Robert Gordon University, on pulling together an informative and exciting programme of events, and hopes that they are a huge success in teaching people more about plants.

That the Parliament congratulates St Aidan's High School, in Wishaw, on making its way into the finals of the Big Bang UK competition for young scientists and engineers in Birmingham; understands that it is only one of two Scottish schools to be selected as finalists in what is described as the largest celebration of STEM for young people in the UK; further understands that the group from St Aidan’s was chosen as a finalist for its innovative blueprint of “A theme park for the future”, using renewable wind, solar and kinetic energy; notes that the competition is organised by Run by Engineering UK, which is open to 11- to 19-year-old state school pupils who have completed a project or activity in any field of STEM, and offers prizes of £1,000 in the three categories of Top Young Engineer, Scientist and Technologist; commends Big Bang UK for inspiring young people to consider careers in STEM through hands-on activities, career panels and shows, and wishes St Aidan's pupils and staff all the best for the future.

That the Parliament welcomes Living Streets Edinburgh’s Walk to School Week, which runs from 20 to 24 May 2024, with the theme of The Magic of Walking; congratulates all of the schools across the country that are participating in the event; understands that the event aims to highlight what it sees as the benefits of walking, including the reduction of congestion and air pollution near school gates, cuts to carbon emissions and increased physical activity for young people and their parents; recognises what it sees as the importance of school street closures and investing in behavioural change programmes, such as walk to school programmes, and calls on the Scottish Government to support parents and pupils in making sustainable travel choices to work towards net zero by 2045.

That the Parliament welcomes the news that a woman from Tillicoultry has been selected for the Team GB swimming team at the 2024 Paris Olympics; understands that Keanna MacInnes will travel with the team to France for the competition, and has credited her art and design course at college with helping her reach the top level; further understands that at the Olympics this year, Keanna will be aiming to reach the final of the 200- and 100-metre races, as well as the relays; understands that, originally from Edinburgh, Keanna likes to paint swimming scenes on her college course, and that she finds the creativity offered on the course to be the perfect psychological diversion from her training programme; further understands that she started swimming at the age of 13, initially at the Grove Swimming Club and then at the Heart of Midlothian Swimming Club, before landing a place at the National Swimming Academy; believes that, formerly a BSc Psychology graduate from the University of Stirling, Keanna now studies on a BA Art and Design course at Forth Valley College; considers that she will join the other 29 members of the Team GB team on 17 July 2024 for a pre-games training camp before the Olympics begin, and wishes Keanna and all her teammates all the very best of luck in their individual disciplines.

That the Parliament congratulates Gary McAllister and Donna McAllister, owners of The Bread Guy, and all their staff on winning Scottish Baker of the Year 2024-25; commends the commitment of Gary and Donna in building a locally renowned bakery business from scratch, specialising in artisan breads, pies, cakes and scones using locally sourced ingredients; recognises their commitment to supplying local shops, restaurants, cafes and specialty food stores with high-quality products; congratulates the team on the expansion of the business to five branches across the north east, and wishes everyone at The Bread Guy every success for the future.