Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee
16th Meeting, 2022
1. Consideration of continued petitions: The Committee considered the following continued petitions—
PE1900: Access to prescribed medication for detainees in police custody. The Committee agreed to consider the evidence at a future meeting, following the evidence session with the Minister for Drugs Policy.
PE1855: Pardon and memorialise those convicted under the Witchcraft Act 1563. The Committee agreed to close the petition under rule 15.7 of Standing Orders on the basis that, the First Minister has provided an apology to those people in Scotland accused and convicted as witches under the Witchcraft Act 1563, Natalie Don MSP is continuing to progress her proposed Members Bill in relation to the pardon and the petitioner has indicated that work is underway to take forward plans for a national memorial.
PE1887: Create an Unborn Victims of Violence Act. The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government and the Scottish Sentencing Council.
PE1896: Provide every primary school child in Scotland with a reusable water bottle. The Committee agreed to formally write to the First Minister. It also agreed to invite the Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport to give evidence to the Committee.
PE1906: Investigate options for removing and reducing the impact of the central Glasgow section of the M8. The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government.
PE1930: Ensure customers are always given information on cheapest possible fare in new Scotrail contract. The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government and Scottish Rail Holdings Ltd.
PE1933: Allow the Fornethy Survivors to access Scotland’s redress scheme. The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government.
2. Consideration of new petitions: The Committee considered the following new petitions—
PE1954: Stop Installing Telegraph Poles. The Committee agreed to close the petition under rule 15.7 of Standing Orders on the basis that the Scottish Government have recently reviewed and updated Permitted Development Rights for digital infrastructure, consider the current provisions to strike an appropriate balance, and have no current plans to further amend Permitted Development Rights in this area.
PE1955: Make the provision of public toilets a statutory duty on local authorities. The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government and to the Highland, South Ayrshire and Aberdeenshire councils.
PE1956: Increase the provision of wheelchair accessible homes. The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government, COSLA and the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations.
PE1962: Stop motorhomes parking overnight out with formal campsites, caravan parks and Aires. The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government and COSLA.