Minutes: 01 May 2024

1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take items 4 and 5 in private. 

2. Consideration of continued petitions:

The Committee considered the following continued petitions: 

PE1975: Reform the law relating to Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) and took evidence from— 

Siobhian Brown, Minister for Victims and Community Safety 

Martin Brown, Solicitor, Scottish Government Legal Directorate 

Michael Paparakis, Policy and Bill Programme Manager 

PE1973 End the use of Sheriffs Discretion when ruling on civil cases and provide clear legal guidance on division of assets. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders. In closing the petition, the Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government.  

PE1974 Adopt the A890 as a trunk road and PE1980 Adopt the A832 between Achnasheen and Gorstan as a trunk road. The Committee agreed to close both petitions under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders. In closing the petition, the Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government.

PE2019: Withdraw rates relief under the Small Business Bonus Scheme from Holiday Let Accommodation. The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government. 

PE2020: Provide fertility treatment to single women. The Committe agreed to write to Public Health Scotland and the National Fertility Group. 

PE2021: Ensure the definition of protected animals in the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 applies to the sheep on St Kilda. The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government.      

3. Consideration of new petitions:

The Committee considered the following new petitions: 

PE2074: Increase local government funding to help protect the vulnerable elderly population and prevent the closure of care homes. The Committee agreed to write to the Minister for Local Government Empowerment and Planning. 

PE2075: Prioritise local participation in planning decisions. The Committee agreed to write to the Royal Town Planning Institute, the Heads of Planning Scotland, Planning Democracy, Built Environment Forum Scotland, the Scottish Forum of Community Councils, and the Scottish Government. 

PE2076: Require original wills made outside of Scotland to be accepted into safe custody, by Registers of Scotland or other safe custody providers, without prior mailing around. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders. 

PE2077: Update Curriculum for Excellence to remove Personal and Social Education (PSE) from secondary schools. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7. In closing the petition, the Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government. 

PE2078: Introduce mandatory licencing and inspection of private ambulance service providers. The Committee agreed to write to the Cabinet Secretary for NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care.   

4. Consideration of Evidence:

The Committee considered the evidence it heard under agenda item 2.

5. Annual Report

The Committee agreed case study options for inclusion in its annual report.