Minutes: 11 September 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: 

PE1723: Essential tremor treatment in Scotland. The Committee agreed to write to the National Services Division. 

PE1871: Full review of mental health services. The Committee agreed to write to the Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport and delegated authority to the Convener to consider the possibility of seeking additional evidence on the workforce issues contained in this petition.  

PE1936: Remove potholes from Scotland's roads. 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. 

PE2013: Implementation of a National Dashcam Safety Portal. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders. 

PE2026: Eliminate Council Tax discounts for second homes and vacant properties. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders. 

PE2029: Nationalise Clydeport to bring the ports and harbours on the river Clyde into public ownership. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders. 

PE2040: Increase funding to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to prevent serious cuts to the service provided to the public. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders. 

3. Consideration of new petitions:

The Committee considered the following new petitions:  

PE2094: Review The Property Factors (Scotland) Act 2011 and expand the remit of First-tier Tribunal to include commercial properties. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders.  

PE2095: Improve the public consultation processes for energy infrastructure projects. The Committee agreed to write to the Acting Minister for Climate Action, Ofgem, and the National Energy System Operator.  

PE2098: Provide essential investment in the Gaelic language to secure its future. The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government.  

PE2099: Stop the proposed centralisation of specialist neonatal units in NHS Scotland. The Committee agreed to write to the Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health. The Committee also agreed to undertake a visit to explore the issues raised in this petition. 

4. Work programme:

The Committee agreed to take evidence on petition PE2089: Stop More National Parks in Scotland, and to seek a parliamentary debate on petition PE1933: Allow the Fornethy Survivors to access Scotland's redress scheme. 

5. Inquiry into A9 Dualling Project:

The Committee agreed to consider a revised draft at a future meeting.