Minutes: 24 January 2024

1. Declaration of interests:

Oliver Mundell was invited to declare any relevant interests. He declared no relevant interests. 

2. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take items 6 and 7 in private.  

3. Inquiry into A9 Dualling Project:

The Committee will take evidence from— 

Grahame Barn, Chief Executive, CECA Scotland 

And then from — 

Alison Irvine, Chief Executive, Transport Scotland 

Rob Galbraith, Head of Project Delivery, Transport Scotland 

Roy Brannen, former Chief Executive, Transport Scotland 

Michelle Quinn, former Director of Major Projects and former interim Chief Executive, Transport Scotland 

The Committee agreed to consider the evidence at a future meeting.   

Edward Mountain declared a financial interest as a partner in and owner of 50% of Delfur Fishings, of Moray, a rod and line salmon fishing business.    

4. Consideration of continued petitions:

The Committee considered the following continued petitions—  

PE1862: Introduce community representation on boards of public organisations delivering lifeline services to island communities. The Committee agreed to write to Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Islands Council), Orkney Islands Council, Shetland Islands Council, and the Community Councils in those areas. The Committee also agreed to write to the Ethical Standards Commissioner and the the Minister for Transport.

PE1876: Accurately record the sex of people charged or convicted of rape or attempted rape. The Committee agreed to write to Police Scotland.  

PE1896: Provide every primary school child in Scotland with a reusable water bottle. The Committee agreed to write to the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills. 

PE1941: Stop the destruction of headstones within community cemeteries. The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government. 

PE1948: Improve the way that unexplained deaths are dealt with. The Committee agreed to close the petition under rule 15.7 of Standing Orders, and write to the Criminal Justice Committee. 

PE2004: Abolish the use of Public Private Partnerships in Scotland. To close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders, and write to the Public Audit Committee. 

5. Consideration of new petitions:

The Committee considered the following new petitions—  

PE2052: Ban child circumcision unless it is medically necessary with no less invasive solutions available. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders. 

PE2053: Stop the cuts to community link workers and help secure their long-term future within GP practice teams. The Committee agreed to write to Health and Social Care Scotland, ALLIANCE – Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland, the GMB trade union, Glasgow Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP), GP Practices involved with the Scottish Deep End Project and the Cabinet Secretary for Health. 

PE2055: Stop the exportation of live animals as a priority. The Committee agreed to close the petition under rule 15.7. 

PE2057: Promote shared parenting and prevent the separation of children from their parents. The Committee agreed to close the petition under rule 15.7 of Standing Orders. 

PE2061: Require solicitors to ensure capacity of vulnerable individuals by having a medical professional co-sign legal documents. The Committee agreed to write to the Law Society of Scotland, the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland, the British Medical Association, and the General Medical Council. 

6. Evidence Session:

The Committee considered the evidence it heard in Agenda Item 3.  

7. Correspondence:

The Committee considered a letter from the Minister for Parliamentary Business on the 2024-25 Scottish Budget.