Minutes: 30 October 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: 

PE2089: Stop More National Parks in Scotland. The Committee took evidence from— 

Denise Brownlee, No Galloway National Park campaign group 

Mhairi Dawson, National Farmers' Union Scotland 

Nick Kempe, Parkswatch Scotland 

Ian McKinnon, Lochaber National Park - NO More Campaign

and then from— 

Rob Lucas, Galloway National Park Association 

John Mayhew, Scottish Campaign for National Parks 

and then considered— 

PE1610: Upgrade the A75 and PE1657: A77 upgrade. The Committee agreed to write to the Cabinet Secretary for Transport. 

PE1876: Accurately record the sex of people charged or convicted of rape or attempted rape. The Committee agreed to invite Police Scotland to give evidence at a future meeting. 

PE1988: Review the process for disposal of household raw sewage. The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government. 

PE1989: Increase defibrillators in public spaces and workplaces. The Committee agreed to write to the Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health.  

PE1993: Reform the financial support for social work students on work placements. The committee agreed to write to the Minister for Higher and Further Education. 

PE2039: Fair pay to student nurses while on placement. The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government. 

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 the Scottish Government. 

PE2061: Require solicitors to ensure capacity of vulnerable individuals by having a medical professional co-sign legal documents. The Committee agreed to write to write to the Office of the Public Guardian, the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges and Faculties in Scotland, the Law Society of Scotland, and the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission.    

3. Consideration of new petitions:

The Committee considered the following new petitions: 

PE2110: Protect wild wrasse stocks. The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government. 

PE2111: Fund early learning and childcare from 9 months. The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government.  

PE2112: Conduct an independent review of childcare costs and availability in Scotland. The Committee agreed to write to the National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) Scotland, Scottish Private Nursery Association (SPNA), the parent's group, Connect, COSLA, and the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills.  

4. Consideration of Evidence:

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

5. Inquiry into A9 Dualling Project:

The Committee considered a revised report. Various changes were agreed to, and the report was agreed for publication. The Committee delegated authority to the Convener for finalising the report and arrangements for publication. It also agreed to publish key documents received from Transport Scotland on its inquiry webpage.