Friends Together Club in Coatbridge Recognised by the Order of Malta
That the Parliament congratulates the six awardees of the Order pro Merito Melitensi from the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta, commonly known as the Order of Malta; notes that the awardees were recognised for their work for the Friends Together Club in Coatbridge; understands that Liam Hackett was awarded the Cross of Merit, Ena Hamill was awarded the silver medal, and Elainne McDermot, Patrick Allen, Yvonne Crowley and Elizabeth Locke were awarded bronze medals; recognises that the awards are given to those who have brought honour to the Sovereign Military Order of Malta through charitable acts; praises the club, which, it understands, has positively connected with its 150 members over its seven-year history; believes that organisations such as the Friends Together Club bring innumerable benefits to their communities, and wishes the club and its members continued recognition and success into the future.
Supported by: Emma Harper, Kenneth Gibson, Bill Kidd, Miles Briggs, Kevin Stewart, Stuart McMillan, Jackie Dunbar, Jeremy Balfour, Karen Adam, Annabelle Ewing, David Torrance, Stephanie Callaghan, Colin Beattie, Bob Doris, Paul Sweeney, Colin Smyth
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Fostering a Discussion on a Kindergarten Stage in Scotland
That the Parliament acknowledges the body of international evidence on the reported benefits of play-based early years education; believes that active, social play is a natural learning drive that helps develop physical fitness, social skills, cognitive capacities and personal qualities; understands that Scotland and the rest of the UK are outliers in Europe in starting formal education at four or five years of age; considers that, since the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) comparisons began, countries with later school starting ages have performed better than those with earlier starts; understands that the UN defines early childhood as being from birth to eight years of age, and that Scottish research has established that there are significant differences in children’s levels of development at age five; commends the work of organisations such as Upstart Scotland in promoting the needs of children in early years education based on relationship-centred, child-led, play-based environments, with a greater focus on outdoor learning; notes the belief that a universal play-based kindergarten stage, with a raised formal school starting age, could contribute to closing the attainment gap and be a significant anti-poverty measure, and that it would help provide a true level playing field for all of Scotland’s children, including those in the Coatbridge and Chryston constituency, giving every child time to develop the skills and capacities that underpin educational success, improving long-term outcomes and giving every child the best start in life, and further notes the belief that there is a need for a national conversation on early years education to consider a later school starting age preceded by a relationship-centred, play-based kindergarten stage to support optimal development during early childhood and ensure secure foundations, and that such a conversation should be open to all who wish to contribute, including early years practitioners, parents, teachers, academics and children, as well as policy makers.
Supported by: Kenneth Gibson, Colin Beattie, David Torrance, Stephanie Callaghan, Stuart McMillan, Bill Kidd, Ben Macpherson, Beatrice Wishart, John Mason, Audrey Nicoll, Mark Ruskell, Karen Adam, Elena Whitham, Willie Rennie
Current Status: Achieved Cross Party Support
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Post Office Horizon Convictions
That the Parliament notes with concern the large number of convictions of the UK’s sub-postmasters and sub-postmistresses since 2000; understands that the majority of the over 900 sub-postmasters and postmistresses that were prosecuted were found guilty after the reportedly faulty Horizon software wrongly made it look like money was missing from their branches; further understands that, despite what it sees as overwhelming reports that the Horizon system was faulty, many of those convicted were financially ruined, with many others being sent to prison for false accounting and theft; notes with great sadness that at least four of those who were falsely accused are reported to have taken their own lives; commends the Computer Weekly and Private Eye magazines for their continued work in exposing what it sees as this miscarriage of justice; notes in particular what it considers to be the plight of sub-postmaster, Brian MacAulay, who estimates that he repaid the post office over £20,000 of his own money due to shortfalls that he was accused of being responsible for; acknowledges that this figure does not include any financial loss that Brian experienced from losing his business as a result of these accusations; understands that Brian’s personal and professional life suffered immensely from these allegations; laments the fact that Brian reports that his experiences with the Post Office have put him off running a business ever again; welcomes the recent statements from the Prime Minister and the First Minister that acknowledged the issue, which has been described as one of the greatest miscarriages of justice in the UK’s history; applauds the reported announcement of legislation to exonerate and compensate all those who were affected; believes that more must be done to swiftly exonerate all those who were affected, as, it understands, fewer than 100 convictions have been overturned to date, and calls on the public Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry to ensure that those who it considers covered up this scandal are held accountable, so that what it sees as this grave failure of justice can never be repeated.
Supported by: Monica Lennon, Jackie Dunbar, Annabelle Ewing, Bill Kidd, John Mason, David Torrance, Kenneth Gibson, Kevin Stewart, Audrey Nicoll, Pauline McNeill, Ivan McKee, Bob Doris, Stuart McMillan, Colin Smyth, Karen Adam, Paul Sweeney, Ben Macpherson, Marie McNair, Elena Whitham, Evelyn Tweed
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World Social Work Day 2024
That the Parliament celebrates World Social Work Day, which takes place on 19 March 2024; notes that the theme is "Buen Vivir", which is interpreted as collective wellbeing, and emphasises the need for social workers to adopt innovative, community-led approaches; recognises what it sees as the vital role of social workers, both at home in Scotland and around the world; believes that social workers play a role in upholding the rights of individuals and communities to make informed and positive choices; understands that social work services are facing a crisis of recruitment and retention, as raised by the Scottish Association of Social Work's campaign, One Deal for Social Work, and believes that sufficient funding of services is essential; acknowledges what it sees as the positive impact of social work on society, and considers that there is a need to retain community relationship-based practice in Scotland.
Supported by: Paul Sweeney, Emma Harper
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Give Them Time Campaign
That the Parliament congratulates Give Them Time on its successful campaign to ensure that every eligible four-year-old in Scotland is able to avail of an additional funded year of early learning and childcare if it is decided to defer their P1 start; understands that the campaign was established in 2018, when it was noted that local authorities were inconsistent with their approach to providing an additional funded year of childcare; considers that the campaign was successful, despite what it sees as the considerable strain put on the education system during the COVID-19 pandemic; praises in particular the work of Diane Delaney and Patricia Anderson, who established the campaign, and whose incredibly diligent work ensured that the campaign’s goals were met; commends the work of all other advocates, volunteers and supporters of the campaign, who helped to educate, organise, and aid countless parents and guardians and their children across Scotland; believes that more work can still be done to ensure that local authorities adopt a consistent approach to the additional funded year of childcare across Scotland; acclaims what it sees as the massive efforts of this grassroots campaign, and believes that the campaign’s success shows the power of community engagement with the political process.
Supported by: Karen Adam, Audrey Nicoll, Annabelle Ewing, Marie McNair, Bill Kidd, Monica Lennon, Colin Beattie, Paul Sweeney, Kenneth Gibson, Carol Mochan, Stuart McMillan, David Torrance, Alasdair Allan, Ben Macpherson, Gillian Mackay, Maggie Chapman, Clare Adamson
Current Status: Fallen on 15/03/2024
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Robert Maxwell Named Visitor Attraction Manager of the Year at the 2024 Whisky Magazine Awards
That the Parliament commends Stepps resident, Robert Maxwell, for being named Visitor Attraction Manager of the Year at the 2024 Whisky Magazine Awards; understands that Robert is the manager of Johnnie Walker Princes Street, and that this personal award follows a team award for Johnnie Walker Princes Street for the Best Marketing Team; notes that, since opening in September 2021, the visitor centre has established itself as one of Scotland’s leading attractions for international and local visitors, which was reflected in Johnnie Walker Princes Street winning the World's Leading Spirit Tourism Experience 2023 at the recent World Travel Awards held in Batumi, Georgia; acknowledges what it sees as the importance of whisky as a key export of Scotland; praises managers like Robert for positively promoting Scottish whisky to a national and international audience, and wishes Robert and the team at Johnnie Walker Princes Street continued success into the future.
Supported by: Paul Sweeney, Murdo Fraser, Kevin Stewart, Bill Kidd, Stephanie Callaghan, Jackie Dunbar, Miles Briggs, Kenneth Gibson, Colin Beattie, Sue Webber, Emma Harper, Annabelle Ewing, Jim Fairlie, Jeremy Balfour, Stuart McMillan, Clare Adamson, Marie McNair, Audrey Nicoll, Ruth Maguire, Alexander Burnett
Current Status: Fallen on 15/03/2024
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Gartcosh Primary School Teacher Named Winner in Royal Society of Chemistry Education Prize
That the Parliament congratulations Gartcosh teacher, Stuart Naismith, on being named as the winner of the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Excellence in Primary Education Prize in recognition of contributions to chemistry education; understands that Mr Naismith, who is a primary school teacher in Gartcosh, won the award for using various methods to encourage students to engage with learning STEM subjects; understands that these methods included YouTube videos, practical demonstrations, and guides on how to conduct low-cost science experiments so that young people can better understand science in a practical way; praises Mr Naismith for helping to make the scientific method more accessible, and wishes him continued success in his educational career.
Supported by: Monica Lennon, Pam Duncan-Glancy, Kenneth Gibson, Gillian Mackay, Miles Briggs, Emma Harper, Colin Beattie, Stuart McMillan, Kevin Stewart, Annabelle Ewing, Bill Kidd, Jeremy Balfour, Paul Sweeney, David Torrance, Tess White, Stephanie Callaghan, Karen Adam, Evelyn Tweed, Sue Webber, Clare Adamson, Alexander Burnett
Current Status: Fallen on 15/03/2024
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Xaverian Missionaries Celebrate 75 Years in the UK
That the Parliament congratulates the Xaverian missionaries on their recent observation of the 75th anniversary of their presence in Britain; understands that Coatbridge acts as an important hub for the missionaries' presence in the UK; further understands that this hub, which is the Conforti Institute in Coatbridge, primarily works with young people, community groups and teachers; praises the institute for its community work in providing courses and training based around different themes such as poverty, social justice and global development, as well as providing continuing professional development training and Youth Ministry programmes, along with education services for all types of religious and church groups; commends what it sees as the institute’s continuous promotion of cooperation and reconciliation among all peoples regardless of race, gender, culture, creed or sexual orientation; acknowledges, in particular, the work of Fr John Convery and Fr James Clarke, whose diligent work across Coatbridge has, it understands, been supportive and helpful to so many in the community; recognises the work that the institute has done in Coatbridge since 1958, and since the missionaries’ arrival in Britain in 1948, and wishes the institute and the missionaries continued success with their community engagement in Coatbridge and across the world.
Supported by: Paul Sweeney, Evelyn Tweed, Clare Adamson
Current Status: Fallen on 26/01/2024
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Allan Logan's Fundraising Efforts for Royal Hospital for Children (formerly Yorkhill Hospital)
That the Parliament commends the diligent work of Allan Logan and his colleagues at the Old Monkland St James Lodge (177) in Coatbridge for their incredible fundraising efforts for numerous causes over the past decade; understands that Mr Logan, who resides in Glenmavis, has predominantly raised money for the Royal Hospital for Children (formerly Yorkhill Hospital); further understands that the funds raised are given to the Schiehallion Unit of the Royal Hospital for Children to help pay for enhancements such as pull-down beds, to allow parents to stay by their child’s side, and a play-room, which includes a multi-sensory unit, which will be used for the assessment and treatment of children with complex needs; understands that boxing nights are one of the most popular annual fundraising events that are organised by Allan; believes that the sum total of Allan’s fundraising efforts far exceeds £150,000; understands that, as well as the Royal Hospital for Children, recipients of donations include Mavisbank Primary School, Hope for Autism, Ronald MacDonald House and various charities that offer support for Parkinson’s disease; praises not only Allan and the Lodge, but the many benefactors who, it understands, have generously donated to help raise this incredible amount over the last number of years, and wishes Allan and the Lodge continued success with these brilliant fundraising efforts.
Supported by: Bill Kidd, Stephanie Callaghan, Miles Briggs, Kevin Stewart, Annabelle Ewing, Stuart McMillan, Colin Beattie, Kenneth Gibson, Jeremy Balfour, David Torrance, Emma Harper, Christine Grahame, Audrey Nicoll, Sue Webber, Sharon Dowey, Paul Sweeney, Evelyn Tweed, Karen Adam, Jackie Dunbar, Alexander Burnett, Clare Adamson, Pam Duncan-Glancy
Current Status: Fallen on 26/01/2024
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