Minutes: 14 January 2026

1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take items 5 and 6 in private.

2. Energy Thematic Evidence Session:

The Committee took evidence from— 

• Gillian Martin, Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy, supported by Antonia Georgieva, Head of Battery Energy Storage Systems, Robert Martin, Head of Legislative Change and Governance, and Catherine Williams, Deputy Director, Onshore Electricity, Strategy and Consents, Scottish Government.  

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

3. Consideration of continued petitions:

The Committee considered the following continued petitions— 

• 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. 

• PE2053: Stop the cuts to community link workers and help secure their long-term future within GP practice teams. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders. 

• PE2078: Introduce mandatory licencing and inspection of private ambulance service providers. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders.

• PE2091: Provide funding to have a CAHMS worker and a nurse based within Scottish high schools. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders. 

• PE2126: Ensure abortion services are available up to 24 weeks across all parts of Scotland. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders. 

• PE2128: Increase funding for post mastectomy (delayed) breast reconstructions and ensure that waiting time information is accurate. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders. 

• PE2071: Take action to protect people from airborne infections in health and social care settings. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders. 

• PE1989: Increase defibrillators in public spaces and workplaces. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders. 

• PE2048: Review the FAST stroke awareness campaign. 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 Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health. 

• PE2067: Improve data on young people affected by conditions causing Sudden Cardiac Death. 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 Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health.

• PE2101: Provide Defibrillators for all Primary and Secondary Schools in Scotland. 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 Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health.

• PE1900: Access to prescribed medication for detainees in police custody. The Committee agreed to write to the Minister for Drugs & Alcohol Policy and Sport. 

• PE2075: Prioritise local participation in planning decisions. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders.             

4. Consideration of new petitions:

The Committee considered the following new petitions— 

• PE2190: Hold an inquiry into grooming gangs in Scotland. The Committee agreed to write to the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills. 

• PE2196: Address early sexual offending in Scotland. The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government and the Lord Advocate. 

5. Changes to rules on petitioning:

The Committee will consider a paper on proposed changes to the determination on proper form of petitions.

6. Consideration of evidence:

The Committee will consider the evidence it heard earlier under agenda item 2.