Public Petitions Committee, 25 Jun 2002

Meeting date: Tuesday, June 25, 2002

Official Report 259KB pdf

---

Inadmissible Petitions

---

Royal Cornhill Hospital (Patient Council) (IP25)

The first petition under agenda item 3 is IP25, from Mr Mike Webster on behalf of Aberdeen mental health reference group, which called on us to investigate NHS Grampian's alleged failure and reluctance to implement a priority recommendation made by the mental health and well-being support group in relation to the introduction and funding of a patient council within Aberdeen's royal Cornhill hospital.

Although the Parliament may have a legitimate interest in more general issues relating to the procedure surrounding the submission and examination of such proposals by health boards, it is not able to interfere with or overturn the individual executive decisions of public bodies in Scotland. On that basis, it is recommended that the committee should agree that the petition is inadmissible. However, the committee may wish to advise the petitioners to pursue the matter further with NHS Grampian, the Scottish Executive and their local MSP.

Are members agreed?

Members indicated agreement.

---

School Closures (Rayne) (IP26)

The next petition is IP26, from Ms Fiona Cruickshank, which calls for the Scottish Parliament to take the necessary steps to prevent the closure of both Rayne North Primary School and Old Rayne School, as proposed in a current public consultation by Aberdeen City Council. Again, because the petition concerns an individual executive decision of an elected local authority in Scotland and is subject to public consultation, it is recommended that we agree that the petition is inadmissible. However, we have received additional letters from the petitioners indicating their concern about the process by which Aberdeen City Council has reached its decisions. As a result, they have agreed to re-enter into negotiations with the clerks about redrafting the petition. Do members agree to ask the petitioners to resubmit the petition in an admissible form?

Members indicated agreement.