Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee

Meeting date: Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Official Report 313KB pdf

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Interests

The second item on the agenda is to allow committee members to declare any interests that are relevant to the committee’s work. Background information has been provided in a note from the clerk.

I declare that I am a member of the Campaign for Borders Rail.

I refer members to the register of interests, in which I have listed Zero Waste Scotland, until the point when I ceased working for it on 20 May.

I also refer members to a project that I conducted for the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management that looked at the application of the circular economy in other European nations. The bulk of the work was conducted prior to my being elected, but it must be registered, as the publication of the article and associated presentation will take place in the summer.

I also refer members to my membership of the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management and to the fact that I am a WasteSmart trainer for the United Kingdom. I am happy to offer any members training as required on that.

Thank you, Maurice, particularly for that offer of help.

I am not aware of any interests that I require to declare.

I declare that I am a councillor for the Dunblane and Bridge of Allan ward in Stirling Council. I am also on the board of the Strathallan Community Rail Partnership.

I am not aware of any interests that I have to declare.

Gail Ross asked about such interests before the meeting. I am a member of the Dogs Trust.

I own a property in the Comhairle nan Eilean Siar authority area on an island that is subject to a current community buyout attempt, which might be of relevance to this committee during this session of Parliament. Otherwise, I have nothing to declare.

I declare that I am a councillor on Dumfries and Galloway Council and currently a member of NFU Scotland. In the interests of transparency, I declare that I am a partner who owns 20 acres in south-west Scotland, but I have been advised that that is not a registrable interest.

I am a councillor for the Wick ward in Highland Council. I am a member of the Scottish Rural Parliament. I am member of the board of management of North Highland College. I am a member of the Dogs Trust, Cats Protection and the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. I am also vice-president of the Friends of the Far North Line.

I have no relevant interests to declare.

Thank you. As you see, we have a particular wealth of experience and we will not be wanting for people to go to when it comes to animal welfare, which is reassuring.