Chamber and committees

That the Parliament notes that the UN General Assembly has declared 2025 as the International Year of Co-operatives and that the International Co-operative Alliance has announced that the theme for the year is, Co-operatives Build a Better World; recognises what it sees as the strong history of co-operative development in Scotland, including the Fenwick weavers in the 1760s and the Robert Owen mill at New Lanark in the 19th century; celebrates the contributions of co-operatives to Scotland’s economy today with, it understands, the 595 co-operatives having a total income of £1.9 billion and 700,000 members, and notes the view that the Scottish Government should celebrate the International Year of Co-operatives by increasing support for them, which, it believes, could build a better Scotland.

That the Parliament congratulates the National Lottery Heritage Fund on funding a Strip the Willow dance on Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, for Burns Day, which is taking place on 25 January 2025; notes that the dance is part of the Glasgow 850 celebrations, and is in partnership with Celtic Connections; understands that the event will take place on the newly reopened pedestrian area, from Rose Street to Cambridge Street; believes that the event is one of many to mark the start of a 10-year plan to renew the city centre street; acknowledges that the public is invited to join in Glasgow's outdoor Strip the Willow dance, down the recently reopened pedestrian thoroughfare of Sauchiehall Street, to celebrate a new year and new street; understands that the dance will be led by professional highland dancers and a band of pipers from the National Piping Centre, and further understands that the event aims to encourage people of all ages to come together and celebrate the street’s heritage through dance and music.

That the Parliament supports the charity, Families Outside, which launches its No Easy Journey Travel Campaign on 27 January 2025; notes that this campaign aims to raise awareness of the continuing challenges that families can face when trying to maintain meaningful contact with a loved one in prison; recognises that connections between children and families can support the health and wellbeing of all; understands that keeping contact often comes at a significant cost to families, with the financial costs of visiting leaving some unable to make the journey and others accumulating debt, resulting at times, it believes, in poverty, isolation and decline to their physical and mental health; believes that this burden is overwhelmingly borne by single women on low incomes, with single parents hit especially hard financially; notes the view that timings of prison visits are often not co-ordinated to consider travel options; understands that, according to the charity, the financial support for families from the Help with Prison Visits scheme can be difficult to access and that the scheme has limitations in meeting the needs of everyone, especially people living in more rural areas; praises the work of Families Outside, which was established in 1991 and, it understands, is the only charity dedicated to offering emotional and practical support to families affected by imprisonment; believes that intervention by Families Outside reduces stigmatisation; offers heartfelt gratitude for the opportunities that the charity provides through non-judgmental care and support, and notes the view that more must be done to help ensure that families voices are heard, acknowledged and acted upon.

That the Parliament considers that successive reports from Audit Scotland have highlighted the need for public sector reform, underpinned by rigorous planning that includes goals that are clear, measurable and achievable and a focus on greater transparency and accountability around where money is being spent and why; believes that such reforms are taking place at a glacial pace with little tangible evidence of delivery; considers that, if fully funded, an expanded role for firefighters in Scotland could see them dealing with issues beyond their current duties, including responding to cardiac arrests and terror-related incidents; believes that such a development could reduce the pressure on the Scottish Ambulance Service and NHS; considers that, despite the Scottish Government’s commitment to role expansion, the proposed Scottish Budget 2025-26 has again failed to provide the funding necessary to make it happen, and believes that this is huge missed opportunity to deliver positive and lasting public sector reform.

That the Parliament acknowledges with great sadness the passing of Company Captain David Anderson, of the 20th Motherwell Boys' Brigade; expresses its deepest condolences to his family, friends and all those who knew him; recognises Captain Anderson’s unwavering commitment and dedication to the Boys' Brigade, where he played a pivotal role in the lives of countless young people, providing guidance, support and leadership; pays tribute to what it sees as his significant contribution to the local community and the positive impact that he had on the lives of those involved in the 20th Motherwell Boys' Brigade, and offers its condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of David Anderson, in the wake of his passing

That the Parliament commends the team at Bourtreehill Supermarket, led by owner Imran Ali, for their ongoing efforts to promote healthy living within the community; recognises what it sees as the positive impact of their "Big Breakfast" event, held in partnership with the Healthy Living Programme, at Montgomerie Park Primary School and Elderbank Primary School; acknowledges the supermarket’s commitment to supporting local schools, especially in deprived areas, by encouraging healthy eating habits among pupils; celebrates their role as a community hub that continually invests in the local area; appreciates the supermarket's efforts to make a positive difference in the community, and wishes the team well in its continued efforts to make a positive impact in the North Ayrshire community.

That the Parliament congratulates The Crichton Trust in Dumfries after being awarded funding from The Open University’s (OU) Open Societal Challenges programme as part of the second wave of its “Challenge Us!” competition, which partners charities and businesses with OU researchers to address some of society’s most critical challenges; notes that The Crichton Trust was one of nine winners from more than 200 submissions, which it believes showcases the strength and innovation of its proposal; acknowledges the funding that will support the Trust’s innovative project, “Developing a framework for a tool to measure progress towards regenerative and heritage greenspace", which emphasises biodiversity, community wellbeing and sustainability considerations; recognises that The Crichton Trust is a heritage charity and social enterprise and manages the historic Crichton Estate, which it understands is a site of significant cultural importance, spanning 85 acres of parkland and is home to three universities, over 160 businesses and a thriving local community in Dumfries and Galloway, and wishes the Trust continued success in the future.

That the Parliament congratulates the Scottish Powerlifting Team's clean sweep of honours in the recent Home Nations Championships, which were held at the Glasgow Science Centre on 14 December 2024; notes that the Scottish Powerlifting Team, under the guidance of head coach, Will Brown, and his assistants, achieved first place in the overall competition, the Women’s Team event and the Men’s Team event; acknowledges that Annie Nelson won best female lifter of the competition and that Scott Simon achieved best male lifter; understands that the competition was hosted and organised by the Scottish Powerlifting Committee under the leadership of Claire Tocher, as chairperson and director, and Mark Fulton, as competition secretary; believes that this success is the latest demonstration of the incremental improvement of the sport under the Scottish Powerlifting Committee, and supports its aspiration to become the single governing body for the sport of powerlifting in Scotland and to provide the lead on the development of the sport across the country.

That the Parliament commends the fundraising efforts of the customers of the Daisy Chain and Prestwick Post Office, who have raised £310 for Ayrshire Cancer Support over the Christmas period; understands that customers donated to have their Christmas gifts wrapped, and took part in a raffle, as well as many other activities; understands that owners, Stephen and Cherlene, expressed their gratitude and admiration for the efforts of their customers, and wishes all the customers and staff at Prestwick Post Office, all the best for the future. 

That the Parliament welcomes the 21st edition of Glasgow Film Festival (GFF), which will bring 13 world and European premieres, 67 UK and 12 Scottish premieres, from 39 countries, to screens at Glasgow Film Theatre and venues across the city; notes that Glasgow Film Festival 2025 (GFF25) will open on 26 February 2025, with the gala world premiere of Tornado, from Scottish director, John Maclean; further notes that the programme includes an appearance by Glasgow-born Hollywood star, James McAvoy, at a live "in conversation" event, looking back at his career; understands that GFF25 marks the final festival for Allison Gardner, chief executive of Glasgow Film and director of GFF, after more than 30 years at Glasgow Film, and wishes all involved a wonderful experience at GFF25.