Chamber and committees

That the Parliament congratulates the Golden Oldies group and New Rhythms for Glasgow on their successful establishment of a guided audio walk of Sighthill; understands that the hour-long walking tour, accompanied by an audio tour, focusses on the industry, community and history that make Sighthill the unique community it is; applauds the project’s volunteers for their efforts in remembering Sighthill’s heritage and preserving it for decades to come, and wishes the group well for the launch of the walking tour on 3 July 2025.

That the Parliament congratulates First Bus on being named Scottish Public Transport Operator of the Year; acknowledges that the award is open to all Scottish bus, rail, tram and ferry operators; celebrates what it sees as the exceptional work of all First Bus staff working in partnership across Aberdeen and Glasgow, ensuring the operator continues to deliver for its customers; recognises what it sees as the efforts made by First Bus to improve customer experience, reduce journey times and improve reliability through initiatives such as bus priority measures in Aberdeen; further recognises the reported significant improvements to bus service reliability driven by a £3 million resource investment and ground-breaking use of AI-driven timetables to enhance the customer experience across Scotland; commends the reported record private investment made by the company in zero-emission buses and infrastructure, with £60 million invested since 2021 in Scotland, which is almost three times the government funding provided through the ScotZEB and SULEBS schemes; welcomes First Bus opening its depots to offer third party and customer electric charging; further welcomes its commitment to a fully zero-emission fleet by 2035; notes First Bus’s further investment in services and electric vehicles, including 40 repowered diesel-to-electric conversions in 2025; understands that First Bus also won the Excellence in Technology and Innovation award, and wishes the company and its hardworking staff the best for another constructive year.

That the Parliament congratulates GoFibre on marking its two-year anniversary of operations in North Berwick; notes that the Scottish independent broadband provider has unveiled a new partnership with the Scottish Seabird Centre, which is a leading marine conservation and education charity; welcomes the company’s sponsorship of a series of fun and educational events taking place on 24 June and 12 July 2025, which will offer the public hands-on opportunities to learn more about seabird species native to Scotland’s coastlines with shoreline walks guided by the centre’s conservation team; commends GoFibre for its role in enhancing digital connectivity in the Lothians, with over 22,000 premises now ready for service, including more than 3,000 in North Berwick; acknowledges the company’s wider commitment to social impact through support for education, environmental awareness, and community engagement, and welcomes this partnership as a positive example of collaboration between local businesses and environmental organisations to promote conservation and community learning.

That the Parliament congratulates Xoko Bakehouse, based in Inverness, on being awarded the Corporate Ally Award at the 2025 Proud Scotland Awards; understands that this award celebrates businesses that have shown outstanding support for the LGBTQ+ community, both within the workplace and in wider society; believes that Xoko Bakehouse has demonstrated a strong commitment to inclusivity, equality, and community engagement through its practices, partnerships, and advocacy; acknowledges the role that local businesses such as Xoko Bakehouse play in fostering safe, welcoming, and diverse spaces; commends the team at Xoko Bakehouse for its leadership and dedication to LGBTQ+ inclusion, and wishes it continued success in its business and community endeavours.

That the Parliament congratulates Befriend a Child’s befriending programme which has received reaccreditation for Quality in Befriending Excellence from Befriending Networks; notes that Befriend a Child are an Aberdeen-based organisation which offers 1-to-1 befriending matches to support children and young people, who are often growing up in difficult circumstances, facing challenges such as poverty, neglect, parental substance and alcohol misuse, and bereavement; understands that award came after an assessment process which looked at all aspects of the programme, including how young people and volunteers were supported, how services were delivered, how the team was managed, and how the impact of services was measured; believes that this accreditation is a testament to the hard work and dedication shown by all the staff and volunteers at Befriend a Child, and wishes them all well with their important work long into the future.

That the Parliament congratulates Youth Beatz 2025 on another successful event as Scotland’s biggest free youth music festival held at Park Farm, Dumfries, on 28-29 June; notes that Youth Beatz has been held annually since 2009, with an attendance this year of over 40,000 people over both days; understands that the festival offers a mix of music acts, performers and free activities for young people of all ages to enjoy in a safe space; notes that there was access to information on a range of youth services, which aimed to aid in developing skills and encourage and build confidence and self-esteem; recognises that activities such as face painting, magic acts, fairground rides and large inflatables were on offer, along with CPR training from the DH9 Foundation, and performances from The Toon, an interactive youth drama production; further recognises that, this year, the Youth Beatz Fringe Festival was run in the lead-up to the Youth Beatz Main Days, with an event in each Dumfries and Galloway Council ward area, providing activities for young people and their families designed by volunteers with a focus on opportunities that are entirely free and accessible, with the fringe events specifically for young people with additional support needs, care-experienced young people and young parents; congratulates all the partners, volunteers and the Youth Work Team on their exceptional hard work in making this a memorable weekend for local young people, with headliners such a DJ Sammy, Jax Jones, Mae Muller and Liberty X performing on stage, as well as The Hazards, a local band that played their very first gig, and wishes Youth Beatz continuing success as a social highlight in the area to inspire young people.

That the Parliament notes with sadness the passing of William Berry of Newport-on-Tay, who died peacefully at Tayfield on 25 June 2025, aged 85; extends heartfelt condolences to his wife, children, grandchildren and all who knew and loved him; recognises his lifetime of service to the local community, including his contributions as a deputy lieutenant of Fife; notes his dedication to public and civic life in north east Fife, and pays tribute to his legacy as a devoted family man and respected figure, whose memory will be cherished by many in Newport-on-Tay and beyond.

That the Parliament congratulates Scarf on being named Regional Vulnerable Customer Support Organisation of the Year at the Energy Efficiency Awards; notes that the Energy Efficiency Awards celebrates the work of organisations across the UK who are making a meaningful difference in people’s lives through innovation, delivery and support; understands that this award recognises Scarf’s work in supporting households experiencing fuel poverty across Scotland through practical energy efficiency advice and support; believes that the award highlights Scarf’s continued impact in communities across Scotland, helping people to stay warm, reduce their energy bills, and access the support they’re entitled to; celebrates the hard work and dedication of the staff at Scarf that has led to this award, and wishes them all the very best as they continue their important work delivering energy-saving services to homes, communities and organisations across Scotland.

That the Parliament recognises the ongoing contributions of the Govan Appliance Project CIC; understands that its aim is to inspire and encourage self-worth in individuals who are struggling or are in low-income households by creating a community hub that promotes engagement and provides opportunities to upskill by offering training, advice and sales of white goods; further understands that it does so by selling repaired or refurbished quality white goods and offering training programmes to teach people how to repair and install domestic appliances and become qualified and certified PAT testers; believes that its work has a positive impact on local people by increasing employment prospects and fostering a sense of community; commends the staff on their investment in the people of Govan, the community and the environment, and wishes them every success in the grand opening of their new shop in July 2025.

That the Parliament celebrates 100 years of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force (RAuxAF) in Scotland; acknowledges that the RAuxAF originated as a result of Lord Trenchard’s vision to provide an elite corps of civilians who would serve their country in flying squadrons in their spare time and was instituted by Order in Council on 9 October 1924; understands that the first Auxiliary Air Force (AAF) squadrons were formed the following year; further understands that whilst the first Special Reserve Squadron to be formed was 502 (Ulster) Squadron at Aldergrove on 15 May 1925, it only became an Auxiliary Air Force Squadron in 1937; notes that the first Auxiliary Squadron to be formed as a day bomber unit of the Auxiliary Air Force was 602 (City of Glasgow) Squadron at RAF Renfrew, on 12 September 1925; further notes that 603 (City of Edinburgh) Squadron was formed on 14 October 1925, as a light bomber squadron of the Auxiliary Air Force at RAF Turnhouse, now Edinburgh Airport; understands that 612 (County of Aberdeen) Squadron was formed on 1 June 1937 at RAF Dyce, near Aberdeen, and 2622 (Highland) Squadron, Royal Auxiliary Air Force Regiment was formed on 1 July 1979 at RAF Lossiemouth; recognises that on 13 April 1933, the first flight over Mount Everest was undertaken by a private venture by Lord Clydesdale, later Air Commodore Sir Douglas Douglas-Hamilton, the 14th Duke of Hamilton and Flight Lieutenant David McIntyre, both of 602 (City of Glasgow) Squadron of which His Grace was Commanding Officer; further recognises that the venture was funded by Lucy, Lady Houston, DBE, who offered to provide up to £15,000 to finance the project, which also helped to demonstrate the need for specialised equipment for high-altitude flights; acknowledges that both 602 and 603 squadrons became fighter squadrons in 1939, in January and October respectively, paving the way for both squadrons’ significant defensive roles of Scotland in that same year; notes that in the early stages of the war, 602 and 603 squadrons were tasked with defending Scotland, particularly the Firth of Forth, against Luftwaffe attacks and that in October 1939, they performed this role with distinction, downing enemy aircraft on two occasions on 16 and 28 October, making them the first squadrons to do so in the war; further acknowledges that the 16 October event, which became known as the Battle of the River Forth when the squadrons were scrambled to intercept Junkers Ju88s heading to bomb Rosyth on erroneous intelligence that HMS Hood was in dock, was the first air raid on Britain during the Second World War; believes that during this event, a Ju88 was badly damaged and crashed near Crail; notes that on 28 October 1939, a Heinkel He111 was shot and came down at Humbie; believes that these events are often confused or rolled into one by public perception and folklore but were completely separate events; notes that both 602 and 603 squadrons continued to defend Scotland from Abbotsinch, Grangemouth, Turnhouse and Drem in East Lothian before being completely absorbed in the defence of the United Kingdom, travelling south and into France and even the Netherlands during the course and the end of the Second World War; acknowledges that on 1 April 1936, the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve was formed to provide a pool of reservist aircrew who could support the RAF as individuals rather than as members of a formed reservist unit such as the Auxiliary Squadrons; believes that the Auxiliary Air Force (AAF) officially became the Royal Auxiliary Air Force (RAuxAF) in December 1947, the title of which was bestowed by King George VI in recognition of the AAF's significant contributions during the Second World War; acknowledges that the Royal Auxiliary Air Force’s (RAuxAF) flying squadrons were disbanded in 1957, the decision being part of a larger reorganisation of the RAF, influenced by factors such as the perceived shift from manned bombers to guided missiles following the Defence White Paper of March 1957, known as the Sandys Report, and the increasing complexity of training on newer jet aircraft; further acknowledges that whilst the flying squadrons remained disbanded, some squadrons and units within the RAuxAF were later re-formed, including 603 Squadron in 1999 and 602 Squadron in July 2006; notes that on 1 September 2020, the Royal Auxiliary Air Force (RAuxAF) transitioned to being referred to as the RAF Reserves, with the overarching term, replacing the former names, implemented to streamline communication and reflect the more integrated role of reservists within the regular Royal Air Force; considers that whilst public perception is often different, RAF reservists go through stringent selection, force protection training and trade training in order to perform tasks identical to those of their regular RAF colleagues when detached and/or deployed to assist RAF stations or units either as Individual Augmentees (IAs) or as members of a larger flight or squadron; notes that RAF Reserves squadrons in Scotland have a primary role to recruit, train, and provide fully trained reserve personnel to support the RAF and Defence in operational tasks both in the UK and overseas; notes that 602 (City of Glasgow) Squadron focuses on air operations, air battle management, intelligence and cyber; further notes that 603 (City of Edinburgh) Squadron provides trained RAF Regiment and RAF Police personnel to augment and support RAF Combat Readiness Force units worldwide, with a focus on force protection roles; understands that the squadron also contributes to the RAF's overall capability by offering personnel for operational, training, and routine activities, as well as providing support for the RAF's global operations and humanitarian efforts; further understands that 612 Squadron, based at Leuchars Station, provides clinical personnel from the medical, nursing and health professional fields to support the UK military and is a specialist in aeromedical evacuation and deployed pre-hospital care; acknowledges that 2622 (Highland) Squadron is the northernmost RAuxAF unit in the UK and that it was initially tasked with the force protection and ground defence of RAF Lossiemouth during the Cold War; further acknowledges that it also recruits, trains and generates RAF Police and RAF Regiment Reserve personnel in support of RAF operations at home and abroad; notes that the squadron, which specialises in airfield defence and recruits from across the north of Scotland, trains and deploys reservists wherever the RAF is on exercise or operations, both in the UK and overseas; further notes that Sir Winston Churchill coined the phrase describing reservists as twice the citizen, due to having one leg in civil society and the other in the military; applauds civilian employers of reservists for having the vision and understanding of their service and levels of commitment; further applauds Scots RAF Reserves squadrons with what it sees as their highly diligent and focused training to support and help protect the country in both times of peace and conflict, and wishes them all the very best in their sterling endeavours in order to continue their exceptionally valuable work for another century and beyond.