Chamber and committees

That the Parliament agrees that communities across Scotland deserve affordable, accessible and reliable bus services; further agrees that more bus services across Scotland should be run in the public interest to improve services and reduce fares for all passengers; celebrates that 250 million bus journeys have been taken by young people in Scotland since the introduction of free bus travel for under-22s, and calls on the Scottish Government to expand free bus travel to more young people.  

That the Parliament opposes the development of the Rosebank oil and gas field.

That the Parliament welcomes the publication of The Youth Manifesto for Scotland’s Seas 2026–2031 by Young Sea Changers Scotland (YSCS); believes that the manifesto reflects the concerns, aspirations, and priorities of young people across Scotland; commends YSCS for empowering and educating young people to have their voices heard on the future of Scotland’s seas, by creating spaces for them to connect, collaborate, and share their knowledge and skills; notes that YSCS delivers a range of online and in-person events across Scotland to educate, inspire and nurture the next generation of marine advocates; acknowledges the valuable role that YSCS plays in providing pathways for young people to engage directly with policymakers and marine stakeholders; believes that the inclusion of youth perspectives at a national level is vital to informed and sustainable marine decision-making, and commits to giving full consideration to the views of Scotland’s young people, as expressed through the Youth Manifesto, in shaping future marine policy. 

That the Parliament commends the efforts of the Newton Mearns Community First Responders to offer free CPR and defibrillator training; understands that the Community First Responders recently organised a "Restart a Heart Day" event at the Avenue Shopping Centre in Newton Mearns and 121 people were provided with the training; recognises that the Newton Mearns Community First Responders is made up of volunteers who have been trained and deployed by the Scottish Ambulance Service to provide care and support in emergency situations, and welcomes the commitment of the group to equip more people with lifesaving skills.

That the Parliament commends Mearns House Care Home, in Eastwood, on organising a cross-generational community celebration event; acknowledges that the first ever autumn fete was arranged at Mearns House in October, with members of the wider local community in Newton Mearns welcomed to the care home for the event; further acknowledges that children from the local Kirkhill Gait and Calderwood Lodge nurseries were in attendance and the young people participated in seasonal crafts, storytelling sessions and a pumpkin patch silent disco; understands that the autumn fete at the Newton Mearns Care Home was a huge success, and congratulates everyone involved with organising the cross-generational community celebration.

That the Parliament congratulates Borders College on hosting its Graduation 2025 ceremony at the Borders Events Centre in Kelso, celebrating the exceptional achievements of its students; notes the hard work and dedication of the students over the last year in successfully completing their courses and attaining their qualifications, and the support of the College’s sponsors, including Borders Competitions, Borders Buses, Morrison Construction, Eildon Housing, Finlaysons Contracts, Muirhall Energy and St Boswells Fuels Ltd, in making the ceremony possible; recognises the presentation of distinguished student awards during the ceremony, including the Bill Wilkie Memorial Award, reflecting the college’s commitment to excellence across disciplines and fostering achievement in all areas of study; acknowledges what it sees as the college’s role as a local college whose primary purpose is to serve the Borders community, providing high-quality education, promoting personal development and supporting student wellbeing, and extends its best wishes to all 2025 graduates of Borders College for their future endeavours and continued success.

That the Parliament congratulates Borders General Hospital and the Friends of Borders General Hospital on successfully fundraising to purchase 29 new emergency resuscitation trolleys for use throughout the hospital; understands that the fundraising campaign, which raised over £12,000, was supported predominantly by hospital staff participating in the Great North Run and Edinburgh Kiltwalk; recognises the importance of the new trolleys in providing portable equipment in one location, enabling healthcare professionals to respond more efficiently in emergency situations; acknowledges the efforts of Dr Heather Mathews, Calum Campbell, and all staff and volunteers involved in organising and supporting the fundraising campaign, which directly benefits patients and staff alike; understands that these modern trolleys replace aging equipment and are designed to improve access and save valuable seconds in life-saving interventions, and commends the Friends of Borders General Hospital, NHS Borders staff, and the local community for their dedication to enhancing patient care and safety.

That the Parliament congratulates Evelyn Armstrong (née Martin), originally from Whalley in Lancashire and now living in Greenlaw in the Scottish Borders, on being awarded the Légion d’Honneur, France’s highest military honour, for her outstanding service during the Second World War; notes that Evelyn, now 104 years old and one of the few surviving veterans of the conflict, served with distinction in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force as a plotter and flight controller, directing RAF missions during some of the most decisive moments of the war; recognises Evelyn’s vital contribution from her post at RAF Tangmere in West Sussex during the D-Day landings, where she plotted aircraft movements for 617 Squadron, the Dambusters, and played a key role in the success of Operation Overlord and the liberation of France; acknowledges that Evelyn also served at RAF Bawtry in Yorkshire and RAF Barton Hall in Lancashire, was on duty during the historic Dambusters raid of 1943, and helped coordinate Operation Manna in 1944, which delivered lifesaving food supplies to the people of the Netherlands; notes that Evelyn’s wartime service was captured in the 1943 colour documentary Night Bombers, in which she appears on duty during an RAF raid on Berlin, a remarkable visual record still available today; recognises what it sees as the immense courage, skill, and composure required of Evelyn and her colleagues, whose actions under pressure contributed directly to Allied success; welcomes the recognition bestowed by the French Government and presented by Ambassador Hélène Tréheux-Duchêne; sends its warmest good wishes to Evelyn as she approaches her 105th birthday in December 2025, and expresses its profound gratitude for her extraordinary contribution to the war effort.

That the Parliament congratulates Marcus Wigfull, who is from Hawick in the Scottish Borders, and is a winchman and paramedic serving on a search and rescue helicopter, Rescue 1, in the Falkland Islands, on being recognised for his bravery with an Edward and Masie Lewis Award during the perilous rescue of a stricken vessel, Argos Georgia; notes that this took place approximately 190 nautical miles east of the islands, in storm-force winds and facing eight-metre-high waves; recognises that Marcus and his colleagues drew on all their skills and reserves to effect the operation; further recognises the courage, professionalism and selfless commitment shown by them in life-threatening conditions; applauds their dedication to saving lives at sea; acknowledges the vital role of search and rescue personnel in remote and extreme environments; further acknowledges the importance of public recognition for their service and sacrifices; understands the challenges faced by volunteer and professional maritime rescue teams, and welcomes honours, such as the Edward and Masie Lewis Award, for honouring exceptional courage; commends Marcus, and all involved in the rescue operation, and expresses its gratitude for their extraordinary service.

That the Parliament recognises the retirement of the Rev Dr David J Graham after 27 years of dedicated ministry to the congregations of Dirleton Kirk and the Abbey Church in North Berwick; acknowledges his significant pastoral contribution to the local community, including conducting over 1,000 funerals, 200 baptisms and a similar number of weddings; commends the heartfelt tributes paid by congregants and Session Clerks Lord Stewart of Dirleton and Robert Burgon, and the warm farewell event held on 26 October 2025; expresses gratitude to Dr Graham and his wife, Mary, for their long and faithful service, and wishes them well as they begin a new chapter in their lives.