Chamber and committees

That the Parliament congratulates the team at the Lennox Herald on winning Weekly Newspaper of the Year category at the prestigious Scottish Press Awards 2021; agrees that this is testament to the hard work and commitment that the team has put into delivering hard-hitting local news; believes that local newspapers are the backbone of communities and have been a much-needed source of reliable information and comfort for many during the COVID-19 pandemic; considers that it is vitally important to protect local journalism at all costs as the sector comes under threat from a lack of funding and a shift to digital news, and wishes the Lennox Herald every success for many years to come as it continues to provide residents in Dumbarton, the Vale of Leven, Helensburgh and the surrounding areas with their news.

That the Parliament congratulates the 8th Falkirk Boys' Brigade Company on its centenary celebrations; applauds the work of its volunteers and members and the dynamic and positive part they play in the community; appreciates the opportunities and life enriching experiences it has provided to the tens of thousands of boys who have been members; recognises that this role continues and the Company maintains the tradition of a canvas camp each summer and is active in both the Battalion and nationally through participating in competitive sports such as football, volleyball and table tennis, and wishes the Company, and its Captain, Paul Mitchell, a wonderful centenary year, with many more to follow.

That the Parliament acknowledges what it sees as the success of the UK Government’s 2020 charity lottery reforms, with the annual sales limits raised to £50 million and the per draw limit increased to £5 million; considers these to be important reforms that have freed up millions of pounds for good causes across Scotland, England and Wales; believes that this has been especially valuable during the COVID-19 pandemic; understands that charity lotteries still face a heavy administrative and bureaucratic burden, hindering their ability to raise as much as possible for good causes; believes that a proposal for further reform to introduce a £100 million limit enjoys cross-party support among MSPs and MPs; understands that this was the recommendation of the Gambling Commission and the UK Government’s preferred option during consultation on charity lottery reform; believes that raising the annual sales limit to this amount would help free up even more funding for good causes, and calls on the UK Government to proceed with this next stage of reform as soon as possible to futureproof the fundraising capability of the sector.

That the Parliament applauds the award by CDP placing Edinburgh, along with other cities around the word, on the 2021 A-List of cities with the highest global rating for climate; notes that CDP is a global non-profit charity that runs the world’s largest environmental disclosure system for companies and cities, and works with more than 590 investors with over $110 trillion in assets, and that the coveted A-List position recognises that Edinburgh has publicly disclosed a city-wide emissions inventory, set an emissions reduction target of net zero by 2030, published a climate action plan, is in the process of updating a climate risk and vulnerability assessment and has a climate adaptation plan showing how it plans to respond to the unavoidable impacts of climate change; understands that A-List cities take twice as many mitigation and adaptation measures as those without this status, and commends the City of Edinburgh Council, and other contributors, for making the capital the first city in Scotland to be awarded what it considers is the highest rating for climate action.

That the Parliament believes that the benefits of community walking groups are essential in helping to alleviate isolation and loneliness and with promoting a healthy lifestyle and exercise; commends the work of volunteer groups whose hard work makes these groups a thriving and growing part of communities, including the award-winning JIC Walking Group in Fraserburgh, which is an exemplary example of the positive societal impact that walking groups can have, and believes that its partnership working with Paths For All and Live Life Aberdeenshire has created an innovative club that is accessible to older people, disabled people and people living with cancer.

That the Parliament congratulates the Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF) on the publication of its latest Scottish local shop report; welcomes its findings that Scotland has more independent convenience stores per head of population than in most parts of the UK and that the sector in Scotland provides 42,000 jobs; understands the importance of convenience stores to communities, including in the Edinburgh Pentlands constituency; celebrates reports that 82% of independent retailers in Scotland were involved in some form of community activity in the last year and that the sector is highly entrepreneurial, with 69% of these retailers being the first person in their family to own or run a convenience store, and understands that turnover in the sector is expected to grow by 9% between 2021 and 2024.

That the Parliament congratulates the charity, Sistema Scotland, on a successful evaluation of its Big Noise Douglas programme in Dundee; recognises what it sees as the tireless work of the organisation across the country; notes that Big Noise Douglas was established in 2017 and currently engages with more than 500 children; recognises that the evaluation, which was carried out by researchers at the University of Dundee, found the programme had a range of positive effects on children, families and the community as it provides children with opportunities to express themselves, learn new skills in a fun and safe environment, as well as impacting on parents’ involvement in their child’s development; notes that the report concludes that Big Noise Douglas is on track to achieve further impacts in the future, and wishes the team at Big Noise Douglas and Sistema Scotland well for the future in supporting what it understands are some of Scotland’s most disadvantaged children and young people.

That the Parliament believes that Carers Rights Day 2021, which is being marked on 25 November, is the ideal time for employers and beyond to applaud the work carried out by carers in society; understands the need for carers to work in a supportive environment with a positive culture; further understands the vital role that carers play in society, particularly since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic; appreciates that potential changes to legislation regarding the introduction of carers leave, and administrative changes in the right to request flexible working, further demonstrates the need to support carers in their working life, and commends Carer Positive for the work that it is doing in highlighting the need for continued support to carers.

That the Parliament welcomes the election of the new Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament for its 2021-23 term; recognises the Youth Parliament as the democratically elected voice of Scotland's young people since 1999; congratulates Orkney's new MSYPs, Kaydence Drayak and Zachary Shiner, alongside their over 160 fellow MSYPs who represent constituencies and various national voluntary organisations (NVOs); notes that over 700 young people expressed an interest in standing to become MSYPs in the 2021 election, which was open to all 12-to 25-year-olds; believes that the Youth Parliament has a hugely positive impact on the lives of young people and is a world-leading example of youth participation and engagement in decision-making; encourages MSPs to work closely with MSYPs to ensure that Scotland is a nation that actively listens to and values the meaningful participation of its young people; thanks the hard-working youth services and NVOs staff across the country who support young people, including MSYPs, in accessing opportunities and life-changing support all-year round; further commends the staff of the Youth Parliament on delivering another successful election; acknowledges the support of the Youth Parliament's various partners and stakeholders, and wishes it all the very best of success in its new term.

That the Parliament acknowledges the restoration of the famous Union Chain Bridge; congratulates the partnership, which has won a prestigious Local Government Chronicle Award; recognises that it was described by judges as an 'innovative scheme that has overcome significant complexities to achieve their objective of restoring the world’s oldest suspension bridge successfully'; recognises the importance of this restoration as the bridge is a key transport link between Scotland and England; acknowledges that the project team is delivering programmes to encourage young people to consider careers in the STEM sector and has organised a comprehensive programme of community engagement events in order to support the growing tourism economy of the area.