Chamber and committees

That the Parliament congratulates Dr Adaeze Ifezulike, General Practitioner, on being appointed an MBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours List 2022; acknowledges, in particular, her services to Health Inequalities in Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Communities in Scotland, and notes that she is a best-selling author, speaker and health advocate for Afro-Caribbean affairs.

That the Parliament congratulates SWG3 on beginning work on a £7.1 million programme of works on the venue and the surrounding area; understands that £1.5 million of funding has been awarded by agencies, including Creative Scotland, Scottish Enterprise, and the Scottish Government; notes that these monies will allow for the creation of a purpose built studio to be called Yard Works that, it is understood, will become a home to artistic, youth and community organisations; further notes that a total of £3.75 million has been raised, to date, towards the project, and the initial phase will allow for infrastructure improvements that will also serve the wider Yorkhill community, and believes that the vision and scope of this project will continue the good work and positive contribution of SWG3 to those in Kelvin and across Glasgow, and will further the aim of developing SWG3 into a true world class cultural destination.

That the Parliament celebrates the 200th birthday on 15 January 2022 of HM Coastguard, which is responsible for the co-ordination of emergency situations around the coastline and at sea, in addition to maritime search and rescue; applauds what it sees as the highly-skilled and professional life-saving services that HM Coastguard provides through its search and rescue capabilities; considers that these services are critical for island communities like Shetland; notes that it operates 24/7 as one of the four frontline emergency services; applauds the efforts of thousands of volunteers who make up the Coastguard Rescue Service; acknowledges what it sees as the vital work of volunteers in cliff search and rescue and coastal safety campaigns, and wishes all coastguard volunteers and staff well as they celebrate this milestone.

That the Parliament acknowledges the sportscotland award of £50,000 to Abriachan Forest Trust; understands that it will be used to fund a new pumptrack and skills area, and upgrade existing mountain bike trails; recognises what it sees as the value of these planned improvements to the local community, which aim to make the sport even more accessible to people of all social backgrounds, and wished Abriachan Forest Trust all the best in this project and in all its future endeavours.

That the Parliament congratulates Scotland’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Gregor Smith, on his recent knighthood in the New Year Honours List 2022; understands that Dr Smith was knighted for his outstanding services to public health during the COVID-19 pandemic, including providing input to Scottish Government Cabinet discussions, delivering public health briefings alongside the First Minister, conducting regular media interviews and giving evidence to Scottish and UK parliamentary committee hearings; notes that Dr Smith graduated with a degree in Medicine at the University of Glasgow and then worked in primary care for NHS Lanarkshire, and commends Dr Smith, who attended Uddingston Grammar School, for providing inspiration to the young people of Uddingston and Bellshill and across Scotland to pursue a career in the sciences.

That the Parliament acknowledges sportscotland's award of £290,000 to Lochaber Wheeled Sport Society to fund a new bike park in Fort William; notes that the planned Fort William Bike Park will include a floodlit pump track, BMX Skatepark, and beginner trials bike area; recognises what it sees as the importance of this project to the community and the centrality of community support to the project, which includes links to Lochaber High School, Highlife Highland Active Schools and West Highland Wheelers; understands that the intent of the project is to include targeted sessions for women and girls, disabled people, and other marginalised groups with additional support needs, and wishes the Lochaber Wheeled Sport Society all the best in this project and all future endeavours.

That the Parliament commends Fearless.org for its Crimestoppers Youth Service, which, it understands, was established in response to school and youth group closures during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide a safety net for young people; notes what it sees as the importance of this initiative in empowering young people by providing them with key information about high-harm crimes, and a crucial, anonymous, and much needed alternative way of reporting crime; recognises the outstanding work by Fearless.org in providing what it sees as a vital service within Scotland's communities; hopes that this vital service will continue to thrive and provide support and advice for young people, and wishes the organisation all the very best for the future.

That the Parliament congratulates Historian, Daniel William Munro Martin, of Kirkintilloch, on being appointed an MBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours List 2022, and recognises his service to Libraries and to Heritage in Scotland, in particular in relation to the area of Strathkelvin, from where it is understood that he has edited more than 40 local publications and was secretary of Antiquaries.

That the Parliament congratulates the Coastguard on its 200th anniversary on 15 January 2022; considers that the Coastguard has gone from strength to strength, with over 310 Coastguard teams and 10 search and rescue helicopter bases that ensure safety around the UK shores, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, as well as working with the RNLI to provide support to other critical services, including the NHS during the COVID-19 pandemic; expresses its warm thanks to the Coastguard and for the dedication shown by 3,500 volunteers, for keeping our communities and waters safe; welcomes how the service has developed and continues to do so, and wishes everyone involved with the organisation all the best for the future.

That the Parliament acknowledges what it sees as the traditions and heritage of Linlithgow, including the name of the Linlithgow pub, The Black Bitch Tavern; notes that the origin of the name is understood to have come from the heroic greyhound who fed her master when he was incarcerated on an island; acknowledges that the Black Bitch has been depicted on Linlithgow’s ancient burgh seal from as far back as 1296; considers, however, that the meaning of words may change over time and the word "bitch" is sadly now often used as a derogatory term for women and has many negative connotations; further considers that linking the word "black" with a negatively perceived word like "bitch" can, on first sight, appear to be racist for those who are not aware of the background story, and asks all involved in this issue to see if a compromise solution can be reached.