Chamber and committees

That the Parliament congratulates Glasgow on successfully hosting the XXIII Commonwealth Games; further congratulates Commonwealth Games Scotland on its successful organisation of the Games, which saw over 3,000 athletes compete for 645 medals across 10 sports; notes that Glasgow stepped in at short notice to host the Games after the original host, the state of Victoria in Australia, withdrew in July 2023 due to cost concerns; recognises that, following a sustained campaign by Commonwealth Games Scotland and with support from Glasgow parliamentarians, Glasgow agreed in September 2024 to take over the hosting rights for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, allowing the Games to continue uninterrupted, as they have done since the Second World War; further recognises that the Games received financial support from Victoria, Australia; notes that the Games made extensive use of four venues that were originally built or upgraded for the 2014 Commonwealth Games, the Scottish Event Campus, Glasgow International Arena, Scotstoun Stadium and Tollcross International Swimming Centre, demonstrating a lower-cost and more sustainable model that allowed the Games to proceed on a leaner budget than originally planned; welcomes the full integration of para-sport across six of the 10 disciplines on offer, which is a record number of para medal events for the Commonwealth Games; celebrates Scotland's performances as host nation, including Josh Kerr's Gold in the Commonwealth Mile, marking the first time the mile has featured at the Games in 60 years; commends the thousands of staff and volunteers whose work across the 11 days of competition was instrumental to the success of the Games; celebrates the fact that Amdavad, India, will host the centennial edition of the Commonwealth Games in 2030, securing the longer-term future of the Games; wishes every athlete, volunteer and spectator involved in the Games the very best, thanks them for making it such a success, and celebrates Glasgow's willingness to step in to ensure that the Commonwealth Games were neither postponed nor cancelled.

That the Parliament celebrates Scotland’s soft fruit sector and its important contribution to the rural economy, food and drink industry and the country’s reputation for high-quality produce; recognises Angus as one of Scotland’s leading berry-growing areas and applauds the growers, seasonal workers, packers, processors and retailers who bring Scottish strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and blueberries to consumers; notes that almost 2,000 hectares of land in Scotland are devoted to soft fruit production, including around 1,000 hectares for strawberries; welcomes the contribution of Angus Growers, the Arbroath-based grower-owned producer organisation, and its members; commends the family-run Balhungie Berry Farm, near Monifieth, which Lloyd Melville MSP recently visited, for growing and selling fresh local berries and connecting people with Angus agriculture; welcomes initiatives such as the Angus Berry Trail, which link berry production with farm shops, hospitality and tourism; acknowledges what it sees as the challenges facing growers, including rising costs, unpredictable weather and access to seasonal labour; notes the belief that more should be done to promote the quality, provenance and nutritional benefits of Scottish berries; further notes the calls for governments, tourism bodies, retailers and public sector caterers to work with growers to promote Scottish berries at home and abroad, including through greater use of seasonal berries in public sector menus, and wishes everyone involved in Scotland’s berry sector continued success.

That the Parliament welcomes the appointment of Dundee University Students' Association (DUSA) as the catering provider for the co-Designing Innovative infrastructure for Sustainable Healthy & Equitable Diets (DISHED) one-year public diner pilot in Dundee; further welcomes that a High Street location has been secured for the diner following public consultation; understands that public diners are state-supported restaurants which, alongside public libraries and parks, form part of public infrastructure; believes that food system transformation is a key method for achieving Scotland’s sustainable development goals and notes that the Nourish Scotland report, Public Diners: The Idea Whose Time Has Come, identifies public diners as a means of improving nutrition and public health, providing accessible communal and social spaces and removing barriers to good food; further believes that public diners can play a role in creating a sustainable food system and building healthier communities, and pays tribute to the work of Nourish Scotland in engaging with communities across Dundee to build support for the pilot.

That the Parliament congratulates prostate cancer survivor, John Dryburgh of Kirkcaldy, for completing a 100 mile rat race ultramarathon from Edinburgh Castle to Glamis Castle, including 75 miles within Fife, to raise over £1,100 for the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation; notes that John, who is a UESCA-certified ultra-running endurance coach and is now in remission having undergone radiotherapy and hormone therapy after being diagnosed with cancer seven years ago, defied the odds to finish 94th overall out of 538 starters in 29 hours, four minutes and 44 seconds, when 144 rival runners failed to finish; recognises that the 62 year old, who was formerly in the Scots Guards, is now a successful running coach with Kirkcaldy RunSum Running Group, and wishes John all the best in the future after signing up for the 2027 race and leading by example to prove what an individual can accomplish when they put their mind to it.

That the Parliament recognises the outstanding contribution made by community volunteers throughout the Highlands and Islands; acknowledges that the volunteers are at the heart of many rural and island communities, providing essential support where public services are often limited by geography and distance; commends the dedication of those who give their time to support charities, community councils, youth organisations, foodbanks, churches, emergency response teams, mountain rescue teams, carers groups, cultural organisations and local events; recognises the invaluable role that volunteers play in addressing loneliness and social isolation, supporting older people and vulnerable residents, strengthening community resilience during emergencies and preserving the unique heritage, language and culture of the Highlands and Islands; thanks every volunteer for their selfless commitment and service; believes that volunteering strengthens communities, improves wellbeing and promotes civic pride, and calls on the Scottish Government, local authorities and public bodies to continue supporting, promoting and investing in volunteering so that individuals and organisations across the Highlands and Islands have the resources needed to continue this invaluable work for future generations.

That the Parliament recognises what it sees as the vital role of local journalism and the growing financial pressures facing local news providers across Scotland; notes reports that, while the UK Government’s Local Media Action Plan includes a £12 million Local News Fund, no equivalent scheme has yet been established in Scotland; recognises the Scottish Beacon’s campaign for the establishment of a Scottish Local News Fund, and calls on the Scottish Government to establish such a fund to support the long-term sustainability of local journalism in Scotland. 

That the Parliament congratulates R:evolve Recycle, based in Cambuslang and Rutherglen, on its involvement in making wonderful upcycled and heavily decorated and embellished disco capes for performers in the opening ceremony of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow; notes that many individuals, artists and organisations came together to produce the capes for dancers in the Barrowlands-themed finale; understands that, R:evolve Recycle, whose work is centred around saving textiles from going to landfill and working towards a circular economy, managed to keep the project top-secret despite its busy summer schedule of craft cafés, children’s activities, upcycling, and sewing workshops, as well as its clothes swap and pre-loved shops; notes that the organisation is currently undertaking another secret mission to open a new location, and wishes R:evolve Recycle, all the very best for its continued success.

That the Parliament congratulates Jordan Nicholson, a 21-year-old employee at Asda in Newmains, on his exemplary response during a workplace medical emergency; notes that Jordan acted swiftly when his colleague, Martin Moroney, began choking during a lunch break, successfully applying the Heimlich manoeuvre to dislodge the obstruction; understands that he drew upon first aid knowledge gained through his involvement in basketball coaching, demonstrating the value of practical lifesaving training; commends his calmness, confidence and professionalism in a highly pressured situation; acknowledges the gratitude expressed by Martin and his family, who believe that Jordan's actions saved his life; recognises what it sees as the importance of first aid education in workplaces, sports clubs, schools and communities, ensuring that people have the skills and confidence to respond effectively in emergencies; believes that timely intervention can make the difference between life and death, and praises Jordan for setting an outstanding example of how first aid knowledge can be used to protect and save lives.

That the Parliament congratulates Clydebank Men’s Shed on its 10 year anniversary; understands that the Men’s Shed relies on the dedication of its members to ensure the continued running of the charity; praises generous donations from the wider community, including tools, equipment, transport and baked goods, that allow the Men’s shed to continue to offer a social outlet for men; understands the important role that Men's Shed organisations play in tackling social isolation and the positive impact that they have on men's mental health across Scotland; recognises the Scottish Men’s Shed Association for providing guidance to Clydebank Men’s Shed, and wishes the club well for its next 10th year.

That the Parliament congratulates Ann Tasker from Clydebank upon her retirement after 44 years of service and volunteering with the Girl Guides; notes that Ann began volunteering for the Guides in 1982 and went on to become leader of the 6th Clydebank Rainbows in 1993; understands that across four decades of service, Ann has dedicated many hours to helping deliver opportunities for girls to build new skills and confidence and make new friends; thanks Ann for her service to Girl Guiding, and wishes her the very best for her retirement.