Chamber and committees

That the Parliament congratulates Carronshore Heritage Forum on its continued commitment to preserving and promoting the rich history of Carronshore; believes that, since its establishment in 2017, the Forum has delivered significant community improvements, including the creation of a new war memorial, annual Christmas celebrations, senior citizens’ events and investment in the village; acknowledges with gratitude the generosity of the wider Carronshore community, whose residents, businesses and supporters have contributed to the funding of the war memorial and the success of numerous community events; recognises the valued support of the Carronshore Bar, the Victoria Inn and the Carronshore Community Centre in hosting charity events and providing spaces that strengthen community engagement; welcomes the installation of historical information boards along the River Carron to educate residents and visitors about Carronshore’s journey from an agricultural hub to a thriving industrial village linked to ironworks, coal mining, docks and railway heritage; commends plans to enhance accessibility through additional seating and community infrastructure along the riverside walk; welcomes the Forum’s December 2025 community-led gardens project, celebrating the area’s heritage and encouraging community participation through a fundraising silent auction initiative, and thanks all volunteers, trustees, local historians and community partners involved for their dedication to strengthening community spirit, heritage education and civic pride in Carronshore.

That the Parliament welcomes the launch of the pilot phase of the Responsible Dog Ownership Course (RDOC), the first education-based intervention of its kind in Scotland for cases involving out-of-control dogs; notes that the live online course is aligned with current Scottish legislation and is designed to support proportionate and preventative responses, including referrals alongside dog control notices where appropriate, with the aim of reducing repeat incidents and improving community safety; recognises that the course covers legal responsibilities, safe handling, risk awareness and the wider community impact of irresponsible ownership, and is underpinned by behaviour change principles; acknowledges that there is no cost to local authorities or partners for referrals, with reduced fees available for eligible participants; welcomes the positive outcomes reported since the programme’s establishment, and encourages local authorities, dog control officers, Police Scotland and relevant partners to consider education-led interventions as part of a preventative, community-focused approach to responsible dog ownership across Scotland.

That the Parliament marks the 30th anniversary of the Dunblane tragedy on 13 March 1996; remembers with deep sorrow the 16 children and their teacher, Gwen Mayor, who were killed at Dunblane Primary School; holds in its thoughts their families and all those whose lives were forever changed; recognises the enduring impact on the Dunblane community and across Scotland; pays tribute to the strength, dignity and compassion shown in the years since; acknowledges the role of families in bringing about changes to gun law in the interest of public safety, and affirms that their memory continues to unite the community in reflection and in a shared commitment to a safer society.

That the Parliament recognises the significant contribution made by the Glenkens and District Community Fund in supporting volunteers, community groups, local organisations and individuals across the Glenkens and surrounding district; notes that the fund, which was established in 2018 and is supported by community benefit funding from the Blackcraig and Windy Rig wind farms, has distributed more than £1.5 million in grants, leveraging a further £3.25 million of additional investment into the region; further notes the wide range of projects and strategic research commissions supported through this funding, from science workshops for school pupils and repairs to village halls to support for local producers and training grants enabling residents to gain work-related qualifications and funding of anchor organisations to support community development; acknowledges the positive testimony from groups such as New Galloway Community Enterprises and D&G Woodlands, which highlight the fund’s role in enabling social, economic and environmental innovation; recognises the dedication of the Glenkens and District Trust Board, which comprises local volunteer residents with the majority appointed by their respective Community Councils, in making grant decisions grounded in the Community Action Plans, and the support provided by Foundation Scotland in administering the fund, and welcomes the celebration event which took place in Dalry Town Hall to showcase the achievements of the volunteers, organisations and community leaders whose efforts have enriched the Glenkens and strengthened the region’s resilience and community spirit.

That the Parliament congratulates Midlothian Council’s Library Service on being shortlisted as a regional finalist for Library of the Year at the British Book Awards 2026; recognises the service’s outstanding work through the Every Child a Library Member (ECALM) programme, delivered with the council’s Registrars Service, which enrolled more than 400 babies as library members in 2025 at the point of birth registration; commends what it sees as this innovative approach to giving children early access to books, learning and activities while supporting families and improving life chances; notes that judges described the initiative as “a powerful investment in the readers of tomorrow”; congratulates staff on this national recognition, which follows previous honours, including the Scottish Library & Information Council Excellence Award, and wishes the service every success in the regional announcement on 12 March and the national awards ceremony in May 2026.

That the Parliament marks the 115th anniversary of International Women’s Day, which celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women alongside global calls to action for accelerating gender equality; pays tribute to the many groups in Scotland and beyond that bring communities together to foster greater understanding, compassion and empathy; pays particular tribute to the Women of Wonder (WOW), a peer support group facilitated by G15 Thriving Places that supports women of Drumchapel to build confidence, connections and promote activities to create awareness of the various issues women face; notes that WOW ensures that every participant's voice, experience and strengths are welcomed in a safe space and contributes to wider community wellbeing by empowering women to take an active role in shaping local activities and amplifying women’s voices across the G15 area; thanks all those involved for their tireless dedication and hard work, and wishes them all the best for their International Women’s Day celebration and march.

That the Parliament believes with concern that the relationship between the police and the communities that they serve has weakened; believes that this is a result of more than a decade of centralisation, austerity, shrinking officer numbers and the replacement of local presence with remote, virtual alternatives; further believes that officers are facing unprecedented levels of demand, risk and scrutiny, while the public reports increasingly longer wait times for a response, reduced police visibility and diminished confidence in the system; notes that the Scottish Police Federation has published its manifesto for the 2026 Scottish Parliament election, highlighting its view that police officers work tirelessly to keep people safe and calling on the Scottish Government to ensure that officers have the tools, time and expertise to do their jobs, and considers that these concerns merit urgent consideration in order to restore confidence in policing across Scotland.

That the Parliament notes with sadness the death of Allan Massie at the age of 87; places on record its appreciation of his long and distinguished contribution to Scotland’s literary and public life; notes that he was born in colonial Singapore and educated at Glenalmond and Cambridge; recognises that he brought a distinctive voice to Scottish letters, choosing to write in the realist tradition and, most successfully, in historical fiction, consciously following in the footsteps of Sir Walter Scott; notes that, while contemporaries such as Alasdair Gray, James Kelman and William McIlvanney defined a different strand of the late twentieth-century renaissance, Allan charted his own course with both independence and conviction; further notes his parallel career as a journalist and critic, reviewing thousands of books over five decades for The Scotsman and writing with equal ease on politics, history and rugby; acknowledges his robust but thoughtful contribution to Scotland’s constitutional debate and his clear unionist stance, and believes that, in his wit, range and willingness to stand apart from consensus, Allan Massie represented a rare and valuable presence in Scotland’s cultural life, whose passing will be widely felt.

That the Parliament congratulates Ardnamurchan Restaurant and Bar in Glasgow’s Hope Street on winning The Robertson Silver Spade Award at the 2026 Incorporation of Gardeners' Let Glasgow Flourish Awards; understands that Ardnamurchan Restaurant is one of Glasgow’s most celebrated Scottish restaurants and that this award recognises the quality, creativity and dedication of its floral displays, following silver and gold awards in past years; recognises the commitment shown by the restaurant’s management and staff in enhancing the appearance of their premises for the enjoyment of customers, residents and visitors, and in supporting biodiversity and wildlife through thoughtful planting; notes that the awards celebrate the contributions of businesses and organisations across Glasgow in creating beautiful outdoor spaces, with judging undertaken by members of the Master Court and presented by former Beechgrove Garden host Lesley Watson, and acknowledges that Ardnamurchan Restaurant’s success reflects the wider contribution of Glasgow’s hospitality sector to the city’s culture, community pride and urban environment.

That the Parliament agrees that, under Rule 12.3.3B of Standing Orders, the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee can meet, if necessary, at the same time as a meeting of the Parliament after Portfolio Questions and before Decision Time and during Members’ Business on Wednesday 4 March 2026.