Chamber and committees

That the Parliament congratulates Angus-based business Bel’s Butchers for winning the regional championship in the Scottish Craft Butchers Black Pudding Championship 2026; recognises that owner Annabel Forbes started the business in 2007 in a male-dominated industry and now has branches in Edzell and Montrose, employing four full-time butchers who hand-select meat from local Scottish farms in Aberdeenshire and Angus, and applauds that, through her drive, determination and passion for quality produce, Bel has developed Bel’s Butchers into the successful, award-winning business in the Angus community that it is today.

That the Parliament congratulates Special Constable Ellen Grieve, who is from Rousay in Orkney, on being recognised at Police Scotland's Long Service and Good Conduct Awards; understands that Ellen has volunteered her time over the past 39 years to support policing within her community in Rousay; acknowledges that, in rural and island communities across Scotland, special constables play an important role in keeping the police responsive to and connected with the public; understands that, during her nearly four decades of incredible service, Ellen has helped countless individuals and made a remarkable impact in her community, and considers this award from Police Scotland to be a reflection of that; congratulates Ellen and everyone else who was honoured at Police Scotland's Long Service and Good Conduct Awards in 2026 on their fantastic achievements, and extends its thanks to all those who dedicate their time to keeping communities safe.

That the Parliament celebrates Olivia’s Steps Foundation being awarded £7,500 from National Lottery Awards for All to deliver its first fully funded Mobility & Independence Week in Scotland; recognises the work of the Olivia’s Steps Foundation in improving access to opportunities, therapy and support for children with physical disabilities and their families across Scotland; notes that the programme will provide five children with physical disabilities living in Scotland with fully funded places, including daily intensive therapy comprising 45 minutes of pool-based therapy and 45 minutes of land-based therapy, tailored to support their mobility, independence and individual goals; understands that the charity was inspired by the journey of Olivia, who has cerebral palsy, and has grown to support other children and families facing similar challenges; thanks National Lottery Awards for All for its support, and commends the Olivia’s Steps Foundation, its supporters and volunteers for their commitment to reducing financial and practical barriers and helping children with physical disabilities achieve greater independence and access opportunities to thrive.

That the Parliament congratulates Hillcrest Homes on the shortlisting of its Chapel Works project in Montrose in the Housing and Regeneration category of the 2026 SURF Awards for Best Practice in Community Regeneration; recognises the transformation of the former Paton’s Mill, which was built in 1795, into 26 affordable homes for social rent; notes that the development has preserved the building’s historic façade, and welcomes its contribution to both the regeneration of Montrose and the preservation of the town’s industrial heritage.

That the Parliament congratulates The Western Baths Club in Hillhead on the occasion of its 150th anniversary in 2026; notes that the A-listed building was designed and built by local firm Clarke and Bell, in a style described as Spanish Gothic or Moorish, cost between £9,000 and £13,000 and, at the time, boasted the largest pool in Scotland; acknowledges the challenges faced by the baths over the years, including when they closed just six years after opening and 400 shareholders lost their combined £10,000 subscription; understands that it was eventually saved by the formation of the new Western Baths Company in 1886; acknowledges the devastation caused when a section of the pool hall roof collapsed in 1977; commends the role played by the late Mr W. M. Mann, whose innovations helped save the baths and enabled them to operate on a commercially sustainable basis following the roof collapse; notes that details of this, and of the wider rich history of the baths, are captured in an excellent blog by longstanding board member Hilary Barclay; highlights that it began its anniversary year with a traditional ceilidh in February 2026 and that a highly successful Gala Dinner was held in May at Oran Mor beneath its stunning auditorium roof, which was designed by the late Alasdair Gray, a former baths member who also designed the floor of the club's downstairs foyer, and wishes all those associated with the 150th anniversary of The Western Baths Club every success and enjoyment during the various celebrations, which include a sponsored swim and a winter ceilidh to round off the year's festivities.

That the Parliament congratulates the NHS Forth Valley and Serco staff shortlisted for Scotland’s Health Awards 2026, including Linda Stevenson, occupational therapy lead at Stirling Health and Care Village, shortlisted for Leader of the Year, as well as Alexander Souter, porter, and Lorraine Christie, receptionist, both at Forth Valley Royal Hospital, for the Support Worker Award; commends the Intensive Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (iCAMHS) team, shortlisted for the Unsung Hero Award, for its care of young people in crisis, and wishes all the finalists success at the ceremony on 12 November 2026.

That the Parliament congratulates Dr Mark Taggart and his team at the Environmental Research Institute (ERI) at UHI North, West and Hebrides, in Thurso, on their contribution to the Lead Ammunition Collective, which has been awarded the 2026 RSPB Medal for its work to end the use of lead ammunition; recognises Dr Taggart’s leading role in the ERI’s research and his individual contribution to the wider campaign, including efforts that helped secure progress towards an EU-wide ban on lead gunshot; acknowledges what it views as the vital contribution of ERI colleagues to the research carried out; welcomes the phased restrictions on the sale and use of most lead ammunition in Scotland, England and Wales, alongside the European Parliament’s vote to allow an EU-wide restriction on lead gunshot to proceed; understands that lead poisoning poses a serious threat to wildlife and the wider environment, and celebrates the international impact of research carried out at UHI North, West and Hebrides, demonstrating the important role of local researchers and institutions in informing environmental policy and delivering change.

That the Parliament congratulates Cardross station, which is the only Scottish station through to the final round of the World Cup of Stations competition; understands that the World Cup of Stations is run by the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) and celebrates the wider impact that stations and the railway have on communities; notes that the theme of this year’s competition is ‘Creating connections that matter’; commends the efforts of the volunteers and the station staff who make Cardross station a welcoming environment for the local community and visitors; encourages individuals and elected members to support the station's bid; hopes that Scotland can see a Scottish station crowned this year’s winner; notes that voting closes at 23:59 on 18 October; encourages people to cast their vote by following the link, raildeliverygroup.com/our-services/celebrating-the-railway/world-cup-of-stations.html, and hopes that Cardross Station can win the world cup. 

That the Parliament notes the publication of the report, A Fairer, Healthier Scotland: A Collaboration for Health Equity, by the University College London's Institute for Health Equity, led by Professor Michael Marmot; further notes the institute's partnership with Public Health Scotland to support three Collaboration for Health Equity (CHES) places, Aberdeen City, North Ayrshire and South Lanarkshire; notes that the report was publicly launched at the Hamilton Family Hub in Burnbank, in South Lanarkshire, on 13 October 2026 where Community Planning partners are piloting new approaches for the early years and childhood aligned with the first of eight Marmot principles and where South Lanarkshire Council, NHS Lanarkshire and South Lanarkshire Integration Joint Board have jointly committed £8 million to child poverty, early years and developing prevention activity, with £2 million ring-fenced for third sector and community partners; further notes that the eight Marmot Principles for Health Equity are to give every child the best start in life, to enable all children, young people and adults to maximise their capabilities and have control over their lives, to create fair employment and good work for all, to ensure healthy standard of living for all, to create and develop healthy and sustainable places and communities, to strengthen the role and impact of ill health prevention, to tackle racism, discrimination and their outcomes and to pursue environmental sustainability and health equity together; understands that the report reinforces the view that health inequalities are largely driven by the social determinants of health, which are understood as the conditions of daily life that shape health, including income, housing, work and education; further understands that work with three collaborating areas tests new approaches to addressing the social determinants of health and strengthening health equity; believes that the recommendations of the report could inform future decision-making and encourage policymakers to consider why ambitions to improve health equity have not always translated into action at the scale or to the pace required, and further believes that the recommendations of the report in favour of action to address the structural drivers of health inequities and to deliver for health equity, including through a ‘total place’ approach, are relevant and timely as consideration is given to rewiring public services and the future of public service reform.

That the Parliament welcomes the Fife Memory Walk, organised by Alzheimer Scotland, which will take place at Beveridge Park in Kirkcaldy on 18 October 2026; understands that the event will bring together families, friends and supporters to celebrate loved ones while raising vital funds and awareness of people living with dementia and their carers; notes that participants will undertake a gentle 5km walk, with all funds raised helping Alzheimer Scotland to provide essential support and services; recognises the importance of community events in tackling the stigma surrounding dementia and highlighting the challenges faced by those affected by the condition; commends Alzheimer Scotland, its volunteers and everyone involved in organising the event, and wishes all participants and fundraisers every success.