Chamber and committees

That the Parliament congratulates the award winners at the North Highland Chamber of Commerce annual dinner on their success; recognises the contribution of Young Entrepreneur of the Year winner, Jade Sinclair, to children’s development and combatting loneliness in the Far North through Zumbini with Jade, which helps children develop through music, movement and play while creating a welcoming space for families to connect with one another; commends Young Business of the Year winner, Creel with Crumb, owned by Joanna Sutherland, for showcasing Caithness’s fishing heritage through the promotion of outstanding local produce and supporting the economy of Caithness; congratulates Creel with Crumb on also receiving the Highly Recommended award for Best Seaside Fish and Chips; commends the great work of the staff and members of North Highland Chamber of Commerce in assisting and advocating for businesses across Caithness and Sutherland, and celebrates the endeavours and entrepreneurship of all businesses in the Far North.

That the Parliament welcomes the award of £1,000 to Sutherland Women Football Club through ScottishPower’s annual grassroots funding competition for women’s and girls’ football clubs across the Highlands and Islands; understands that the funding will support the installation of new dugout facilities at Golspie; notes that ScottishPower has awarded a total of £5,000 to five women’s and girls’ football clubs across the Highlands and Islands in the latest round of the competition, supporting investment in facilities, equipment and travel; further notes that the initiative is now in its third year and forms part of ScottishPower’s support for the Highlands and Islands League through its partnership with Scottish Women’s Football; recognises what it sees as the importance of investment in grassroots women’s and girls’ sport, particularly in rural and island communities where clubs can face additional challenges relating to facilities and travel; congratulates Sutherland Women FC on securing this funding, and wishes everyone associated with Sutherland Women FC every success in its continued development.

That the Parliament congratulates Stephen Mackenzie from Ullapool on winning the bronze medal in the men’s long jump at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow; recognises this as a remarkable achievement following a record-breaking season and his recent British Championship success; notes that his opening jump earned him a podium position in a competitive international field; acknowledges that he has become the first Highlander to win a medal at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games; commends his dedication, determination and sporting excellence in representing Scotland on the international stage; recognises the pride that his achievement has brought to Ullapool, Ross-shire and the wider Highlands; and wishes Stephen every success in his future athletics career.

That the Parliament congratulates Caroline McMorran, senior reporter with The Northern Times, on receiving special recognition from the Lord-Lieutenant of Sutherland, Major General Patrick Marriott, for her outstanding and tireless service to communities across the county; notes that Caroline has lived in Sutherland and has worked with The Northern Times for over 30 years, becoming one of the most respected voices in journalism in the Highlands and Far North; commends her long-standing commitment to reporting fairly and accurately on local issues, celebrating community achievements and ensuring that the stories of people and communities throughout Sutherland are shared widely through her journalism; acknowledges the role that her work has played in strengthening communities and supporting local engagement, particularly in remote and rural areas; further acknowledges the vital contribution of trusted local journalism to communities and civic life throughout the Highlands and Islands, wishes Caroline every success for the future, and thanks her for her dedication and service to the people of Sutherland and the wider Far North.

As an amendment to motion S7M-00309 in the name of Ivan McKee (Public Service Reform: Empowering Staff, Service Users and Local Communities), insert at end "notes concerns that previous reforms undertaken by the Scottish Government have led to the centralisation of public services, including through the creation of Police Scotland, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and the proposed National Care Service; believes that the centralisation of services and the adoption of a one-size-fits-all approach have had a detrimental impact on rural Scotland, and further believes that any future public service reform should be guided by the principle of local decision-making, with communities empowered to shape the services on which they rely."

As an amendment to motion S7M-00228 in the name of Angela Constance (Investing, Protecting and Renewing Scotland’s NHS), leave out from “thanks them” to end and insert; “recalls that the Parliament voted for S6M-19512 in the previous session, which called on the Scottish Government to commission an independent review of maternity services in Caithness; considers that the chair of that review must be independent of both NHS Highland and the Scottish Government, and calls on the Scottish Government to assure Parliament by setting out a timetable for delivery alongside a commitment to community-led engagement.”

That the Parliament congratulates Tain & North District YMCA senior youth and community worker, Graham Nutt, on being awarded the Sir George Williams Medal, which is the highest accolade presented by YMCA Scotland, in recognition of his outstanding long-term service and dedication to the YMCA movement; notes that Graham has served Tain YMCA for more than 22 years, guiding and developing its work throughout that time and making a positive and lasting impact on countless young people and families across Tain and the surrounding area; further notes that he is the fourth recipient of the Sir George Williams Medal connected with Tain YMCA, following vice-president, Hugh MacKenzie, former chair, Peter Berry, and the late Isobel Wilson, who was well-known and greatly respected in the community; recognises the important contribution that Tain YMCA continues to make to supporting and empowering young people in the Highlands, and wishes Graham, and Tain & North District YMCA, every success for the future.

That the Parliament congratulates Brora Rangers FC on reaching another SPFL Pyramid Play-off final following an impressive season; recognises the commitment and hard work shown by the players, coaching staff, volunteers and supporters throughout the campaign; commiserates with the club and its fans on narrowly missing out on promotion; notes the positive impact that Brora Rangers continues to have within the local community and across Highland football, and wishes the club, its players, staff and supporters every success for next season and beyond.