Chamber and committees

That the Parliament congratulates RSABI for its incredible effort and works in providing support to people in Scottish agriculture for over 125 years; acknowledges the vital role played by those who dedicate so much to the charity to provide practical, emotional and financial support, and commends its devotion and consistency in improving the lives of farmers and crofters across Scotland, ensuring that they receive the help they need to thrive and contribute to Scotland as a whole every day.

That the Parliament recognises 3 November 2026 as the International Day for Biosphere Reserves, which was established by UNESCO to celebrate the contribution that biosphere reserves make to conservation, sustainable development, research, education and community wellbeing; congratulates the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere on its continuing work to support people and nature across south-west Scotland; notes that the Biosphere, which was designated by UNESCO in 2012, is the largest biosphere reserve in the UK, covering almost 9,800 km² of land and sea across Dumfries and Galloway, East Ayrshire and South Ayrshire, and is internationally recognised as a world-class environment for people and nature; acknowledges the Biosphere's role in promoting nature restoration, climate resilience, sustainable tourism, community-led development, environmental education and local economic opportunity; notes that NatureScot recommends a “better resourced and more influential” UNESCO biosphere, and welcomes continued support and investment to ensure that the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere can continue to deliver benefits for nature, rural economies and local communities.

That the Parliament congratulates Cockburnspath and Cove Community Council, local volunteers and residents on the development of their Local Place Plan; notes that a community meeting on 21 October 2026 brought together more than 100 residents, volunteers, elected representatives and partner organisations; commends the extensive research, consultation and engagement underpinning the plan, which reached over a third of the local population; welcomes the strong focus on ensuring that young people’s voices were heard, with 24 local children and young people participating in dedicated workshops to help shape priorities for the area; notes that over 96% of respondents highlighted the importance of the local school and nursery to the community’s future; recognises that young people identified the need for better facilities for older children, more clubs and outdoor activities, improved parks and places to meet friends and greater opportunities to participate in local decision making; welcomes the plan’s recognition of the strong sense of belonging and pride felt by young people in their community, and congratulates all those involved in producing such a well-researched, community-led vision for the future of Cockburnspath, Cove and Old Cambus in Berwickshire.

That the Parliament congratulates Danny Mavor, a 41-year-old former member of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards from Glasgow, on completing a 79-mile, three-day challenge across the Highlands from Fort William to Inverness via the Great Glen Way; recognises that Danny, who became tetraplegic after a motorcycle accident six years ago, undertook the challenge using a chin-controlled off-road wheelchair; commends his extraordinary courage and determination; welcomes the vital funds raised for Regain, which is a charity that supports people with life-changing spinal injuries, and encourages the public to support Danny’s fundraising campaign for people living with tetraplegia. 

That the Parliament congratulates everyone who campaigned for a standalone primary school in Eyemouth and recognises their dedication, determination and the resilience shown throughout the 11-year campaign; acknowledges the important role played by parents, pupils, school staff and the wider community in securing a new standalone primary school campus; considers that the planning and design of school facilities should place the innocence, wellbeing and educational needs of young people at their centre; commends Scottish Borders Council for progressing the long-awaited school development, and calls on the council to continue consulting closely and meaningfully with school staff, parents, pupils and the wider community to ensure that the new school is fit for purpose, supports future growth and reflects the needs of those who will learn and work there.

That the Parliament celebrates the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere, which is Scotland's first UNESCO Biosphere, and its guiding principle that farming, land management and environmental stewardship are not in competition with one another but instead work best together; believes that this partnership model brings together farmers, land managers, conservationists and rural communities across Dumfries and Galloway, East Ayrshire and South Ayrshire, and shows that a thriving rural economy and a thriving natural environment can go hand in hand; welcomes the Biosphere's community-led tourism work and its recognition in National Geographic Traveller's Cool List for 2024, and calls on the Scottish Government to back the Biosphere's principle by providing greater funding for Scotland's two UNESCO Biospheres, which have adopted an innovative approach to addressing integrated rural development, bringing together rural communities, businesses and the people who farm and manage the land.

That the Parliament congratulates Archie Goodburn on his outstanding achievement of reaching the 50m breaststroke final in the Commonwealth Games; commends Archie's heartfelt and direct appeal to Downing Street to help ease the unbearable suffering of brain cancer patients and their families; supports his direct plea to Prime Minister Andy Burnham to invest more money and resources into brain cancer research; understands that there are clinical trials around the world, including in the US, Australia and China, that could change lives and yet are not available in the UK; pays tribute to Archie, his best friends and those that are affected with brain cancer around the country; acknowledges Archie's passionate advocacy and fight for increased brain cancer research; believes that, although the Rare Cancers Act 2026 is a step in the right direction, it does not go far enough, and thanks Archie for his continued campaigning, advocacy and fight for a better future for people with brain cancer.

That the Parliament congratulates all involved with the 2026 Peebles High School Model UN (PHSMUN), during which dedicated individuals encourage and enable young people to develop essential skills in diplomacy, public speaking and problem-solving; recognises pupils' hard work, curiosity, engagement and passion in relation to engaging with global issues while approaching topics with open and inquisitive minds, showing commitment to the cause and rising to new challenges; congratulates the headteacher, Kevin Ryalls, for hosting a successful event while providing an excellent facility in the new campus for research, debates and discussions to take place; commends James McMordie for having the vision to create this inspiring event and for stimulating the minds of young people to question and discuss topics that help them to grow and learn about the world; acknowledges the immense dedication and hard work it takes to run such an event; applauds all who spoke at the event in the closing ceremony, including Lochain McNae and Duncan Peppe, who shared many important messages and delivered them with perspective, passion and confidence, serving as motivation to carry everyone through to the next event; recognises PHSMUN as a great exemplar that gives young people a platform to showcase that today and tomorrow can be safe in their hands, and welcomes the preparation for 2027 PHSMUN with eager anticipation.

That the Parliament congratulates Oxton Community Shop on being shortlisted in the best village shop/ post office category at the Countryside Alliance Awards 2026; believes that this shortlisting is a well-deserved recognition of the hard work of the shop’s staff and volunteers as well as the dedication of customers; commends the strong community support that the shop receives, and calls on the Parliament to recognise this.

That the Parliament congratulates The Blackadder Bar & Restaurant in Greenlaw for being named Champion Pub at the Countryside Alliance Awards 2026; believes that this is a well-deserved recognition of the staff, who provide a dynamic and modern approach while retaining traditional pub values; praises staff for their key role in supporting the local economy and strengthening community life, and wishes all involved the very best for continued success.