Chamber and committees

That the Parliament congratulates Stornoway United Football Club on celebrating its 80th anniversary since it was founded in 1945; recognises that former and current players, committee members, club sponsors and managers met for an evening of celebrations at the Caladh Inn in Stornoway on 14 June 2025, which included speeches from guest speakers Kenny "Flip" Macleod and Malcolm MacDonald, as well as the cutting of a cake that was donated by the local business, Hannah’s Bakes; understands that there has been a series of other events to commemorate the occasion, including the Football 4s, Coaches & Parents Vs Stornoway United U14s/U16s, and a Family Fun Day; acknowledges that, as well as having a senior team that plays in the Lewis and Harris Football League, Stornoway United also organises football activities for players at under-7s, under-9s, under-11s, under-13s, under-15s and under-18s levels, and wishes everyone involved with Stornoway United the very best wishes for the future.

That the Parliament calls on the Scottish Ministers to exercise their powers under section 46(1) of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 to call in planning application 24/01680/FUL, relating to a proposed nine-storey student accommodation block at 292–332 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, which was provisionally granted by Glasgow City Council’s Planning Applications Committee on 17 June 2025, pending referral to the Scottish Ministers in accordance with the terms of the Town and Country Planning (Notification of Applications) (Scotland) Direction 2009; understands that the application must be referred to the Scottish Ministers by Glasgow City Council due to the formal objection lodged by the statutory consultee, Historic Environment Scotland, which, it believes, raises serious concerns that the proposed development would detract from the adjacent, internationally significant, category A-listed Mackintosh Building at the Glasgow School of Art by obstructing key vistas to and from its south elevation, as well as from the nearby category A-listed Centre for Contemporary Arts to the west, which was designed by Alexander "Greek" Thomson; notes the Glasgow School of Art’s objection, which states that the provisionally approved proposals “fundamentally compromise the category A-listed Mackintosh Building” and that the development places its commitment to “deliver the faithful reinstatement of the Mackintosh Building as a fully utilised, purpose-design art school at significant risk", and urges the Scottish Ministers to act in what it sees as the national interest by reviewing any potential impact of the development on what it considers to be Scotland’s most architecturally important buildings, and to determine the application accordingly.

That the Parliament welcomes the news that a storytelling group has been awarded £10,000 in lottery funding; notes that the group, known as Hillfoots Tales, will use the award to bring its Wild Hillfoots Storytelling Programme to Clackmannanshire over the 2025-26 year, allowing people to hear, share, and gather folklore from across the area; understands that Hillfoots Tales was formed to collect and share local myths, tales and legends to help preserve local heritage; further understands that it aims to promote the verbal storytelling tradition, the arts and the beautiful Clackmannanshire landscape; notes that, founded in December 2017, in partnership with the Scottish Storytelling Centre, the group organises workshops, storytelling evenings, story walks and takes part in the Scottish International Storytelling Festival (SISF); further notes that it delivers workshops to all ages, outdoors on location, in schools, theatres, art studios, sheltered housing and in local halls; understands that in addition to working with adults and school children, Cubs, Scouts and Brownies, its Wild Hillfoots Storytelling Project is a series of tailored workshops for women, which uses storytelling to promote wellbeing and to build confidence, whilst its events are free or low cost, to try and ensure that its programmes are as inclusive as possible; acknowledges that this involves working with local people, groups, businesses, and engaging communities across Clackmannanshire in local history, whilst making use of local venues and bringing people together to help tackle social isolation as well as promote the beauty and heritage of the area; notes that the award will also fund a series of workshops for Women and Wellness through hearing the stories of ordinary women, who, it believes, have helped shape the world throughout history; understands that by using storytelling techniques, women will be encouraged to explore the challenging life scenarios that they face every day by using what it calls "herstory"; believes that the workshops will give women the opportunity to open up a conversation on what it sees as the barriers that are often faced in society, such as poverty and health inequalities; congratulates the group on its award, and wishes everyone involved all the very best for the group’s continued success.

That the Parliament congratulates Silverburn, Glasgow’s premier retail and leisure destination, on winning the prestigious Shopping Complex of the Year award at the Scottish Hospitality Awards 2025, recognising its outstanding contribution to Scotland’s hospitality sector; applauds the exceptional performance of Silverburn’s security team, employed by SecuriGroup, for securing three major awards at the BSIA Regional (Scotland) Awards 2025, including Best Team for the second consecutive year; commends the individual team members, Anthony McGovern, Thomas Deeley and Lori Cracovschi, for their exemplary service, professionalism and leadership; acknowledges the team’s strong partnership with Police Scotland and commitment to providing a safe and welcoming environment for millions of visitors annually, and celebrates Silverburn’s ongoing role in supporting Glasgow’s economy and reputation as a vibrant, inclusive city.

That the Parliament congratulates Dr John Watson, of Glasgow, on being appointed a CBE in The King’s Birthday Honours List for services to education and charity; notes Dr Watson’s distinguished business career as managing director of John Watson and Company, the Glasgow-based printing firm that he led to become Scotland’s largest label printer prior to its sale in 2013; recognises what it sees as his deep and ongoing commitment to philanthropy through the Watson Foundation, supporting major projects, including Social Bite, the TS Queen Mary restoration, and Glasgow’s national COVID-19 pandemic memorial in Pollok Park; acknowledges his long-standing work with charities such as Marie Curie, Cancer Research UK and the Outward Bound Trust; welcomes his recognition by the University of Glasgow and Glasgow Chamber of Commerce for both charitable and business achievements, and celebrates his continued contribution to Glasgow and Scotland as a leading voice in philanthropy and enterprise.

That the Parliament understands that Heather Longmuir, a respected home school liaison officer, has retired after nearly 28 years of service; further understands that Heather, an integral member of Banchory Primary School, stepped down at the end of June 2025 from her role after an extensive career; notes that Heather has held various roles at the school, consistently making what it considers to be a positive impact on the children and families connected to Banchory; further notes that a notable moment in her career took place in May 2021 when she was honoured with a Lockdown Hero for Learner and Community Support certificate from the Pearson National Teaching Awards; understands that she also received a handwritten letter of thanks from Michael Morpurgo, president of the Pearson National Teaching Awards and children's author; expresses its gratitude for her service; wishes Heather a long and happy retirement, and acknowledges sentiments from the school that she will be greatly missed.

That the Parliament acknowledges that four athletes, who have been supported to compete at the highest levels of their sports while on a University of Stirling scholarship, have celebrated their achievements at a summer graduation; understands that two-times Paralympic skier, Scott Meenagh, professional golfer, Louise Duncan, history-making judoka, Gabriella Wood, and record-breaking modern pentathlete, Tristen Bell, all received their degrees from Scotland's university for sporting excellence at the end of June 2025; notes that they are among 16 sports scholars, and more than 2,000 students, to have graduated from the University of Stirling over the two-day graduation; understands that Scott, from Cumbernauld, took up para sport after losing both his legs in an incident while serving as a soldier with the British Army in Afghanistan; further understands that he became the first Briton in 20 years to compete in Nordic skiing at a Paralympics in South Korea in 2018, and returned to Paralympic action four years later in Beijing; acknowledges that, in 2023, he became the first British athlete to win a para Nordic world championship medal, taking silver in the 12.5km individual biathlon and, in 2024, he finished third overall in the para biathlon sprint world cup; further acknowledges that he graduated with a BA (Hons) in History; believes that Scott has overcome a great deal to achieve this and is now focusing on the 2026 Paralympic games in Milan; understands that Louise Duncan has competed professionally while on a golf scholarship at the University of Stirling starting in 2019, with her profile within the sport soaring since then, driven by her historic win at the British Women’s Amateur Championship in 2021, beating Jóhanna Lea Lúdvíksdóttir of Iceland by the largest winning margin in the competition’s history; notes that Louise also played in the professional AIG Women’s Open in 2021, where she secured a phenomenal top 10 finish, winning the Smyth Salver for being the top amateur in the field; further notes that she was also invited to play in the US Women’s Open, Evian Championship and Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championship, and has played in the Ladies European Tour (LET) during her time as a student golfer; understands that Louise attributes her success to the support and coaching that she has received at the university; further understands that she graduated with a BA (Hons) in Sports Studies before flying to Sweden for her next event on the LET Access Tour; acknowledges that, in 2021, while a student at the University of Stirling, Gabriella Wood became the first woman, and second person, ever to represent Trinidad and Tobago in judo at the Olympics; understands that she has been British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) judo champion for three years, in 2022, 2023 and 2025; notes that, in 2025, she participated in the launch of the King’s Baton Relay ahead of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow; acknowledges that she graduated with a BA (Hons) in Sports Studies and stated that the University of Stirling helped her qualify for the Olympics in 2021 and gave her the opportunity to compete at the Commonwealth Games and the Central American and Caribbean Games; understands that Gabriella is now considering studying for a master’s degree at the University of Stirling while setting her sights on competing at the Commonwealth Games in 2026; acknowledges that modern pentathlete, Tristen Bell, won silver at the Pan American Games in 2023 and was crowned BUCS Modern Pentathlon Champion in early 2025 with a record-breaking performance, while on the University of Stirling sports scholarship programme; notes that Tristen, who was born in Florida and raised in the Czech Republic, stated that he was drawn to the University of Stirling by its excellent sports facilities and beautiful campus; further notes that he considers that the university played the biggest part in his success, as he was not professional when starting his first year, but started going to world cups and championships after a year; believes that thereafter his performance went from average to world-class; acknowledges that Tristen graduated with a BA (Hons) in Business Studies and Sports Studies and is now considering studying for a master’s degree while building towards the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles; understands that athletes at the University of Stirling have access to world-class facilities, including a 50-metre pool, unrivalled outdoor space, and a state-of-the-art strength and conditioning suite; notes that, in addition to its coaching and facilities, the university’s International Sports Scholarship Programme, which it believes is one of the largest high-performance programmes in the UK, offers athletes funding support, academic flexibility and equipment, and has supported hundreds of athletes since its inception in 1981, with many competing on the world stage, including at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games; further notes that its core sports include football, golf, tennis, swimming, triathlon, rugby and curling, and that individual scholarships cover all Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games sports, and commends Scott, Louise, Gabriella and Tristen, as well as the university and all its staff and graduates, on their truly excellent achievements.

That the Parliament congratulates David Mitchell, headteacher of Dunoon Grammar School, on being appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in The King’s Birthday Honours List 2025 for services to education; understands that, under David's leadership, Dunoon Grammar School has secured multiple awards for his forward-thinking approach to education, as well as its role in the local community; acknowledges that some of the awards that the school has won in recent years include the World’s Best School Prize for Community Collaboration, and the Gaelic Education Award, among others; further acknowledges its partnership work with organisations, including Apps for Good, Argyll Holidays, the Dunoon Film Festival, Police Scotland and the Wood Foundation; notes that David paid tribute to his team of dedicated staff, as well as pupils past and present, and wishes him and everyone at Dunoon Grammar School continued success into the future.

That the Parliament warmly congratulates Elements, a fine-dining restaurant in Glasgow’s Bearsden district, on being awarded Newcomer of the Year at the prestigious 2025 Scotsman Scran Awards; notes that the Scotsman Scran Awards celebrate Scotland’s vibrant food and drink community, recognising creativity, resilience and passion within the hospitality sector; acknowledges the dedication and hard work of the head chef and owner, Gary Townsend, and his team, whose commitment has brought memorable and outstanding dining experiences to guests; congratulates the assistant manager, Connor Wren, on his highly commended runner-up position in the Rising Star category, reflecting his talent and promising future in the Scottish hospitality industry; recognises the important role that Elements plays in strengthening Glasgow’s culinary reputation and supporting Scotland’s thriving hospitality sector, and hopes for continued success for Elements and all those contributing to Scotland’s vibrant food and drink industry.

That the Parliament recognises Clydebank-based MPC Energy’s business manager, Megan Conroy, for receiving the Business Manager/Director of the Year at the Scotland Energy Efficiency Awards; understands that the event, which was held at the Crowne Plaza in Glasgow, acknowledged individuals and organisations across Scotland working to improve energy efficiency; congratulates Megan on this wonderful achievement, and celebrates companies and individuals striving to make meaningful change to their energy habits in business and across communities.