Chamber and committees

That the Parliament congratulates Dysart Colliery Silver Band on securing the keys to the historic Glebe Centre as a major milestone in its journey towards community ownership; recognises this significant step in the band’s aspiration to take ownership of the B-listed building through the Community Asset Transfer process; notes that the band, founded in 1880 and originally known as Dysart Town Band, is one of Scotland’s oldest brass bands, with a proud tradition of serving the local community for over 140 years; acknowledges the band’s continued success under the baton of Robert Fraser, who is currently competing in the Third Section, and its growing profile through performances including for His Majesty King Charles III and Queen Camilla during their visit to Kirkcaldy; commends the band’s commitment to inclusion and learning through its established Development Band, welcoming players aged from eight to 80, from complete beginners to returning musicians; welcomes plans to restore and improve the Glebe Centre, which was built in 1876, as a vibrant and accessible hub for music, culture and community activity, safeguarding an important local landmark for future generations, and wishes Dysart Colliery Silver Band every success as it begins this exciting new chapter.

That the Parliament congratulates Megan Murrie, founder of Methil based Nakey Bakey, on being named one of six winners of Scotmid’s Scottish Favourites competition; recognises that this achievement will see her innovative granola products stocked on Scotmid store shelves across Fife during 2026; notes that Megan’s business journey began in her home kitchen, inspired by her personal experience of living with a nut allergy and endometriosis, and her mission to create a granola she could enjoy without compromising her health; further notes that Nakey Bakey has also received national recognition through an award at the Great Taste Awards 2024 for its mixed berry granola; welcomes Scotmid’s continued support for local Scottish food and drink producers by providing routes to retail and raising the profile of innovative brands, and wishes Megan and Nakey Bakey continued success in the future.

That the Parliament celebrates Commonwealth Day 2026, taking place on 9 March, and recognises what it sees as the important role that the Commonwealth continues to play in building and maintaining relationships across the world; understands that the theme of 2026 is "unlocking opportunities together for a prosperous Commonwealth", highlighting how Commonwealth countries can work together to overcome challenges and unlock opportunities; recognises the work of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) in discussing a range of issues, including equality, transparency in parliaments, climate change, meeting the challenges of the internet and social media, modernising parliaments and artificial intelligence; notes the work of the CPA Scotland Branch over the last year, which has included hosting the 11th Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) British Islands and Mediterranean Regional (BIMR) Conference and 1st CPA BIMR Commonwealth Parliamentarians with Disabilities (CPwD) Forum, as well as Members' work, including having three regional representatives on three of the four CPA bodies, the CPA International Executive Committee, CPwD network and CWP network, as well as being active in the regional LGBT+ network; acknowledges the work of the networks in contributing to amplify the perspectives and the rights of women, LGBT+ community and people with disabilities, and commits to continuing, both domestically and internationally, to share ideas and experience on good governance, parliamentary process, holding governments to account on behalf of the people that they serve.

That the Parliament congratulates three organisations in the Strathkelvin and Bearsden constituency on securing a total of £45,600 in grant aid from the National Lottery Community Fund in the recent round of awards; notes that the £19,600 granted to The Hive Lennoxtown will help what it sees as a fantastic community enterprise, which was set up to relieve poverty and improve the mental and physical health of local people through its community shop and hub, warm space and well-being classes, to fund salary costs for one year; applauds Walk Run Cycle East Dunbartonshire who will install benches and nature-themed features across the local area to promote walking, running, cycling and community connection with the help of its £6,000 grant award; praises not-for-profit community initiative New Roots, which teaches food growing and life skills to neurodivergent members in the local community, and delights that its staffing costs are also secure for a further year thanks to its £20,000 grant aid award, and sends its very best wishes and thanks to all who give their time, energy and experience in supporting these groups to have an impact in Strathkelvin and Bearsden.

That the Parliament congratulates A Listening Ear (SCIO) on receiving a £289,516 grant from the National Lottery Community Fund; notes that this significant investment will support the continuation of its one-to-one befriending service in the community, its telephone befriending work, its No One Dies Alone service, its befriending activities in care homes and its Friendly Cup groups; recognises that these services will benefit around 250 people and involve approximately 146 volunteers over the next three years; acknowledges what it sees as the vital importance of compassionate and person-centred support for individuals living in remote and rural areas who have no access to a local hospice and may otherwise face isolation at some of the most challenging moments in their lives; commends the dedication of the volunteers and staff who deliver these life-affirming services, and wishes A Listening Ear every success as it continues its essential work supporting communities across Dumfries and Galloway.

That the Parliament congratulates Fleet Bay Inshore Rescue Service on securing a £20,000 grant from the National Lottery Community Fund to support the purchase of a new lifeboat built to Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) standards; recognises that inshore rescue boats operating in the UK are guided by the MCA’s Rescue Boat Code and that meeting these standards is a key step toward HM Coastguard recognition as a Declared Facility, which would enable the service to be formally tasked during emergencies; acknowledges the essential role played by independent lifeboat charities across the UK, many of which have achieved Declared Facility status and are regularly called upon by HM Coastguard as vital search-and-rescue assets; commends Fleet Bay Inshore Rescue Service on its tremendous fundraising efforts toward a total target of £140,000, noting that the organisation has already raised approximately £100,000 through the dedication of its volunteers and supporters; further recognises the importance of this service in protecting lives in the very popular Fleet and Wigtown Bay area, where high visitor numbers and coastal activity make rapid, professional inshore rescue capability essential; applauds the commitment of all involved in strengthening local emergency response capability, and wishes the organisation every success in completing the remaining fundraising, bringing their new MCA-compliant lifeboat into service, and achieving full Declared Facility status in the near future.

That the Parliament congratulates Keri Ann Van Nuil, who is a senior charge nurse in NHS Dumfries and Galloway’s Rehabilitation, Stroke and Frailty Unit, on being named a finalist in the Adult Nursing category of the 2026 RCN Scotland Nurse of the Year Awards; believes that her nomination is a reflection of her exceptional leadership, compassion and sustained contribution to adult patient care; recognises what it sees as her pivotal role in transforming rehabilitation and frailty pathways through early intervention, person-centred practice and strong multidisciplinary collaboration; notes that her work has strengthened the delivery of safe, evidence-based care that promotes independence, dignity and improved outcomes for frail and stroke patients; commends her reputation as an empathetic and inclusive leader who mentors colleagues, builds confidence and fosters a positive, high performing team culture; notes that she has aligned local service improvements with national best practice, introducing innovative models that integrate hospital and community care, reduce delays, prevent avoidable admissions and enhance patient flow; believes that her leadership has elevated the role of nursing within rehabilitation services and created a culture of compassion, quality and continuous improvement, and celebrates her as an inspirational adult nurse whose impact is felt across her team, the wider service and the communities of Dumfries and Galloway.

That the Parliament welcomes the news that Catherine Street Inclusive Park in Dumfries, in the South Scotland region, has been selected as an international case study in the new WHO–UNICEF–UN Habitat SPACES report; commends Include Us for its leadership in championing inclusive play; recognises the wider work undertaken in Dumfries to create accessible, welcoming and fully inclusive playable spaces for children and families across the town; acknowledges the leadership shown by the Parents’ Inclusion Network, which in 2016 brought together families of children with disabilities and a range of local partners to campaign for public play spaces where all children could play freely alongside their siblings and friends; celebrates the transformation of Catherine Street Park into an inclusive community asset featuring a circular pathway, turfed grass areas, flower beds, raised growing beds, accessible seating and a range of sensory play opportunities; notes the installation of specialist equipment, including a wheelchair swing, a wheelchair-accessible roundabout and trampoline, a slack line and a climbing frame, ensuring that children with diverse needs can participate fully in play; recognises the contribution of local groups, volunteers and stakeholders in demonstrating how community-led initiatives can reshape urban environments to be more equitable and inclusive, and commends the ongoing efforts made in Dumfries to champion city-wide playable spaces that support social connection, wellbeing and the rights of all children to play.

That the Parliament welcomes the publication by the Portman Group of Protecting Consumers & Supporting Producers: Regulatory Report 2025, which provides insights into the Group's work as the regulator for alcohol marketing across the UK, with the aim of protecting vulnerable consumers from irresponsible alcohol marketing while providing an effective and proportionate regulatory framework that supports economic growth; notes the results of the Group’s first proactive audit of the UK market, including Scotland, suggesting near universal industry compliance with the Code of Practice; understands that the Portman Group is actively engaged with businesses and policymakers in the Parliament to promote high standards of responsible alcohol marketing; notes the view that substantial progress has been made in promoting responsible drinking across Scotland, as well as tackling alcohol misuse on the ground by promoting local partnership schemes, and encourages the Scottish Government to consider the report’s findings.

That the Parliament notes the Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP) programme operating at Beath High School; understands that MVP is an Education Scotland programme that equips pupils with tools to help them respond to attitudes that underpin violence against women and girls; commends the senior students who are delivering lessons to younger schoolmates on a range of topics, including sexting, coercive control, sexual harassment and homophobic language; recognises that MVP also enables those senior pupils to complete a leadership qualification with the SQA, and notes that some of the pupils took part in Dunfermline’s Reclaim the Night march, where they delivered a talk about the work they are doing through the programme.