Chamber and committees

That the Parliament agrees that the Non-Domestic Rates (Liability for Unoccupied Properties) (Scotland) Bill be passed.

That the Parliament notes with concern reports of the growing dangerous use of e-bikes and e-scooters across Scotland, but particularly in Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Dundee and Glasgow, and across major towns; understands that some e-bike and e-scooter users are often observed showing no regard for the traffic laws, endanger other road users and pedestrians, appear to violate the legally mandated speed limit and often do not use high-visibility clothing; believes that many users often wear what can be seen as intimidating clothing, such as balaclavas and face coverings; is concerned at reports that e-bikes and e-scooters are increasingly used to commit organised crime and vehicle theft; notes calls on the Scottish Government to give Police Scotland the appropriate resources and vehicles to counter people who use e-bikes and e-scooters in these ways, such as by seizing the vehicles, and further notes the call for greater action to be taken against the antisocial use of e-bikes and e-scooters, to provide a safer environment for roads users and pedestrians.

As an amendment to motion S6M-19721 in the name of Emma Roddick (Recognising Concerns Regarding Moray FLOW-Park) leave out from "acknowledges" to end and insert “notes the view that the proposal put forward by Offshore Solutions Group (OSG) regarding the Moray FLOW-Park should be rejected and proceed no further; believes that the opposition to this proposal in the local Nairn and Moray communities is overwhelming and is based on strongly held beliefs that it would devastate the scenic views and beauty of the inner Moray Firth, threaten to damage marine ecology and wildlife, decimate inshore fishing and cause irreparable damage to tourism and recreation, including sailing; considers that there is no clear evidence suggesting that OSG has the substantial robust financial standing required to have the capacity to implement any such proposals, given the scale of the projects and finance required to service them, and fears that the aim of the proposal may be to procure planning permission and then sell on the rights to others."

That the Parliament congratulates Aproxima Creative Collective, which includes the acclaimed Scottish artist, Joanna Kessel, creative director, Angus Farquhar, lead designer, James Johnson, and structural engineers, David Narro Associates, on its successful restoration of the Well of St Mungo in the Crypt of Glasgow Cathedral and the installation of a shimmering circular mosaic installation that will enhance the well’s enjoyment for future generations of Glaswegians; notes that the installation is formed from over 1,000 handblown coloured glass tiles, made by Orsoni Venezia 1888, each inlaid with gold leaf and built using cutting-edge aerospace technology by TRB Lightweight Solutions, to ensure its durability for centuries to come, and that is the first mosaic of its kind installed within a historic well; commends the Glasgow City Council 850 Fund, the William Grant Foundation, the Mickel Trust, Glasgow City Heritage Trust, the Tom Farmer Foundation, the Robin Leith Trust, the Mercers' Company, the City Charitable Company, Robin Hardie, Andrew Mickel, Mary Ann Sutherland and the William Syson Foundation for their financial support for the project; acknowledges that the artwork was installed as part of the 850th anniversary celebrations of Glasgow being granted burgh status by William the Lion in 1175; notes that the Well is believed to be the same well in which, in the sixth century, the Brittonic Saint Kentigern (also known as St Mungo) established his cell beside the Molendinar Burn that would prove to be the nucleus for the village that would become the great metropolitan City of Glasgow; further notes that this well was a major site of pilgrimage for the Kingdom of Strathclyde and, following its annexation by the Kingdom of Alba, by the inhabitants of what would become medieval Scotland; celebrates the restoration of the well for the first time in centuries, and welcomes its return as a place of mediation, faith and inspiration for generations of future Glaswegians of all faiths and none.

That the Parliament congratulates Kinghorn Community Centre and Raith Rovers Community Foundation on the success of their recent Sleep Out at Stark’s Park fundraising event; understands that the event has already raised a remarkable £2,710, to be shared equally between both organisations; recognises what it sees as the vital role that Kinghorn Community Centre plays in providing a welcoming, inclusive hub for local residents of all ages, supporting community cohesion and learning opportunities; acknowledges the work of the Raith Rovers Community Foundation in delivering programmes that promote education, health, inclusion and community engagement across Kirkcaldy and the wider area; commends Sharon Plunkett, manager of Kinghorn Community Centre, and Margie Robertson, Raith Rovers supporter and trustee of the Foundation, for organising the event and for their commitment to supporting local people during a challenging period for community funding; understands that the sleep-out brought families and supporters together for an evening of activities, including a quiz, bingo, music, and communal meals, before participants braved an overnight stay on the concourse at Stark’s Park to raise sponsorship; praises the generosity and involvement of local businesses and groups, including The Auld Hoose Open Mic Music for providing musical entertainment and support and Highland Broadband for sponsoring food for participants, and commends the efforts of everyone who slept out, donated, or volunteered to make the event a success.

That the Parliament recognises that Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Week will take place from 1 to 7 December 2025, highlighting the experiences of people living with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis across the UK; notes that these serious, lifelong and often invisible conditions affect more than one in 103 people in Scotland, which is the highest prevalence in the UK, and impact education, employment, relationships and mental health; further notes that this year’s theme, "How it feels", brings much needed attention to the emotional and social realities of living with an unpredictable and fluctuating illness, including anxiety about flare-ups, isolation during recovery and the uncertainty that comes with managing symptoms that are not always visible; acknowledges the role of Crohn’s & Colitis UK in supporting greater public understanding and amplifying the voices of those affected, and calls on members across the Parliament to help raise awareness, challenge stigma and support efforts to ensure everyone living with Crohn’s or colitis can access timely diagnosis, specialist care and the support needed to live well.

That the Parliament congratulates Florence House Care Home in Govan on securing a generous grant from Cycling UK’s Cycle Access Fund, which has provided residents with new bikes, cycling equipment and a secure storage facility; understands that the funding has enabled residents to enjoy hybrid bikes, a Theraplay Fun2Go bike, and other cycling accessories, giving them exciting opportunities to get outdoors, stay active and take part in social and physical activities tailored to their needs; recognises the dedication of wellbeing enabler, Andrew Blake, and care home staff, who worked closely with residents to choose the most suitable bikes and ensure safety and enjoyment; acknowledges the positive impact that cycling can have on residents’ physical health, mental wellbeing and social engagement, including for those living with dementia, palliative care needs, or younger adults requiring residential support, and believes that initiatives such as this enrich the lives of residents, create meaningful experiences, and demonstrate the commitment of staff to providing personalised care that goes beyond standard care plans. 

That the Parliament marks the 25th anniversary of the foundation of Kilmadock Development Trust (KDT), which aims to improve Doune and Deanston as places to live, work and visit; understands that over the last 25 years, hundreds of volunteers have contributed to the running of KDT, including through the day-to-day operations of the information and heritage centre which opened on 1 December 2000, marking the point at which KDT began trading with the public; notes that thousands of visitors to the community have been welcomed at the information and heritage centre over the last quarter century, and that many of those have enjoyed a range of local heritage displays, including the addition of a unique collection of 18th century Doune pistols in 2025; understands that since 2017, KDT has operated the Doune Post Office following a risk of closure, rescued and restored the 101 year old Rural Hall, supported the reopening of public toilets and spearheaded a range of community heritage projects; supports the work that KDT does in promoting and assisting community groups, including the Doune and Deanston Youth Project, which has recently been supported to obtain significant capital investment to construct a new community building in Moray Park due to open for the first time on the 25th anniversary date of 1 December 2025; wishes KDT and all of its staff and volunteers well in the future as they continue to grow; praises the dedication of all those who have assisted KDT in its 25 year history, and looks forward to a long future of continued success in promoting and improving the communities it represents.

That the Parliament congratulates Mark Shiner, who is from Orkney, on winning both the Scotland Maker of the Year and UK Maker of the Year awards at the 2025 Heritage Craft Awards; understands that these recognitions celebrate individuals in Scotland and the UK who have made an extraordinary contribution to their heritage craft within the previous year; notes that Mark was also named a finalist for the Patron's Award for Endangered Crafts; recognises that since 2013, Mark has taught the traditional sailmaking programme at the University of Highlands and Islands Orkney, which is the only one of its kind in Scotland and has kept alive a centuries-old craft that holds deep ties to the local maritime culture; notes that Mark's expertise in traditional sailmaking earned international recognition in 2023 when he was invited to teach the craft to staff members at Mystic Seaport Museum in Connecticut, which is America's leading maritime museum; commends Mark for his exceptional skills and his commitment to safeguarding the practice of handmaking sails for future generations; thanks him for his important work and for delivering this programme in Orkney; further congratulates him on this fantastic achievement, and wishes him all the best for the future. 

That the Parliament celebrates the invaluable work done daily by Highland and Islands Blood Bikes; notes that it has been a registered charity in Scotland for six years and that it supports the NHS by providing urgent transportation of medical samples and medications; recognises that the items it can transport include blood samples, medication, human donor milk, spinal fluid and equipment; understands that, from November 2024 to October 2025, it transported 590 blood samples, 241 other samples, 188 items for pharmacy, 69 items of donor milk and 65 other items; congratulates Highland and Islands Blood Bikes for completing 1,253 jobs and covering over 110,000 miles in 2025; acknowledges that the charity is entirely volunteer-run, with 98 volunteers operating across Wick, Inverness, Oban and Fort William; notes that all funding is generated from the charity itself, and wishes the team at Highland and Islands Blood Bikes every success in its vital work delivering life-saving medication and medical samples, and supporting the NHS.