Chamber and committees

That the Parliament recognises what it sees as the significant contribution that Edinburgh South FC (ESFC) Inch Park Community Sports Club makes to grassroots sport and community participation across the Edinburgh Southern constituency; notes that the ESFC is one of the largest community football organisations in the country, with over 1,000 players across 75 teams, and supported by more than 200 volunteers; understands that the area of Inch Park, which is known locally as the "nursery site" has been identified as the preferred location for a new all-weather pitch and new changing facilities to support year-round participation and reduce cancellations; acknowledges that ESFC’s plans have received support from the SFA; notes calls encouraging more local authorities and leisure centres to work alongside football clubs to secure sustainable long-term homes for clubs; believes that good access to high-quality and affordable football facilities is essential to supporting participation, improving health and wellbeing and offering opportunities for young people in communities across Scotland, and recognises what it sees as the important role that grassroots football clubs play nationwide in fostering inclusion, developing talent and strengthening communities.

That the Parliament recognises that phenylketonuria (PKU) is a rare, lifelong metabolic disorder in which the body is unable to process the amino acid phenylalanine, leading to a risk of severe and irreversible neurological damage without strict dietary management; acknowledges the significant daily burden placed on individuals and families living with PKU, including the need for constant monitoring and the exclusion of most everyday foods; notes the recent drop-in event hosted in the Scottish Parliament, which highlighted lived experience and current challenges in accessing treatment and support; further notes ongoing UK trials of a home blood phenylalanine monitoring device and the emerging treatment, sepiapterin, both of which offer the potential to improve quality of life; recognises the work of the National Society for Phenylketonuria (NSPKU) in advocating for improved care and access to treatment, and notes the calls on the Scottish Government and NHS Scotland to consider how services for people with PKU can be strengthened to support better long-term outcomes, including in the Coatbridge and Chryston constituency.

That the Parliament commemorates the life and work of Margaret Diamond, who recently passed away aged 89, and recognises her more than 40 years of service in the recovery sector across Inverclyde and Greater Glasgow; understands that Margaret was a pivotal source of support for people in recovery for decades, beginning as a volunteer at the Cardross Residential Rehabilitation Centre before working at Rainbow House in the west of Glasgow until 2001; notes that, despite several attempts to retire, Margaret continued to dedicate her time and expertise to the sector, working alongside Father James Ferguson, founder of the Jericho Benedictine Society, to establish residential rehabilitation facilities for both men and women in Greenock, as well as facilitating a family support group and a men’s drama group; further recognises that Margaret received significant acknowledgement for her lifelong commitment to recovery, including being awarded the British Empire Medal in 2013 and receiving the 2024 Kevin Dodds Award from residential rehabilitation provider Abbeycare at its annual Recovery Gathering, and conveys its sincere condolences and gratitude to Margaret’s family, acknowledging her exceptional dedication to supporting those recovering from drug and alcohol addiction.

That the Parliament congratulates Midsteeple Quarter on winning the Housing and Regeneration Award at the 2025 SURF Awards for its landmark project, The Standard, in Dumfries, in the South Scotland region; notes that this is the first phase of the Midsteeple Quarter masterplan, which is a community-led initiative to regenerate Dumfries town centre through community asset ownership; acknowledges that The Standard, completed in November 2024, delivers seven mid-market rental apartments, including a dedicated work and living space for creative professionals, alongside enterprise, community and office spaces on the lower floors; commends the project’s innovative approach, combining heritage restoration with sustainable new-build design to create a vibrant mixed-use development that addresses housing need, supports local businesses and encourages town centre living; notes that the project was delivered by Midsteeple Quarter, a community benefit society with over 500 members, in partnership with South of Scotland Community Housing and other stakeholders; recognises the extensive community engagement and partnership working that made this possible; believes that this is the first urban/town centre community-led housing project of its kind in Scotland, and considers that The Standard sets a high benchmark for urban regeneration and demonstrates the transformative power of community-led development in Scotland.

That the Parliament notes with deep sadness the passing of the esteemed Scottish actor, comedian and entertainer Stanley Baxter, at the age of 99; acknowledges that Mr Baxter was born in Glasgow on 24 May 1926, was educated at Hillhead High School and began performing as a child on BBC Scotland’s Children’s Hour before going on to become one of Scotland’s greatest and most influential performers; recognises his formative stage work at Glasgow’s Citizens Theatre, his celebrated pantomime and variety theatre performances at the Theatre Royal in Glasgow, and his lasting popularity on the pantomime circuit at the King’s Theatre in Glasgow up until his retirement; notes his rise to national fame through seminal television comedy series, including On The Bright Side, in which he introduced his iconic Parliamo Glasgow sketch, The Stanley Baxter Show, The Stanley Baxter Picture Show, The Stanley Baxter Series and Mr Majeika, roles in film and radio and the numerous awards and honours he received including BAFTAs and BAFTA Scotland’s Outstanding Contribution to Film and Television Award; recognises that he was married for 46 years to actress Moira Robertson until her death in 1997 and that public records do not list any surviving children, and therefore offers its condolences to all his extended family, close friends and those who were dear to him in life; highlights his courage in speaking publicly about his life experiences later in life, what it sees as his profound impact on Scottish culture and entertainment and the joy he brought to audiences across generations, and pays tribute to his extraordinary talent and enduring legacy.

That the Parliament congratulates Scottish electrical apprentices Ellis Stevenson and Adam Souter on winning the gold and silver medals respectively at the SkillELECTRIC National Award; acknowledges that both apprentices are managed through the Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT) and attend the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) Moray; understands that SECTT manages the relationship between employers and colleges to train many apprentices every year; recognises the hard work, dedication and high level of technical skill that Ellis and Adam have demonstrated throughout their apprenticeships to achieve success at this prestigious competition; commends the support provided by their employers, lecturers at UHI Moray and the team at SECTT in helping them to reach this standard; thanks SECTT’s Chief Executive, Fiona Harper, and her colleagues, for their ongoing efforts to promote high-quality apprenticeship opportunities in Scotland’s electrical industry, and wishes Ellis, Adam, SECTT, and all current and future apprentices, every success in their careers.

That the Parliament welcomes the launch of the Macmillan CARE (Culture, Agency, Respect, Equity) Grants Programme, which is a pilot that will fund community-led projects that offer new insights and impact; understands that the grants will focus on the three key areas, cultural responsiveness and improving the sensitivity of cancer care to diverse cultural needs, shared decision-making that empowers people to understand and participate in their care choices, and dementia-friendly cancer care enhancing support for individuals living with both cancer and dementia; notes that the programme is open to voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise organisations across Scotland with an interest in addressing health inequities and delivering co-designed, community-led solutions; considers that such a programme will go a long way to improving the lives of patients, carers and loved ones, and wishes everyone involved every success.

That the Parliament congratulates Campbell Street Area Tenants and Residents Association on receiving a National Lottery Awards for All Scotland grant of £1,400; understands that the funds will be used to deliver a free Halloween pumpkin trail in Newmilns in East Ayrshire for around 100 people; commends Campbell Street Area Tenants and Residents Association on its efforts to bring the local community together, and wishes all the volunteers and participants well in their future endeavours.

That the Parliament congratulates Lorna Hamilton, county commissioner for Girlguiding Dunbartonshire, on celebrating 40 years of service; understands that Lorna was honoured with a surprise dinner organised by her fellow volunteers, acknowledging four decades of commitment to Girlguiding; notes that before Girlguiding, Lorna started as a Brownie and then moved on to become a Guide; further notes that after working away for a period, she was invited to an anniversary event at the 1st Bearsden Guides and within a week, she joined the 3rd Bearsden Guides, which she would go on to lead for 30 years and where she was keen to provide outdoor adventures, camping opportunities and international trips for the young members; recognises that Lorna is now due to stand down as county commissioner after five years in the role, and wishes her all the best for whatever she may do next.

That the Parliament congratulates Gifford Community Woodland in East Lothian, which is managed by Gifford Community Land Company Ltd, on winning two awards at the Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards 2025; notes that the woodland was crowned winner of the Large Community Woodland Group Award and honoured with the prestigious Tim Stead Trophy for the overall Community Woodland Award; recognises the significant achievement in restoring native woodland and delivering outstanding community-led ecological stewardship; welcomes the community’s dedication to transforming Speedy Wood and Fawn Wood into a model for environmental education, biodiversity and sustainable public access; commends the role of local volunteers and partners in creating paths, conducting wildlife surveys and enhancing the ecosystem resilience; appreciates the Scottish Government’s support for community woodlands, and calls on it to continue championing and funding such community-led forestry initiatives across Scotland.