Note: (DT) signifies a decision taken at Decision Time.
The meeting opened at 2.30 pm.
1. Time for Reflection: Father Michael Hutson, Parish Priest, St Andrew’s, Rothesay, Isle of Bute led Time for Reflection.
2. Scotland’s National Parks: The Minister for Environment (Roseanna Cunningham) moved S3M-5110—That the Parliament commends the contribution that Scotland’s two national parks make to sustainable social and economic development and to delivering the Greener Scotland agenda; notes the outcome of the National Parks Strategic Review, and welcomes the proposal to set up a National Parks Strategy group to guide future strategy for Scotland’s national parks.
Sarah Boyack moved amendment S3M-5110.1 to motion S3M-5110—
Leave out from “to guide” to end and insert—
“and believes that it should explore the potential for establishing new national parks, including in marine and coastal areas.”
After debate, the amendment was agreed to (DT).
John Scott moved amendment S3M-5110.2 to motion S3M-5110—
Insert at end—
“while also welcoming the reduction in the size of the boards of the National Park Authorities, thereby producing greater efficiencies by way of reducing running costs, and emphasising that the proposed National Parks Strategy group must have a clear timescale of operation and well defined sense of purpose in its objectives.”
After debate, the amendment was disagreed to ((DT) by division: For 51, Against 51, Abstentions 0. Amendment disagreed to on casting vote).
Liam McArthur moved amendment S3M-5110.3 to motion S3M-5110—
Insert at end—
“; celebrates the success of the boards of the National Parks in giving a voice to local people in managing their own environment, and calls for early consideration to be given to increasing the directly elected presence on boards.”
After debate, the amendment was agreed to ((DT) by division: For 65, Against 37, Abstentions 0).
The motion, as amended, was then agreed to (DT).
Accordingly the Parliament resolved—That the Parliament commends the contribution that Scotland’s two national parks make to sustainable social and economic development and to delivering the Greener Scotland agenda; notes the outcome of the National Parks Strategic Review, and welcomes the proposal to set up a National Parks Strategy group; believes that it should explore the potential for establishing new national parks, including in marine and coastal areas; celebrates the success of the boards of the National Parks in giving a voice to local people in managing their own environment, and calls for early consideration to be given to increasing the directly elected presence on boards.
3. Ministerial Statement: The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning (Fiona Hyslop) made a statement and answered questions on Making Skills Work for Scotland: ScotAction.
4. Business Motion: Bruce Crawford, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, moved S3M-5113—That the Parliament agrees the following revision to the programme of business for Thursday 5 November 2009—
after
2.15 pm Themed Question Time
Health and Wellbeing
insert
followed by Ministerial Statement: Sex Offenders
The motion was agreed to.
5. Business Motion: Bruce Crawford, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, moved S3M-5114—That the Parliament agrees the following programme of business—
Wednesday 11 November 2009
2.30 pm Time for Reflection
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Scottish Government Debate: Scotland’s Historic Environment – A Unique Resource for our Economy and our People
followed by Business Motion
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members’ Business
Thursday 12 November 2009
9.15 am Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Scottish Government Debate: Central Scotland Green Network
11.40 am General Question Time
12 noon First Minister’s Question Time
2.15 pm Themed Question Time
Justice and Law Officers;
Rural Affairs and the Environment
2.55 pm Scottish Government Debate: The Future of Community Fire Safety in Scotland
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members’ Business
Wednesday 18 November 2009
2.30 pm Time for Reflection
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Stage 3 Proceedings: Arbitration (Scotland) Bill
followed by Business Motion
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members’ Business
Thursday 19 November 2009
9.15 am Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Scottish Government Business
11.40 am General Question Time
12 noon First Minister’s Question Time
2.15 pm Themed Question Time
Finance and Sustainable Growth
2.55 pm Stage 3 Proceedings: Schools Consultation (Scotland) Bill
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members’ Business
The motion was agreed to.
6. Business Motion: Bruce Crawford, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, moved S3M-5115—That the Parliament agrees that consideration of the Marine (Scotland) Bill at Stage 2 be completed by 4 December 2009.
The motion was agreed to.
7. Approval of SSI: Bruce Crawford, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, moved S3M-5116—That the Parliament agrees that the draft Public Appointments and Public Bodies etc. (Scotland) Act 2003 (Amendment of Specified Authorities) Order 2009 be approved.
The motion was agreed to (DT).
8. Decision Time: The Parliament took decisions on items 2 and 7 as noted above.
9. Don’t Derail GARL: The Parliament debated S3M-4882 in the name of Bill Butler—That the Parliament regrets the proposal in the SNP government’s draft budget, published on 17 September 2009, to drop the Glasgow Airport Rail Link (GARL) project; considers that the proposed cut is short-sighted, given that a new airport rail link would provide Glasgow with a direct connection to three international airports and would contribute in a positive fashion to the economic development of Glasgow and west central Scotland, especially at this difficult time; believes that the rail link is an indispensable component of a modern 21st century transport infrastructure for the whole of Scotland; considers that GARL will boost public transport and reduce the number of car journeys to the airport; further considers that the promise to have GARL in place was a vital consideration in the awarding of the 2014 Commonwealth Games to Glasgow, and hopes that, in the course of the budget process, wiser counsel prevails.
10. Motion without Notice: Bill Butler moved without notice that, under Rule 8.14.3, the debate be extended by up to 30 minutes. The motion was agreed to.
The meeting closed at 6.09 pm.
P E Grice
Clerk of the Parliament
4 November 2009
Appendix
(Note: this Appendix does not form part of the Minutes)
Subordinate Legislation
Negative Instruments
The following instrument was laid before the Parliament on 30 October 2009 and is subject to annulment
The Planning (Control of Major-Accident Hazards) (Scotland) Regulations 2009 (SSI 2009/378)
laid under paragraph 2 of Schedule 2 to the European Communities Act 1972
The following instrument was laid before the Parliament on 2 November 2009 and is subject to annulment
Act of Sederunt (Fees of Sheriff Officers) (Diligence) 2009 (SSI 2009/379)
laid under section 40 of the Sheriff Courts (Scotland) Act 1907
The following instruments were laid before the Parliament on 4 November 2009 and are subject to annulment—
The Campbeltown Legalised Police Cells (Declaration and Revocation) Rules 2009 (SSI 2009/380)
laid under section 42 of the Prisons (Scotland) Act 1989
The National Assistance (Assessment of Resources) Amendment (No. 2) (Scotland) Regulations 2009 (SSI 2009/381)
laid under section 63(3) of the National Assistance Act 1948
Other Documents
The following document was laid before the Parliament on 30 October 2009 and is not subject to any parliamentary procedure
Highlands and Islands Enterprise Accounts 2008-09 (SG/2009/223)
laid under section 22(5) of the Public Finance and Accountability (Scotland) Act 2000
The following documents were laid before the Parliament on 2 November 2009 and are not subject to any parliamentary procedure
Risk Management Authority Annual Report and Accounts 2008-2009 (SG/2009/236)
laid under section 13(3) of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003 and section 22(5) of the Public Finance and Accountability (Scotland) Act 2000
Statement: British Waterways Board: Pay of Chair and Board Members (SG/2009/240)
laid under paragraph 8 of Schedule 1 to the Transport Act 1962 as amended by Part II of Schedule 2 to the Scotland Act 1998 (Cross-Border Public Authorities) (Adaptation of Functions etc.) (No. 2) Order 2000
The following documents were laid before the Parliament on 4 November 2009 and are not subject to any parliamentary procedure—
Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary for Scotland: Annual Report 2008-09 (SG/2009/182)
laid under section 33(4) of the Police (Scotland) Act 1967
Law Commission Consumer Remedies for Faulty Goods (SG/2009/218)
Scotland’s Public Finances: Preparing for the Future. A report prepared for the Auditor General for Scotland (AGS/2009/9)
laid under the Public Finance and Accountability (Scotland) Act 2000
Committee Reports
The following report is being published on 4 November 2009
Subordinate Legislation Committee, 43rd Report, 2009 (Session 3): Subordinate Legislation (SPPaper 331)