This weekly eBulletin provides an 'at a glance' guide to the week ahead in the Scottish Parliament and is issued every week, except when the Parliament is in recess.
All proceedings in the Debating Chamber, committee rooms and committee meetings outwith Edinburgh can be viewed, or listened to, live in the Parliament TV section of our website.
Points to Note
Agricultural Holdings (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill passed by the Scottish Parliament
On 7 June, MSPs unanimously agreed to pass the Agricultural Holdings (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill.
Agricultural Holdings (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill
Parliamentary relevance at the heart of the debate
An international conference debating how to make Parliaments more relevant will take place at the Scottish Parliament on Monday 11 and Tuesday 12 June. The theme will be explored by more than fifty international Parliamentarians attending the 42nd Conference of the British Islands and Mediterranean Region (BIMR) of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), and organised by the CPA Scotland Branch.
News release - Parliamentary relevance at the heart of the debate
Parliament agrees reform measures
Reform measures which will see the chamber sit three afternoons a week and make Parliament more responsive to topical and emerging issues have been agreed. The changes will also involve committees meeting Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings.
Video - Parliament agrees reform measures
Holyrood Round-up
Watch a short video round-up of parliamentary business during the week beginning Monday 4 June.
Holyrood Round-up – 7/6/12
This week in the Debating Chamber
Wednesday 13 June 2012
2.30 pm Time for Reflection – Baroness Caroline Cox of Queensbury, founder and CEO of Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust and guest speaker at the National Prayer Breakfast for Scotland
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Scottish Government Debate: Improving Services for Victims and Witnesses
followed by Business Motions
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members’ Business – S4M-03136 Liz Smith: Scotland’s Mountain Rescue Teams (for text of motion see Section F of the Business Bulletin for Wednesday 6 June 2012)
Thursday 14 June 2012
9.15 am Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Labour Party Business
11.40 am General Question Time (for text of General Questions see Section D of the Business Bulletin for Thursday 7 June 2012)
12.00 pm First Minister’s Question Time
2.15 pm Themed Question Time
Rural Affairs and the Environment
Justice and the Law Officers (for text of Themed Questions see Section D of the Business Bulletin for Thursday 7 June 2012)
2.55 pm Scottish Government Debate: Young People and Economic Growth
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members’ Business – S4M-02988 John Park: Celebrating Fife’s Outdoor Education Centre (for text of motion see Section F of the Business Bulletin for Thursday 24 May 2012)
Committee meetings
Justice Committee
12 June 2012
20th Meeting, 2012
The Committee will meet at 9.30 am in Committee Room 4
1. Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Bill: The Committee will consider the Bill at Stage 2 (Day 2).
2. Subordinate legislation: The Committee will consider the following negative instruments—
Fire and Rescue Services (Framework) (Scotland) Order 2012 (SSI 2012/146);
Licensed Legal Services (Complaints and Compensation Arrangements) (Scotland) Regulations 2012 (SSI 2012/153);
Licensed Legal Services (Interests in Licensed Providers) (Scotland) Regulations 2012 (SSI 2012/154);
Licensed Legal Services (Maximum Penalty and Interest in respect of Approved Regulators) (Scotland) Regulations 2012 (SSI 2012/155).
Proposed future business
At its next meeting, on 19 June, the Committee will take evidence from the Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs on the Crime and Courts Bill (UK Parliament legislation). The Committee will also consider a number of items of subordinate legislation and its work programme.
Education and Culture Committee
12 June 2012
18th Meeting, 2012
The Committee will meet at 10.00 am in Committee Room 2
1. Children's Charities: The Committee will take evidence, in a round-table discussion, from—
Graham Bell, Chief Executive, Kibble Education and Care Centre;
Ruth Boddie, Service Manager, Scottish Pre-School Play Association;
Sara Lacey, Head of Residential Services, Care Visions;
Annie Gunner Logan, Director, Coalition of Care and Support Providers in Scotland;
Sara Lurie, Director, The Fostering Network Scotland;
Tom McGhee, Managing Director, Spark of Genius, Scottish Children’s Services Coalition;
Jim Sweeney, Chief Executive, YouthLink Scotland;
Alison Todd, Chair, Parenting across Scotland.
Proposed future business
At its next meeting, on 19 June, the Committee will take oral evidence on School Buildings.
Health and Sport Committee
12 June 2012
19th Meeting, 2012
The Committee will meet at 10.00 am in Committee Room 6
1. Decision on taking business in private: The Committee will decide whether to take item 6 in private. The Committee will also consider whether to take consideration of a draft Stage 1 Report on the Social Care (Self-directed Support) (Scotland) Bill in private at future meetings.
2. Subordinate legislation: The Committee will take evidence on the Mental Health (Safety and Security) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2012 from—
Michael Matheson, Minister for Public Health, and Simon Cuthbert-Kerr, Head of Mental Health Legislation & Adult Protection Policy Team, Scottish Government.
3. Subordinate legislation: Michael Matheson Minister for Public Health to move—S4M-03154—That the Health and Sport Committee recommends that the Mental Health (Safety and Security) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2012 [draft] be approved.
4. Petitions: PE1398, PE1399, PE1401 The Committee will consider correspondence on the Petitions from the Scottish Medicines Consortium, NHS National Services Division and the Scottish Government.
5. Work programme: The Committee will consider its work programme.
6. NHS Boards Budget Scrutiny: The Committee will consider a draft report.
Proposed future business
At its next meeting, on 19 June, the Committee expects to consider a Draft Stage 1 Report on the Social Care (Self-directed Support) (Scotland) Bill.
Equal Opportunities Committee
12 June 2012
11th Meeting, 2012
The Committee will meet at 2.00 pm in Committee Room 3
1. Having and Keeping a Home: steps to preventing homelessness among young people: The Committee will take evidence from—
Gordon Fleming, Unit Manager, Julia Edgar, Matthew Friess, and Rhea Nicholson, Highland Homeless Trust;
Kate Sanford, Policy Manager, Byron Carruthers, Sharleen McLennon, and Alexandra Robertson, Quarriers.
2. Petition PE1411: Reforming uniform policy in schools: The Committee will consider petition PE1411 by Luca Scarabello, calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to reform School Uniform Policies; by stopping gender-specific uniforms and changing clothes worn for uniforms to more comfortable, less physical-restrictive, more affordable and practical garments.
Proposed future business
At its next meeting on 19 June 2012, the Committee will continue to take evidence on its 'Having and Keeping a Home: steps to preventing homelessness among young people' inquiry.
Public Petitions Committee
12 June 2012
10th Meeting, 2012
The Committee will meet at 2.00 pm in Committee Room 2
1. Consideration of new petitions: The Committee will consider—
PE1431 by Nick Riddiford, on behalf of the Fair Isle Community, on a marine protected area for Fair Isle
and take evidence from—
Nick Riddiford and Stewart Thomson, Fair Isle Community;
Alexander Bennett, Group Manager - Countryside North, National Trust for Scotland
and will then consider—
PE1433 by John Hancox on productive land for landless Scots to grow their own food.
2. Consideration of current petitions: The Committee will consider—
PE1098 by Lynn Merrifield, on behalf of Kingseat Community Council, and PE1223 by Ron Beaty on school bus safety;
PE1105 by Marjorie McCance on St Margaret of Scotland Hospice;
PE1285 by Caroline Mockford on free calls to NHS 24 for mobile phones;
PE1384 by Kim Hartley, on behalf of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, on speech and language therapy transforms lives;
PE1408 by Andrea MacArthur on the updating of pernicious anaemia/vitamin B12 deficiency understanding and treatment.
Proposed future business
At its next meeting, on 26 June, the Committee expects to consider petitions on a ban on the manufacture, sale, possession and use of all snares, acquired brain injury services, improving youth football in Scotland, time for all to be heard, the overbreeding and abandonment of Staffordshire bull terriers, a ban on the use of wild animals in circuses, access to insulin pump therapy, fair ferry fares, inequality of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003, harnessing the undoubted talent of public sector staff and improving transport provision for older people in remote and rural areas.
Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee
12 June 2012
9th Meeting, 2012
The Committee will meet at 2.30 pm in Committee Room 5
1. Decision on taking business in private: The Committee will decide whether to take items 4 and 5 in private.
2. Decision on taking business in private: The Committee will decide whether its consideration of changes to Section 7 of the Code of Conduct, its review of evidence heard on its review of Cross-Party Groups and guidance on motions and parliamentary questions should be taken in private at a future meeting.
3. Cross-Party Group: The Committee will consider an application for recognition from the proposed Cross-Party Group on Cycling.
4. Scotland Act 2012: The Committee will consider a draft report and Standing Order rule changes.
5. Work programme: The Committee will consider its work programme.
Proposed future business
At its next meeting, on 19 June, the Committee expects to take oral evidence on its Review of Cross-Party Groups.
Subordinate Legislation Committee
12 June 2012
16th Meeting, 2012
The Committee will meet at 2.30 pm in Committee Room 4
1. Instruments subject to negative procedure: The Committee will consider the following—
National Health Service Superannuation Scheme etc. (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Scotland) Regulations 2012 (SSI 2012/163);
Parole Board (Scotland) Amendment Rules 2012 (SSI 2012/167);
Licensed Legal Services (Interests in Licensed Providers) (Scotland) Regulations 2012 (SSI 2012/154);
Sports Grounds and Sporting Events (Designation) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2012 (SSI 2012/164);
Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2012 (SSI 2012/165);
European Fisheries Fund (Grants) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2012 (SSI 2012/166);
Adults with Incapacity (Requirements for Signing Medical Treatment Certificates) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2012 (SSI 2012/170);
National Health Service (Travelling Expenses and Remission of Charges) (Scotland) (No. 2) Amendment Regulations 2012 (SSI 2012/171);
Individual Learning Account (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2012 (SSI 2012/172);
Poultry Health Scheme (Fees) (Scotland) Regulations 2012 (SSI 2012/176);
Animal By-Products (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Scotland) Regulations 2012 (SSI 2012/179);
Property Factors (Registration) (Scotland) Regulations 2012 (SSI 2012/181);
Leader Grants (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2012 (SSI 2012/182);
Marine Licensing (Fees) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2012 (SSI 2012/183).
2. Instruments not subject to any parliamentary procedure: The Committee will consider the following—
Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010 (Commencement No. 10 and Saving Provisions) Order 2012 (SSI 2012/160 (C.15));
Bluetongue (Scotland) Amendment Order 2012 (SSI 2012/184);
Property Factors (Scotland) Act 2011 (Commencement No. 2 and Transitional) Order 2012 (SSI 2012/149 (C.12)).
3. Scottish Civil Justice Council and Criminal Legal Assistance Bill: The Committee will consider its approach to the scrutiny of the Bill at Stage 1.
4. Welfare Reform (Further Provision) (Scotland) Bill: The Committee will consider the Scottish Government's response to its Stage 1 report.
5. Crime and Courts Bill (UK Parliament legislation): The Committee will consider the powers to make subordinate legislation conferred on Scottish Ministers in the Crime and Courts Bill (UK Parliament legislation).
6. Electoral Registration and Administration Bill (UK Parliament legislation): The Committee will consider the powers to make subordinate legislation conferred on Scottish Ministers in the Electoral Registration and Administration Bill (UK Parliament legislation).
7. Local Government Finance Bill (UK Parliament legislation): The Committee will consider the powers to make subordinate legislation conferred on Scottish Ministers in the Local Government Finance Bill (UK Parliament legislation).
Proposed future business
At its next meeting, on 19 June, the Committee expects to consider subordinate legislation.
Local Government and Regeneration Committee
13 June 2012
16th Meeting, 2012
The Committee will meet at 9.45 am in Committee Room 1
1. Accounts Commission for Scotland reports: The Committee will take evidence on two reports from the Accounts Commission for Scotland entitled: 'An overview of local government in Scotland, challenges and change in 2012'; and 'Using cost information to improve performance: are you getting it right?' from—
John Baillie, Chair, Douglas Sinclair, Deputy Chair, Fraser McKinlay, Director, Best Value and Scrutiny Improvement, Martin Walker, Assistant Director, Best Value and Scrutiny Improvement, and Gordon Smail, Portfolio Manager, Best Value and Scrutiny Improvement, Accounts Commission for Scotland.
2. 2012 Scottish local government elections: The Committee will take oral evidence, in round-table format, on the conduct of the 2012 Scottish local government elections from—
William Pollock, Chair of the Scotland and Northern Ireland Branch, Association of Electoral Administrators;
Grodon Blair, Member, Society of Local Authority Lawyers and Administrators;
Stephen Sadler, Head of Elections Team, Scottish Government;
Andy O'Neill, Head of Office Scotland, Electoral Commission;
Chris Highcock, Secretary, Electoral Management Board for Scotland;
David Anning, Project Manager, Logica UK.
3. Public services reform and local government: strand 1 – partnerships and outcomes (in private): The Committee will consider a draft report.
Proposed future business
At its next meeting, on 20 June, the Committee expects to take oral evidence on two Legislative Consent Memoranda on the UK Electoral Registration and Administration Bill, and the UK Local Government Finance Bill. The Committee will also undertake an oral evidence session as part of its inquiry on Public Services Peform and Local Government: Strand 2 – Benchmarking and Performance Measurement; its will consider its approach to its scrutiny of the Scottish Government's 2013/14 draft budget, and consider its work programme for the next 12 months.
Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee
13 June 2012
20th Meeting, 2012
The Committee will meet at 10.00 am in Committee Room 2
1. Decision on taking business in private: The Committee will decide whether to take item 3 and future consideration of draft reports on this inquiry in private.
2. Inquiry into the Scottish Government's renewable energy targets The Committee will take evidence from
Ian Marlee, Senior Partner, Smarter Grids and Governance (transmission), Charles Gallacher, Director of GB External Relations, and Dr Charlotte Ramsay, Head of European Strategy, Ofgem;
and then from—
David Odling, Energy Policy Manager, and Alix Thom, Employment and Skills Issues Advisor, Oil & Gas UK.
3. Inquiry into the Scottish Government's renewable energy targets: The Committee will consider its approach to its report.
Proposed future business
At its next meeting, on 20 June, the Committee will conclude oral evidence on its inquiry into the Scottish Government's renewable energy targets.
Finance Committee
13 June 2012
18th Meeting, 2012
The Committee will meet at 10.00 am in Committee Room 6
1. Decision on taking business in private: The Committee will decide whether to take items 4, 5 and 6 in private.
2. Improving employability: The Committee will take evidence from—
Angela Constance, Minister for Youth Employment, and Hugh McAloon, Head of Youth Employability and Skills, Scottish Government.
3. The financial implications of the Welfare Reform Act 2012 (UK Parliament legislation): The Committee will take evidence from—
Morag Johnston, Assistant Director of Financial Services, Glasgow City Council;
Alan Sinclair, Council Tax & Benefits Manager, City of Edinburgh Council;
Derek Yule, Director of Finance, Highland Council;
Michael McClements, Policy Manager, and Jonathan Sharma, Policy Manager, COSLA.
4. Freedom of Information (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill: The Committee will consider its approach to the scrutiny of the Bill at Stage 1.
5. Work programme: The Committee will consider its work programme.
6. Improving employability: The Committee will consider the key themes arising from its oral evidence sessions.
Proposed future business
At its next meeting, on 20 June, the Committee will take further oral evidence on the UK Welfare Reform Act 2012.
Welfare Reform Committee
13 June 2012
9th Meeting, 2012
The Committee will meet at 10.00 am in Committee Room 3
1. Decision on taking business in private: The Committee will decide whether its consideration of its future work programme should be taken in private at its next meeting.
2. Welfare Reform (Further Provision) (Scotland) Bill: The Committee will consider the Bill at Stage 2 (Day 1).
Nicola Sturgeon, Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Cities Strategy, Chris Boyland, Bill Manager, Ann McVie, Team Leader, Welfare Division, and Alison Stewart, Legal Directorate, Scottish Government.
Proposed future business
At its next meeting, on 21 June, the Committee expects to consider its work programme.
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