Chamber and committees

That the Parliament considers that tackling climate change is one of the greatest challenges that the world faces and that Scotland set world-leading targets; is disappointed at reports that the Scottish Government has no credible pathway to meet the interim 2030 target, described as too stretching with just six years left to reach it; understands that the Scottish Government has failed to meet eight of its last 12 emissions targets; notes the belief that a draft climate change plan must be introduced with the utmost urgency; further notes the view that transformational policies must be introduced to tackle, mitigate and adapt to climate change, in line with just transition principles, and considers that this process, as part of the journey to a more circular economy, will have benefits for Scotland, including communities in the North East Scotland region, as well as contribute to the global effort in tackling climate change.

That the Parliament applauds the outstanding achievement of South Ayrshire’s young carers; understands that the group won the Great British Care Awards National Final in March 2024 in recognition of their short fictional film, The Weekend, lifting the title in the unpaid carers category; recognises what it considers to be the extraordinary dedication and commitment of these young carers who consistently exceed expectations to improve the lives of others; congratulates them on their recent accolade, which it believes highlights their selfless perseverance and is truly something to be extremely proud of, and wishes the young carers every success for the future.

That the Parliament congratulates the 10 winners at the 10th Young Professionals Green Energy Awards, hosted by Scottish Renewables; understands that the awards scheme was launched in 2015, and “recognises those who have achieved beyond all expectations, those who are pioneering new ideas and have the drive and ambition to change the industry for the better”; further understands that the 10 winners were selected from a shortlist of 36, and that the winners will go on to compete for the Young and Inspiring Award at The Scottish Green Energy Awards, which are due to be held in Edinburgh in December 2024, and wishes all of those involved the best of luck.

That the Parliament congratulates the Montrose Burns Club on the official opening of the Robert Burns Rosemount memorial; understands that Montrose Burns Club was formed in 1909 and commemorates the works and heritage of the National Bard, Robert Burns; notes that the Montrose Burns Club is affiliated to the Robert Burns World Federation (RBWF); acknowledges that Montrose has a long connection to Robert Burns, who, it understands, stopped there to water his horse when he travelled down through the town from Stonehaven before heading onwards to Arbroath in September 1787; understands that in order to leave a lasting legacy and commemorate the Burns link with Montrose, a cairn has been officially opened by the President of the Robert Burns World Federation; further understands that the cairn contains a stone plaque carved in 1930 to commemorate the spot where Burns stopped to water his horse in 1787, as well as a new Burns sculpture, and wishes the Montrose Burns Club every success as it promotes the rich Burns heritage of the Montrose area.  

That the Parliament applauds Hilltop Boarding Kennels on retaining its crown as Kennel of the Year, winning the regional prize for East Lothian, North and East Ayrshire and the Scottish Borders; understands that the family-run business that is based in Ochiltree was set up by owner Pamela, previously a veterinary nurse, and her daughter Natalie, who together, with a little help from other family members, have looked after and cared for pets for almost five years; recognises that this award is a reflection of their hard work and dedication to ensure the best experience possible for the boarders and their owners; congratulates them once again on their achievement, and wishes them the very best of luck for next year and the possibility of making it a hat-trick.

That the Parliament congratulates pupils from Wallacewell Primary School who created mini eco-friendly show home gardens for a prominent housebuilder; understands that Taylor Wimpey West Scotland challenged the P5 children to create nature-friendly features for the new gardens in its Monument Way development in Robroyston, in the hope that it would encourage visitors to use the gardens in environmentally-friendly ways; notes that the housebuilder wanted its show home gardens to be more nature friendly, with the introduction of bug hotels and the planting of pollinator-friendly flowers; understands that children submitted drawings showing what the gardens could look like; notes that the housebuilder's local landscaping expert, and others, judged the designs, but were unable to pick an overall winner due to the design ideas being of such high quality, and that, as such, two winners were selected; understands that designers Bethany and Charlie each saw their design brought to life and won a gardening set packed full of wildflower seeds, a bug hotel, bird feeders, as well as a mini herb garden to grow at home or in school, and believes that all of the P5 children enormously enjoyed the challenge of designing a sustainable show home garden.

That the Parliament congratulates the staff at Davidsons Chemists in Brechin on winning the Commitment to Health and Wellbeing award at the Scottish Pharmacist Awards 2024; understands that they were chosen for demonstrating an outstanding contribution through the provision of health and wellbeing initiatives, in particular their exceptional efforts during Storm Babet; considers that the award is testament to the team's consistently high standards, dedication to community care and for truly making a difference in the community; recognises that the Scottish Pharmacist Awards is an annual event providing an opportunity to shine a light on the great work that is being done daily in pharmacies across Scotland, and wishes the whole team at Davidson Chemists, Brechin, every success for the future.

That the Social Justice and Social Security Committee recommends that the Carer's Assistance (Carer Support Payment) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2024 [draft] be approved.

That the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee recommends that the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 (Independent Health Care) Modification Order 2024 be approved.

That the Parliament congratulates Mural Mosaic’s Global Roots Project as it unveils the Scotland Connects National Mural Mosaic at Brechin Community Hub in Brechin; understands that artists of all skill levels throughout Scotland and across the world have come together to paint over 1,000 tiles to form Scotland’s national mural; notes that each artist has contributed a unique tile to the mural, and that each tile represents the artist's reflections of how people in Scotland are all connected, with vibrant colours, different styles and self-expression; considers that the mosaic serves as a reminder of the power of collaboration; recognises that the Scotland Connects National Mural Mosaic was chosen to be housed at Brechin as a permanent work of art, and hopes that everyone involved enjoys the mural for many years to come.