Meeting of the Parliament

Portfolio Questions Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands Kaukab Stewart S6O-02680 1. To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its plans to support community gardens. Foysol Choudhury S6O-02681 2. To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the rural affairs secretary has had with ministerial colleagues regarding the development of rural skills to help deliver its commitments in relation to peatland restoration in the Programme for Government 2023-24. Pam Duncan-Glancy S6O-02682 3. To ask the Scottish Government how much grant funding it provides directly to each of Scotland’s botanic gardens annually. Mark Ruskell 4. [Not Lodged] Jeremy Balfour S6O-02684 5. To ask the Scottish Government what measures it is taking to support farmers to protect crops, including from future flood-related damage. Annie Wells S6O-02685 6. To ask the Scottish Government how it will help farmers to plan for their succession. Gillian Mackay S6O-02686 7. To ask the Scottish Government how its agricultural development projects will boost organic produce and improve environmental practice, as part of its work towards achieving its net zero targets. Mark Griffin S6O-02687 8. To ask the Scottish Government what continued engagement it has had with the Scottish Land Commission about its proposal for compulsory sales orders since it first proposed them in August 2018. NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care Audrey Nicoll S6O-02688 1. To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how its winter preparedness plan will aim to reduce pressure on the NHS. Neil Bibby S6O-02689 2. To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the reported planned closure of Erskine Park Home. Jackie Dunbar S6O-02690 3. To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what steps are being taken to increase recruitment and retention of staff in the Scottish Ambulance Service this winter. David Torrance S6O-02691 4. To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to improve the detection and treatment of high blood pressure, in light of reports that an estimated 1.3 million people in Scotland are living with this condition. Liz Smith S6O-02692 5. To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the winter COVID-19 vaccination programme. Maggie Chapman S6O-02693 6. To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of the Scottish Mental Health Law Review on the legal status of autistic people in relation to treatment and involuntary detention. Miles Briggs S6O-02694 7. To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the ability of children living in temporary accommodation to access health services, in particular in relation to current levels of treatment from mental health services. Alexander Burnett S6O-02695 8. To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made on eliminating long waiting times for NHS patients. followed by Ministerial Statement: Scotland’s Approach to 2023 Coastal State Fisheries Negotiations: Securing Principled, Sustainable Outcomes followed by Scottish Government Debate: CashBack for Communities Russell Findlay S6M-11127.2 As an amendment to motion S6M-11127 in the name of Siobhian Brown (CashBack for Communities), insert at end “; recognises that the money recovered from the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 does not match the vast wealth accumulated by criminals in Scotland; acknowledges that the activities of organised crime groups, including drug dealing, have a devastating impact on communities, resulting in a high number of deaths; calls, therefore, on the Scottish Government to review the effectiveness of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, which was fully enacted in March 2004, with a view to increasing the amount of money that can be recovered, and urges the Scottish Government to update its Serious Organised Crime strategy to ensure that tackling damaging, high-level criminality remains a key priority of the justice system.” Katy Clark S6M-11127.1 As an amendment to motion S6M-11127 in the name of Siobhian Brown (CashBack for Communities), insert at end ", and recognises the importance of access to restorative justice practices, not only as a measure to prevent antisocial behaviour, but also as a tool for young people who are already involved in the criminal justice system." Siobhian Brown S6M-11127 That the Parliament commends the CashBack for Communities programme, which is now in its 15th year and sixth phase; understands that the programme is unique to Scotland and reinvests money recovered under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002; acknowledges that the aims of the programme are diversion from antisocial behaviour, provision of positive activity, support for wellbeing, and building confidence and skills for young people; notes that, since its inception, the programme has committed £130 million to supporting around 1.3 million young people; understands that, over the next three years, phase six of the programme is expected to reach around 34,000 young people; welcomes and thanks the CashBack for Communities-funded partner organisations for their dedication, passion and hard work; recognises the opportunities and benefits that the programme brings to children, young people, families and communities, and applauds the achievements of the many thousands of CashBack for Communities participants. followed by Decision Time followed by Members' Business — S6M-10747 Gordon MacDonald: Contribution of the Scottish Convenience Store Sector That the Parliament recognises what it sees as the vital importance of the Scottish convenience sector; understands that there are 5,171 convenience stores in Scotland, providing over 49,000 local jobs, which includes 95% of staff employed on a permanent contract and 42% choosing to walk to work; commends the sector for the key services that local shops provide for communities the length and breadth of the country, such as those in the Edinburgh Pentlands constituency, including, it understands, 83% offering mobile phone top-ups, 76% offering bill payment services, 47% offering free-to-use ATMs, and 27% with Post Offices; welcomes the fact that many Scottish stores also now offer online and home delivery options for customers; notes that the vast majority of shops are open seven days a week, and, in some cases, are open 24 hours a day; understands that colleagues in the UK convenience sector worked a combined total of 12.1 million hours per week between 2022 and 2023; further understands that Scottish convenience retailers have invested £62 million in their stores over the last year, and that, at a UK level, the convenience sector contributed over £10.6 billion in gross value added (GVA) and over £9.1 billion in taxes over the same period, and congratulates the Scottish Grocers’ Federation on promoting responsible community retailing among its membership, the sector generally on what it sees as its ability to thrive, and convenience stores on continuing to be, it believes, important local community assets.