Minutes: 25 September 2024

1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take item 4 in private. 

2. Consideration of continued petitions:

The Committee considered the following continued petitions:

PE1856: Support the taxi trade. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders. 

PE1958: Extend aftercare for previously looked after young people, and remove the continuing care age cap. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders. In closing the petition, the Committee agreed to write to the Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise. 

PE1982: Review funding arrangements for higher education to help ensure more funded places are available for Scottish ballet dancers at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders. In closing the petition, the Committee agreed to write to the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. 

PE1997: Introduce mandatory braille labelling for food products sold in Scotland. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders. 

PE2042: Abolish car parking charges for all Forestry and Land Scotland sites. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders. 

3. Consideration of new petitions:

The Committee considered the following new petitions: 

PE2097: Repeal the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders. 

PE2100: Ministerial guidance to clarify the criteria for assessing licence applications under section 16 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders.  

PE2101: Provide Defibrillators for all Primary and Secondary Schools in Scotland. The Committee agreed to write to the Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health. 

PE2102: Require anyone found guilty of rape or sexual assault to be registered as a sex offender. The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government, Victim Support Scotland, Rape Crisis, and the Scottish Sentencing Council.  

PE2104: End the pause on prescribing puberty blockers to children in Scotland. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders. In closing the petition, the Committee agreed to write to the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee. 

PE2106: Prohibit mobile phone use in Scottish schools. The Committee agreed to write to the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, COSLA, Association of Directors of Education, Association of Headteachers and Deputes in Scotland, School Leaders Scotland, and Scottish teaching unions.  

4. Inquiry into A9 Dualling Project:

The Committee agreed to consider a revised draft at a future meeting.