Minutes: 27 November 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:

PE2089: Stop More National Parks in Scotland. The Committee took evidence from— 

Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, supported by Brittany Brown, Policy Lead – New National Parks, and Lisa McCann, Head of Biodiversity, Scottish Government 

and then considered— 

PE1916: Request a public inquiry into the management of the rest and be thankful project. The Committee agreed to invite the Cabinet Secretary for Transport to give evidence at a future meeting. 

PE1967: Protect Loch Lomond’s Atlantic oakwood shoreline by implementing the High road option for the A82 upgrade between Tarbet and Inverarnan. The Committee agreed to invite the Cabinet Secretary for Transport to give evidence at a future meeting. 

PE2008: Provide funding for a separate mental health A&E for children. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders. 

PE2009: Ensure fair access to Scottish universities for all residents in Scotland and the UK. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders. 

PE2050: Prohibit the use of recreational drones on national nature reserves without a permit from NatureScot. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders. 

PE2062: Introduce a National Screening Programme for Prostate Cancer. The Committee agreed to write to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care and the UK National Screening Committee. 

3. Consideration of new petitions:

The Committee considered the following new petitions: 

PE2109: Halt any further pump storage hydro schemes on Scottish lochs holding wild Atlantic salmon. Edward Mountain declared a financial interest as a partner in and owner of 50% of Delfur Fishings, of Moray, a rod and line salmon fishing business and managed fisheries on the River Ness and Loch Ness until 2006. The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government, major developers of pumped storage schemes including Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks, and the UNESCO Centre for Water Law, Policy and Science. 

PE2116: Accelerate the implementation of bus franchising powers. The Committee agreed to write to the seven statutory Regional Transport Partnerships, Confederation of Passenger Transport, Bus Users Scotland, the Traffic Commissioner for Scotland, the Bee Network in Greater Manchester, the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Transport for Wales, UK Ministers, the Law Society of Scotland, and key bus operators in Scotland.  

PE2118: Review and restructure Scotland’s flood risk management approach and operations. The Committee agreed to write to SEPA and the Scottish Government. 

4. Consideration of evidence:

The Committee considered the evidence it heard under agenda item 2. The Committee agreed to consider the evidence heard at a future meeting.