Minutes: 19 February 2025

1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take items 4 and 5 in private.

2. Consideration of continued petitions:

The Committee considered the following continued petitions—

PE2006: Review and simplify the legislation in relation to dismissal of property factors. The Committee heard evidence from—

Siobhian Brown, Minister for Victims and Community Safety

Jill Clark, Team Leader, Private Law Unit 

Sandra Jack, Policy Advisor, Private Law Unit

Stephen Leetion, Housing Registers Policy & Customer Focus Team Leader, Better Homes Division

Megan Stefaniak, Solicitor, Scottish Government Legal Directorate.

Fergus Ewing indicated that he is a registered solicitor with the Law Society of Scotland. The Committee agreed to consider the evidence at a future meeting.

PE1865: Suspend all surgical mesh and fixation devices. The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government.

PE1926: Expand universal free school meals for all nursery, primary and secondary school pupils. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders.

PE2019: Withdraw rates relief under the Small Business Bonus Scheme from Holiday Let Accommodation. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders.

PE2048: Review the FAST stroke awareness campaign. The Committee agreed to write to the Minister for Public Health and Women's Health, NHS Fife, NHS Ayrshire and Arran, Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland, the Scottish Ambulance Service, and the Chartered Institute of Marketing.

PE2078: Introduce mandatory licencing and inspection of private ambulance service providers. The Committee agreed to write to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, and to invite the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care to give evidence on the petition at a future meeting once a response has been received.

3. Consideration of new petitions:

The Committee considered the following new petitions—

PE2126: Ensure abortion services are available up to 24 weeks across all parts of Scotland. The Committee agreed to write to the Minister for Public Health and Women's Health.

PE2125: End the pause on new NHS building projects and prioritise capital funding for primary care buildings. The Committee agreed to write to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care.

PE2127: Develop a new Digital Connectivity Plan for the Highlands and Islands. The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government.

PE2128: Increase funding for post mastectomy (delayed) breast reconstructions and ensure that waiting time information is accurate. The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government.

PE2129: Standardise criteria and consultations for assessing demand for denominational schools. The Committee agreed to write to the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills.

PE2132: Publish a timeline for the dualling of the A96 between Inverness and Nairn by Easter 2025. The Committee agreed to include this petition as part of the forthcoming evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Transport on road petitions.

4. Consideration of Evidence (In Private):

The Committee considered the evidence it heard earlier under agenda item 2.

5. Citizen Participation (In Private):

The Committee considered a draft participation blueprint, and agreed the approach for consulting on the draft blueprint.