Seòmar agus comataidhean

We were in Springburn yesterday, and I was amazed to find that, although we were in the middle of a housing estate, you just did not know it once you got into the allotment. You could have been anywhere. To be honest, I was quite chilled there.

Sinclair Laing touched on this issue earlier, but how can the planning system be better used to ensure adequate provision is made for new and existing community growers? Would you like to throw anything else in there, Sinclair?

Good morning, panel. One question that has been covered by some people is the extent to which local authorities are taking a more joined-up approach to the provision of growing spaces, recognising the contribution that allotments and community growing spaces can make to meet that demand. I know that Sandy Paterson has touched on that, but I will direct my question to Amy Alcorn.

Thanks for that.

My last question is: could the planning system be better used to ensure that adequate provision is made for new and existing community growers? Sandy Paterson is nodding in the public gallery. Does he want to join the table to answer that one?

Does Paul O’Brien want to add anything to that?

Going back to yesterday’s visit, I understand that Glasgow is going to add a further 250 growing spaces—correct me if I have that figure wrong. Can you expand on that? How many are traditional allotments and how many are growing spaces?

What about Peter Duncan? Do you review the waiting list annually?

Yes, that is what I picked up on the visits in Glasgow yesterday. The groups just want a wee hand up from the council and to know that their requests are not falling on deaf ears. If they can get a wee hand up, that is important to them. They just want to get on and grow.

How can communities use local place plans to ensure that local authorities include community growing in local development plans?

The importance of volunteering to successful community growing has been clear from the written submissions and our committee visits. How can local authorities continue to help community growing and allotments to thrive in areas with lower levels of volunteering?

Good morning, panel, and thanks for your time this morning. I want to explore the implementation of the act and the size assumptions with a general question. Do any of the panel have views on the guidance and any other support that the Scottish Government gave to local authorities when part 9 came into force in April 2018? Are you aware of the guidance? What else should be done to ensure compliance with the act? I just put that out to everybody.

Richard Crawford, is there anything you want to add? I am sorry to put you on the spot.