Seòmar agus comataidhean

Thank you for joining us. It is good to have your perspective.

We will move on to the theme of local food growing strategies. I know that Sinclair Laing has talked about this issue quite a lot already, but I have a general question on it. I think that Aberdeen City Council has such a strategy—indeed, all the councils represented today have them—but what has been your experience of creating them? How have you brought allotments or food growing spaces into those strategies and your thinking?

Sinclair, I will start with you, as you might have more to add to what you have already said, and then I will bring in Marina Curran-Colthart and Sandy Paterson.

Amy, I do not want to put you on the spot, but I am aware that you have to leave so, rather than invite you to respond to a specific question, I would like to give you a little bit of space to tell us about anything that you want to make sure that we are aware of from the perspective of Scottish Borders Council.

Just to clarify, in Fife, do you provide a shed for people?

We have another panel, and I will organise that. Can we just keep the focus on where we are?

That is great. It is important to provide that hand holding and an initial introduction in order to understand where people are at. From what has been said, I guess that we might need to think more about starter plots. People clearly have the desire to put seeds in the ground and grow food and to have that connection. We might need to look at the issue in another way. That has come through from the community garden movement, too.

I will touch on two other issues before I bring in colleagues to ask their questions. Peter Duncan said that he has found that barriers have started to be removed, with colleagues in local authorities recognising the importance of allotments. Which departments are allies in relation to allotments coming to fruition?

Absolutely. That is very interesting. Does Ian Woolard have any thoughts on that? Peter Duncan has identified the estates department as useful, in that it has come online and recognised the importance of allotments. Are there any other departments that are helpful in Edinburgh?

So, allotments have not been brought into the mix?

That is great. Peter, have you been involved in your local food strategy to any extent?

Thank you for that. Paul, I did not direct the question to you, but I have just realised that, with your overview hat on, you may have an understanding of how the food strategies are being developed across Scotland.

Brilliant. Thank you very much.