Seòmar agus comataidhean

That the Parliament congratulates all of the commissioners and staff of the Scottish Law Commission, past and present, on its 60th anniversary; notes that the Commission was established under the Law Commissions Act 1965, and that the Commission is Scotland’s law reform body tasked with recommending reforms to simplify, modernise and improve Scots law; considers that outdated or complex laws can be inefficient, and do not serve the interests of the public or justice well; recognises that the Commission provides independent advice to the Scottish Government, often examining entire areas of law and making recommendations; notes that the Commission's work has led to a number of bills in the Scottish Parliament, including reforms abolishing feudal tenure and protecting adults incapable of managing their affairs; values the contribution of the Commission over the last 60 years, and notes that, since 2013, part of the Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee’s remit has been to scrutinise certain Scottish Law Commission Bills that comply with the Scottish Parliament's Standing Orders Rule 9.17A and the associated criteria determined by the Presiding Officer, with the Committee leading on four such bills so far in Session 6.

That the Parliament acknowledges the reported presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in council and former council housing in Aberdeen’s Balnagask, Dundee, Monifieth and throughout Scotland; understands that, in Torry, around 150 of these properties are privately owned; expresses concern that the buy-back offers proposed by councils may value these properties at less than they were bought for; notes reports that the Scottish Government does not believe that it has a liability to compensate or financially assist affected homeowners; regrets what it sees as the attempt by the Scottish Government to divert responsibility, by reportedly trying to pin responsibility on the UK Government for this devolved matter; further regrets reports of the reluctance of the Minister for Housing to meet the Torry RAAC campaign group and that he has not met with other campaign groups, including those in Dundee, and notes calls on MSPs to utilise all available powers to explore solutions for affected homeowners, including initiating an urgent committee inquiry.

That the Parliament congratulates St John’s Primary School in Stevenston on being awarded a sportscotland Gold School Sport Award; notes that the award, funded by the National Lottery, recognises schools that place sport at the heart of their planning, practices and ethos; acknowledges that the Gold Award reflects the school’s excellent work across all core areas of the programme, including increasing opportunities for young people to participate in physical education, school sport and leadership; notes that this brings the total number of current Gold Award schools in the Cunninghame South constituency to 13; recognises the importance of the School Sport Award, which encourages schools to build strong links with local communities and support lifelong participation in sport, and commends St John’s Primary and all staff and pupils involved for their dedication to creating a positive sporting environment.

That the Parliament extends its sympathies towards the residents of Kilwinning following the fire at the Fenix Recycling Centre on Byrehill Place, which started on 9 April 2025; acknowledges the fear, distress and disruption that this caused for many in the local community, as well as the significant mobilisation of fire appliances and specialist resources that the incident called for; notes with concern reports that this event occurred 366 days after a similar fire at the same site, which required a multi-agency response across several days; believes that the future of the site must be clarified and that any uncertainty surrounding its maintenance and adherence to guidelines should be addressed; considers that fires of electrical origin pose an increasing risk to public safety; believes that Scottish Fire and Rescue Service statistics indicate 26 fires across Scotland involving rechargeable batteries in 2024 compared with three in 2018, which is approximately equivalent to a 767% rise, and calls on the Scottish Government to review the safety of large-scale electrical and battery recycling plants, as well as how it plans to support fire services to respond to the evolving hazard landscape.

That the Parliament recognises the 60th anniversary of Kilmarnock Football Club winning the Scottish Championship under Willie Waddell, in a thrilling game on the last day of the season at Tynecastle, against Hearts, on 24 April 1965; recalls that Kilmarnock had to win the match by two clear goals to win the league on goal average, with goals from Davie Sneddon and Brien McIlroy, and a magnificent save by Bobby Ferguson near the end of the match, securing the title by 0.042 of a goal; notes that this was a golden era for Kilmarnock, coming runner-up in the championship on four occasions prior to winning the title, as well as defeating Eintracht Frankfurt in the Fairs Cities Cup in 1964, predecessor of the UEFA Cup, coming back from four goals down to win the match 5-4; recalls a magnificent match in the European Cup at Rugby Park with Real Madrid in 1965, which ended 2-2; notes that the club reached the semi-final of the Fairs Cities Cup in 1967, playing a magnificent Leeds United team, and recalls that wonderful team on championship day of Ferguson, King and Watson, Murray, McGrory and Beattie, McLean, McInally, Black, Sneddon and McIlroy.

That the Parliament congratulates Fife Thistle AFC on its 30th anniversary, which the club is marking this season; further congratulates Colin Murray, who established the amateur football team and has been its manager ever since; commends Colin for the exceptional dedication that he has shown to the club, which has given opportunities to hundreds of young people to play football, many of whom have gone on to play at higher levels; understands that Colin manages the teams at their Saturday matches and leads two training sessions per week, in addition to investing his own money in the team to buy kit, rent pitches and training facilities, renovate changing rooms, and buy a lawnmower and minibus; further understands that Colin cuts the grass and lines the team’s pitches and washes strips each week; notes that, under his management, Fife Thistle AFC has seen success, initially in the Sunday league and then in Saturday football, as it has progressed in the Kingdom of Fife leagues; welcomes the establishment of an over-35 team; recognises that Colin has also supported his players off the pitch to ensure that they have the opportunity to play; further welcomes Colin’s role in leading the club’s fundraising for three defibrillators, following one of the team’s players having a heart attack; understands that one of these defibrillators will travel with the team on its away matches, one will be based permanently at the club’s changing rooms in Balmullo, where it will be available for use by the local community, and a third will be installed in Crail, which is the home village of the player who had a heart attack; acknowledges the immense gratitude to Colin that has been expressed by current and former players of Fife Thistle AFC, and wishes them well in the events that they have organised to mark 30 years of the club and Colin’s contribution to it.

That the Parliament congratulates Kilmarnock Rugby Club on winning the West Region League Division One title; recognises that this is the first time in 30 years that the club has lifted the league trophy, following a 63-19 win away to Annan, which took the club over the line in the season's final game; notes that the first XV won 17 out of the 18 fixtures, which has led to promotion to the National League; recognises that the support from friends, family and supporters has not gone unnoticed and has spurred the boys on to this tremendous victory, and congratulates all the team and coaches.

That the Parliament welcomes the news that University of Stirling swimmers have put themselves in contention for World Championship selection with what it considers as brilliant performances at the Aquatics GB Swimming Championships in London, winning 13 events and medalling in nine more; acknowledges that Alloa’s Duncan Scott took gold in three races, while Tillicoultry’s Keanna Macinnes, along with her University of Stirling stablemates, Angharad Evans, Freya Anderson, Katie Shanahan and Suzie McNair, all won two golds each, in addition to Katie Shanahan, Suzie McNair, Lucy Grieve and Holly McGill winning a silver each, and bronze medals for Holly McGill, Kathleen Dawson and Jack McMillan, and a double for George Smith; notes that the Aquatics GB Championships form part of the Team GB selection process for 2026’s World Aquatics Championships in Singapore; considers that Stirling’s success across the six days of sell-out action at the London Aquatics Centre underlines its position as Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence, and a top destination for swim scholars; understands that, within this event, Angharad Evans broke her own British record to secure the Women’s 100m Breaststroke title, touching the wall in 1:05.37, two tenths inside her previous best, with Katie Shanahan and Holly McGill making a Stirling one-two in the Women’s 200m Backstroke, with Katie touching the wall in 2:07.91, which is inside the World Aquatics Championship selection time, and commends all of these excellent competitors, as well as the University of Stirling’s coaching team, on their truly sterling achievements.

That the Parliament notes that April 2025 marks the 25th anniversary of Haddington Farmers’ Market; understands that, since the market started on Haddington’s Court Street in April 2000, it has welcomed hundreds of small businesses as stall-holders and thousands of consumers, who have enjoyed the opportunity to purchase a diverse range of fresh, high-quality produce at the monthly market; notes that Haddington Farmers’ Market also made history as the first farmers’ market from the UK to trade abroad, at the Comice Agricole in Aubigny, France, Haddington’s twin town, in 2008, 2010 and 2012; congratulates the organisers, stall-holders and everyone else who has supported the market over the last 25 years on reaching this significant milestone, and wishes them all continued success for the market’s future.

That the Parliament congratulates Irvine Rangers AFC on winning the Ayrshire Sunday Amateur League title following a decisive 2-0 victory over Ardrossan Winton Rovers at Winton Park on 13 April 2025; notes the importance of the win, which was required to secure the title for Irvine Rangers, with goals from Danny Wilson and Clayton Smith guaranteeing the championship; acknowledges that this celebration adds to Irvine Rangers AFC’s continued success in recent years, following its Thistle Steele Cup 2024 and ASAFA League Cup 2024 victories; celebrates the team’s outstanding league campaign; looks forward to its participation in three upcoming cup semi-finals, and recognises the contribution of grassroots football in Ayrshire in promoting fitness, teamwork and community spirit.