That the Parliament notes with concern, despite the SNP administration's rhetoric to the contrary, the increasing centralisation of power into the hands of ministers rather than to Scotland’s councils and local communities; deplores the growing number of decisions being made and initiatives being introduced by central government and imposed on local authorities and local communities, particularly those relating to planning and service provision; considers that the effect of this centralisation has had a counterproductive, stifling and damaging effect on local democracy and accountability, and supports measures that enhance localism and subsidiarity and that return decision-making to Scottish communities.
Current Status:
That the Parliament notes with concern, despite the SNP administration's rhetoric to the contrary, the increasing centralisation of power into the hands of ministers rather than to Scotland’s councils and local communities; deplores the growing number of decisions being made and initiatives being introduced by central government and imposed on local authorities and local communities, particularly those relating to planning and service provision; considers that the effect of this centralisation has had a counterproductive, stifling and damaging effect on local democracy and accountability, and supports measures that enhance localism and subsidiarity and that return decision-making to Scottish communities.
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 26/04/2012
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That the Parliament notes that 6 February 2012 marked the 60th anniversary of the passing of His Majesty King George VI and, thereby, the accession of Her Majesty The Queen; gives thanks for her reign, the service that Her Majesty has given to the people of the United Kingdom, Her Majesty’s other realms and dominions and to the wider Commonwealth of nations, and looks forward to the celebrations ahead and to joining with the people of Scotland in welcoming Her Majesty back to Scotland in this her Diamond Jubilee year.
Current Status:
That the Parliament notes that 6 February 2012 marked the 60th anniversary of the passing of His Majesty King George VI and, thereby, the accession of Her Majesty The Queen; gives thanks for her reign, the service that Her Majesty has given to the people of the United Kingdom, Her Majesty’s other realms and dominions and to the wider Commonwealth of nations, and looks forward to the celebrations ahead and to joining with the people of Scotland in welcoming Her Majesty back to Scotland in this her Diamond Jubilee year.
Supported by: Ruth Davidson, Richard Lyle, Jim Hume, John Lamont, Liz Smith, Margaret Mitchell, Murdo Fraser, John Scott, Jamie McGrigor, Nanette Milne, Mary Scanlon, Alex Johnstone
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As an amendment to motion S4M-01638 in the name of Nicola Sturgeon (Welfare Reform Bill – UK Legislation), leave out from “but regrets” to end and insert “and agrees that the relevant provisions of the Welfare Reform Bill, introduced in the House of Commons on 16 February 2011 to make provision within the legislative competence of the Parliament and to alter the executive competence of the Scottish Ministers, should be considered by the UK Parliament.”
Current Status:
As an amendment to motion S4M-01638 in the name of Nicola Sturgeon (Welfare Reform Bill – UK Legislation), leave out from “but regrets” to end and insert “and agrees that the relevant provisions of the Welfare Reform Bill, introduced in the House of Commons on 16 February 2011 to make provision within the legislative competence of the Parliament and to alter the executive competence of the Scottish Ministers, should be considered by the UK Parliament.”
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As an amendment to motion S4M-01583 in the name of Colin Keir (UK Veto is Damaging for Scotland), leave out from “deep” to end and insert “support for the Prime Minister’s use of the British veto; considers that David Cameron’s actions are in the interests of the UK and especially Scotland as 150,000 Scottish jobs are either directly or indirectly dependent on the financial services industry; further considers that the UK economy and the jobs in all sectors, especially small business, that are intrinsic to growth are dependent on a strong economy of which the financial services industry is a vital part; understands that Scots back the Prime Minister’s use of the veto by a proportion of 2:1; notes that EU relations are a reserved matter and believes that the coalition government has always been sensitive to Scottish requirements as seen with its Respect Agenda; expresses concern that the SNP is among the biggest cheerleaders of the failed eurozone, with the man who speaks for the SNP in Europe, Alyn Smith MEP, confirming that it is still SNP policy to join the euro; further believes that Scotland’s sovereignty would have been eroded in complying with eurozone plans, which entail governments referring their proposed budgets to the European Commission before national government scrutiny; welcomes the fact that Scotland is not independent or part of the eurozone, and therefore pays tribute to the Prime Minister for fighting for British interests rather than the SNP, which it considers would have an independent Scotland while surrendering Scotland's financial services industry to Brussels dictat.”
Current Status:
As an amendment to motion S4M-01583 in the name of Colin Keir (UK Veto is Damaging for Scotland), leave out from “deep” to end and insert “support for the Prime Minister’s use of the British veto; considers that David Cameron’s actions are in the interests of the UK and especially Scotland as 150,000 Scottish jobs are either directly or indirectly dependent on the financial services industry; further considers that the UK economy and the jobs in all sectors, especially small business, that are intrinsic to growth are dependent on a strong economy of which the financial services industry is a vital part; understands that Scots back the Prime Minister’s use of the veto by a proportion of 2:1; notes that EU relations are a reserved matter and believes that the coalition government has always been sensitive to Scottish requirements as seen with its Respect Agenda; expresses concern that the SNP is among the biggest cheerleaders of the failed eurozone, with the man who speaks for the SNP in Europe, Alyn Smith MEP, confirming that it is still SNP policy to join the euro; further believes that Scotland’s sovereignty would have been eroded in complying with eurozone plans, which entail governments referring their proposed budgets to the European Commission before national government scrutiny; welcomes the fact that Scotland is not independent or part of the eurozone, and therefore pays tribute to the Prime Minister for fighting for British interests rather than the SNP, which it considers would have an independent Scotland while surrendering Scotland's financial services industry to Brussels dictat.”
Supported by: Nanette Milne, David McLetchie, Mary Scanlon, Annabel Goldie, Jamie McGrigor, John Lamont, Margaret Mitchell, Murdo Fraser
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As an amendment to motion S4M-00169 in the name of Fergus Ewing (Faster and Further to Secure Scotland's Place as the Green Energy Powerhouse of Europe), leave out from "agrees" to end and insert “is concerned that the Scottish Government’s target of generating the equivalent of 100% of Scotland’s electricity demand from renewable sources within nine years is wholly unachievable; is further concerned that the Scottish Government’s refusal to replace existing nuclear facilities will lead to an excessive reliance on onshore wind farms and thereby jeopardise the security of Scotland’s energy supply; believes that a viable, low-carbon and secure energy capacity for the future requires investment in the full range of renewable sources, the life extension of existing nuclear facilities and the development of world-leading carbon capture technology; further believes that the UK Government’s Green Investment Bank should be located in Scotland, and calls on the Scottish Government to amend the national planning framework to designate the replacement of existing nuclear facilities as national developments and to introduce robust national strategic planning guidance to ensure that new wind farms are sited only in appropriate locations.”
Current Status:
As an amendment to motion S4M-00169 in the name of Fergus Ewing (Faster and Further to Secure Scotland's Place as the Green Energy Powerhouse of Europe), leave out from "agrees" to end and insert “is concerned that the Scottish Government’s target of generating the equivalent of 100% of Scotland’s electricity demand from renewable sources within nine years is wholly unachievable; is further concerned that the Scottish Government’s refusal to replace existing nuclear facilities will lead to an excessive reliance on onshore wind farms and thereby jeopardise the security of Scotland’s energy supply; believes that a viable, low-carbon and secure energy capacity for the future requires investment in the full range of renewable sources, the life extension of existing nuclear facilities and the development of world-leading carbon capture technology; further believes that the UK Government’s Green Investment Bank should be located in Scotland, and calls on the Scottish Government to amend the national planning framework to designate the replacement of existing nuclear facilities as national developments and to introduce robust national strategic planning guidance to ensure that new wind farms are sited only in appropriate locations.”
Current Status: Fallen on 21/10/2011
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As an amendment to motion S3M-8177 in the name of Charlie Gordon (Transport), leave out from “believes” to end and insert “notes that voluntary partnerships between bus operators and local authorities have proved a successful means of delivering quality bus services in many areas of Scotland; congratulates Perth-based Stagecoach and Aberdeen-based FirstGroup on their unparalleled global success; further congratulates Lothian Buses on being named the best bus company in the UK for 2007 and notes the success that this company has achieved since the Transport (Scotland) Act 1989; therefore, in light of the clear evidence, cautions against the inappropriate regulation of bus services, and urges local authorities concerned about services in their area to examine those voluntary partnerships operating outside the statutory framework that have delivered most in terms of results and to consider what lessons can be learned and applied.”
Current Status:
As an amendment to motion S3M-8177 in the name of Charlie Gordon (Transport), leave out from “believes” to end and insert “notes that voluntary partnerships between bus operators and local authorities have proved a successful means of delivering quality bus services in many areas of Scotland; congratulates Perth-based Stagecoach and Aberdeen-based FirstGroup on their unparalleled global success; further congratulates Lothian Buses on being named the best bus company in the UK for 2007 and notes the success that this company has achieved since the Transport (Scotland) Act 1989; therefore, in light of the clear evidence, cautions against the inappropriate regulation of bus services, and urges local authorities concerned about services in their area to examine those voluntary partnerships operating outside the statutory framework that have delivered most in terms of results and to consider what lessons can be learned and applied.”
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 17/03/2011
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As an amendment to motion S3M-7935 in the name of Brian Adam (Scottish Ferry Services), leave out from first “welcomes” to end and insert “believes that the first consideration when examining the future of ferry services in Scotland must be the need to protect the interests of ferry users as opposed to defending existing structures; is concerned that there has been a huge increase in subsidy to Scotland’s state-run ferry operations in recent years, as noted by SNP councillor Roy Pedersen who stated in State Aids and Scottish Ferries: Submission to the European Commission that “In contrast with other state subsidised ferry systems worldwide, Scotland does not compare favourably. Subsidy levels as a proportion [of] operating costs have risen in the case of CalMac from 18% of operating costs in 1991 to 45% in 2007, yet fares and charges remained relatively high and traffic growth is sluggish. For Northlink, the comparable percentages are 22% in 1991 to an astonishing 62% in 2007”; notes the further comments of Councillor Pedersen expressed in evidence to the Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee’s inquiry, Ferry Services in Scotland, that “There is a lot of scope for the private sector to contribute to ferry services in Scotland. The current tendering system seems almost designed to inhibit the private sector in contributing ... Something more flexible is required for the future”; also notes the view expressed in the cross-party Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee’s 4th Report, 2008 (Session 3): Ferry Services in Scotland that “little new thinking or real innovation has taken place in respect of delivering ferry services in Scotland. In most cases, established practice has prevailed … there has been a lack of clear strategic policy direction and leadership”; notes the examples of Western Ferries and Pentland Ferries that, it considers, provide popular and high-quality ferry services without any public subsidy despite having to compete with subsidised services, and therefore calls for the immediate publication of the Scottish Government’s Scottish Ferries Review coupled with a robust debate about the future funding and structure of ferry services.”
Current Status:
As an amendment to motion S3M-7935 in the name of Brian Adam (Scottish Ferry Services), leave out from first “welcomes” to end and insert “believes that the first consideration when examining the future of ferry services in Scotland must be the need to protect the interests of ferry users as opposed to defending existing structures; is concerned that there has been a huge increase in subsidy to Scotland’s state-run ferry operations in recent years, as noted by SNP councillor Roy Pedersen who stated in State Aids and Scottish Ferries: Submission to the European Commission that “In contrast with other state subsidised ferry systems worldwide, Scotland does not compare favourably. Subsidy levels as a proportion [of] operating costs have risen in the case of CalMac from 18% of operating costs in 1991 to 45% in 2007, yet fares and charges remained relatively high and traffic growth is sluggish. For Northlink, the comparable percentages are 22% in 1991 to an astonishing 62% in 2007”; notes the further comments of Councillor Pedersen expressed in evidence to the Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee’s inquiry, Ferry Services in Scotland, that “There is a lot of scope for the private sector to contribute to ferry services in Scotland. The current tendering system seems almost designed to inhibit the private sector in contributing ... Something more flexible is required for the future”; also notes the view expressed in the cross-party Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee’s 4th Report, 2008 (Session 3): Ferry Services in Scotland that “little new thinking or real innovation has taken place in respect of delivering ferry services in Scotland. In most cases, established practice has prevailed … there has been a lack of clear strategic policy direction and leadership”; notes the examples of Western Ferries and Pentland Ferries that, it considers, provide popular and high-quality ferry services without any public subsidy despite having to compete with subsidised services, and therefore calls for the immediate publication of the Scottish Government’s Scottish Ferries Review coupled with a robust debate about the future funding and structure of ferry services.”
Supported by: Margaret Mitchell, John Lamont, Murdo Fraser, Bill Aitken, Jamie McGrigor, Nanette Milne, Mary Scanlon
Current Status: Fallen on 23/03/2011
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That the Parliament expresses its concern in respect of the proposal to establish a waste incineration plant at Loganswell near Newton Mearns in Eastwood covering some 29 hectares and which is anticipated to burn some 1.5 million tonnes of raw waste a year, a proposal which would arguably turn Eastwood into the ashtray of the west of Scotland; further notes the evidence of Duncan McLaren of Friends of the Earth Scotland who advised the Transport Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee on 23 November 2010 that it “would be insane to build Europe’s largest incinerator in East Renfrewshire”;believes that further consideration of this project is needed, and expresses its support for the wider local community, which it considers is resolutely opposed to this proposed development.
Current Status:
That the Parliament expresses its concern in respect of the proposal to establish a waste incineration plant at Loganswell near Newton Mearns in Eastwood covering some 29 hectares and which is anticipated to burn some 1.5 million tonnes of raw waste a year, a proposal which would arguably turn Eastwood into the ashtray of the west of Scotland; further notes the evidence of Duncan McLaren of Friends of the Earth Scotland who advised the Transport Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee on 23 November 2010 that it “would be insane to build Europe’s largest incinerator in East Renfrewshire”;believes that further consideration of this project is needed, and expresses its support for the wider local community, which it considers is resolutely opposed to this proposed development.
Supported by: Annabel Goldie, Nanette Milne, Elaine Smith, Alex Johnstone, Jamie McGrigor, Bill Aitken, Robin Harper, Hugh O'Donnell, Ken Macintosh, John Lamont, Margaret Mitchell, Patrick Harvie, Liz Smith
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 23/02/2011
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As an amendment to motion S3M-7604 in the name of Andy Kerr (Winter Resilience), insert at end “, and further calls on the Scottish Government to give consideration to a traffic-light style graded system of severe weather warnings.”
Current Status:
As an amendment to motion S3M-7604 in the name of Andy Kerr (Winter Resilience), insert at end “, and further calls on the Scottish Government to give consideration to a traffic-light style graded system of severe weather warnings.”
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 16/12/2010
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That the Parliament condemns the comments of Mohammed Sandia who posted a series of what it considers disgraceful anti-Semitic remarks on The Scotsman newspaper's website; welcomes what it considers Sheriff Gordon Liddell’s unequivocal condemnation of Sandia’s comments when he appeared for sentencing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on 10 November 2010; considers that Mr Sandia’s prosecution sends out a welcome message to society at large about how indefensible anti-Semitism is and how vile its consequences can be; congratulates the determination of the police and Crown Office to pursue this case to its conclusion, and urges editors of all media, and online media outlets in particular, to be on their guard to prevent similar instances of religious or racial hatred from finding their way onto their pages in the future.
Current Status:
That the Parliament condemns the comments of Mohammed Sandia who posted a series of what it considers disgraceful anti-Semitic remarks on The Scotsman newspaper's website; welcomes what it considers Sheriff Gordon Liddell’s unequivocal condemnation of Sandia’s comments when he appeared for sentencing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on 10 November 2010; considers that Mr Sandia’s prosecution sends out a welcome message to society at large about how indefensible anti-Semitism is and how vile its consequences can be; congratulates the determination of the police and Crown Office to pursue this case to its conclusion, and urges editors of all media, and online media outlets in particular, to be on their guard to prevent similar instances of religious or racial hatred from finding their way onto their pages in the future.
Supported by: John Lamont, George Foulkes, Stuart McMillan, Murdo Fraser, Stewart Maxwell, Mike Pringle, Bill Aitken, Robin Harper, Kenneth Gibson, Ken Macintosh, Jamie McGrigor, Hugh O'Donnell, Alex Johnstone, Nanette Milne, Mary Scanlon, Elaine Smith
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