Scottish Parliament Annual Report 2009 - 2010 Contents

Foreword from the Presiding Officer 1 The Parliament at work The Chamber 2 Committees 10 Engaging with other legislatures 26 Engaging with the public 28

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Cover photos: The 10th anniversary of the was marked by Her Majesty The Queen addressing Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) and guests in the Debating Chamber and by her attendance at a party for ten-year-old children born in Scotland on 1 July 1999.

Inside cover photos: The Debating Chamber has hosted debates involving community groups, schools and a wide range of organisations. It is open to the public and guided tours visit the Chamber floor.

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SP Paper 429 Session 3 (2010) Foreword from the Presiding Officer

The aim of this annual report is to show how the Scottish Parliament has fulfilled its role during the period between 9 May 2009 and 8 May 2010. The report covers all areas of the Parliament’s operations over this period.

The last year has seen us marking the 10th We have continued to support the core anniversary of the Scottish Parliament – a work of members in Chamber business and decade of devolution. On 1 July, Her Majesty the committees. Committee inquiries have The Queen addressed a special sitting of the been carried out on a variety of issues, Parliament, just as she had done exactly ten ranging from tackling child poverty to the years before. economic challenges brought about by the current financial crisis. These inquiries have This has naturally been a time for reflection, taken place in addition to the committees’ but the Scottish Parliament has always tried to role of scrutinising the work of the Scottish look to the future. In marking our anniversary, Government and parliamentary legislation. we have recognised the success that we Committee meetings have also been held at have had in seeking to engage with all the venues around Scotland including Anstruther, people of Scotland. Throughout the past year, Thurso, Lerwick and Alloa. we have introduced a number of activities to ensure that the Parliament continues to reach It has been a busy year and we continue to out to new audiences. Our pilot Community gain experience and develop, both as an Partnerships project concluded in March 2010, organisation and as Scotland’s Parliament. and has now moved on to its next stage. I hope that you will find this report interesting Our education service has continued to deliver and useful. inward and outward education programmes to many thousands of schoolchildren. In November 2009, more than 100 representatives from local voluntary and charity organisations came together in the Debating Chamber to take part in the ground-breaking conference Understanding and Influencing Your Parliament.

Alex Fergusson MSP

1 Annual Report 2009 to 2010

The Parliament at work

The Chamber The Chamber is at the centre of parliamentary business, hosting meaningful and topical debates on a wide range of political issues, policy proposals and legislation. Weekly question time sessions, where members hold the First Minister and other Scottish ministers to account on current high-profile issues, tend to generate particularly lively debate.

Agendas for meetings of the Parliament are Twenty days were allocated to debate proposed by the Parliamentary Bureau on a non-Government business in the Chamber business motion which, once approved, forms during this parliamentary year. Once this a rolling programme of business for the coming allocation has been divided among the fortnight. Membership of the Bureau currently non-Government parties by the Bureau, these comprises the Presiding Officer, who chairs the parties propose the topics and motions for meetings, along with one representative from debate. Debates on a range of topics have every party with five or more Members of the taken place, including the following: Scottish Parliament (MSPs). a missing children alert system (Scottish Liberal Democrats) Debates concessionary travel Debating time in the Chamber is allocated to (Scottish Labour Party) political parties on the basis of the proportion management of schools of seats that they hold. Once this allocation (Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party) has been made, it is each party’s responsibility minimum pricing of alcohol to propose subjects to be discussed during (Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party) their debating time. In the past year the supporting Scottish business Government, with (Scottish Liberal Democrats) the largest proportion of debating time, led debates on a wide range of social, political and tackling Clostridium difficile economic issues, including the following: (Scottish Labour Party) teacher numbers decision on Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed (Scottish Labour Party). al-Megrahi further powers for the Scottish Parliament reshaping the future care of older people Committee debates climate change Committees can request debating time in the Chamber in order to bring issues raised in role of colleges in the economic recovery reports that they have published to the attention skills strategy of a wider audience. For example, the Economy, serious and organised crime Energy and Tourism Committee debated its Scotland’s engagement in the United States report entitled Determining and delivering on of America and Canada. Scotland’s energy future in September 2009.

2 From climate change and crime to travel and teachers, a wide range of debates has taken place.

3 Annual Report 2009 to 2010

Ministerial statements Breast Cancer Awareness Month Ministerial statements are made by the First broadband for rural Scotland Minister and his ministerial colleagues to Commonwealth Day 2010 – Science, inform the Parliament of urgent matters or to Technology and Society make announcements on policy. For example, HBOS/Lloyds TSB merger the Parliament was recalled from its summer saving Lesmahagow’s Jubilee Hall recess on 24 August 2009 to hear a statement support for unpaid carers. on the decision on Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al-Megrahi. Statements can be between 10 and 15 minutes long, and are followed by Time for Reflection 20 or 30 minutes for questions by members. Business in the Chamber each week begins In the past year, the First Minister made with Time for Reflection, giving people of statements on the Scottish Government’s different faiths and beliefs the chance to legislative programme. Ministerial statements share their thoughts with the Parliament. have also been made on a number of topics, Representatives from a wide range of religious including: groups and faiths, and individuals of no faith, community courts who have taken part this year include: the future role of Government support to Charandeep Singh, University of agriculture and food Strathclyde, Glasgow impact of severe weather in Scotland the Venerable K Sri Rewatha Thero, influenza A (H1N1) Scotland’s Buddhist Vihara local government finance settlement the Very Reverend Gilleasbuig Macmillan, Minister, St Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh school building programme Rachel Connolly and Liam Beattie, Sixth sectarianism. Year pupils at Hawick High School Reverend Michael Lindvall, Senior Minister Members’ business of the Brick Presbyterian Church, City of Members’ business is held at the end of New York each meeting of the Parliament, and allows Kamal Akil and Caley Gallison, Middle East individual members from any party or group Youth Festival to highlight issues that would not necessarily Reverend Air Vice-Marshal Peter W Mills, be given prominence during the main Royal Air Force proceedings. Members’ business is often used to raise a particular constituency or regional Sister Isabel Smyth, Honorary Lecturer, matter, or to highlight a commemorative or Centre for Inter Faith Studies, Glasgow awareness-raising event. Examples of such University and Secretary to the Catholic debates held during the past year include the Bishops Committee for Inter Religious following: Dialogue Rt Reverend William Currie Hewitt, 40 years of the Open University Moderator of the General Assembly of the allotments, community gardens and Church of Scotland. grow-your-own projects bicentenary of the Scottish Bible Society

4 Time for Reflection speakers, ministers and MSPs all contribute to parliamentary debate.

5 Annual Report 2009 to 2010

Parliamentary questions Parliamentary questions answered Parliamentary questions can be oral or written. from 9 May 2009 to 8 May 2010 MSPs have a weekly opportunity to lodge Answered Received questions, and also to direct oral questions in written to the First Minister and his ministerial Chamber answer colleagues. Written questions may be lodged First Minister’s 214 2 at any time and will receive a written answer. Question Time General and 787 193 Six topical questions, put forward by opposition Themed party leaders and backbench MSPs, are Question Time selected by the Presiding Officer and are asked during First Minister’s Question Time on a 9,744 questions were also lodged for written Thursday. MSPs can also enter their names in answer in the same period, and 699 for a ballot to ask general and themed questions First Minister’s Question Time. First Minister’s to Scottish ministers on a Thursday. Thirty questions not selected by the Presiding members, randomly selected in the ballot, Officer are not published and do not receive submit their questions in advance for publication an answer. in the Business Bulletin. At General and Themed Question Time the relevant minister provides an answer to the published question, Motions and to any related supplementary questions MSPs use parliamentary motions for a number (about which no notice has been given). of purposes – to highlight an issue or event, to generate support for a cause, or to stimulate Any question that has not been reached by debate on a subject. Motions lodged by MSPs the end of the time allocated for oral questions appear in the following day’s Business Bulletin, receives a written answer which will then along with the names of other members who appear, along with all other written answers, in support their terms. the weekly Written Answers Report. This can be accessed through the Parliament’s website. Motions for debate in the Chamber are lodged on the basis of the business programme agreed by the Parliament. Amendments to these motions can also be lodged and the Presiding Officer selects which amendments will be debated. The vast majority of motions are not intended for debate, however.

2,379 motions and amendments were lodged this year, on a range of topics. Those lodged but not debated dealt with a wide variety of issues, including: Haiti earthquake disaster Purple Day – raising awareness of epilepsy housing budget cuts WWF’s Earth Hour 2010.

Annabel Goldie MSP 6 Patrick Harvie MSP Annual Report 2009 to 2010

Legislation Draft laws (known as bills while they are being considered by the Parliament) can take several months to complete their passage through the Parliament. When a bill is passed it takes around one month for it to receive royal assent and become an Act of the Scottish Parliament.

Most new bills during this parliamentary year were introduced by Scottish ministers in order to further the Scottish Government’s policy aims on matters such as criminal justice, reform of public services and managing the marine environment. Several non-Government bills were also introduced. These included two by members who are not ministers, two by private promoters and one by a committee of the Scottish Parliament. In addition to these, 2,379 the first ever hybrid bill – the Forth Crossing Bill – was introduced this year. motions and Members’ bills in the Scottish amendments Parliament Two members’ bills were introduced during were lodged this reporting period. The purpose of Margo MacDonald MSP’s End of Life Assistance (Scotland) Bill is to enable persons who meet this year. certain prescribed conditions legally to access assistance in order to end their lives. The bill confronts a challenging issue which has been the subject of considerable public and political debate throughout the . While in England and Wales the lead on end-of-life assistance has been given by the judiciary, in Scotland the lead on this contentious matter will come from the legislature.

The other member’s bill is the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Bill, introduced by Christine Grahame MSP. This provides new powers for local authorities to impose measures on dog owners aimed at ensuring that out-of-control dogs are brought and kept under control. The bill was passed by the Parliament on 22 April 2010.

Margo MacDonald MSP 7 Bills introduced (18) A total of 18 bills were introduced in the Parliament between 9 May 2009 and 8 May 2010. They are listed below in order of date of introduction. Some are still being considered but others have been passed and are awaiting royal assent. Public Services Reform (Scotland) Bill [Government] 28 May 2009 Convention Rights Proceedings (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill [Government] 15 June 2009 Interpretation and Legislative Reform (Scotland) Bill [Government] 15 June 2009 Control of Dogs (Scotland) Bill [Member’s] 22 June 2009 Legal Services (Scotland) Bill [Government] 30 September 2009 Home Owner and Debtor Protection (Scotland) Bill [Government] 1 October 2009 Ure Elder Fund Transfer and Dissolution Bill [Private] 1 October 2009 Forth Crossing Bill [Hybrid] 16 November 2009 Alcohol etc (Scotland) Bill [Government] 25 November 2009 Crofting Reform (Scotland) Bill [Government] 9 December 2009 Housing (Scotland) Bill [Government] 13 January 2010 Budget (Scotland) (No. 4) Bill [Government] 14 January 2010 End of Life Assistance (Scotland) Bill [Member’s] 20 January 2010 Scottish Parliamentary Commissions and Commissioners etc Bill [Committee] 27 January 2010 William Simpson’s Home (Transfer of Property etc) (Scotland) Bill [Private] 28 January 2010 Children’s Hearings (Scotland) Bill [Government] 23 February 2010 Patient Rights (Scotland) Bill [Government] 17 March 2010 Historic Environment (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill [Government] 4 May 2010.

Acts (15) Fifteen bills received royal assent and became Acts of the Scottish Parliament during this parliamentary year. Of these, one – the Offences (Aggravation by Prejudice) (Scotland) Act 2009 – was introduced by a backbench member and one – the Ure Elder Fund Transfer and Dissolution Act 2010 – was a private bill. The rest were Government bills. Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009 [Government] Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2009 [Government] Offences (Aggravation by Prejudice) (Scotland) Act 2009 [Member’s] Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009 [Government] Scottish Local Government (Elections) Act 2009 [Government] Convention Rights Proceedings (Amendment) (Scotland) Act 2009 [Government] Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 [Government] Arbitration (Scotland) Act 2010 [Government] Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010 [Government] Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Act 2010 [Government] Budget (Scotland) Act 2010 [Government] Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 [Government] Home Owner and Debtor Protection (Scotland) Act 2010 [Government] Ure Elder Fund Transfer and Dissolution Act 2010 [Private] Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 [Government]. 8 Annual Report 2009 to 2010 18 bills were introduced and 15 bills received royal assent this year.

9 Annual Report 2009 to 2010

Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee

The third year of this session has again been busy. Two major inquiries Convener concluded during this period. The first, which had lasted nearly a Iain Smith year, focused on defining a strategy for Scotland’s energy future and outlining a political action plan for how this can be achieved. Many of Members the recommendations were agreed by the Scottish Government and the Wendy Alexander committee continues to scrutinise the delivery of these. Gavin Brown The committee’s second inquiry, started in the autumn of 2009 and concluded in March 2010, looked at the severe problems facing the Christopher banking and financial services sector and their implications for the wider Harvie economy. The comprehensive report analyses what went wrong and identifies lessons for the future. This will be debated in the Chamber in Marilyn the summer of 2010. Livingstone Lewis Macdonald The committee has now launched a new inquiry looking at the Stuart McMillan effectiveness of the public sector’s support to companies seeking to internationalise their activities, to export or to locate in Scotland.

The committee also completed its consideration of the Scottish Government’s Arbitration (Scotland) Bill. The bill clarified, consolidated and updated Scottish arbitration law, and became law in January 2010.

Members have also been engaging with key stakeholders including the business community, trade unions and academic experts. In June 2009, the committee helped to organise the fifth Business in the Parliament conference, and in May 2010 the committee jointly hosted a seminar with the Scottish Trades Union Congress, looking at the priorities of the trade Giving evidence to the committee (left) Chief Economist, unions in Scotland for the economy and labour market. Dr Andrew McLaughlin and Chief Executive Stephen Hester, Royal Bank of Scotland and (right) BBC Business Editor, Robert Peston

10 Annual Report 2009 to 2010

Education, Lifelong Learning and Culture Committee

The committee spent much of its time scrutinising Scottish Government legislation. In this period it finished examining the Schools (Consultation) Convener (Scotland) Bill, which made provision for changes to consultation Karen Whitefield procedures about school closures. It was also a secondary committee for stage 1 scrutiny of relevant aspects of the Public Services Reform Members (Scotland) Bill. The committee reported to the Finance Committee on Claire Baker the proposed establishment of Creative Scotland (a new arts body for Scotland) and the creation of a new social work agency, Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland. It recently began scrutiny of the Kenneth Gibson Children’s Hearings (Scotland) Bill at stage 1. Ken Macintosh

The committee recently launched two scoping exercises. The first will Christina examine the issue of local authority funding of education and children’s McKelvie services, while the second will consider options for the future structure of Elizabeth Smith state schooling in Scotland. The committee also set up a reporter inquiry Margaret Smith – where individual members of the committee investigate a subject and report back to the committee – on widening access to higher education.

On the cultural side of its remit, the committee took evidence from the Director-General of the BBC, Mark Thompson, on the future of broadcasting in Scotland, and also from Stuart Cosgrove, Director of A committee meeting in progress (left) Karen Whitefield MSP, Nations and Regions at Channel 4. Members also met senior BBC Professor Kenneth Norrie (adviser), Kenneth Gibson MSP, Scotland staff during a visit to its headquarters at Pacific Quay. The Aileen Campbell MSP, Christina committee also held a round-table discussion on autism and visited the McKelvie MSP, Ken Macintosh MSP, Claire Baker MSP, Big Noise project in Raploch to witness the work being done to give Elizabeth Smith MSP; (right) Ken MacQuarrie, Controller, children the opportunity to play in a symphony orchestra. BBC Scotland, Ian Small, Head of Public Policy and Corporate Affairs, BBC Scotland, and Mark Thompson, Director-General, BBC are pictured leaving the Scottish Parliament after giving evidence on broadcasting in Scotland to the committee.

11 Annual Report 2009 to 2010

Equal Opportunities Committee

The committee completed its major inquiry into female offenders in the criminal justice system. It took evidence from a range of interested parties, including sheriffs and ex-offenders, and visited the 218 Centre Convener in Glasgow and Hydebank Wood Prison in Belfast. Its report on the Margaret Mitchell inquiry made a series of recommendations calling for improvements in the rehabilitation of women in prison and for re-examination of the Members sentencing of women with mental health problems. Malcolm Chisholm A key role of the committee is that of promoting the mainstreaming of equal opportunities across the work of all Scottish Parliament Willie Coffey committees. To this end it held a mainstreaming event in the Scottish Marlyn Glen Parliament’s Debating Chamber in October 2009, with representatives Bill Kidd from subject committees, equal opportunities bodies and subject committee stakeholders. The event focused on the need for subject Christina committees to include equal opportunities issues in their work. An issue McKelvie which continued to be pursued by members was that of the challenges (from 05.11.09) facing unpaid carers. The committee held a debate in the Chamber Hugh O’Donnell on the issue and took evidence from the Scottish Government on the Elaine Smith development of its strategy for carers. Bill Wilson During the year the committee scrutinised legislative consent (until 05.11.09) memorandums on the UK Parliament’s Equality Bill, which sought to change the law and alter Scottish ministers’ powers on devolved issues. It also scrutinised the draft budget for 2010-11 to examine the issue of equal pay claims in the NHS.

External research commissioned by the committee on the prevalence of sexualised goods, and the attitudes of parents and children towards (left) Representatives from equal them, was published in January 2010. opportunities groups attend the mainstreaming event in the Chamber; (right) Margaret Mitchell MSP addresses the meeting with the help of a British Sign Language interpreter.

12 Annual Report 2009 to 2010

European and External Relations Committee

A number of fundamental changes have shaken the European Union (EU) this year – the belated adoption of the Treaty of Lisbon with all the change Convener that it brings; the new European Parliament, College of Commissioners and Irene Oldfather President; and the reprogramming of the EU budget. The EU’s response to the current economic crisis – both immediate (the recovery programme) Members and longer term (the Europe 2020 strategy) – is also highly significant. Rhona Brankin (from 05.11.09) These seismic shifts have shaped the European work of the committee. Ted Brocklebank It has reported on the impact of the financial crisis on regional funding and will shortly report on the EU budget. It continues to study the implications Patricia Ferguson of the Treaty of Lisbon and the likely shape of the EU’s future jobs strategy Charlie Gordon (Europe 2020). During each inquiry the committee has engaged with (until 04.11.09) stakeholders and EU policy experts at home and abroad. In addition, it continues its engagement with, and scrutiny of, the Scottish Government. Jamie Hepburn Jim Hume The committee’s work took it to Stockholm to discuss Sweden’s EU Michael Matheson presidency, and to Brussels. The latter visit involved the first broadcast of the Holyrood Highlights programme to take place from outside Edinburgh. The ambassadors of Spain and Sweden were also hosted by the committee during the year. EU developments have been tracked through the Brussels Bulletin, and the committee has sought to build closer links with Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) through their contributions to the Brussels Bulletin and videoconferencing.

On the external relations front, the committee undertook a major inquiry into the Scottish Government’s China Plan and published a final report (left) HE Staffan Carlsson, Swedish Ambassador to in September 2009, calling for further action to strengthen Scotland’s the UK, addressing a public meeting at Holyrood during engagement with the Asian superpower. The committee has now Sweden’s Presidency of the EU; begun work on its next major inquiry into the Scottish Government’s (right) HE Carles Casajuana, Spanish Ambassador to the UK, international engagement strategy. addresses the European and External Relations Committee.

13 Annual Report 2009 to 2010

Finance Committee

The committee had a busy year scrutinising proposed public spending. As well as considering the 2010-11 budget and the financial implications of ten bills, it completed a wide-ranging strategic review of Scottish Convener Government spending. Andrew Welsh The committee’s main role is that of leading the Parliament’s response Members to the Scottish Government’s spending proposals through the annual Jackie Baillie budget process. In order to gauge local views on the budget, it held (until 04.11.09) an external meeting in Glasgow in November 2009. As well as taking evidence from the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Derek Brownlee Growth, the committee held workshops with local organisations. Malcolm Following the conclusion of the 2010-11 budget process, and in the light Chisholm of the anticipated squeeze on public sector spending, the committee (from 05.11.09) launched an inquiry into efficient public services. This forms part of the budget strategy phase in advance of the 2011-12 budget. Joe FitzPatrick The committee was also the lead committee in scrutinising the Public James Kelly Services Reform (Scotland) Bill. It launched a call for written evidence in (until 04.11.09) June 2009 and subsequently held a series of seven evidence sessions, Tom McCabe hearing from a wide range of public bodies, expert advisers, funding (from 05.11.09) organisations and academics during September and October 2009. The committee published its stage 1 report on the bill in December 2009, Jeremy Purvis which was debated by the Parliament in January 2010. David Whitton

(left) School pupils from the Glasgow Gaelic Secondary School and Notre Dame High School, Glasgow at a committee meeting in Glasgow City Chambers; members of the committee from left: Jeremy Purvis MSP, David Whitton MSP, MSP (substitute), Joe FitzPatrick MSP, Andrew Welsh MSP, Derek Brownlee MSP, Tom McCabe MSP, Malcolm Chisholm MSP; (right) audience watching the meeting at Glasgow City Chambers.

14 Annual Report 2009 to 2010

Health and Sport Committee

The Health and Sport Committee was appointed as lead committee for the scrutiny of two bills during the parliamentary year – the Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Bill and the Alcohol etc (Scotland) Bill. Convener In its stage 1 report on the Tobacco and Primary Medical Services Christine (Scotland) Bill, the committee agreed that deterrents to stop young Grahame people smoking were necessary, and called for the bill to be amended to criminalise the act of buying cigarettes on behalf of under-18s. It Members conducted detailed scrutiny of the Alcohol etc (Scotland) Bill, which Helen Eadie contains measures intended to reduce alcohol consumption in Scotland Ross Finnie and reduce the impact of alcohol misuse and overconsumption. Rhoda Grant The committee also scrutinised the Scottish Government’s draft health Michael Matheson and wellbeing budget for 2010-11, taking evidence from interested Ian McKee parties and the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing. Mary Scanlon The committee completed its inquiry into child and adolescent mental Richard Simpson health and wellbeing. This uncovered evidence that under-5s are not being monitored for mental wellbeing by statutory services, and the report expressed concern at the extent of problems arising from recent changes to the health visiting profession.

The committee also published its findings from a short inquiry into out-of-hours healthcare provision in rural areas. As part of its evidence taking, the committee held a meeting in Kinloch Rannoch in order to examine issues raised in public petition PE1272. The committee concluded that trust and confidence in the out-of-hours service had clearly been lost and a substantial degree of work was required to rebuild confidence. The committee travelled to Kinloch Rannoch, which gave people the chance to speak to MSPs informally and for groups to give formal evidence at the meeting.

15 Annual Report 2009 to 2010

Justice Committee

The Justice Committee spent much of the year scrutinising primary legislation and undertaking an inquiry into the Scottish Government’s decision to release Abdelbaset al-Megrahi. Convener Bill Aitken The Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Bill was introduced in March 2009 and contains more than 80 different policy proposals. The Members committee took oral evidence over the course of eight meetings, including Robert Brown one in Alloa. The bill has recently completed stage 2, during which more than 700 amendments were considered. Some of these amendments Bill Butler sought to introduce new issues not considered at stage 1. The committee Angela therefore took the relatively unusual step of taking evidence at stage 2 on Constance amendments relating to prostitution offences, stalking offences, sentencing Cathie Craigie on knife crime and licensing of adult entertainment venues. In September 2009 the Legal Services (Scotland) Bill was introduced. James Kelly This bill concerns the provision and regulation of legal services in (from 05.11.09) Scotland. While the committee was willing to support the bill’s general Paul Martin principles at stage 1, it identified a number of areas in the bill on which (until 04.11.09) opinions within the legal profession were divided. The bill completed stage 1 on 28 April 2010. Stewart Maxwell Following the release from prison on compassionate grounds of Abdelbaset al-Megrahi, who was convicted in 2001 of the murder of all 270 victims of the Lockerbie bombing, the committee undertook an inquiry into the Scottish Government’s handling of the release. The committee reviewed the available documentation and took evidence from the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Scottish Government officials.The (left) Henry McLeish gives evidence to the committee; committee reported to the Parliament in February 2010. (right) members of the committee, from left, James Kelly MSP, Nigel Don MSP, Cathie Craigie MSP, Robert Brown MSP, Bill Aitken MSP, Bill Butler MSP, Angela Constance MSP, Stewart Maxwell MSP.

16 Annual Report 2009 to 2010

Local Government and Communities Committee

The committee undertook a wide-ranging programme of work, including consideration of legislation, inquiries and stand-alone evidence sessions. Convener It published reports following the conclusion of its inquiries into child Duncan McNeil poverty in Scotland, local government finance and equal pay in local government. It continues to monitor progress on these issues in evidence Members sessions with ministers and stakeholders. Alasdair Allan Bob Doris The committee had a particularly busy year examining legislation including the Scottish Local Government (Elections) Bill, the Home Patricia Ferguson Owner and Debtor Protection (Scotland) Bill and the Control of Dogs David McLetchie (Scotland) Bill. It is currently considering the Housing (Scotland) Bill, and has undertaken a fact-finding visit to Glenrothes, where it heard the Mary Mulligan views of tenants and other stakeholders. Jim Tolson John Wilson The committee continued to scrutinise the implementation and effective operation of single outcome agreements and examined first-round progress reports submitted by local authorities. It also considered the Scottish Government’s draft budget for 2011-12, with a particular focus on housing and poverty.

The committee held stand-alone evidence sessions on a range of issues including the provision of home care services for the elderly, the Town Centre Regeneration Fund and the impact of the recession on the funding of voluntary sector grant providers. It also took evidence on the Accounts Commission’s overview of local authority audits 2008. (left) Stakeholders giving evidence to the committee on the Housing (Scotland) The committee dealt with 43 Scottish statutory instruments and reported Bill in Glenrothes, Fife; (right) members of the committee on a legislative consent memorandum on the UK Child Poverty Bill. It listening to evidence: Jim Tolson MSP, Mary Mulligan MSP, also considered two petitions about local government finance. Patricia Ferguson MSP, John Wilson MSP, Alasdair Allan MSP and Bob Doris MSP

17 Annual Report 2009 to 2010

Public Audit Committee

The committee scrutinises public expenditure. It holds to account those who are charged with spending taxpayers’ money and helps to ensure that public funds are spent wisely. The primary focus of the committee’s Convener work is the examination of reports produced by the Auditor General for Hugh Henry Scotland (AGS). However, its remit also allows it to consider matters of wider public audit policy. Members Willie Coffey During the parliamentary year, the committee considered reports from the AGS on a range of subjects including health, education and transport. Cathie Craigie Where an inquiry was not carried out, issues and concerns were followed George Foulkes up with relevant accountable officers. Murdo Fraser The committee completed its inquiry into the AGS report The First Bill Kidd ScotRail passenger rail franchise. Its report scrutinised the decision to (from 25.06.09) extend the franchise, and the circumstances surrounding the resignation Anne McLaughlin of Transport Scotland’s former Director of Finance and Corporate Nicol Stephen Services following possible conflicts of interest. On the committee’s recommendation, the Scottish Government subsequently reviewed its Andrew Welsh policy on recruitment and the declaration and registration of interests. (until 25.06.09) The committee published a report on its inquiry on the AGS report The review of the Cairngorm funicular railway, which highlighted issues relating to financial and operational risks in its management of the project. The committee also produced reports on the 2007-08 accounts of VisitScotland and the 2008-09 accounts of Registers of Scotland.

The committee also began inquiries into the AGS reports into mental (left) Members of the committee (seated from left) Anne health services, the Glasgow Commonwealth Games and the NHS in McLaughlin MSP, Willie Coffey MSP, Murdo Fraser MSP and Scotland’s performance during 2008-09. Hugh Henry MSP, with Robert Black, Auditor General for Scotland (standing); (right) Anne McLaughlin MSP and Willie Coffey MSP

18 Annual Report 2009 to 2010

Public Petitions Committee

The Public Petitions Committee continued to actively support and promote the public petitions process, which provides citizens with a direct route to raise issues of concern to them with their Parliament. During this reporting period, the committee considered 284 petitions over the course Convener of 18 meetings. These included 71 new petitions, 36 of which involved Frank McAveety an oral presentation by the petitioner. The committee welcomed the continued effectiveness and positive impact of petitioning, and the work Members petitioners did in identifying many important issues which it then raised Rhona Brankin with the Scottish Government and other public bodies. (from 05.11.09) Bill Butler The committee scrutinised the implementation of the recommendations from the report of its inquiry into the availability of cancer treatment drugs Nigel Don on the NHS (PE1108) and the improvements that petition has brought. Marlyn Glen It also considered petitions on vitamin D guidelines for children and (until 04.11.09) pregnant women, on male victims of domestic abuse/violence, and on Robin Harper many other topics. Anne McLaughlin The committee also published the report of its year-long inquiry into the Nanette Milne public petitions process and launched social media tools (including a John Farquhar blog and an audioboo presence) aimed at increasing awareness of, and Munro participation in, the petitions process. It held two external meetings, in Alness and Anstruther. John Wilson

The e-petitions system continued to be influential, with around two-thirds of petitions being lodged as e-petitions. The committee introduced a new facility which allows people to text their support to an e-petition. Other institutions around the world – for example, the Victoria Legislative Assembly and the Parliament of the Czech Republic – continue to show great interest in the committee’s work in enhancing citizens’ participation through the petitions process.

Petitioners giving evidence to the committee

19 Annual Report 2009 to 2010

Rural Affairs and Environment Committee

The committee had another busy year, focused on substantial pieces Convener of legislation. The Marine (Scotland) Bill set out a planning system to contribute to Members the sustainable management of Scotland’s seas and revised the law Karen Gillon on seal conservation. The committee’s findings on the bill were well received, with a number of its report recommendations forming the basis Liam McArthur of amendments that served to strengthen the bill. These included the placing of a duty on the Scottish Government to protect and enhance Elaine Murray Scotland’s seas, and stricter licensing conditions to prevent unnecessary or inhumane killing of seals. The bill was enacted in March 2010. Peter Peacock John Scott The committee began scrutiny of the Crofting Reform (Scotland) Bill in Bill Wilson December 2009. This has included visits to remote crofting communities to learn more about the challenges facing modern-day crofting in different parts of Scotland. Public participation has been encouraged in order to tap into as wide a range of perspectives as possible from those with direct involvement in crofting.

Other work undertaken this year included the following: Evidence sessions on quotas for fishermen and on the wider issue of Common Fisheries Policy reform. Consideration of the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Bill to merge the Deer Commission into Scottish Natural Heritage. The committee

Committee members (left) called for the Scottish Government to put safeguards in place to discussing the finer points of monitor the merger’s effectiveness. crofting law at a hill grazing in Shetland, (centre) learning more A report on the challenges facing the Scottish pig industry. about the challenges currently facing the sheep sector, and Sessions with Scottish Government ministers and officials on the (right) at Mersehead Sands on the Solway Firth during scrutiny 2010-11 budget, and any contentious subordinate legislation. of the Marine (Scotland) Bill

20 Annual Report 2009 to 2010

Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee

The committee’s remit covers three areas – procedures, standards and public appointments. Convener The committee recommended to the Parliament new procedures for handling hybrid bills (public bills which affect private interests). The new Members standing order rules have subsequently been used to consider the Forth Robert Brown Crossing Bill, the Scottish Parliament’s first hybrid bill. The committee Aileen Campbell contributed to scrutiny of the Interpretation and Legislative Reform (Scotland) Bill, which will require standing order rule changes to support Marilyn the proposed new subordinate legislation procedures. It will recommend Livingstone final rule changes after the bill’s passage is completed. Nanette Milne

The committee launched an inquiry into the transparency, financial Peter Peacock scrutiny and debate of financial resolutions. At the request of the Bureau, Dave Thompson it has also begun an inquiry into some of the recommendations in the report of the Commission on Scottish Devolution.

Concerning standards, the committee has been undertaking a review of section 2 of the Code of Conduct for MSPs, which sets out the interests that must be registered. In the light of experience of the Interests of Members of the Scottish Parliament Act 2006, it is considering ways of making the register of interests clearer and simpler. The Scottish Parliamentary Standards Commissioner has not reported any complaints to the committee this year. The committee approved six Cross-Party Groups.

Under the public appointments element of its remit, the committee took evidence from Karen Carlton, Commissioner for Public Appointments, on both her annual report and her report on compliance with the Code of Practice for Ministerial Appointments.

21 Annual Report 2009 to 2010

Subordinate Legislation Committee

In June 2009, the committee was designated as lead committee to consider the Interpretation and Legislative Reform (Scotland) Bill. Scrutiny of the bill formed a major part of the committee’s workload Convener during 2009-10. It is unusual for the Subordinate Legislation Committee Jamie Stone to take on a lead committee role. This, however, was a specialised and technical bill which, in part, implemented the recommendations of the Members committee’s own report on the regulatory framework in Scotland. Jackson Carlaw The bill dealt mainly with technical procedural matters concerning the Malcolm making and interpretation of Acts of the Scottish Parliament and Scottish Chisholm statutory instruments. In its stage 1 report, the committee supported the (until 04.11.09) general principles of the bill but asked the Scottish Government to look Margaret Curran again at a number of issues of detail in order to ensure that the proposals (from 05.11.09) were workable. Following the stage 1 debate, stage 2 amendments were Bob Doris considered by the committee on 16 March, and the bill was passed by the Parliament on 28 April 2010. Helen Eadie

Rhoda Grant During the year, the committee continued to conduct detailed scrutiny (from 05.11.09) of Scottish statutory instruments laid before the Parliament. In response Tom McCabe to its findings, the Scottish Government agreed to amend or revoke a (until 04.11.09) number of instruments. Subject committees often took up issues about which the Subordinate Legislation Committee had expressed concern. Ian McKee The committee also continued to scrutinise powers to make subordinate legislation in other bills. These included the Alcohol etc (Scotland) Bill, the Marine (Scotland) Bill and the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Bill.

(left) Committee meeting with (from left) Bob Doris MSP, Helen Eadie MSP, Rhoda Grant MSP, legal advisers, and Ian McKee MSP; (right) Bob Doris MSP and Helen Eadie MSP

22 Annual Report 2009 to 2010

Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee

The committee scrutinised the Climate Change (Scotland) Bill at stage 2, as well as secondary legislation and reports introduced under Convener the statutory framework set out in the Climate Change (Scotland) Patrick Harvie Act 2009. The committee approved the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme Order 2010, took evidence on the Scottish Government’s Members Climate Change Adaptation Framework, and scrutinised a package Rob Gibson of measures which included annual reduction targets for greenhouse Marlyn Glen gas emissions to 2022. A delegation from the committee also attended (from 11.11.09) the United Nations COP15 climate change conference in Copenhagen in December 2009. In the same month, the committee was honoured Charlie Gordon to be awarded the first ever Shackleton medal for leadership and Alex Johnstone citizenship in a geographical field, by the Royal Scottish Geographical Society, for its work on the Climate Change (Scotland) Bill. Alison McInnes Des McNulty The committee undertook an inquiry into active travel and recommended (until 11.11.09) that the Scottish Government should increase funding and provide better Cathy Peattie strategic leadership to help increase the numbers of people walking and cycling in Scotland. In March 2010, it launched a new inquiry into the Shirley-Anne relationship between transport and land use policies, which will assess Somerville the extent to which better integration between these policy areas might increase economic growth and limit climate change in Scotland.

The committee also considered specific proposals in the Forth Crossing Bill to use the existing Forth road bridge as a public transport corridor. (left) Patrick Harvie MSP It made several recommendations on how public transport provision and Cathy Peattie MSP meet with representatives from the might be improved and modal shift encouraged. Spokes cycling group during the launch of the committee inquiry into active transport; (right) Other work included scrutiny of the Scottish Government’s budget for committee members with the Shackleton medal, from left: Rob 2010-11. This focused on both the transport element of the committee’s Gibson MSP, Cathy Peattie MSP, remit and a new assessment of the carbon impact of the budget. Patrick Harvie MSP, Marlyn Glen MSP and Charlie Gordon MSP.

23 Annual Report 2009 to 2010

Other committees

Review of SPCB Supported Bodies Committee The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) supports the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman, Scottish Information Commissioner, Commissioner for Children and Young People in Scotland, Commissioner for Public Appointments in Scotland, Scottish Commission for Human Rights, and the Scottish Parliamentary Standards Commissioner. That Convener support extends to the provision of funding and other governance Trish Godman arrangements short of involvement in their respective functions.

Members Consistent with wider reform aimed at improving public services for the Jackson Carlaw benefit of the public, the Parliament established an ad hoc committee to consider and report on the terms and conditions of officeholders and the Ross Finnie structure of the bodies. Joe FitzPatrick Jamie Hepburn The Parliament agreed the committee’s report on 18 June 2009, which made a number of recommendations that required legislative change. Johann Lamont These formed the basis of a committee bill. The Scottish Parliamentary Commissions and Commissioners etc Bill was introduced in January 2010 by Trish Godman MSP.

The Parliament agreed to the general principles of the bill at stage 1 on 24 March 2010 and stage 3 is expected before the summer recess.

End of Life Assistance (Scotland) Bill Committee This committee was established by a decision of the Parliament on Wednesday 10 February 2010 to consider and report on the general principles of the End of Life Assistance (Scotland) Bill. The bill was introduced into the Parliament on 20 January 2010 by Margo MacDonald MSP and would permit assistance to be given to persons Convener who wish their lives to be ended. The committee began its scrutiny by Ross Finnie issuing a call for written evidence and is expected to start taking oral evidence in September. Members Helen Eadie Michael Matheson Ian McKee Nanette Milne Cathy Peattie

24 Annual Report 2009 to 2010

Forth Crossing Bill Committee The Forth Crossing Bill is the first hybrid bill taken forward in the Scottish Parliament. A hybrid bill is a public bill which involves measures that affect the private interests of individuals or bodies, and to which those affected may object. The bill seeks powers to construct a new bridge over the Firth of Forth, along with new and upgraded connecting roads. A special hybrid Convener bill committee was established and is scrutinising the bill, taking evidence Jackson Carlaw on its provisions and considering objections from those whose private interests are affected. Members Joe FitzPatrick Hugh O’Donnell David Stewart

Ure Elder Fund Transfer and Dissolution Bill Committee The Ure Elder Fund Transfer and Dissolution Bill transfers the property, rights, interests and liabilities of the fund to a new charitable trust and dissolves the fund. The fund was constituted by an Act of Parliament in 1906 and provides assistance to impoverished widows with connections to Glasgow or Govan. The bill will allow the trustees to broaden the range of beneficiaries and increase the amounts that can be distributed. Convener A private bill committee was established to examine the bill and take David Stewart evidence on its provisions. The bill was passed on 3 March and received royal assent on 9 April 2010. Members Nanette Milne Shirley-Anne Somerville

William Simpson’s Home (Transfer of Property etc) (Scotland) Bill Committee The William Simpson’s Home (Transfer of Property etc) (Scotland) Bill provides for William Simpson’s Home to establish itself as a new charitable company and to expand its services. The home was established under an Act of Parliament in 1864 and provides services for older men with alcohol-related brain damage and mental health Convener problems. The bill would allow it to expand its specialist services to Shirley-Anne women and younger people, and to develop its operation generally. A Somerville private bill committee has been established to examine the bill and take evidence on its provisions. Members Nanette Milne David Stewart

25 Annual Report 2009 to 2010

Engaging with other legislatures

The Scottish Parliament continues to be active in the area of international relations. This year, a review has sought to further strengthen that work. Its outcome has been the re-structuring of our external liaison team into the UK and International Relations Office (UKIRO), which is part of the Presiding Officer’s Office.

The Presiding Officer with Rt Hon John Bercow MP, Speaker of the House of Commons, in the Donald Dewar Room

26 Annual Report 2009 to 2010

There has been a great deal of valuable that the Scottish Parliament had a key role to international dialogue this year. Visiting play in the current modernisation of the CPA, delegations have ranged from Czech and of the various democracies which this parliamentarians, who wished to discuss best international organisation represents. practice with our Finance Committee, to the speaker of the Victorian Parliament in Australia, Outward engagement this year has mainly who came to study our innovative broadcasting been through our membership of the CPA. system and parliamentary procedures, and In October 2009 the Presiding Officer led a to consider how they might inform changes CPA Scotland branch delegation to Australia within the Victorian Parliament. The Parliament and New Zealand. The main focuses of also welcomed visits from a number of senior the visit were minority governments, the diplomats this year, including the Spanish, preservation of languages and New Zealand’s American and Swedish ambassadors. innovative youth engagement strategies.

Closer to home, visits have included the Through the CPA, the Scottish Parliament’s Rt Hon John Bercow MP, the speaker of the friendship with Malawi also continues to House of Commons, who had a strong interest deepen. The most recent exchange took place in our popular education service; and William in February 2010, when two members of the Hay MLA, speaker of the Northern Ireland executive committee of the CPA Scotland Assembly, who wished to experience our branch visited Malawi to deliver workshops Festival of Politics. to their fellow parliamentarians on The Changing Role of MPs and Effective Use The Scottish Parliament’s modern, of the Media. This visit also saw the participative democracy continues to grow as establishment of the pairing initiative linking a focus of international interest – this is clear ten MSPs with ten Malawian members to from the number of visits from the legislatures share ideas and best practice on the of developing democracies, such as the group development of parliamentary democracy. of Macedonian parliamentarians who visited in March 2010. In addition, we have welcomed Scotland Week has become an annual feature a delegation of new commissioners from in our outward engagement strategy. In addition the National Assembly of Malawi and a to promoting the Scottish Parliament in North 60-strong delegation of speakers and America, this year’s programme focused on parliamentarians from the 4th International three main areas – climate change, sustainable Parliamentary Governance Seminar of the transport and opportunities around the green Commonwealth Parliamentary Association economy – all linking directly to the current (CPA). In all cases, key focus areas have work of the Parliament and its committees. included our strong committee system – particularly in terms of its role in holding the The Scottish Parliament has continued to Scottish Government to account – and our play a strong role in the development of the innovative methods of engagement. British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly (BIPA), with our Steering Committee member and As we move into the future, our expertise in Deputy Presiding Officer Alasdair Morgan MSP public engagement is likely to attract increasing submitting a paper entitled The Way Forward. international attention. Indeed, on his recent This proposal included ideas and suggested visit to the Scottish Parliament, Dr William Shija improvements intended to help enhance the – Secretary-General of the CPA – indicated profile and internal organisation of the BIPA. 27 Annual Report 2009 to 2010

Engaging with the public

10th anniversary To mark the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Scottish Parliament, the SPCB agreed to reaffirm its commitment to public engagement by introducing a range of engagement initiatives. The programme for the year therefore included a number of new activities, as well as highlighting existing activities of relevance to the anniversary. The new activities and services were designed to emphasise the Parliament’s practical commitment to increasing engagement with, and awareness and understanding of, the Parliament by the Scottish public. New public engagement initiatives included the following:

Free guided tours Travelling community exhibition September 2009 saw the introduction of Moving Stories – a travelling community free guided tours, which are helping visitors exhibition with an educative element – visited learn more about how the Parliament works ten local communities. Launched on Monday and are offered in a range of languages and 27 April 2009 in Glasgow, the exhibition toured formats. These tours focus on parliamentary to a further nine venues across Scotland procedures, public engagement and the art and including the Caledonian MacBrayne Ferry architecture of the building. To complement the Terminal at Oban, Orkney Library and Archive, escorted free tours, audio and multimedia units Carnegie Birthplace Museum in Dunfermline were introduced to assist visitors who prefer and New Lanark Heritage Centre. More than an alternative format to spoken English. These 100,000 people had the opportunity to see the units feature the main languages used within exhibition, and a refreshed version is touring Scotland by people whose first language is not further venues in 2010. English. British Sign Language (BSL) has been included, making the Scottish Parliament one Community Partnerships programme of the very small number of visitor destinations The focus of this programme is on creating where BSL users can access a tour on demand specific opportunities to attract people who in this medium. tend to be under-represented in parliamentary engagement. The pilot programme More than 418,000 visitors came to the concentrated on those from ethnic minority Parliament building during 2009 – this backgrounds including migrant workers, represents an increase of more than 25% on people with a disability, and young people, the previous calendar year, making it one of specifically those who are not in education, the busiest years to date. The total number of employment or training. visitors to the Scottish Parliament since 1999 is now more than 2.5 million.

28 The total number of visitors to the Scottish Parliament since 1999 is now more than 2.5 million.

29 Scotland’s young people and the Parliament mark their birthday.

30 Annual Report 2009 to 2010

In March 2010, the pilot ended with an event in the Debating Chamber. Awareness of the issues that matter to our partners – Action for Children, Haggeye and Multi Ethnic Aberdeen Limited (MeAL) – has been raised through the programme. Outcomes included: submitting a petition a motion of support, signed by MSPs a written question to the Scottish Government young people responding to a bill launching an information resource at a Parliament event

creating Day in the Life video diaries, songs Delegates at the Understanding and Influencing and DVDs Your Parliament conference hosting an exhibition for MSPs holding a local International Festival, which former MSPs. Petitioners and journalists helped MSPs attended MSPs to lead workshops on how to raise an contacting local MSPs and ministers. issue. Representatives from the UK Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales and the Following the success of the pilot, in April 2010 Northern Ireland Assembly attended these we welcomed three new partners – Mid Argyll events to observe the Scottish Parliament’s Youth Project, Ownership Options in Scotland innovative approach to outreach. and South Ayrshire Youth Forum. MeAL will continue as a partner, with an innovative Beyond these initiatives, a number of Ambassadors for Change programme to extend commemorative activities took place, including: their experience to more local communities. The 1st July Birthday Party. On this date in Understanding and Influencing Your 2009, 143 of the 163 children born in Scotland Parliament conference on 1 July 1999, and who therefore share a This new conference took place in November birthday with the Scottish Parliament, were 2009, with the aim of explaining the brought together. From all across the world political process to local groups, grassroots they gathered for a party at the Parliament, at campaigners and voluntary sector bodies which they met Her Majesty The Queen, HRH who want to learn more about how to make The Duke of Edinburgh, Presiding Officers and their voices heard and publicise their issues. MSPs. This event was inspired by a member of Altogether 110 delegates from 81 organisations the public who wrote suggesting that it would attended – all were people who do not normally be fitting to invite all the ten-year-olds who engage with the Parliament but who are active share their birthday with that of the Parliament locally. The conference was launched through to come to Holyrood to mark the occasion. two events, in Dumfries and Dunbar, during the The day included an address by HM The Presiding Officer’s summer programme. Queen, a birthday party for the children and a programme of workshops and activities in There were presentations from the Clerk/Chief music, drama, computer software design and Executive and ministers, and from current and the creative arts for all those attending. 31 Annual Report 2009 to 2010

A special Scottish Parliament open day, held on Sunday 26 July, attracted nearly 3,000 people.

To help people learn more, a new Scottish Parliament official guidebook was produced and has become one of the best performing shop products. A new public engagement leaflet, Making the Scottish Parliament work for you, was also published in nine languages and five formats.

Educational events with a focus on the 10th anniversary were hosted in partnership with other bodies to engage a new cross-section Scottish Parliament official tartan of young people. The final of theDonald competition. An educational competition Dewar Memorial Debating Championship, to design an official tartan for the Scottish organised in partnership with the Law Society Parliament resulted in a winning entry of Scotland, took on an anniversary theme with designed by textiles student Teri Scott, from participants debating the motion ‘This House Fife. The design is included in the new Scottish believes that the babies of 1999 are reaping Register of Tartans. the benefits of devolution’.

Canongate Wall quotation project. Two The anniversary was also marked through new quotations were selected from 300 public existing activities in the Major Events and suggestions to be added to the Canongate Exhibitions Programme: the fifthFestival Wall – works by Norman MacCaig and Mary of Politics, the Presiding Officer’s Burns Brooksbank are now featured. Supper, the Scottish Diaspora Forum and the Clan Convention, and in two temporary Stone cutter Gillian Forbes carved the two new quotations for the exhibitions – as others see us and This Is Canongate Wall which were suggested by members of the public to mark the 10th anniversary. Who We Are.

32 Annual Report 2009 to 2010

Presiding Officer’s summer programme The Presiding Officer once again undertook a programme of visits around Scotland during the summer recess in 2009. The main aim of the programme was to listen to and learn from local people and groups about how best the Parliament can communicate and engage with them.

The ten-day programme focused for the most part on the south of Scotland. The Presiding Officer visited the Combat Stress Treatment Centre at Hollybush House, near Ayr, where he presented veterans’ medals to several former servicemen and women in recognition of the service they had given to their country. He then travelled a short distance to the nearby We are always Gardening Leave centre, an innovative project that provides horticultural therapy for former aiming to listen servicemen and women. and learn from Other activities included meeting with representatives of the Princess Royal Trust for Carers and the Dumfries and Galloway the people of Befriending Project, visiting the RNLI Lifeboat Station at Eyemouth, recording a programme Scotland. for Borders Hospital Radio in Melrose, and visiting the Riding for the Disabled centre at Muirfield, near North Berwick. The Presiding Officer also hosted launch events in Dunbar and Dumfries to promote the Understanding and Influencing Your Parliament conference, in advance of it being held at Holyrood in November. These events were well attended by representatives of local voluntary and community groups.

Finally, the Presiding Officer’s schedule took him north to conclude his programme in Braemar, where he joined young participants at a Junior Highland Games. This turned out to be an excellent opportunity to pursue another aim of his annual summer programme – reaching, in their own communities, people who do not live within easy travelling distance of the Parliament. 33 Annual Report 2009 to 2010

Events and Festival of Politics the end of the Homecoming. As part of the day, the Parliament – along with the Scottish In August 2009, the fifth Festival of Politics took Government and the English Speaking Union place at the Parliament, with a programme of – co-organised the St Andrew’s Day Debate. politically-themed debates, lectures and cultural Chaired by the Deputy Presiding Officer events attracting record audiences. Alasdair Morgan MSP, more than 20 teams of school and university students from across To reflect the 10th anniversary of the Scotland took part. This was followed by Parliament and the Year of Homecoming, Burnsong Live, a concert in the Parliament’s the overarching theme for the Festival was Garden Lobby which showcased the work of Examining Our Past – Shaping Our Future. the finalists of a year-long competition that Headline Festival events included appearances aims to develop and nurture song-writing by renowned musician Annie Lennox, speaking in Scotland. The ten winners were selected about her SING Campaign which fights HIV/ from hundreds of entries from as far afield as AIDS in Africa, and veteran politician Clare Australia, Canada and South Korea. Short MP who recounted her life in politics and spoke of her opposition to the invasion of Iraq. On Saturday 5 December, the Parliament hosted a conference that looked at The Festival again worked productively with modernising volunteering in Scotland, both a number of stakeholder organisations in to mark the 25th anniversary of Volunteer order to present engaging events. These Development Scotland and to coincide with included Tomorrow’s Civil Economy, organised International Volunteers Day. More than 100 in association with the Carnegie UK and delegates gathered in the Debating Chamber, Dunfermline Trusts, which considered how chaired by the Deputy Presiding Officer Trish civil society could grow a ‘more civil’ economy Godman MSP, to discuss and debate the in partnership, and Facebook – the New future of volunteering. Democratic Forum?, an examination of how technology might enhance the democratic For the third year, on Saturday 6 March 2010, process, which took place in association with the Parliament, in partnership with the Scottish the Law Society of Scotland. Women’s Convention, organised an event in the Debating Chamber, chaired by the In conjunction with the Festival of Politics, Deputy Presiding Officer Trish Godman MSP, the Parliament hosted the World Press Photo to mark International Women’s Day. Nearly exhibition for a fourth year, with nearly 60,000 400 women from across Scotland attended people visiting over the four weeks. the event. As part of the Parliament’s support for the Year In addition to the programme of major of Homecoming, This Is Who We Are – an events and exhibitions, the Parliament supports exhibition exploring the contemporary Scottish a programme of receptions/briefings and diaspora in Canada through photography drop-in sessions sponsored by MSPs, which – took place in November 2009. A closing aims to provide an opportunity for local and event was hosted by the Presiding Officer national organisations and communities to and the First Minister on St Andrew’s Day to engage with MSPs. In 2009-10, approximately coincide with the Parliament’s programme of 27,000 guests attended 425 MSP-sponsored events to mark Scotland’s national day and events.

34 We held 425 MSP-sponsored events with around 27,000 guests attending from across Scotland’s communities. 35 Annual Report 2009 to 2010

Environmental management The SPCB is committed to establishing itself as a role model for best practice in environmental performance, and to contributing to sustainable development.

In 2009-10 the SPCB continued to implement its environmental policy and work towards its environmental targets. In recognition of the need to reduce carbon emissions, a Carbon Management Plan was developed in conjunction with the Carbon Trust. The plan sets a target to reduce carbon emissions by 20% by 2015, with a long-term aspiration to Carbon target become a low-carbon organisation and reduce Reduce the carbon emissions by 42% by 2020. footprint by 8% from the 2005-06 total by March 2010.

9% reduction achieved

Paper target Electricity target Reduce office paper Reduce incoming consumption by 35% from electricity use by 11% the session 2* total during from the 2005-06 total session 3 (2007-11). by March 2010. 16% reduction achieved 13% reduction achieved *(Paper use data for the whole of session 2 is unavailable – this figure is based on 2005-07 information.)

Gas target Waste target Reduce gas consumption Reduce landfill waste by per degree day by 1% 65% from the 2005-06 from the 2008-09 average total by March 2010. degree day consumption by March 2010. 64% reduction achieved 15% reduction achieved

36 Languages and formats For information in languages other than English or in alternative formats (for example in Braille, large print or audio), please send your enquiry to the public information service. We welcome written correspondence in any language. Contact details are on the back cover. Further information about the Scottish Parliament is available on our website: www.scottish.parliament.uk

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