Maree Todd
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“Is the minister willing to consider a cross-Government approach with local authorities, because the piece-by-piece approach of the 32 local authorities currently is not working?”
“Local authorities, which manage the majority of burial grounds in Scotland, must also comply with the Equality Act 2010, including the public sector equality duty, which requires them to have regard to religious needs when delivering services, including bereavement services.”
“The Scottish Government recognises the importance of ensuring that burial provision reflects the diverse religious and cultural needs of all communities.”
“Many local authorities charge a lower fee for residents, partly to recognise their indirect contributions to the provision and upkeep of burial grounds through the council tax system. Mr Linden has identified a challenging area for his constituents.”
“CAMHS is a specialist service for children and young people who have acute mental health needs, and referrals are based on clinical judgment. Although referrals are sometimes not accepted, that does not mean that support is not available.”
“We want people to be able to access thrombectomy treatment across Scotland, no matter where they live. That is why, in our election manifesto, we committed to providing a further £25 million, on top of the more than £51 million that we have already invested, to deliver a 24/7 thrombectomy service with national coverage.”
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“We work with third sector organisations such as the national autism implementation team to produce materials that support professional learning and development for those working with autistic learners. As Pam Duncan-Glancy said, the condition is often diagnosed alongside others. We are working with partners to develop that work further and to improve the support that is available. Teachers have access to an inclusion, wellbeing and equalities professional learning framework via Education Scotland, as is outlined in the most recent additional support for learning action plan update. I thank everyone who has contributed to the debate, Tourette Scotland and the individuals who have come along to hear the debate for highlighting the needs of people with Tourette syndrome.”
“All teachers undertake ASN training during their initial teacher education, which is a requirement to meet the professional standards for registration with the General Teaching Council for Scotland. We remain committed to exploring options for initial teacher education, and we are considering further steps to improve the support that is available for teachers in other areas. There is a wide range of free professional learning opportunities set within the Scottish context, which individual educators, establishments, local authorities and unions can use and adapt to suit their context. They are provided by a range of organisations, including Education Scotland, professional organisations, unions, health bodies and third sector organisations.”
“I am confident that my colleagues across the Government would be content to engage on the issue to see whether there is more that we can do. There was record investment—more than £1 billion—in additional support for learning by local authorities in 2023-24. The budget for 2025-26 set out an additional £29 million for additional support for learning, which includes an allocation for local and national programmes to support the recruitment and retention of the ASL workforce, ensuring that we build on the work being delivered through the additional support for learning plan. That funding will be used to improve outcomes for all children and young people with ASN, in line with the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004, and it will build on existing spend on inclusion to ensure the broadest possible reach.”
“When I left the screening of “I Swear”, I reflected that the condition affects not just the NHS and education but every part of our lives, including transport and the police. There is a big issue around public sector education and learning, and there is also a need to promote wider awareness among the public, so that we all understand the condition and think about what we can do to support people. We also need awareness so that we do not react in a way that makes somebody’s life worse. Maree Todd: I absolutely understand the point that my colleague has made. The film “I Swear” will probably do more for public understanding than anything that the Government can do. I commend the creative effort that went into the film. Sometimes, creative projects such as that can shift public understanding in a way that Government campaigns cannot.”
“The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills has committed to a review of additional support for learning, and she convened a cross-party round- table meeting to engage with members and local government. They discussed priorities and their thoughts on the scope of the review to improve support for children and young people who require additional support for learning in school. I understand that the education secretary is considering the next steps following that productive session. I strongly encourage Tourette Scotland to engage with the education secretary on that process to ensure that its asks are heard within that general review of ASL. Sarah Boyack: I very much welcome the minister’s comments about the action that she has committed to.”
“I recognise how debilitating Tourette syndrome can be, and I assure members that we are committed to ensuring that everyone who lives with Tourette syndrome in Scotland is able to access the best possible care and support. The Government has a vision of a Scotland that is free from stigma and inequality, where everyone fulfils their right to achieve the best mental health and wellbeing possible. Some of the stories that we have heard during the debate clearly illustrate that we need to do a great deal more to achieve that vision. I want the stigma around the condition to end, and I want our young people to be supported to reach their full potential. I commend the tireless efforts of Tourette Scotland in supporting people through the physical and emotional challenges that the condition brings.”
“There has been a 16 per cent increase in the number of neurology staff at all grades in NHS Scotland over the past 10 years, as well as a 47 per cent increase in the number of neurology consultants, so we are increasing capacity. We have also increased our capacity for imaging, which is part of the diagnosis process, by providing 13 mobile MRI and four mobile CT scanners to help people to get the diagnostic tests that they need. Some boards now deliver additional activity seven days a week, 12 hours a day, to reduce diagnostic waits. As a junior health minister, I recognise the challenges in accessing treatment. I am keen that we pick up issues relating to access to therapies with colleagues in the health ministry, because that would be useful.”
“It is also great to be reminded of Lewis Capaldi, David Beckham and other high-profile people who have spoken about their diagnosis, because it is a diagnosis that is widely misunderstood. The condition has been around for a very long time. Georges Gilles de la Tourette described it in 1885, but it took us until the 1960s and 1970s to understand the neurological processes that influence the condition, instead of seeing it simply as a behavioural condition. Our understanding has continued to grow ever since. Sarah Boyack made a number of healthcare asks. There are barriers to achieving a Tourette’s diagnosis in Scotland, but the situation has significantly improved recently.”
“I am delighted to respond to the debate on behalf of the Government as we discuss the support that is available to people with Tourette syndrome and the awareness of the condition. I thank all members who have spoken for their thoughtful contributions. In particular, I thank Sarah Boyack for this important and—as my colleague Christine Grahame said—milestone motion. My colleagues have mentioned a number of their constituents. It is heartening to hear about some of the immense successes. For example, Tyler, despite having a challenging diagnosis and there being a lack of support available to him, has achieved huge success. It is inspiring and meaningful for people to hear about such stories.”
“When the national mission was conceived, we were dealing mainly with heroin use and heroin overdose. The picture has changed substantially, and the threat from synthetics is significant and concerning. We have a number of courses of action to rise to that, not least the rapid action drug alerts and response—RADAR—system, which picks up and disseminates information on the new threats that we are facing. We also have some drug-checking facilities, and one has recently been approved in the west of”
“What role does clinical and practitioner expertise have in that? Maree Todd: I have already outlined the clinical and practitioner role in developing evidence. I assure the member that, in last year’s figures, one of the substantial areas of improvement was Greater Glasgow and Clyde, where we saw a reduction of, I think, 25 per cent. I may need to check that number and get back to the member to confirm it, but we saw a substantial reduction in the number of deaths there, and that was because of sustained effort. As I have said in the chamber many times, there is no single solution that will fix the problem. We need to take advantage of a multitude of opportunities that are ahead of us to try to rise to the challenge. The member is absolutely correct to point to the difference in the drug use that we face nowadays.”
“The workforce expert delivery group demonstrated a clear and sustained commitment to ensuring that workforce development is informed by those with direct experience and expertise in the field throughout the national mission. Not only was that group instrumental in interpreting and prioritising the recommendations of the drug deaths task force, but it provided critical oversight and expert advice on the development and implementation of the Scottish Government’s workforce action plan. Katy Clark: The face of the drugs crisis has changed with the emergence of synthetic opioids, which are linked to more than 100 deaths across Scotland, many of which have been in the west of Scotland. Will the minister outline how the Scottish Government plans to improve services in the west of Scotland given the growing use of synthetic opioids?”
“Katy Clark: Given those comments, does the minister agree that the Scottish Government must focus on delivery to reduce drug deaths, rather than on chasing headlines, and that drug policy in this country must be based on the evidence? Maree Todd: I agree that it is really important that we follow the evidence, and the Scottish Government is committed to taking an evidence- based approach to the issue, using a wide range of evidence. Clinical advice plays a key role in the making of drug and alcohol policy, along with surveillance and up-to-date data. The clinical advisory group was established in April 2023 and now meets via correspondence, with its most recent meeting being held on 17 September 2025.”
“The latest drug deaths statistics show a 13 per cent decrease and the lowest number registered since 2017. That is welcome, but we know that there is more to be done. The national mission has always made clear that its aim is to reduce drug-related deaths and to improve the lives of people who are affected by drugs. That mission has been directly shaped by a wide range of evidence, clinical advice, surveillance and data. We also rely directly on advice from experts through the work of the drug deaths task force and the national drugs mission clinical advisory group. I assure the member that we are also actively engaging with service commissioners, clinicians, delivery partners and those with lived and living experience to develop our new alcohol and drugs strategic plan.”
“For Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Gulhane, Sandesh (Glasgow) (Con) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Against Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Allan, Alasdair (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire South) (SNP) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Ind) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP) Don-Innes, Natalie (Renfrewshire North and West) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) Forbes, Kate (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) [Proxy vote cast by Ross Greer] Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (SNP) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian) (SNP) McMillan, Stuart (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) [Proxy vote cast by Michael Marra] Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) [Proxy vote cast by Fulton MacGregor] Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Swinney, John (Perthshire North) (SNP) Thomson, Michelle (Falkirk East) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP)”
“Amendment 155 disagreed to. Amendment 156 moved—[Mairi Gougeon]—and agreed to. Amendment 43 moved—[Edward Mountain]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 43 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“For Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Gulhane, Sandesh (Glasgow) (Con) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Against Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Allan, Alasdair (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire South) (SNP) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Ind) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP) Don-Innes, Natalie (Renfrewshire North and West) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) Forbes, Kate (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) [Proxy vote cast by Ross Greer] Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (SNP) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian) (SNP) McMillan, Stuart (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) [Proxy vote cast by Michael Marra] Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) [Proxy vote cast by Fulton MacGregor] Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Swinney, John (Perthshire North) (SNP) Thomson, Michelle (Falkirk East) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 26, Against 86, Abstentions 0.”
“Amendment 42 disagreed to. Amendment 280 moved—[Michael Matheson]— and agreed to. Amendment 155 moved—[Edward Mountain]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 155 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“For Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Against Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Allan, Alasdair (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire South) (SNP) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Ind) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP) Don-Innes, Natalie (Renfrewshire North and West) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) Forbes, Kate (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) [Proxy vote cast by Ross Greer] Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (SNP) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian) (SNP) McMillan, Stuart (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) [Proxy vote cast by Michael Marra] Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) [Proxy vote cast by Fulton MacGregor] Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Swinney, John (Perthshire North) (SNP) Thomson, Michelle (Falkirk East) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 24, Against 86, Abstentions 0.”
“Amendment 279 agreed to. 21:00 Amendment 42 moved—[Edward Mountain]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 42 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“For Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Allan, Alasdair (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire South) (SNP) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Ind) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP) Don-Innes, Natalie (Renfrewshire North and West) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) Forbes, Kate (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) [Proxy vote cast by Ross Greer] Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (SNP) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian) (SNP) McMillan, Stuart (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) [Proxy vote cast by Michael Marra] Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) [Proxy vote cast by Fulton MacGregor] Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Swinney, John (Perthshire North) (SNP) Thomson, Michelle (Falkirk East) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) Against Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Gulhane, Sandesh (Glasgow) (Con) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 85, Against 25, Abstentions 0.”
“Amendment 41 disagreed to. Amendment 279 moved—[Michael Matheson]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 279 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“For Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Gulhane, Sandesh (Glasgow) (Con) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Against Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Allan, Alasdair (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire South) (SNP) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Ind) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP) Don-Innes, Natalie (Renfrewshire North and West) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) Forbes, Kate (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) [Proxy vote cast by Ross Greer] Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (SNP) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian) (SNP) McMillan, Stuart (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) [Proxy vote cast by Michael Marra] Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) [Proxy vote cast by Fulton MacGregor] Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Swinney, John (Perthshire North) (SNP) Thomson, Michelle (Falkirk East) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 26, Against 85, Abstentions 0.”
“Those are well-known organisations that could easily have community ownership promoted through them and be used as a vehicle to do that. There would be a duty on the Scottish ministers to report annually on how they had fulfilled that duty of promotion. Because I feel that that is relevant to the bill, I intend to move amendment 285. Amendment 278 agreed to. Amendment 154 moved—[Mairi Gougeon]—and agreed to. Amendment 41 moved—[Edward Mountain]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 41 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“That is unfortunate and it feels like a wasted opportunity, but we are where we are. I will take hope from the cabinet secretary’s comments on the issue. I hope that future cabinet secretaries will listen and close this loophole and a number of the others that I have raised this evening. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I call Rhoda Grant to wind up and press or withdraw amendment 278. Rhoda Grant: I am grateful for the support for amendment 278. However, I am perplexed about the lack of support for amendment 285. The amendment would create a duty to promote community ownership, which should be happening but has stalled, and it mentions that that should happen in particular through co-operatives, community benefit societies and community interest companies.”
“However, I am heartened by the comments of the cabinet secretary; just as she is listening in relation to Burntisland, I hope that she is also listening in relation to Taymouth and a lot of the other constituency issues that I have raised throughout the passage of the bill. Communities do not feel that there is anything in this bill for them. The community in Lower Largo does not see a way forward in relation to addressing a very commonsense issue about its inability to apply for a right to buy on the basis that Largo is abandoned and neglected land. Communities will now have to wait for a resolution. They will have to wait for the recommendations of the community right to buy review to be published and they will probably have to wait for another land reform bill before they can take action.”
“I hear what the cabinet secretary is saying about there being legal issues with the amendment and that it is incompetent and everything else. However, it is unfortunate that the consultation on community right to buy that is happening right now was not concluded ahead of the bill being introduced in Parliament. If it had been, we could have reflected its recommendations in the bill; we could have had a proper conversation about the loophole, and a whole range of other issues, and incorporated them in the bill. I appreciate that we are where we are, and that there is no way to fix the issue right now.”
“People who visit that estate will look around and see the historic buildings and the old walled garden crumbling away, and the land not being used. However, because a tiny postage stamp of that land has been developed, it is, effectively, no longer abandoned and neglected. The community right to buy in relation to abandoned and neglected land is not working. People are looking at land and buildings every day that they know need to be brought into community ownership, so that they are not neglected, but are invested in and repaired. However, that is not happening—and it is not happening because of a loophole, which I have called the “Largo loophole”. We need to close that loophole; if not tonight, then in future legislation.”
“The Deputy Presiding Officer: I call Mark Ruskell to speak to amendment 286 and other amendments in the group. Mark Ruskell: Amendment 286 returns to the issue that I raised at stage 2 of cases where community bids to purchase abandoned or neglected land are effectively thwarted by landowners who attempt to bring a portion of that site back into usage. For Edward Mountain and others, I raise the case of Lower Largo and Largo house and estate, which is a historically significant estate in Scotland. However, it has been very difficult for the community to make a case that it falls under the provisions in respect of abandoned and neglected land. The reason for that is that around 5 per cent of the land of that estate has been developed as a horticultural enterprise.”
“My accompanying amendment 280 provides that the notice imposing the 70-day prohibition takes effect when it is given. I believe that that is an appropriate approach, given that the owner will already be subject to the initial prohibition. It is necessary to avoid what I believe could be an unnecessary sequencing of the notices that are required to be sent by ministers. For example, it will enable both the notice lifting the initial prohibition and the notice imposing the 70-day prohibition to be sent in a combined notice, simplifying the process, and giving greater certainty and clarity. Amendments 279 and 280 will provide certainty for landowners and communities, and I welcome the fact that the cabinet secretary is prepared to support them.”
“If they do so and other conditions are met, as set out, ministers can impose a second period of prohibition of 70 days. That is to give communities some further time to register a community interest in land. However, there is currently no time limit within which ministers are required to decide whether to impose the second prohibition or simply to lift the initial prohibition. My amendment 279 introduces a timescale within which ministers must lift the initial prohibition. That would also involve imposing the second prohibition, if that is the ministers’ decision. The time limit proposed in my amendment is 60 days from the imposition of the first prohibition, which equates to 30 days from the deadline for receipt of a notice of intention for the community.”
“It is a bit of an umbrella clause rather than one that helps the sale of land. I do not fully understand amendment 286, in the name of Mark Ruskell, so rather than make the rather strange comment that I believe that it is incorrectly drafted or has drafting errors, I will be interested to hear what he says about it. Once I understand it, perhaps I will be in a position to make a decision on it. Michael Matheson: Both of my amendments relate to the pre-notification process that is set out in the bill and seek to provide further clarity. In particular, amendment 279 will provide clarity for landowners and communities. The first pre- notification prohibition period will last for a minimum of 30 days, within which time communities can express an intention to register a community interest in land.”
“Amendment 155 would enforce that ministers may prohibit a land transfer only if they are satisfied that there is a reasonable prospect of sufficient funds being raised by the community. Amendment 169 would add requirements on how funds will be raised to purchase land and on the details that a community body must submit. I think that those amendments are perfectly reasonable. I also like Michael Matheson’s amendment 279, but it is not focused enough for me. It allows the process to be too drawn out and does not make time of the essence, which, to my mind, gives ministers far too much wiggle room. That is not something that I would like to see and I do not think that Parliament should support it. Amendment 157, in the name of the cabinet secretary, provides for another obligation to fulfil a minister’s responsibility.”
“She says that the Government will try to achieve 14 days, but it cannot always do that. If there is a timescale, most things are achieved within that timescale. If there is no timescale, things are never achieved within a reasonable time. Amendment 42 means that ministers would have to give notice within 28 days that the prohibition on a transfer has been lifted. That means that, again, ministers would have to make a decision. I know that it is sometimes difficult for Governments to make a decision and to focus, but my amendments aim to provide for that. Without those timescales, the overall process would be open ended and could prohibit the sale of land for an indeterminate period, which would not be acceptable to the owner and could have a serious impact on the owner’s ability to sell and manage land.”
“They would insert provisions to ensure that ministers should not prohibit a transfer of land if there is no reasonable chance or proof that a community has the means to raise the funds to purchase the land in question. It is unfair on the landowner, who might be selling for a multitude of reasons, for a transfer to be prohibited for months on end for no reason, if there is no realistic chance of a community body ever purchasing the land. I am always amused when I hear members’ amendments being accused of having drafting errors in them. I do not believe that that is anything but a simple excuse to avoid tackling the issue. Amendment 41 would impose a 14-day time limit on ministers to publicise a land transfer to ensure that there was no delay in the process. The cabinet secretary does not like 14 days.”
“The amendments would put an unreasonable and unrealistic burden on communities by asking them to demonstrate evidence of funds long before that can reasonably be expected. The amendments would work directly against our objective of supporting community land ownership, and they would take us back to the previous century, before we had taken steps to support community buyouts. The amendments would put additional hurdles in the way, so I ask members to oppose them. Edward Mountain: My amendments 41 and 42 would ensure that the time periods in relation to community rights to buy and the prohibition on transfer were reasonable for all parties involved. Amendments 155 and 169 are to do with communities raising funds to purchase land.”
“I anticipate that, in most cases, notification would be made within 14 days. However, we need the bill to allow for complex cases that need further consideration and not bind our hands. In such cases, 14 days might not be enough. Ministers will always make decisions as soon as practicable, and guidance, such as the guidance that is introduced under Rhoda Grant’s amendment 278, is the best place to set out the details of that process. Amendment 41 is not reasonable or practicable, which is why I am unable to support it. 20:45 Amendments 155 and 169 would require communities to have all the relevant financial resources in place before they could register a community interest in land, but that is not how community buyouts work. Communities often work around the clock and right up to the wire to get the required funding in place.”
“It is drafted in a way that might even prevent landowners from carrying out emergency maintenance work, which, of course, could have consequences. That aspect of the amendment represents a significant interference in property rights under article 1 of protocol 1 of the European convention on human rights, which cannot be assessed for its proportionality without a clear and rational explanation for its inclusion. Lastly, matters relating to the community right to buy are being considered through a review that we have been undertaking. That is the right avenue for consideration of that type of issue. It is for those reasons that I ask Mark Ruskell not to move amendment 286. Edward Mountain’s amendment 41 would put unrealistic timescales on ministers for making decisions on pre-notification.”
“Amendment 157 will require the transfer of land to include in the deed a declaration that the transfer is not in breach of the pre-notification provisions. That is important for compliance, enforcement and transparency. I ask members to vote in support of those amendments. Mark Ruskell’s amendment 286 attempts to create a rule that “land is to be considered wholly or mainly abandoned or neglected if less than 25% of the land is frequently used.” That relates to the purposes of the right to buy in part 3A of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003. The drafting has a number of undesirable consequences. It could restrict rather than expand the number of cases in which communities can use their right to buy. It also seeks to prevent landowners from making changes to their land while communities are going through a right-to-buy process.”
“I urge members not to support Edward Mountain’s alternative amendment 42, which has drafting issues and, unlike the amendment that I am supporting, does not fully address the sequencing of the various notices that are required. In response to feedback from stakeholders, we lodged amendments in group 8 that will allow us to exclude from pre-notification transfers based on type, as well as transfers based on size. Amendment 154 is a drafting amendment that follows on from those, and I hope that members will support it. Amendment 157 is a technical but important amendment to make it easier for Registers of Scotland to determine that current procedures have been followed when it is registering new deeds.”
“Clarity on that is important for landowners and communities, so I am happy to support Michael Matheson’s amendment 279, which will introduce a timescale in which ministers must lift the initial prohibition. Amendment 279 is similar to the amendment that Edward Mountain lodged, which proposes 28 days, but I think that that shows that the balance that Michael Matheson’s amendment strikes is right. Michael Matheson’s accompanying amendment—amendment 280—addresses the sequencing of notices that are required to be sent by ministers. I ask members to support amendments 279 and 280, because they provide the clarity that is desired by landowners and communities.”
“The amendment is therefore unnecessary and flawed, which is why, unfortunately, I cannot support it. I support Rhoda Grant’s amendment 278. I agreed during stage 2 that it was always my intention to have guidance in place to support the bill’s implementation. As I have said before, I am happy for that to be explicit in the bill. In the bill as amended after stage 2, pre- notification comprises two prohibitions on sale. Those prohibitions offer communities further time to register a community interest in land. I appreciate amendments 279 and 42, which have been lodged by Michael Matheson and Edward Mountain respectively, and which seek to introduce a timescale for ministerial decision making in relation to pre-notification prohibitions.”
“The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016 places a duty on ministers to promote the principles of the land rights and responsibilities statement when exercising our functions. That includes the principle that more local communities should have the opportunity to own, use or lease buildings and land that can contribute to their communities’ wellbeing and future development. The amendment has drafting issues, because it would require promotion through specific community body structures, only one of which is compliant with current community right-to-buy legislation. That also means that the annual reporting requirement that is attached to the amendment is not appropriate, because ministers would be required to report on how they are promoting land ownership among company structures that are not compliant with current right- to-buy powers.”
“With regard to amendment 285, I put on record that I am a member of the Co-operative Party, as noted in my entry in the register of members’ interests. Amendment 285 seeks to have Scottish ministers promote and encourage community and co-operative ownership of land, and it asks ministers to report on progress towards that aim. We know from experience that community and co-operative ownership provides many public benefits, promotes economic growth and supports population retention and increase. That kind of ownership is also democratic, as it gives those who live and work on the land a say in the future of their communities. I move amendment 278. Mairi Gougeon: Rhoda Grant’s amendment 285 would place a duty on ministers to promote community ownership. I support the amendment’s intent, but we already have that duty.”
“Amendment 277 disagreed to. Section 2—Community right to buy: registration of interest in large land holding The Deputy Presiding Officer: Group 9 is on community rights to buy. Amendment 278, in the name of Rhoda Grant, is grouped with amendments 154, 41, 279, 42, 280, 155, 157, 169, 285 and 286. Rhoda Grant: Amendment 278 would place on ministers a statutory duty to prepare, update and publish guidance, as soon as practical, on which community bodies can rely when applying to register an interest in land. That would make the community right-to-buy process more accessible, consistent and transparent, and it would help smaller or less experienced community groups, which would greatly benefit from guidance that is easier to navigate. I thank the cabinet secretary for her help in drafting the amendment.”
“On a point of order, Deputy Presiding Officer. I could not connect. I would have voted no. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Thank you, Ms Todd. Your vote will be recorded. For Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Against Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Allan, Alasdair (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire South) (SNP) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Ind) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP) Don-Innes, Natalie (Renfrewshire North and West) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) Forbes, Kate (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) [Proxy vote cast by Ross Greer] Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (SNP) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian) (SNP) McMillan, Stuart (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) [Proxy vote cast by Michael Marra] Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) [Proxy vote cast by Fulton MacGregor] Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Swinney, John (Perthshire North) (SNP) Thomson, Michelle (Falkirk East) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 25, Against 86, Abstentions 0.”
“We are also making good progress with the development of national drug-checking facilities, and I can confirm that the Glasgow facility has now received its licence from the Home Office. However, although we share the bill’s ambitions to improve access to treatment, we all also have a responsibility to ensure that any legislative proposals are workable, deliverable and aligned with the evidence that is available, and it is clear—”
“We are driving consistency of care for people through the continued implementation of medication-assisted treatment standards, and we are reducing the risk of opioid overdose through the continued distribution of thousands of naloxone kits across the country, with all front-line police now supplied with kits. We opened the United Kingdom’s first official safer drug consumption facility in Glasgow. We developed rapid action drug alerts and response— RADAR—which is an early-warning system that is designed to alert us to new and emerging threats across the country. We put people with lived and living experience right at the heart of our charter of human rights for people who are affected by substance use, driven by the national collaborative.”
“I also thank the committee for its thorough and thoughtful consideration of the bill. The Scottish Government shares the central ambition of the bill. We agree that the level of drug and alcohol deaths is, tragically, much too high in Scotland, and we remain committed to tackling it and improving access to services. Since the national mission was announced, in January 2021, we have seen significant investment and progress in the treatment and care of people who are affected by drugs, and much of that progress has also supported people with alcohol problems. More people can access residential rehab through our funding of eight new facilities, and we are on track to reach our target of 1,000 publicly funded placements per year by 2026.”
“My family’s experience stays with me every single day that I am in my role, and, as minister, I will always be open to finding new ways to improve the support that is available to people and families who are living with problematic substance use. It is precisely because of that personal understanding that I and my ministerial colleagues have approached the proposed legislation with great care and attention. Since the introduction of the bill, the Scottish Government has been listening carefully to the range of views and evidence that have shaped the findings in its stage 1 report—both that which I have heard in my many visits and meetings since taking up the post and that which has been provided to the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee. I thank everyone who provided evidence and shared their experiences.”