18.11.2014
Kirkwall has been announced as one of three locations set to host the Scottish Parliament in the coming year as part of the next series of Parliament Days.
Initiated by the Parliament in 2012, Presiding Officer the Rt Hon Tricia Marwick MSP says she wants to see even greater focus on engagement with people across Scotland supported by more Parliament Day visits.
The Presiding Officer has announced she will take part in the following visits:
Ahead of Parliament Day Fort William taking place next week (Monday 24 November), the Presiding Officer said:
“We know that the people of Scotland want to be involved in the political process and that is why I want the Parliament to get out and about across Scotland all the more often.
“The Scottish Parliament belongs to all the people of Scotland and Kirkwall offers the Parliament a great opportunity to hear from the community about issues that matter to them.”
Parliament Day invites people to see the Parliament first-hand, be it ‘official’ business, or on a less formal level, and helps the Parliament to listen to local people. As part of Parliament Day Kirkwall, the Scottish Parliament’s Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee will hold a formal sitting on Monday 8 June, as well as meet with a range of local people, organisations and businesses.
Committee Convener Rob Gibson MSP said:
“The Committee is always keen to hear from people across Scotland on the issues that matter to them. Land reform and looking in depth at who owns and manages the land, as well as how these practices benefit the communities and people of Scotland, has been a key issue for the Committee. This Kirkwall Parliament Day will be a fantastic opportunity to learn from local people’s experiences and opinions of land reform. Engaging with people in Orkney has the potential to benefit not just the work of the Committee, but the wider public across Scotland.”
Background
Parliament Days to date:
24 February 2014 – Dumbarton
4 November 2013 – Arbroath
21 June 2013 – Stirling
15 March 2013 – Stornoway
5 November 2012 – Hawick
For more information, please visit www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentdays
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