Note: (DT) signifies a decision taken at Decision Time.
The meeting opened at 2.00 pm.
1. Time for Reflection: Rev Michael R Philip, Bainsford Parish Church, Falkirk led Time for Reflection.
2. The New European Commission's Legislative Work Programme: Irene Oldfather, on behalf of the European and External Relations Committee, moved S3M-6228—That the Parliament welcomes the European Commission Work Programme, published by the European Commission on 31 March 2010; notes that it is likely to inform European Union policy for the next five years, and supports in particular the proposals for delivering a new economic strategy (Europe 2020) and allied platform to combat poverty, the commitment to further develop renewable energy and the energy grid, the recognition of the need to reform both the Common Fisheries Policy and the Common Agricultural Policy and the desire to restructure the European Union’s budget.
After debate, the motion was agreed to ((DT).
3. Zero Waste Plan: The Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment (Richard Lochhead) moved S3M-6275—That the Parliament notes the need for a coherent zero-waste policy approach to encourage waste prevention and efficient use of all resources; supports measures to increase recycling and deliver high-quality recycled materials, to ensure resources are recovered and treated in the most environmentally beneficial way and to minimise the disposal of resources into landfill,and looks to the forthcoming Zero Waste Plan for Scotland to provide clear long-term policy stability for the necessary investment to deliver a zero-waste Scotland.
Elaine Murray moved amendment S3M-6275.1 to motion S3M-6275—
Insert at end—
“and to address the concerns raised in the Audit Scotland report, Protecting and improving Scotland’s environment, that councils need additional waste management facilities to meet national landfill and recycling targets.”
After debate, the amendment was agreed to (DT).
John Scott moved amendment S3M-6275.2 to motion S3M-6275—
Insert at end—
“, and considers that greater encouragement to recycle and reuse must be given to the commercial and industrial sector and that a focus must be placed on ensuring that the necessary infrastructure is created and put in place in moving toward a zero-waste society.”
After debate, the amendment was agreed to (DT).
Liam McArthur moved amendment S3M-6275.3 to motion S3M-6275—
Insert at end—
“; regrets the delay in the publication of the Zero Waste Plan, and recognises the necessity of meeting EU landfill diversion targets in order to avoid potentially punitive fines.”
After debate, the amendment was agreed to ((DT) by division: For 49, Against 43, Abstentions 16).
The motion, as amended, was then agreed to (DT).
Accordingly, the Parliament resolved—That the Parliament notes the need for a coherent zero-waste policy approach to encourage waste prevention and efficient use of all resources; supports measures to increase recycling and deliver high-quality recycled materials, to ensure resources are recovered and treated in the most environmentally beneficial way and to minimise the disposal of resources into landfill; looks to the forthcoming Zero Waste Plan for Scotland to provide clear long-term policy stability for the necessary investment to deliver a zero-waste Scotland and to address the concerns raised in the Audit Scotland report, Protecting and improving Scotland’s environment, that councils need additional waste management facilities to meet national landfill and recycling targets; considers that greater encouragement to recycle and reuse must be given to the commercial and industrial sector and that a focus must be placed on ensuring that the necessary infrastructure is created and put in place in moving toward a zero-waste society; regrets the delay in the publication of the Zero Waste Plan, and recognises the necessity of meeting EU landfill diversion targets in order to avoid potentially punitive fines.
4. William Simpson’s Home (Transfer of Property etc.) (Scotland) Bill: Shirley-Anne Somerville, on behalf of the William Simpson’s Home (Transfer of Property etc.) (Scotland) Bill Committee, moved S3M-6258—That the Parliament agrees to the general principles of the William Simpson’s Home (Transfer of Property etc.) (Scotland) Bill and that the Bill should proceed as a Private Bill.
After debate, the motion was agreed to (DT).
5. Business Motion: Bruce Crawford, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, moved S3M-6291—That the Parliament agrees the following programme of business—
Wednesday 19 May 2010
2.30 pm Time for Reflection
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Local Government and Communities Committee Debate: Local Government Finance Inquiry
followed by Business Motion
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members’ Business
Thursday 20 May 2010
9.15 am Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Scottish Labour Party Business
11.40 am General Question Time
12 noon First Minister’s Question Time
2.15 pm Themed Question Time
Education and Lifelong Learning;
Europe, External Affairs and Culture
2.55 pm Scottish Government Debate: High Speed Rail Link
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members’ Business
Wednesday 26 May 2010
2.30 pm Time for Reflection
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Scottish Government Business
followed by Business Motion
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members’ Business
Thursday 27 May 2010
9.15 am Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Scottish Government Business
11.40 am General Question Time
12 noon First Minister’s Question Time
2.15 pm Themed Question Time
Health and Wellbeing
2.55 pm Scottish Government Business
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members’ Business
The motion was agreed to.
6. Designation of Lead Committee: Bruce Crawford, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, moved S3M-6292—That the Parliament agrees that the Education, Lifelong Learning and Culture Committee be designated as the lead committee in consideration of the Historic Environment (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill at Stage 1.
The motion was agreed to (DT).
7. Parliamentary Recess Dates: Bruce Crawford, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, moved S3M-6293—That the Parliament agrees the following parliamentary recess dates under Rule 2.3.1: 12 February – 20 February 2011 (inclusive).
The motion was agreed to (DT).
8. Decision Time: The Parliament took decisions on items 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7 as noted above.
9. 65th Anniversary of VE Day: The Parliament debated S3M-6236 in the name of Stewart Maxwell—That the Parliament commemorates the 65th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) when on 8 May 1945 the Allied Forces formally accepted the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany; honours the contribution by veterans of all ages and from all conflicts; believes that there should be greater recognition of war veterans in Scotland, many of whom sustained severe physical or mental injuries in defending their country, and encourages veterans to take advantage of their eligibility for the Veterans’ Badge, a small, but visible token of society’s appreciation of their service.
The meeting closed at 5.43 pm.
P E Grice
Clerk of the Parliament
12 May 2010
Appendix
(Note: this Appendix does not form part of the Minutes)
Subordinate Legislation
Negative Instruments
The following instruments were laid before the Parliament on 6 May 2010 and are subject to annulment—
The Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (Scotland) Regulations 2010 (SSI 2010/177)
laid under paragraph 2(2) of Schedule 2 to the European Communities Act 1972
The Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007 (Power to Refer) (Information Relevant to Listing Decisions) Order 2010 (SSI2010/178)—
The Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007 (Applications for Removal from List and Late Representations) Regulations 2010 (SSI2010/179)—
The Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007 (Savings and Transitional Provisions) Order 2010 (SSI 2010/180)—
The Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007 (Referrals by Organisations and Other Bodies) (Prescribed Information) Regulations 2010 (SSI 2010/181)—
The Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007 (Referrals by Courts) (Prescribed Information) Regulations 2010 (SSI 2010/182)—
The Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007 (Consideration for Listing) Regulations 2010 (SSI 2010/183)
all laid under section 100(3) of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007
Other Documents
The following document was laid before the Parliament on 6 May 2010 and is not subject to any Parliamentary procedure
HECA Report – Home Energy Conservation Act (1995): fifth HECA progress report covering the period April 2005 – March 2007 (SG/2010/60)
laid at the request of a member of the Scottish Executive and not under any laying power
The following document was laid before the Parliament on 11 May 2010 and is not subject to any Parliamentary procedure
Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005: 4th Annual Report: Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Activity within Scotland from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2009 (SG/2010/64)
laid under section 20 of the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005
Committee Reports
The following reports were published on 6 May—
Rural Affairs and Environment Committee, 4th Report, 2010 (Session 3): Stage 1 Report on the Crofting Reform (Scotland) Bill (SP Paper 426)
Subordinate Legislation Committee, 28th Report, 2010 (Session 3): Subordinate Legislation (SPPaper 428)
The following report was published on 7 May
William Simpson's Home (Transfer of Property etc.) (Scotland) Bill Committee, 1st Report, 2010 (Session 3): Preliminary Stage Report on the William Simpson's Home (Transfer of Property etc.) (Scotland) Bill (SP Paper 427)
The following report was published on 11 May 2010
Subordinate Legislation Committee, 29th Report, 2010 (Session 3): Patient Rights (Scotland) Bill (SPPaper 431)
The following report was published on 12 May 2010
Forth Crossing Bill Committee, 1st Report 2010 (Session 3): Stage 1 Report on the Forth Crossing Bill (SP Paper 430)