Present:

Apologies were received from: Mrs Margaret Smith

The meeting opened at 2.04 pm.

1. Consideration of petitions. Members considered and agreed action on the following petitions:

PE205 Petition by Fred and Maureen Collie calling for the Scottish Parliament to review and increase the minimum sentence for convictions of murder; that sentences for other crimes committed during a more serious offence be consecutive and that parole boards consider all information including previous offences and submissions from victims and relatives.

The Committee agreed to pass the petition to the Minister for Justice for comments on the issues raised in the petition.

PE213 Petition by Ms I Silavi calling for the Scottish Parliament to examine the possibility of establishing a post of commissioner for the rights of disabled children.

The Committee agreed to pass the petition to the Education, Culture and Sport Committee for further consideration with the recommendation that they may wish to consult the Health and Community Care Committee; the Social Inclusion, Housing and Voluntary Sector Committee; and the Equal Opportunity Committee.

PE206 Petition by Mr Steven Birrell calling for the Scottish Parliament to ascertain the feasibility of a permanent webcast facility covering the proceedings of the Chamber and non-private Committee meetings once the Parliament returns to Edinburgh.

The Committee agreed to pass the petition to the SPCB for comments on the issues raised in the petition.

PE207 Petition by Mr Gordon Clyde Ford on behalf of the Mearns Community Council calling for the Scottish Parliament to introduce a more public friendly planning system by granting objectors to a development exactly the same rights as the developers.

The Committee agreed to pass the petition to the Transport and Environment Committee for further consideration and to the Local Government Committee for information only.

PE208 Petition by Douglas Hardie on behalf of the Melrose Traders Association calling for the Scottish Parliament to review all aspects of the proposed Parking Charges in Melrose and urge the Scottish Borders Council and Historic Scotland to rethink these proposals.

The Committee agreed to seek the views of the Scottish Borders Council on the issues raised in the petition and also pass a copy of the petition to Euan Robson MSP for information only.

PE209 Petition by Age Concern Dundonald calling for the Scottish Parliament to investigate the reasons for the termination of support for elderly care by South Ayrshire Council and consider what implications this will have on future community care demands.

The Committee agreed to pass the petition to the Social Inclusion, Housing and Voluntary Sector Committee for further consideration and to the Health and Community Care Committee, Local Government Committee and Finance Committee for information only.

PE210 Petition by Dunfermline Press Group calling for the Scottish Parliament to do all in it's power to ensure that car parking charges at the Queen Margaret, Victoria and Forth Park hospitals are not imposed.

The Committee agreed to pass the petition (along with other similar petitions and responses) to the Minister for Health to comment on the issues raised in the petitions.

PE211 Petition by Mr Andrew Gladstone calling for the Scottish Parliament not to proceed with the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Bill.

The Committee agreed to pass the petition to the Rural Affairs Committee for further consideration.

PE212 Petition by District Courts Association calling for the Scottish Parliament to delete all proposals contained within the Bail, Judicial Appointments etc (Scotland) Bill at Chapter 2, which deal with Justices of the Peace.

The Committee agreed to pass the petition to the Justice and Home Affairs Committee and the Minister for Justice to note.

PE214 Petition by Mrs Anne Dundas on behalf of various patients, friends and relatives of the Scottish Cardiac Transplant Unit calling for the Scottish Parliament to investigate the current recruitment crisis in the Cardiac Transplant Unit at Glasgow Royal Infirmary and establish what action will be taken to re-establish the cardiac transplant service as soon as possible.

The Committee agreed to pass the petition to the Health and Community Care Committee for further consideration, with the suggestion that it consult the Minister for Health on the issues raised in the petition. It also agreed to write to the North Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust for its comments.

2. Current Petitions: The committee reviewed the current petitions. The following points were raised:

PE115 Petition by Julia Clarke calling for the Scottish Parliament to request Scottish Airports to re-route aircraft taking off and landing at Edinburgh Airport away from residential areas to reduce pollution and to consult with residents.

The Committee considered correspondence received on this petition and agreed to pass it to the Transport and Environment Committee to seek its views on whether any further action should be taken.

PE147 Petition by Marie Galbraith on behalf of SHOC Executive calling for the Scottish Parliament to arrange a meeting between Ministers and a deputation from the Sheltered and Retired Housing Owners Association Executive Committee.

The Committee agreed to pass a copy of the response from the Deputy Minister for Community Care to the petitioners so they can arrange a meeting.

PE173 Petition by Gladys Anderson on behalf of the residents of Ballater calling for the Scottish Parliament to recognise the importance of the Ballater Area Council Office and prevent its closure.

The Committee agreed to pass a copy of the response from Aberdeenshire Council to the petitioners and to the Local Government Committee for their information. It also agreed to write to the Council advising it to ensure that the needs of local people are fully taken into account.

PE195 Petition by Cathleen Hanlon on behalf of Irvine Pensioners Action Group calling for the Scottish Parliament to seek an enquiry into North Ayrshire Council's decision to reduce full time warden cover in Sheltered Housing and to review and assess the warden service on a national basis.

The Committee noted a response from North Ayrshire Council had been passed to the Social Inclusion, Housing and Voluntary Sector Committee. It was agreed to pass copies to Mike Russell MSP for comments and to the petitioners.

PE56 Petition by Ian Cantwell calling for the Scottish Parliament to take action to make the Assessor (Valuation Officer) accountable to either a Public Sector Ombudsman, a Parliamentary Ombudsman or the Local Government Ombudsman.

The Committee noted the letter which had been sent to John Swinney MSP.




3. Convener’s Report:

The Committee agreed to meet in private at the start of the next meeting to discuss outstanding procedural issues.

The meeting closed at 3.08 pm.