Andrew Welsh to step down as member of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body
119/2005 | 9 December 2005
Andrew Welsh MSP has informed the Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament that he will step down as a member of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB).
His resignation will take effect from Monday 9 January when Parliament returns following the Christmas break.
In his resignation letter Mr Welsh informed Presiding Officer George Reid that his decision took account of the increasing pressure on his time due to parliamentary, constituency and other duties.
He wrote: "As an original member of the SPCB, I have thoroughly enjoyed being part of the creation of the new Scottish Parliament and wish to thank you, your predecessor as Presiding Officer, my SPCB colleagues through the years, and all members of parliamentary staff for their advice and expertise which have been invaluable in ensuring the efficiency and quality of parliamentary services."
The SNP MSP for Angus is the longest serving member of the Corporate Body having served on it since the Parliament's inception in 1999.
Writing in response to Mr Welsh's resignation letter, Mr Reid who chairs the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body expressed his regret and commended the MSP for his service. He wrote:
"You have given sterling service to the Parliament as a member of the Corporate Body since its very first meeting in 1999. On behalf of all our MSP colleagues and staff, I thank you most sincerely for that."
Mr Welsh's Corporate Body duties included responsibility for the p romotion of the Parliament, the organisation's external communications strategy, the Parliament's public information and education services, the Scottish Parliament website, and internal communications including the Parliament's Intranet.
In accordance with Standing Orders (the rules which govern the running of Parliament) an election for a new member will take place on a date and time appointed by the Parliament on a motion of the Parliamentary Bureau.
Background
The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body is responsible for ensuring that the Parliament is provided with the accommodation and services it requires to function effectively, as well as the employment of around 500 members of Parliament staff.
Mr Welsh was first elected to join the SPCB on 19 May 1999.
He was re-elected at the beginning of the Scottish Parliament's current session in 2003, to work alongside fellow MSPs Duncan McNeil, Robert Brown and John Scott.
Nora Radcliffe was voted on to the SPCB in June when Robert Brown became Deputy Minister for Education and Young People.
Membership of the SPCB is not remunerated.
The Parliament's media contact is:
Richard Holligan: 0131 348 6269
RNID TypeTalk calls welcome
email: richard.holligan@scottish.parliament.uk
For public information enquiries, contact: 0131 348 5000 or 0845 278 1999 (local call rate)
Text phone: 0131 348 3415 RNID Typetalk calls welcome
email: sp.info@scottish.parliament.uk
Visit our website at: www.scottish.parliament.uk
|
back to top