 | | Monday 18 November 2013 | | Cutbot's sample public affairs briefing is currently looking for Scottish Government or Scottish Parliament material mentioning flags, pandas, or the Commonwealth Games, as well as specifically for Parliamentary motions of congratulation. | Flags
| […] with numbers held at artificially low levels and many territories vacant.
RSPB Scotland, backed by wildlife cameraman Gordon Buchanan, has submitted a petition urging ministers to formally designate the species as a national symbol, placing it alongside the lion rampant, saltire and Scottish thistle and emblems of the country. | Pandas
| Edinburgh Zoo (Scottish Parliament debate) Speech by Elaine Smith (The Deputy Presiding Officer), 14 November 2013 “[…] conservation work that the RZSS undertakes, most notably, the China/UK Giant Panda Project, a world-first research project to reintroduce giant pandas into the […]” Speech by David Torrance “[…] the most popular venture by the RZSS is the China-UK giant panda project—a partnership with the Wolong panda breeding centre in Sichuan province, China, with the goal of reintroducing pandas into the wild. In the collective efforts to preserve, protect and rebuild panda habitats in the area, the RZSS remains active in Sichuan province following […]” Speech by Christine Grahame “[…] and declare from the outset that my speech will be a completely panda-free zone.
I lived just over the hill from the zoo—note […]” One other MSP made a matching contribution | Commonwealth Games
| Speech by Rob Gibson, 14 November 2013 “[…] be an exciting place to come to next year, to see the Commonwealth games, the homecoming, the Ryder cup and a new nation ready to take […]” | […] a year that will see Scotland host the Ryder Cup, welcome the world to the Commonwealth Games and hold a referendum on Scotland’s independence, international interest in us is growing and we […] | […] on economy and society
Nearly of all Scotland’s young people are interested in the 2014 Commonwealth Games, with a third of them wanting to watch the event live at venues, according to new figures.
Speaking at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), Commonwealth Games Minister Shona Robison confirmed that 94 per cent of all 11-18 year olds are […] risen by £68 million since 2008 to £508 million, up 15 per cent.
Addressing the Commonwealth Games Federation Sports Breakfast in Colombo, which is part of CHOGM, Ms Robison said:
“Scotland is […] | Congratulatory Motions
| Lodged by Siobhan McMahon, 15 November 2013 That the Parliament congratulates Team Kyle on raising over £16,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign’s Duchenne Research Breakthrough Fund; notes that Team Kyle is made up of the friends and family of Kyle Keeney from Bellshill, who has muscular dystrophy; understands that the team took part in a range of fundraising events, including the Edinburgh Marathon, tough mudder and bungee jumping; further understands that the team raised over £10,000 more than the original target; believes that this will help researchers working toward finding a cure or effective treatment for the condition and that it could be life-changing for those with muscular dystrophy; congratulates the efforts of all the volunteers involved, and hopes that the success of Team Kyle will raise awareness for the Duchenne Research Breakthrough Fund. | Lodged by Bill Kidd, 15 November 2013 That the Parliament congratulates the health and safety pressure group, Scottish Hazards Campaign; notes that it celebrates its 19th anniversary on 19 November 2013, and wishes the group well with its latest campaign, We didn't vote to die at work, and its moves to establish a Scottish hazard centre that will help and inform non-unionised workers on their rights and of the benefits of joining a trade union. | Lodged by Siobhan McMahon, 15 November 2013 That the Parliament congratulates the 15 young carers aged between 14 and 17 who took part in the annual Come Dine With Us event at Motherwell College; understands that the event was designed to pass on knowledge of food hygiene, healthy eating and menu planning to the carers; notes that the event was held over four days and culminated in the carers serving a lunch for 40 invited guests; believes that the event gave the young people the opportunity to showcase the skills that they had gained and hopes that Come Dine With Us encourages the carers to make healthy and substantial meals for themselves and their families; praises the contribution of Action for Children Scotland and the Herbalife Family Foundation, which, it understands, were involved in planning the event; considers that this programme is an excellent example of the private and public sectors working in partnership to improve the life chances and the quality of life for carers and their families, and believes that it is important to recognise the valuable contribution that carers make. | Lodged by Graeme Dey, 13 November 2013 That the Parliament congratulates the Multiple Sclerosis Society Scotland, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary and also the 40th anniversary of it opening its Angus branch; congratulates all those who have contributed to the organisation over the years and who have worked toward it becoming what it considers the UK’s leading MS charity; understands that the organisation funds research, gives grants, campaigns for change, provides information and support, invests in MS specialists and has around 38,000 members, 9,000 volunteers and 260 staff members, and wishes the Multiple Sclerosis Society Scotland every future success. | Lodged by Colin Keir, 15 November 2013 That the Parliament congratulates BT on winning the Macro Employers Award at Scotland’s Modern Apprenticeship Awards in November 2013; understands that BT faced considerable competition from other companies in the category, which recognises employers with a workforce of over 5,000 employees; considers that the awards, delivered by Skills Development Scotland, highlight the qualities that modern apprentices bring to the workplace; further considers that BT has run a successful apprenticeship programme for many years, and understands that BT apprentices have a structured development path and access to top-up qualifications and secondments so that they can experience different types of jobs. | Lodged by Richard Baker, 13 November 2013 That the Parliament congratulates the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (USDAW) members in Banchory on organising a Freedom from Fear campaign event at Tesco Banchory on 13 November 2013 to highlight Respect for Shopworkers week, which runs from 11 to 15 November; believes that it is important that this campaign is highlighted across Scotland, including the north east; believes that no shop worker in the north east should have to suffer from bullying or intimidation and congratulates USDAW on working with the police and politicians in the region to highlight this campaign, and wishes USDAW members every success for their event in Banchory and for further events across the north east in the future. | Lodged by Murdo Fraser, 13 November 2013 That the Parliament congratulates Glendoick Garden Centre in Perthshire on its success at the Garden Retail Awards; notes that it won best UK garden centre, the best UK plant area, best UK garden centre café and garden centre employee of the year, a record-breaking four awards in all the major categories, at what it considers a prestigious awards ceremony in London; further notes that it had previously won the title of best UK garden centre in 2009; considers that these awards serve to enhance its already stellar reputation; congratulates this Perthshire-based business on these awards at what it considers a memorable evening, and wishes it every success in the future. | Lodged by Colin Keir, 13 November 2013 That the Parliament congratulates the management and staff at Edinburgh Airport on its being named Airport of the Year 2013 in the over six million passengers category at the Airport Operators Association Awards in London; understands that this is the fifth high-profile industry award presented to the airport in the last year and shows that the potential for growth and customer satisfaction are being realised at Scotland’s busiest airport; notes with satisfaction that voting for this award was by airlines, and believes that this confirms the professional service that the airport provides to industry clients. | Lodged by Jackie Baillie, 15 November 2013 That the Parliament congratulates Loch Lomond Brewery on being included in Aldi's Winter Beer Festival, which will feature many renowned breweries from across Scotland; understands that the brewery's very own Kessog Dark Ale will be featured in the festival; further congratulates the brewery on what it considers its rapid recognition as a distinguished microbrewery, having been selected for Aldi’s Winter Beer Festival after only two years in business; understands that the 2013 festival is estimated to be worth at least £96,000 to Scotland's breweries; acknowledges the value of the festival to microbreweries in Scotland, and commends Loch Lomond Brewery on a very successful year of craftsmanship as demonstrated by the quality ales that have resulted. | Lodged by Mike MacKenzie, 13 November 2013 That the Parliament congratulates Anni Donaldson on her success at Zero Tolerance’s Write to End Violence Against Women Awards; understands that the awards recognise excellence in violence against women journalism and that winners were chosen by a judging panel, which included the journalist and broadcaster, Lesley Riddoch, the writer and commentator, Gerry Hassan, the National Union of Journalists award winner, Helen Russell, Scottish Women’s Aid’s Lily Greenan, Sheena Campbell from Rape Crisis Scotland and Jenny Kemp from Zero Tolerance; notes that Anni’s article, Why was the sheriff in the [Bill] Walker case so puzzled?, won in the best article category, with the award being presented by Lesley Riddoch; commends Anni for the work that she has done on the issue of violence against women, and hopes that the awards will highlight the issues of violence against women and domestic abuse in Scotland and bring these a step closer to being resolved. | Lodged by David Torrance, 15 November 2013 That the Parliament congratulates Gail Hogg, an occupational therapist in NHS Fife's Older Adult Mental Health Occupational Therapy service at Whyteman’s Brae Hospital in Kirkcaldy, on receiving what it considers the prestigious Therapist Award at the 2013 Scottish Health Awards at the Corn Exchange in Edinburgh on 7 November 2013; applauds her on her work in providing cognitive stimulation therapy to patients over 65 who have conditions such as Alzheimer’s, dementia and depression; commends the superior quality of her work even in the face of staffing difficulties, and wishes her all the best in her future endeavours. | Lodged by Hanzala Malik, 13 November 2013 That the Parliament congratulates the producers and performers of Suitcase on their tour of railway stations throughout the country, which starts in Glasgow Central station; understands that the play commemorates the 75th anniversary of the Kindertransports, which began in November 1938 when the UK Government agreed admission for up to 10,000 Jewish children from Germany, Austria and Czechoslovakia who were at risk from the Nazis; believes that these children were taken in by foster families, hostels and camps and that the majority never saw their families again; understands that tickets for the play are free, which gives everyone an opportunity to experience the production; considers that the play highlights an important and often overlooked event in history, and wishes the company well on its upcoming tour. | Lodged by Joan McAlpine, 13 November 2013 That the Parliament congratulates Dumfries-born driver Allan McNish who has secured the World Endurance Championship alongside his Audi team-mates, Tom Kristensen and Loic Duval, following a third place finish in the penultimate race of the series in Shanghai; acknowledges that he is the first UK sports car world champion since Derek Warwick won the title in 1992; notes that this season Allan won three races in the R18 e-tron quattro, including winning for a third time at the prestigious 24 hour race at Le Mans; also notes that he has been runner-up on three occasions in the seven events held so far; recognises that this is the first world title Allan has won in what it considers his illustrious 25-year career, and wishes him well for the final round in Bahrain on 30 November 2013. | Lodged by Nigel Don, 13 November 2013 That the Parliament congratulates Auchenblae Pre-School Group in Aberdeenshire South on securing £9,996 from the Communities and Family Fund; notes that the group will use this money to refurbish its classroom, which has not been updated in 40 years, and understands that it will replace old and damaged furniture and equipment and carry out a major redesign to provide for the needs of a modern curriculum. | Lodged by Jamie Hepburn, 13 November 2013 That the Parliament congratulates North Lanarkshire Women’s Aid, which is based in Cumbernauld, on what it considers an impressive Care Inspectorate Report in which the service was rated as “6 – Excellent”, the highest accolade available to such a service; notes that the inspection was carried out as an announced short notice visit on 4 October 2013, meaning that it was a low intensity inspection that the Care Inspectorate carries out when it is satisfied that services are working hard to provide consistently high standards of care; notes that North Lanarkshire Women’s Aid offers direct local assistance to women and children from Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and the Northern Corridor locality in the North Lanarkshire area; welcomes that the service was recognised to have continued to build on the very positive outcomes of its last inspection; notes that the “6” rating is made up of three factors in which North Lanarkshire Women’s Aid achieved highly, with the following results: Quality of Care and Support - 6 Excellent, Quality of Staffing - 5 Very Good, Quality of Management and Leadership - 6 Excellent; understands that the aims of the service are to offer advice and support to woman and children who are experiencing domestic abuse whether it is mental, physical or sexual and that the Care Inspectorate has recognised that this has been achieved through the dedication of a well motivated and engaged staff group; notes that the report highlighted the many ways in which North Lanarkshire Women’s Aid is supporting women and their children, particularly through its helpful service users’ support and welcome packs and through forward-thinking schemes such as Dress for Success; welcomes the Care Inspectorate's observations that support workers and management have remained committed and enthusiastic about their roles despite funding worries brought about by a review of the service by North Lanarkshire Council and its recognition that staff work well as an established team and have built up a bank of resources that are used to support and signpost women and their children to appropriate services; considers that this success is a result of the hard work and dedication of all at North Lanarkshire Women’s Aid; wishes the service all the best for the future, and hopes that it will continue to provide a high quality service for many years to come. | Lodged by Jackie Baillie, 13 November 2013 That the Parliament congratulates The Lennox Partnership on its 25th anniversary as a social enterprise; understands that it offers employability support services, guidance and advice to unemployed people across nine local authority areas in Scotland; commends the organisation for helping over 1,000 people into lasting work each year by helping them to develop the skills, attitudes and behaviours to secure and sustain employment; believes that it is a good example of how a not-for-profit ethos can combine with the necessary business acumen to create a successful social enterprise that responds to the needs of the communities that it serves; understands that the organisation competes effectively with the highest performing private, public and third sector organisations in its sector, and wishes The Lennox Partnership, its staff and clients every success in continuing to deliver highly effective employability services for many more years to come. | | |
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