Hansard

Ariane Burgess (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Green Chamber

14 May 2026

Oaths and Affirmations

I, Ariane Burgess, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.Nam bheachdsa, tha muinntir na h-Alba uachdarail. Tha mise Ariane Burgess, gu sòlaim...

Ariane Burgess (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Green Chamber

25 Mar 2026

Remote, Rural and Island Communities (Sustainability)

I thank Jamie Halcro Johnston for bringing this debate on rural issues to the chamber. Before I contribute to it, however, I would like to pay tribute to several members who will not be back in May. It has been a pleasure to work with Mairi Gougeon on various key pieces of leg...

The Convener Green Committee

24 Mar 2026

Subordinate Legislation

Thank you very much, Willie. I appreciate you being a great deputy. It has been great to have your steady hand—I have said that to you before, but I say it again now.That concludes the public part of our meeting. We now move into private.11:30Meeting continued in private until...

The Convener Green Committee

24 Mar 2026

Subordinate Legislation

Before I close the meeting, I want to take a moment to thank everybody for being fantastic committee members; it has been super to work with all of you. Not all of you have been here for the whole time—some members have come and gone and some of you are newly arrived—and I app...

The Convener Green Committee

24 Mar 2026

Subordinate Legislation

That is right—we will not. It has been good working with you.We turn to consideration of the instrument. Do members have any comments to make on the instrument?As members have no comments to make, I simply note that it was constructive to have the conversation. I hope that it ...

The Convener Green Committee

24 Mar 2026

Subordinate Legislation

That concludes the committee’s interest in the topic. I appreciate your coming to the committee to give evidence.We will keep going, so you may leave.

The Convener Green Committee

24 Mar 2026

Subordinate Legislation

Thank you for providing that speedy response.

The Convener Green Committee

24 Mar 2026

Subordinate Legislation

Before I bring in Evelyn Tweed, I have a question on that.You mentioned the online calculator. The previous panel raised a concern about how businesses that do not receive support from a member body would find out that they are eligible for the reliefs. Is the Government takin...

The Convener Green Committee

24 Mar 2026

Subordinate Legislation

I will bring in Mark Griffin, who has questions on the complexity of the system.

The Convener Green Committee

24 Mar 2026

Subordinate Legislation

Okay, we will go to Alexander Stewart.

The Convener Green Committee

24 Mar 2026

Subordinate Legislation

Do you have any questions, Evelyn?

The Convener Green Committee

24 Mar 2026

Subordinate Legislation

I will begin with a context-setting question. I would be interested to have a sense of the number of businesses that will benefit from the measures that will be introduced by the regulations.

The Convener Green Committee

24 Mar 2026

Subordinate Legislation

We are now joined by the Minister for Public Finance, Ivan McKee, who is accompanied by the following officials from the Scottish Government: Anouk Berthier, head of non-domestic rates policy; and Susan Robb, solicitor. Welcome to the meeting, and thank you for joining us. The...

The Convener Green Committee

24 Mar 2026

Subordinate Legislation

Okay. Thanks very much for coming in and pressing the need for clarity, consistency, certainty, proportionality, fairness and predictability. We very much appreciate hearing from all of you.I suspend the meeting to allow for a changeover of witnesses.10:55Meeting suspended.11:...

The Convener Green Committee

24 Mar 2026

Subordinate Legislation

Just for clarification, are you saying that it does not help the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers, so something else needs to happen in that space?

The Convener Green Committee

24 Mar 2026

Subordinate Legislation

I do not think that we have any other questions—Interruption. Meghan Gallacher wants to come back in.

The Convener Green Committee

24 Mar 2026

Subordinate Legislation

Alexander Stewart has some interest in the issue.

The Convener Green Committee

24 Mar 2026

Subordinate Legislation

As we have gone into the complexity of the system, I will go to Mark Griffin, who has an interest in exploring that.

The Convener Green Committee

24 Mar 2026

Subordinate Legislation

It is probably good to put the Government—whoever will govern in the next session—on notice that the matter will need to be looked at before 2029.Meghan Gallacher has a number of questions.

The Convener Green Committee

24 Mar 2026

Subordinate Legislation

That is great. Thanks. Do you want to comment, Garry?

The Convener Green Committee

24 Mar 2026

Subordinate Legislation

We can ask the minister about that later. Fiona, do you have a sense of the number of your businesses that will benefit?

The Convener Green Committee

24 Mar 2026

Subordinate Legislation

My question was whether you have a sense of the number of businesses that will benefit from the regulations.

The Convener Green Committee

24 Mar 2026

Subordinate Legislation

The next item is consideration of the Non-Domestic Rates (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Regulations 2026. I remind those watching that this is a negative instrument and, as such, it is laid after it is made. It is subject to annulment by resolution of Parliament for a pe...

The Convener (Ariane Burgess) Green Committee

24 Mar 2026

Decision on Taking Business in Private

Good morning, and welcome to the 13th meeting in 2026 of the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee. I remind all witnesses and members to ensure that their devices are on silent.The first item on our agenda is a decision on whether to take item 3 in private. Are we ...

Ariane Burgess Green Chamber

24 Mar 2026

Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill: Stage 3

I pay tribute to some of the members who have spoken today and who are stepping down. I hope that I do not pick up the tears that my colleague Edward Mountain has brought into the chamber—that depth of feeling. Although we may come from very different perspectives, he has alw...

Ariane Burgess (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Green Chamber

24 Mar 2026

Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill: Stage 3

Crofting is a vital part of Scotland’s cultural and social heritage, as well as its future. It is a social and economic glue that holds rural and island communities together, offering us a template for low-impact land management that, if adopted more widely across Scotland, co...

Ariane Burgess Green Chamber

24 Mar 2026

Visitor Levy (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill

Before I get to my points about the bill, I will say a few words about some of my colleagues who are speaking in the chamber for the final time. I came to know Evelyn Tweed as a member of the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee, specifically by observing her deter...

Ariane Burgess (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Green Chamber

24 Mar 2026

Visitor Levy (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill

This amendment bill is, at its heart, a technical piece of legislation that will make what we put in place through the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act 2024 more workable on the ground. In particular, it will give councils greater flexibility by adding the option of a flat rate alo...

Ariane Burgess Green Chamber

19 Mar 2026

Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill: Stage 3

I have nothing further to add. I press amendment 28.

Ariane Burgess Green Chamber

19 Mar 2026

Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill: Stage 3

The merger of the Scottish Land Court and the Lands Tribunal for Scotland is welcome. It will bring greater clarity and consistency to how land-related matters are handled. As part of the changes, matters concerning access rights will transfer from the sheriff courts to the me...

Ariane Burgess Green Chamber

19 Mar 2026

Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill: Stage 3

I express my thanks to the minister for taking on board the amendments that Tim Eagle and I lodged at stage 2 and amalgamating them into amendment 26 at this stage. It is vital that the next Government and session 7’s cohort of MSPs take a deep look at the present crofting leg...

Ariane Burgess (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Green Chamber

19 Mar 2026

Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill: Stage 3

I will speak to Edward Mountain’s amendments 48, 49 and 50. It is a helpful step for everyone who is involved with common grazings that ministers should consult with experts to achieve better guidance.That is a useful backstop to amendment 26, to which the minister has already...

Ariane Burgess Green Chamber

19 Mar 2026

Portfolio Question Time · Environmental Strategy (United Kingdom National Security Assessment)

The assessment makes it clear that our way of life is overly reliant on nations and regions that are at risk of near-future ecosystems collapse. It states that we, too, face such a collapse.The report says that “major intervention” is needed to reverse current trends and ensur...

7. Ariane Burgess (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Green Chamber

19 Mar 2026

Portfolio Question Time · Environmental Strategy (United Kingdom National Security Assessment)

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding its environmental strategy and responsibilities, what evaluation it has made of the UK Government’s “National security assessment on global biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and national security”, published in January 2026. (S6O-0...

Ariane Burgess Green Chamber

18 Mar 2026

Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

My apologies—I pressed a button by accident.

Ariane Burgess (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Green Chamber

18 Mar 2026

Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

Made a request to intervene.

Ariane Burgess (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Green Chamber

17 Mar 2026

Non-surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. My app did not connect. I would have voted no.

The Convener Green Committee

17 Mar 2026

Subordinate Legislation

That concludes our business for today.Meeting closed at 11:27.

The Convener Green Committee

17 Mar 2026

Subordinate Legislation

There is a suggestion that we invite people to come in, but that they can also write to us. Are members content to delegate responsibility to me to finalise a list of witnesses for next week and to write to them?Members indicated agreement.

The Convener Green Committee

17 Mar 2026

Subordinate Legislation

Does anyone else want to comment?

The Convener (Ariane Burgess) Green Committee

17 Mar 2026

Subordinate Legislation

Good morning, and welcome to the 12th meeting in 2026 of the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee. I remind members to ensure that their devices are on silent. We are joined online by Fulton MacGregor, and we have received apologies from Mark Griffin.Our first and ...

Ariane Burgess (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Green Chamber

13 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I could not connect. I would have voted yes.

Ariane Burgess Green Chamber

12 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

On a point of order, Presiding Officer, I would have voted yes.

Ariane Burgess (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Green Chamber

12 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I apologise. I could not connect to the app. I would have voted yes.

Ariane Burgess Green Chamber

11 Mar 2026

Parliamentary Bureau Motions

I will proceed.I have not heard one good reason as to why some of our constituents who rent deserve protection and others do not, simply on the grounds of where they have chosen to live.It is also important to note that the exemptions are not time limited. If we jump ahead a f...

Ariane Burgess Green Chamber

11 Mar 2026

Parliamentary Bureau Motions

In order for it to work for renters and landlords, the system needs to be simple and transparent. Tenants need to understand the system and their ability to contest illegal rent increases—the onus is very much on them. The more complicated the system is, the harder it will be ...

Ariane Burgess (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Green Chamber

11 Mar 2026

Parliamentary Bureau Motions

Last year, this Parliament took the landmark step of reintroducing rent controls, putting them in place for the first time in almost 40 years. Without rent controls, rents were allowed to skyrocket. Here in Edinburgh, rents for a one-bedroom flat have increased by more than 10...

Ariane Burgess Green Committee

11 Mar 2026

Petitions

I have a comment, convener, although I do agree with what you have suggested. Given that the working group on the area that I was asking questions on has not yet been set up, I think that that it would be great if the successor committee could look at that, too.

Ariane Burgess Green Committee

11 Mar 2026

Petitions

Once it gets going, what will the programme of work look like?

Ariane Burgess Green Committee

11 Mar 2026

Petitions

The 2022 review recommended that another specific review of support for goose management take place, to ensure that the schemes are operating in an equitable and transparent manner and to clarify matters around public funding. Has the review commenced, and has the working grou...

Ariane Burgess Green Committee

11 Mar 2026

Salmon Farming in Scotland

Are you willing to take on board the issue that is being raised by the hospitality sector and factor it into the work that you are doing?

Ariane Burgess Green Committee

11 Mar 2026

Salmon Farming in Scotland

Are you aware that some people in the hospitality sector in Scotland are choosing not to serve farmed salmon because of the concern about mortalities and the other things that we have been talking about, such as the impact on wild salmon? People are concerned that the situatio...

Ariane Burgess Green Committee

11 Mar 2026

Salmon Farming in Scotland

I am interested in the process that you are working on. When the Government talks about community benefit, is it looking only at jobs and financial contribution, or does it also consider the wider economic impact? For example, some in Scotland’s hospitality sector are choosing...

Ariane Burgess Green Committee

11 Mar 2026

Salmon Farming in Scotland

It will be delivered in 2027.

Ariane Burgess Green Committee

11 Mar 2026

Salmon Farming in Scotland

I asked when we would see it.

Ariane Burgess Green Committee

11 Mar 2026

Salmon Farming in Scotland

The committee recommended clear good practice principles for community benefit. I would be interested to hear what progress has been made on that work and when the committee will see a clear proposal for how community benefit from salmon farming will operate in practice.

Ariane Burgess Green Committee

11 Mar 2026

Salmon Farming in Scotland

Do you acknowledge that Scotland has a responsibility in an international context, given that salmon move internationally? From what we have heard, it does not seem that progress has been made on the recommendations that we made more than a year ago. Meanwhile, other jurisdict...

Ariane Burgess Green Committee

11 Mar 2026

Salmon Farming in Scotland

I will follow up on the convener’s and Tim Eagle’s questions about migratory routes. We seem to be leaning quite heavily into the sea lice risk assessment framework, which is on pause. In the meantime, other jurisdictions that face similar concerns about wild salmon are beginn...

Ariane Burgess Green Committee

11 Mar 2026

Salmon Farming in Scotland

This issue has been touched on, but I want to get clarity. If the implementation of the regulatory framework has been suspended, what is protecting wild salmon in the meantime?

Ariane Burgess Green Committee

11 Mar 2026

Salmon Farming in Scotland

Thank you.