Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 18 September 2012
18 Sep 2012 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Keep Scotland Beautiful
I, too, welcome Graeme Dey’s motion. He spoke of a cleaner, greener, more sustainable Scotland, and we all support that. I would like to focus on the clean part and indicate the impact that I think it has on the latter two aspects.
Graeme Dey said that I would mention enhancing the powers in legislation. I have indicated that I might wish to introduce a member’s bill on litter, because litter is not just a zero waste issue, although working with zero waste Scotland is clearly important. Tackling litter is important in order to further beautify Scotland, but also to increase morale and boost confidence. Renewed action is needed to further preserve and improve Scotland’s beauty and environment. That will become increasingly important as we approach 2014, given the number of visitors that we anticipate having then.
The responsibility for clearing litter from Scotland’s streets and public areas lies with our local authorities, but not just with them; it also lies with us. I do not want to dwell on the obvious opportunities of recycling and waste to energy—Graeme Dey mentioned those subjects—but they are important factors. The local authorities are failing in some cases. In some areas, the duties that local authorities were given under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 are manifestly not being met, and neither are the standards in the code of practice on litter and refuse. Given that those standards exist and are considered to be important, we have to ask why they are not being applied and met.
One can walk down the Canongate and see all over the place black bags that have burst. We had a recent report on Ayr and Stonehaven beaches. A couple of months ago, I did a radio phone-in on litter at West Sound in Ayr, and the number of phone calls that we received was striking. Graeme Dey mentioned people throwing material out of cars while they are driving. I have to say that it is only high-class Y-fronts that we have on the A77, but that is an issue. Fly-tipping is unacceptable. We can fine people £40,000 for fly-tipping, or put them in prison for six months, but we do not apply the legislation.
All those things have an impact on health and safety. However, it is not just that. Local problems such as litter, graffiti and dog fouling have major social impacts on wellbeing and quality of life. They define people and communities. There is a clear correlation between the extent of the problem and the nature of the area. Some 44 per cent of people in our most deprived neighbourhoods encounter problems with litter and rubbish, compared with 17 per cent in the most affluent areas. Various other factors and measurements substantiate that point.
We need action and—as has been said—it must be more than just voluntary action. That is why I have talked about introducing a member’s bill. We must look at awareness raising, education and, regrettably, at penalties. Awareness raising should highlight behavioural change and should focus on the impact on communities, our environment and climate. Although some work has been done on a coastal clean-up, we still have more to do. There must be more education in schools and communities. We must also create enterprises, as has been done in Dundee, where the Clean Close Company has cleaned up a city that used to be recognised by some people as probably the dirtiest in Scotland. It is not now. All those things are required.
At its heart, Scotland is beautiful. We must now tidy up the body of Scotland. I support the motion.
17:21
Graeme Dey said that I would mention enhancing the powers in legislation. I have indicated that I might wish to introduce a member’s bill on litter, because litter is not just a zero waste issue, although working with zero waste Scotland is clearly important. Tackling litter is important in order to further beautify Scotland, but also to increase morale and boost confidence. Renewed action is needed to further preserve and improve Scotland’s beauty and environment. That will become increasingly important as we approach 2014, given the number of visitors that we anticipate having then.
The responsibility for clearing litter from Scotland’s streets and public areas lies with our local authorities, but not just with them; it also lies with us. I do not want to dwell on the obvious opportunities of recycling and waste to energy—Graeme Dey mentioned those subjects—but they are important factors. The local authorities are failing in some cases. In some areas, the duties that local authorities were given under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 are manifestly not being met, and neither are the standards in the code of practice on litter and refuse. Given that those standards exist and are considered to be important, we have to ask why they are not being applied and met.
One can walk down the Canongate and see all over the place black bags that have burst. We had a recent report on Ayr and Stonehaven beaches. A couple of months ago, I did a radio phone-in on litter at West Sound in Ayr, and the number of phone calls that we received was striking. Graeme Dey mentioned people throwing material out of cars while they are driving. I have to say that it is only high-class Y-fronts that we have on the A77, but that is an issue. Fly-tipping is unacceptable. We can fine people £40,000 for fly-tipping, or put them in prison for six months, but we do not apply the legislation.
All those things have an impact on health and safety. However, it is not just that. Local problems such as litter, graffiti and dog fouling have major social impacts on wellbeing and quality of life. They define people and communities. There is a clear correlation between the extent of the problem and the nature of the area. Some 44 per cent of people in our most deprived neighbourhoods encounter problems with litter and rubbish, compared with 17 per cent in the most affluent areas. Various other factors and measurements substantiate that point.
We need action and—as has been said—it must be more than just voluntary action. That is why I have talked about introducing a member’s bill. We must look at awareness raising, education and, regrettably, at penalties. Awareness raising should highlight behavioural change and should focus on the impact on communities, our environment and climate. Although some work has been done on a coastal clean-up, we still have more to do. There must be more education in schools and communities. We must also create enterprises, as has been done in Dundee, where the Clean Close Company has cleaned up a city that used to be recognised by some people as probably the dirtiest in Scotland. It is not now. All those things are required.
At its heart, Scotland is beautiful. We must now tidy up the body of Scotland. I support the motion.
17:21
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (John Scott)
Con
The final item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S4M-03683, in the name of Graeme Dey, on Keep Scotland Beautiful. The debate will be concl...
Graeme Dey (Angus South) (SNP)
SNP
I thank Scottish National Party colleagues, Alex Fergusson, Alison Johnstone and Labour members whose support for the motion has allowed an extremely importa...
George Adam (Paisley) (SNP)
SNP
I thank Graeme Dey for bringing the debate to the chamber. He may be surprised to hear that I will speak about the situation in Paisley.A fresh attitude to t...
Claudia Beamish (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
As a long-time community and environmental activist, eco-schools co-ordinator and now shadow minister for the environment and climate change, I, too, thank G...
Chic Brodie (South Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
I, too, welcome Graeme Dey’s motion. He spoke of a cleaner, greener, more sustainable Scotland, and we all support that. I would like to focus on the clean p...
Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
I, too, congratulate Graeme Dey on securing this important debate. I also commend all my constituents throughout the Highlands and Islands who participated i...
The Minister for Environment and Climate Change (Paul Wheelhouse)
SNP
I thank my colleague Graeme Dey for securing this members’ business debate. It is clear that we all agree that Keep Scotland Beautiful is to be congratulated...