Meeting of the Parliament 01 October 2025 [Draft]
First, we had the stushie around the Government not wanting to provide that statement at all. Then, we had the sham of the summit itself. I have been contacted by so many individuals—councillors, community councillors, residents associations and others—who were bitterly disappointed and, frankly, angry that the minister excluded them from the meeting and refused to listen to their concerns.
I have to say that the feedback that I have had from those who did attend was that it was a frustrating waste of time. In his statement, the minister mentioned practical solutions that were discussed. He did not give all the detail about it. Let me account to the chamber for some of those practical solutions that were genuinely made at that summit.
To deter the gulls, when people are walking down a high street, they should walk around waving their arms, because that will stop the gulls swooping on them. That is, literally, what they were told.
The minister mentioned takeaway boxes and what can be done to stop the gulls going for them. He did not say that the solution was to draw on eyes—because gulls are scared of being stared at and, therefore, they will not swoop down for a takeaway box if someone has drawn eyes on it. It would be funny if it was not so serious. It is utter nonsense. It is this chaotic and comical approach from the Government and its quango, NatureScot, that is—