Committee
Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee 10 December 2025
10 Dec 2025 · S6 · Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee
Item of business
New Petitions
Gulls (Removal of Protected Status) (PE2189)
I agree with Mr Torrance, but I think that it is worth putting on the record first that the aim of the petition is to reduce gull numbers in residential areas and that to conflate that with a wider piece around declining gull populations would perhaps be wrong. People out there see what many of us see, which is a massive increase in aggressive gull populations, particularly over the summer, when you might be dining outside, and they are all set to attack. I am astonished that a pilot is required to assist with the issue. Nonetheless, I encourage the petitioner, if they are so minded, to reintroduce the petition, with a specific focus, in the new session, because I feel that the response from the Scottish Government is utterly inadequate.
In the same item of business
The Convener
Con
That brings us to our two final new petitions. PE2189, which has been lodged by Ian Boyles, calls on the Scottish Government to remove legal protected status...
David Torrance
SNP
I am. I wonder whether the committee would consider closing the petition under rule 15.7 of standing orders on the basis that the Scottish Government does no...
The Convener
Con
I thank Mr Torrance for that proposal. I would be most interested to know how NatureScot defines the areas where health and safety needs are highest.
Maurice Golden
Con
I agree with Mr Torrance, but I think that it is worth putting on the record first that the aim of the petition is to reduce gull numbers in residential area...
The Convener
Con
Yes. We have no option but to close the petition, given the Scottish Government response. I hope that it can be resubmitted. The issue seemed to attract some...