Committee
Public Petitions Committee, 22 Jun 2005
22 Jun 2005 · S2 · Public Petitions Committee
Item of business
New Petitions
Community Sports Clubs (PE868)
The last new petition is PE868, by Ronald M Sutherland, who calls on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Executive to introduce legislation to create a right to buy for member-based community sports clubs that occupy or use land and/or premises for recreational or sports purposes. Before being formally lodged, the petition was hosted on the e-petition website, where it gathered 65 signatures. The usual e-petition briefing has been circulated. Sportscotland estimates that there are currently more than 15,000 sports clubs in Scotland, with over a million people having sports club membership. The petitioner points out that many member-based community sports clubs and similar groups do not own the facilities or accommodation that they use and that the tenure is often informal, insecure and unreliable. That acts as a disincentive to long-term planning and the development of facilities and it affects the ability to obtain or attract funding.
In the same item of business
The Convener:
Lab
The last new petition is PE868, by Ronald M Sutherland, who calls on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Executive to introduce legislation to creat...
Mike Watson:
Ind
As members will have noticed, my motion on the subject is mentioned in the accompanying paperwork. Mr Sutherland has been very supportive of the motion and w...
The Convener:
Lab
Do you suggest that we seek opinions on the proposal?
Mike Watson:
Ind
The Executive would have to become involved, as a change to the existing legislation would be required. Sportscotland and the National Playing Fields Associa...
Ms White:
SNP
I entirely agree with Mike Watson. Members will recall our consideration of a petition from Bill Mann. Glasgow City Council has changed its rules and regulat...
The Convener:
Lab
Are members happy that we should write to those organisations?Members indicated agreement.