Committee
Public Petitions Committee, 28 Jun 2005
28 Jun 2005 · S2 · Public Petitions Committee
Item of business
New Petitions
Rural Schools (Closure) (PE872)
We should write to the Scottish Executive to ask how it has monitored all the criteria that have been put in place. If there are inconsistencies, the minister needs to report back to us so that we can be assured that the criteria have been followed.The issue is controversial throughout Scotland. It is not clear whether an appeal mechanism is in place for communities. When a community faces such a situation it needs to feel empowered and know that the local authority has followed the criteria in taking its decision. Perhaps that could be addressed to the Scottish Executive.On statutory consultation procedures, we have experience of consultation procedures being exemplary in some areas but not in others. We need to find out how meaningful the consultation was in each of the cases in question and whether the communities felt engaged in the process.I back up what Jackie Baillie and John Scott said about councillors. Like other colleagues around the table, I have been a councillor. Even with the introduction of the European convention on human rights, the one area that was not affected in terms of people being able to make a pronouncement ahead of a Community decision was education. I have knowledge of that.The committee has always taken the view that we would never suck up powers from local authorities. When a local authority makes a decision, the people who will judge it are the voters at the ballot box. We need to bear that in mind. Voters can be reminded of examples of where councillors have not acted in accordance with their views.
In the same item of business
The Convener:
Lab
Our next petition is PE872, which was lodged by Alexander Longmuir on behalf of the Arbirlot parents group. It calls on the Scottish Parliament"to urge the S...
Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab):
Lab
Petition PE872, which seeks a presumption against the closure of rural schools, was lodged as a result of the proposed closure of schools in the north-east. ...
Alex Johnstone (North East Scotland) (Con):
Con
What he said. I agree with everything that Richard Baker has just said, but I will add a couple of comments of my own.I, too, have had the opportunity to spe...
Fiona Hyslop (Lothians) (SNP):
SNP
I compliment the Public Petitions Committee, although I am not sure whether it will help my case to do so. I will put matters in context. Two petitions have ...
Mrs Margaret Ewing (Moray) (SNP):
SNP
It is difficult to follow three excellent speeches about the issues in the petition. As the committee knows, I previously brought a petition to Parliament fr...
The Convener:
Lab
Thank you very much for your contributions, which will help the committee in its consideration of the petition.I will respond to a couple of the comments tha...
Rosie Kane:
SSP
Six or seven years ago in Glasgow we experienced first hand many school closures. We are now aware of the negative impact that such closures have on pupils, ...
The Convener:
Lab
That is a valid point and we can ask about that general issue in our letter to the Executive.
Mike Watson:
Ind
I will make a general point first. This morning, we received a letter from the chairperson of the Arbirlot parents group, which expresses her concern—in fact...
Mrs Ewing:
SNP
No.
Mike Watson:
Ind
Are they not? I apologise. Individual members on those councils should be following those party policies. The presumption is important. Another important iss...
The Convener:
Lab
I take on board that point and your earlier point, but the rules of the Parliament are that if an MSP wishes to come along to another committee they are free...
Mike Watson:
Ind
It was not a criticism of you, convener.
The Convener:
Lab
I know that, but it is worth putting on the record that this committee is affected by the situation probably more than any other, but we just have to deal wi...
Rob Gibson:
SNP
I want to raise four points. The Executive appears to be placing pressure on councils and the way that they tackle the problem. I do not think for one minute...
Jackie Baillie:
Lab
I was going to ask members some questions, but, in the light of Rob Gibson's comments, I will say something slightly different first.
The Convener:
Lab
Please, do not ask members questions; we are not having a question and answer session.
Jackie Baillie:
Lab
Okay. I will try to be brief and encapsulate my points.I support your comments to Margaret Ewing, convener—councillors are not prevented from participating i...
The Convener:
Lab
The Executive should be asked those questions, too. I do not want to pre-empt what John Scott will say, but that is the direction in which I think we will ha...
John Scott:
Con
I endorse Jackie Baillie's comments. I refer Margaret Ewing to a letter that we received from Tavish Scott some time ago that outlined the details of guideli...
Helen Eadie:
Lab
We should write to the Scottish Executive to ask how it has monitored all the criteria that have been put in place. If there are inconsistencies, the ministe...
The Convener:
Lab
We agree that we have to take up the issue with the Executive. We have a host of questions to ask. I will formulate a letter to the minister that will be acc...
Rob Gibson:
SNP
Can we send it to the Enterprise and Culture Committee as well?
The Convener:
Lab
If you think that that is appropriate. I am not so sure that it is. If the Education Committee and the Environment and Rural Development Committee are consid...
Rob Gibson:
SNP
Okay.
The Convener:
Lab
I thank everyone for their contributions.
Meeting suspended.
On resuming—