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Every contribution to the Official Report — chamber and committee — searchable in one place. Pulled from data.parliament.scot, indexed for full-text search, linked through to every MSP.

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1999–2026
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Showing 60 of 2,354,908 contributions. Latest 30 days: 0. Coverage: 12 May 1999 — 25 Mar 2026.
John Pentland Lab Committee
21 Nov 2012
Commission for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland Annual Report 2011-12
I would like Mr Allan to write to the committee outlining the view that he has just expressed about why the processes should still be separate, because I believe that the code of conduct is there for elected members and that perhaps the processes should not be different in tha...
John Pentland (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab) Lab Committee
25 Nov 2014
Draft Budget Scrutiny 2015-16
Sir Stephen, morale in Police Scotland is probably at an all-time low. That seems to be reflected in sickness absence. Some 4.2 per cent of police officer working time and 4.5 per cent of police staff working time are lost due to sickness. The rates seem high, given that, acco...
John Pentland (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab) Lab Chamber
14 Jan 2015
Scotland’s Future
NHS Lanarkshire did unbelievably well with the Scottish Government’s treatment time guarantee, with just eight breaches. That came as something of a surprise in the light of reports that I have had from constituents. People can wait for a long time to see a consultant and then...
John Pentland Lab Chamber
28 May 2015
Scottish Elections (Reduction of Voting Age) Bill: Stage 1
To argue against that would be out of sync with what happens in other areas where young people are considered sufficiently mature to make up their own minds. They can join the army, they can get married, they can work full time and they can even fly a glider, so it is absurd t...
John Pentland Lab Committee
27 Oct 2011
Audit Scotland Budget Proposal 2012-13
Page 13 of the budget proposal identifies that a further headcount reduction of 18 whole-time equivalents will be required in 2013-14. A total restructuring provision of £600,000 has been set aside in the years 2012-13 to 2014-15—£300,000 in 2012-13 and £150,000 in both 2013-1...
John Pentland Lab Chamber
27 Oct 2011
Raising Attainment and Ambition (Young People)
No. I want to make progress.I was also interested in the use of the phrase “rich attainment” in the motion. If members Google it, they will find that among the few results that come up those that are relevant to education mostly concern the impact of inequality, and point out ...
John Pentland Lab Chamber
10 Nov 2011
Scottish Executive Question Time · Non-domestic Rates
—at a time when even major high street companies are having their rents reduced to £1 a year to avoid empty properties. Although it is always good to look on the bright side of life—
John Pentland Lab Chamber
21 Jun 2012
Scottish Executive Question Time · Post Mortems
Since the death of North Lanarkshire’s only specialist pathologist, all post mortems are now being dealt with in Glasgow. It has been reported that bereaved families in Lanarkshire now have to wait up to three weeks to bury their loved ones. That is a major concern for people ...
John Pentland Lab Chamber
15 Jan 2013
Planning Reform
No. The drain on resources, I am advised, is from the many applications that come in that cost the council and other services money to process. That is not fair. Not only does it take money away from badly needed services, but it is causing failure in planning departments and ...
John Pentland (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab) Lab Committee
11 Dec 2012
Instruments subject to Negative Procedure
A fortnight ago, we discussed something that is relevant to the report. At that time, I agreed with John Scott that we should perhaps take on board legal advice.I take on board that we do not always have to do that. However, we made the point last time that, where something is...
John Pentland Lab Chamber
26 Feb 2013
Public Services Reform (Developing New Ways of Delivering Services)
Reform should be collective. I will probably touch on that later.We also need to address the long list of obstacles. For example, in benchmarking and monitoring, consistency is difficult, outcomes are hard to define and indicators can become objectives.Reform is a long-term pr...
John Pentland Lab Chamber
22 Nov 2012
Further Education
I am not surprised by the number of interventions from SNP back benchers. I assume that the First Minister is planning a reshuffle.It is estimated that 70,000 people are being deprived of lifelong learning because part-time courses have been dropped. Those cannot be dismissed ...
John Pentland Lab Chamber
07 Feb 2013
Local Government Finance (Scotland) Order 2013 [Draft]
No. I will not take any interventions from people who applaud college cuts.We hear a lot from the Government about prevention, but preventative services are being eroded by Mr Mackay’s and Mr Swinney’s cuts. A stitch in time saves nine, but that is a bit difficult when the Sco...
John Pentland Lab Committee
11 Jun 2013
Subordinate Legislation
I hope that this is one of the times when it is very good. Thank you very much, convener. I will speak specifically about Motherwell JP court.Very often we hear references from the Scottish Government about the need for joined-up thinking and holistic approaches, but in practi...
John Pentland (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab) Lab Chamber
01 Oct 2013
Rehabilitation of Offenders
As Christine Grahame said, repetition could well be the norm for much of the debate.As we have heard, the world has changed a great deal in the 40 years since the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 was written. The basic objectives of the act—to provide a balance between, on...
John Pentland Lab Chamber
11 Mar 2014
Tribunals (Scotland) Bill
My card is not in my console—I apologise, Presiding Officer. This is the third time that I have spoken about tribunals reform. I referred to my previous speeches, of course, only to be reminded that much of the bill is not particularly contentious. Indeed, I have not seen t...
John Pentland Lab Committee
18 Nov 2014
Draft Budget Scrutiny 2015-16
I have a couple of questions. The first one is for Mr Carroll, but before I ask it, I congratulate him: it was good to hear the good old trade union view that what is happening is about budget cuts rather than efficiency savings. Given how the budget is progressing, do you exp...
John Pentland Lab Chamber
19 Jun 2014
General Question Time · NHS Lanarkshire (Meetings)
Surely the cabinet secretary must understand or at least admit that on his watch NHS Lanarkshire has moved from crisis to crisis, with waiting times, negligence payments and other indicators among Scotland’s worst; investigations into neonatal deaths and mortality rates; and 1...
John Pentland (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab) Lab Chamber
30 Jan 2014
Commonwealth Games and Legacy
The Commonwealth games will begin with an event in my Motherwell and Wishaw constituency on 24 July. Before Glasgow takes over the baton, Strathclyde park will get its place in the spotlight as millions watch the triathlon, which is surely one of the most demanding events as i...
John Pentland (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab) Lab Chamber
01 Oct 2014
Ryder Cup 2014
Pars, birdies and bogies is how golf is often described, and members should believe me that, as an ex-club member, I have experienced them all. I can well remember the endless series of tragedies—bogey after bogey after bogey—all obscured by the occasional miracle of that high...
The Convener Lab Committee
27 Jan 2015
Current Petitions
The next petition is PE1493, by Peter John Gordon, on a sunshine act for Scotland. Members have a note by the clerk. Two submissions and a further email from the petitioner were received after the committee papers went out. It is unhelpful for submissions to be received afte...
John Pentland (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab) Lab Chamber
19 Mar 2015
Health and Social Care Integration
Like others, I look forward to better health and social care integration and improved partnership working to achieve that. Of course, certain things will be necessary to ensure that partnerships work as efficiently and effectively as possible. For example, the IT systems that...
John Pentland (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab) Lab Committee
01 Apr 2014
Courts Reform (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
The Gill report recommends a three-month, short time limit. Diverse areas of policy can form the basis of a judicial review action. Should there be a one-size-fits-all approach? Should there be a single time limit for all types of cases?
John Pentland Lab Chamber
07 Aug 2014
Commonwealth Games (Legacy)
Maximising the benefits that are delivered as a result of the games will also depend on harnessing that energy and the spirit of commitment and co-operation. Like me, everybody will know somebody who knows someone from somewhere who made the games “pure dead brilliant” and the...
John Pentland (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab) Lab Chamber
01 Mar 2012
Living Wage
When we speak near the end of a debate, we become very aware that most of what we wanted to say has been said. However, hearing comments again in a debate such as this is important. If we are serious about tackling poverty, we should be equally committed to the living wage, f...
John Pentland Lab Chamber
12 Nov 2015
Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body Question Time · Trade Union Bill (Implications for Scottish Parliament Staff)
Again, I will just say that, at this particular time, it is inappropriate for the SPCB to take a position on the bill.
John Pentland Lab Committee
10 Dec 2015
Audit Scotland Budget Proposal 2016/17
I am not talking about the cost; I am talking about the time that it takes. We have already gauged that £20,000 is set aside. It is the time that I am trying to establish. Would it take the in-house team a week to do the job for the same cost or would the in-house team take ei...
John Pentland Lab Committee
15 Jun 2011
Budget Adviser
This might be a matter to discuss at our next meeting, but will there be a minimum and a maximum time for which we will have an adviser?
John Pentland (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab) Lab Chamber
23 Jun 2011
Scottish Executive Question Time · Zero Waste Plan Targets (Funding)
2. To ask the Scottish Executive whether additional funding will be made available to enable local authorities to meet collection of food waste and other zero waste plan targets. (S4O-00073)
John Pentland Lab Chamber
23 Jun 2011
Scottish Executive Question Time · Zero Waste Plan Targets (Funding)
I welcome Scotland’s first-ever recycle week, but how will councils meet expectations such as that for a food waste bin for every household when they might have no additional funding? Last year, it was suggested that money could be taken from the £80 million in the zero waste ...
John Pentland (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab) Lab Committee
05 Oct 2011
“Review of ICT Infrastructure in the Public Sector in Scotland”
I am delighted to hear that you are approaching this issue on a sector-by-sector basis. I am also glad to hear that delivering your recommendations will not require a huge investment. However, given that technology is changing every day, how will local government find the inve...
John Pentland (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab) Lab Committee
21 Dec 2011
Alcohol (Minimum Pricing) (Scotland) Bill: Financial Memorandum
Mr Evans, the Scottish Whisky Association submission says that the industry is “fundamentally opposed” to minimum unit pricing. At the same time, it says that the industry recognises that we must address alcohol misuse in Scotland and that it wants to play a part in that. What...
John Pentland (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab) Lab Chamber
08 Sep 2011
Scottish Executive Question Time · New Social Housing (Subsidies)
3. To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it gives to the impact of lower subsidies for new social housing in areas of high deprivation. (S4O-00124)
John Pentland Lab Chamber
08 Sep 2011
Scottish Executive Question Time · New Social Housing (Subsidies)
A combination of low house prices, difficult land issues, high levels of poverty and reliance on housing benefit will leave some areas that are already suffering badly in the same situation for years. Raising borrowing and therefore rent will be difficult, and introducing mid-...
John Pentland (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab) Lab Chamber
22 Sep 2011
Scottish Executive Question Time · Open Market Shared Equity Scheme
6. To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will reintroduce the open market shared equity scheme. (S4O-00179)
John Pentland Lab Chamber
22 Sep 2011
Scottish Executive Question Time · Open Market Shared Equity Scheme
I thank the minister for his response, which answered my question.
John Pentland (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab) Lab Chamber
27 Oct 2011
Scottish Executive Question Time · Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs (Meetings)
1. To ask the Scottish Executive what meetings the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs has had with the directors of the national museums and galleries in the last month. (S4O-00278)
John Pentland Lab Chamber
27 Oct 2011
Scottish Executive Question Time · Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs (Meetings)
I note the cabinet secretary’s support for free access to museums and acknowledge the view of museums and galleries that such a policy would be changed only as a last resort. However, I also note that this year the budget for the national museums and galleries is going to be c...
John Pentland (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab) Lab Chamber
10 Nov 2011
Scottish Executive Question Time · Non-domestic Rates
7. To ask the Scottish Executive what analysis it has made of the impact of the proposed increases in non-domestic rates on investment, jobs and output for businesses and on inward investment. (S4O-00344)
John Pentland Lab Chamber
10 Nov 2011
Scottish Executive Question Time · Non-domestic Rates
Further to the discussion of the matter that took place at the Finance Committee on Monday, I am aware that the cabinet secretary has a robust and optimistic faith in his own predictions that is based on his self-monitored past performance. However, I would prefer something a ...
John Pentland Lab Chamber
10 Nov 2011
Scottish Executive Question Time · Non-domestic Rates
—does the cabinet secretary not agree that we need an independent formal modelling of non-domestic rates income, and does he have a contingency plan to raise revenue or cut spending if the business rates do not deliver?
John Pentland (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab) Lab Chamber
17 Nov 2011
Scottish Executive Question Time · Animal Welfare
1. To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to protect and improve animal welfare. (S4O-00379)
John Pentland Lab Chamber
17 Nov 2011
Scottish Executive Question Time · Animal Welfare
I remind the minister that, over four years ago, he promised to introduce within two years secondary legislation that dealt with pet dealers, animal sanctuaries, travelling circuses, electric shock collars, pet vending and livery yards, and in the following two years secondary...
John Pentland (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab) Lab Committee
01 Feb 2012
Proposed High Hedges (Scotland) Bill
I think that all members are delighted to hear about the proposed bill and I agree that the best way forward is through the local authority rather than court proceedings. Like Mrs Mitchell, I have some concerns about enforcement, especially in a time of austerity when local au...
John Pentland (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab) Lab Chamber
15 Mar 2012
Scottish Executive Question Time · Landlords (Registration and Appointment of Agents)
5. To ask the Scottish Executive how many landlords have been fined for (a) failing to register and (b) not notifying local authorities of the appointment of an agent since 31 August 2011 and how much has been imposed in fines. (S4O-00793)
John Pentland Lab Chamber
15 Mar 2012
Scottish Executive Question Time · Landlords (Registration and Appointment of Agents)
Many of my constituents are concerned about the difficulties that are caused by landlords who allow their properties, grounds and tenants to blight the community. Unregistered landlords make the situation worse. At present, housing benefit rules do not require their registrati...
John Pentland (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab) Lab Chamber
12 Jan 2012
Scottish Executive Question Time · Wind Farms
To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Housing and Transport last met the Scottish Housing Regulator—
John Pentland Lab Chamber
12 Jan 2012
Scottish Executive Question Time · Wind Farms
Sorry.
John Pentland (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab) Lab Chamber
12 Jan 2012
Scottish Executive Question Time · Scottish Housing Regulator (Meetings)
5. To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Housing and Transport last met the Scottish Housing Regulator and what was discussed. (S4O-00543)
John Pentland Lab Chamber
12 Jan 2012
Scottish Executive Question Time · Scottish Housing Regulator (Meetings)
Is the minister aware that housing associations, tenants organisations and others have expressed great concern about the proposals to restrict people from standing for election and to introduce payments for board members? I am sure that those concerns will have been expressed ...
John Pentland (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab) Lab Chamber
02 Feb 2012
First Minister’s Question Time · Prime Minister (Meetings)
I have been informed that one bid in relation to the Forth crossing included the supply of steel by Tata from the Dalzell plant in Motherwell. That would have been a major boost for employment in my constituency and in Lanarkshire, and for Scotland’s steel industry. Will the F...
John Pentland (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab) Lab Chamber
23 Feb 2012
Scottish Executive Question Time · Housing Association Board and Committee Members (Payments)
6. To ask the Scottish Executive whether permitting or promoting payment to housing association board and committee members were intended consequences of the repeal of schedule 7 to the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001. (S4O-00702)
John Pentland Lab Chamber
23 Feb 2012
Scottish Executive Question Time · Housing Association Board and Committee Members (Payments)
If that was the intention, neither the Scottish Parliament information centre nor the housing associations to which I have spoken are aware of it. Where is that indicated? The Scottish Housing Regulator seems to think that it must bring in payments because it cannot go against...
John Pentland (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab) Lab Chamber
19 Jan 2012
Local Government Elections 2012
I know of no one who would dissent from the view that“local democracy and ... this year’s local elections”are important. I certainly would not; however, in agreeing, I must declare an interest as a North Lanarkshire councillor who will stand down in May. There is also no quest...
John Pentland (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab) Lab Chamber
31 May 2012
Scottish Executive Question Time · Student Management Fees (Legal Advice)
16. To ask the Scottish Executive what legal advice the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning has received regarding charging management fees for non-United Kingdom European Union students. (S4O-01084)
John Pentland Lab Chamber
31 May 2012
Scottish Executive Question Time · Student Management Fees (Legal Advice)
Can the cabinet secretary tell me whether the solution to the EU students issue will involve Scottish students paying a fee or levy of any description?
John Pentland (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab) Lab Chamber
22 Mar 2012
Scottish Executive Question Time · Climate Challenge Fund
4. To ask the Scottish Executive what the total actual reduction in CO2 tonnage has been from projects receiving grants from the climate challenge fund. (S4O-00832)
John Pentland Lab Chamber
22 Mar 2012
Scottish Executive Question Time · Climate Challenge Fund
Has the minister stopped using the total that is based on estimates for projects, some of which have produced little or no actual savings, despite contributing hundreds of thousands of tonnes to the figures that have been quoted by the First Minister and others?
John Pentland Lab Committee
30 May 2012
Local Government Finance (Unoccupied Properties etc) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
It has been suggested in evidence that this might not be the right time to introduce such a bill and that bringing back so many empty properties into the kind of use that we hope for might be counterproductive. What guarantees can you give that that will not be the case? What ...
John Pentland (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab) Lab Chamber
26 Apr 2012
Localism
I thank the Conservative Party for bringing the subject for debate. Although I share some common ground with them on the principles that they are promoting, I dare say that we would diverge in how we put those principles into practice.The Tories’ contribution can be viewed in ...
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Committee

Local Government and Regeneration Committee 21 November 2012

21 Nov 2012 · S4 · Local Government and Regeneration Committee
Item of business
Commission for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland Annual Report 2011-12
Pentland, John Lab Motherwell and Wishaw Watch on SPTV
I would like Mr Allan to write to the committee outlining the view that he has just expressed about why the processes should still be separate, because I believe that the code of conduct is there for elected members and that perhaps the processes should not be different in that respect.When a councillor has contravened the code—again, this is purely hypothetical—he has time to make representation. How long does he have to make representation and how long does the commission have to respond to that? Secondly, also hypothetically, if that contravention was identified near the end of the councillor’s term and the time span that you apply for coming back goes into the next time for election, what happens then?

In the same item of business

The Convener SNP
Item 2 is consideration of the annual report 2011-12 from the Commission for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland. I welcome Stuart Allan, who is the...
Stuart Allan (Public Standards Commissioner for Scotland)
Thank you for your warm welcome, convener. I am delighted to be here and to report on the work of the Public Standards Commissioner’s office in relation to c...
The Convener SNP
Thank you very much, Mr Allan. You suggested that the reduction in complaints shows a driving up of standards, but is there any evidence that the number of c...
Stuart Allan
I do not think that that is an issue, convener. It is interesting to look at the general statistics, which show a reduction over the past five years. I am pr...
The Convener SNP
At this point, I should declare an interest as a former councillor who has been complained about to the commission. I should also make it clear that the comp...
Stuart Allan
Your question raises a number of points. As part of the process, we undertake an initial investigation of the complaint and if we feel that the complaint doe...
The Convener SNP
Mr Allan, my point is that, if someone is not guilty of something, they know that they are not guilty of it, but they still have the sword of Damocles hangin...
Stuart Allan
Let me deal with that last point up front. You said that there might be nothing to substantiate. In my view, that shows at least some disrespect to the compl...
The Convener SNP
A number of colleagues want to come in. I call Anne McTaggart, to be followed by Stuart McMillan and Stewart Stevenson.
Anne McTaggart (Glasgow) (Lab) Lab
On the same point, Mr Allan, the report states that 76 per cent of complaints are dealt with within three months or less. I think that three months is a long...
Stuart Allan
It is difficult for me to say that those figures are unreasonable. I think that they are exceptionally good figures. Compared with other regimes in Scotland ...
Anne McTaggart Lab
I tend to disagree.
Stuart McMillan (West Scotland) (SNP) SNP
Good morning, gentlemen. I have one question and one point for clarification. On page 16 of the report, the second-last line in table 10 is “Engagement and l...
Stuart Allan
That relates to complaints about MSPs—
The Convener SNP
Can I stop you there, Mr Allan? Mr McMillan has moved on to complaints about MSPs, which is the responsibility of the Standards, Procedures and Public Appoin...
Stuart McMillan SNP
I was just seeking clarification, because I do not understand what that line in the table means. That was all.
The Convener SNP
Perhaps Mr Allan can clarify the point.
Stuart Allan
Table 10 is about the performance of MSPs as perceived by constituents who feel that their MSP has not been performing adequately. There can be issues relati...
Stuart McMillan SNP
I also have a question. In this annual report and in previous ones, has there been an increase in complaints around or just after a local authority election?...
Stuart Allan
That is an interesting question. The numbers can vary from election to election. Sometimes we have had a significant rise—usually in the five months before a...
Stuart McMillan SNP
Thank you very much.
Stewart Stevenson (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) SNP
As someone who has been complained about, I can speak highly of the process, and not just because the outcome was what I expected it to be—the poor soul who ...
Stuart Allan
The ethical standards framework in Scotland is widely embraced by members of Parliament, councillors and members of public bodies, and it is part of our etho...
John Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP) SNP
Good morning, Mr Allan. I have a couple of questions.I am interested in the report and some of the figures in it. You are saying that figures seem to be goin...
Stuart Allan
You have raised a very fair point. I think that it comes back to declarations of interests, which I mentioned in my opening remarks.Let me take a step back a...
John Wilson SNP
You said that the increase in 2011-12 to 42 complaints might have been the result of a number of multiple complaints.
Stuart Allan
That is right.
John Wilson SNP
How many multiple complaints are we talking about?
Stuart Allan
I can get the figures for that. In any case, I think that one can entirely accept that, overall, the figures for 2011-12 were higher than those for the previ...
John Wilson SNP
Would a multiple complaint have been made because, say, a decision was about to be taken at a council planning committee meeting and a number of the committe...