Cant Get Enough!!

If you 'Can’t Get Enough' (as Paul Rodgers and Bad Company would say) of Scottish Parliament blogging and are a Gaelic speaker, you may be interested in the Parliament’s new Gaelic blog: Blog Pàrlamaid na h-Alba.

Written by the Parliament’s Education and Community Outreach team, this new blog will feature news and information about the Parliament, focusing especially on parliamentary business and opportunities to engage with the Parliament.

So far the blog has been looking at the taking of the oaths/affirmations and the election of the Presiding officer. The Gaelic officers also plan to write a feature about the public petitions system shortly. That will be worth reading!

For more info, check out the Gaelic blog or contact our Gaelic officers.

Here I go again!

As Archie Bell and the Drells once sang. Well, oath/affirmation this morning for the new 129 MSPs and election of new PO as I type. So we start the 4th session of the Parliament and fairly soon we will have a new PPC ready to start work.
Not that many new petitions arriving since the dissolution of the session 3 Parliament but I suspect that will change over the coming weeks. So what happens with new PPC? Well, there will be some new petitions for it to consider and of course there are the 43 current petitions 'left' by the session 3 PPC under the legacy arrangements.
We'll see how things pan out over the coming weeks in terms of new membership and meeting dates. Watch this space!
Fergus, Clerk to the PPC

What are we doing?

So, no more PPC meetings, dissolution next Tuesday, surely we are just sitting about doing nothing? Well, no! Petitions continue to come in, we will be looking at them and discussing the terms with petitioners before they are lodged. We will be planning for the Session 4 Committee, what will it do at first few meetings, what new petitions to timetable. We are also dealing with the current petitions which the Session 3 committee is leaving for the S4 committee under the legacy arrangements.
We'll be getting letters off to the Scottish Government and others shortly initiating responses, updates etc on these 43 legacy petitions so that we can timetable them to go to the S4 committee ASAP. Jings, all very efficient and forward thinking of us! You must be impressed surely!
We also have various 'in house' tasks to be getting on with so we will be busy. This is the same across all committee clerking teams, dealing with remaining issues of the S3 committee and preparing for the next.
Its been a cracking committee to clerk these last few years and a real pleasure. The committee has been very pro-active in evolving the petitions process, getting out and about around Scotland, trying different ways at encouraging participation in the process. Most important, the work done to secure some very important decisions as a result of petitions which people brought forward. Quite a fantastic thing to see, when someone raises an issue with their Parliament, the PPC looks at it, takes it up with the appropriate bodies, and secures positive actions as a result. Petitioner is happy, job done. Looking forward to the next Session.
Fergus, PPC clerk

Hold the front page!

Couple of real page turner report published this morning. The Committee's Annual Report for the last parliamentary year and its Legacy Paper highlighting issues for the next PPC. Both reports available online only.
The Legacy Paper lists the 43 petitions being left for the Session 4 to continue consideration of. Tuesday 8 March was the final meeting of this committee before dissolution. Great committee to clerk, some fantastic work discussing some really interesting topics and dealing with some really nice petitioners. Its been memorable.
Fergus, Clerk to the PPC

End of an era

Well, the end of an era this afternoon. An occasion as symbolic as a new album by the Blue Nile (sigh, if only). The PPC has its final meeting of this third parliamentary session and what a big agenda to go out on. Three Ministers in first giving oral evidence on three petitions including school bus safety and banning mosquito devices, one further oral evidence session on the research findings on the display of lads mags petition, and 27 other petitions to be considered. Then the committee will consider its Annual Report for the last year and the legacy paper for the Session 4 committee. Phew!
Some memorable events these last four years and the petitions process goes from strength to strength. Many achievements by petitioners which should not be underestimated. Could be a long meeting and not a dry eye in the room at the end!
Fergus, Clerk to the PPC

Willkommen to Bundestag Petitions Committee

PPC pleased to be hosting a visiting to the Scottish Parliament today of the Petitions Committee of the German Bundestag. Should be a very interesting discussion, learning more about the German system of petitioning (which features a dual ombudsman function) and explaining more about the Scottish system. This is the latest in a series of meetings which have taken place over the years between the two committees as well as meetings between the PPC and various Lander petitions committees.
Fergus, Clerk to the PPC

Biggest debate ever!

Well, perhaps not but big debate in Chamber this PM with a PPC inspired debate on the work of the committee during session 3. Dissolution of the Parliament fast approaching so an opportunity for the committee to reflect on its achievements and work since 2007.
80 minute debate starting at 2.50 pm and you can watch live via Holyrood TV.
Possible highlighting of 'successful' petitions, engagements work, external meetings, favourite moments. Its all there. Hope you enjoy.
Fergus, Clerk to the PPC

Meeting with Japanese House of Councillors

Have a meetying today with officials from the Japanese House of Councillors. Looking forward to this. Received a list of topics to discuss should should be an interesting exchange of ideas between respective petitioning procedures in Scotland and Japan.

Fergus, Clerk to the PPC

Update re PPC mtg 7 Dec

PPC meeting expected to ahead this afternoon as the committee is quorate (need three members for the committee to undertake its business). However, the discussion on the time for all to be heard forum petition (PE1351) is expected to be deferred due to problems with members and Ministers availability.
Fergus, Clerk to PPC

Jings, crivvens, help ma boab!

Not sure I ever thought I would get the chance to use these words in a 'clerky' work context. I guess blogs allow this!
You may have seen the muckle agenda which was published today for next Tuesday's truly bumper PPC meeting. 62 petitions on the agenda which must be some sort of record. I don't know why but that number has triggered the 'famous' chant circa 1974 World Cup-
"6 foot 2, eyes of blue, big Jim Holton's after you!"
Anyway, I will be overloading on finest Arabica before the 2.00 pm start to keep me going.
Fergus, Clerk to the PPC

Well done Ryan (again)!

Well done Ryan from all at the Public Petitions Committee. Ryan won at the Pride of Britain awards last night in London. Looked a bit lost for words at one point! Here's a photo of Ryan and his family with PPC members (John Wilson and Robin Harper (on left) and Bill Butler and Rhona Brankin (on right)) receiving his invitation to the awards ceremony a few weeks ago from some tall bloke (don't know who he is). Fantastic achievement Ryan and well done to you all.

Update on SYP event last week

Photos taken by Andrew, the Parliament photographer are now available via this link. The password you need is petition (how original!). Here's a wee selection below from last Friday

Fergus, Clerk to the PPC

Yet more history in the making!

Yet more history in the making by the committee today (the committee of 'firsts'!). The PPC will be the first committee to hold a formal meeting in this Debating Chamber when it holds a meeting as part of the Scottish Youth Parliament conference. This is also the first time it has held a meeting to consider only petitions from a 'dedicated group' as the three petitions on the agenda are from young people. The other first is (I think) this will be the first time the PPC has met on a Friday (OK that one a bit weak!).
You can watch the meeting live via Holyrood TV. Meeting starts at 10.30 am. I think today will form another chapter in my memoirs!
Fergus, Clerk to the PPC
*UPDATE*
Here is a link to Holyrood TV interview with PPC COnvener and SYP Chair (sorry, not a live hyperlink so you need to paste URL into your browser)
http://vr-sp-archive.lbwa.verio.net/archive/291010_petitions_report.wmv

PPC mtg 26 October

Well I have come to the conclusion that meetings of 3+ hours are the norm for the Committee now, particularly in the run up to Dissolution.
A first yesterday with the Committee hearing oral evidence from a UK government minister for the first time. Members indicating how useful the session with Mike Penning MP (minister at Dept for Transport); Stewart Stevenson MSP (Scottish Govt transport minister) and police representatives from Association of Chief Police Officers and ACPO Scotland was in taking forward the two petitions on school bus safety. Some helpful commitments to come back to the committee with more information.
So another first for this committee is having UK government minister giving evidence. More firsts on Friday when the PPC has its second meeting this week. This time in the Debating Chamber as part of the Scottish Youth Parliament conference. Post to follow on that.

Understanding Parliament conference and social media

One of the workshops at last Saturday's Understanding and Influencing your Parliament conference was on the use of social media. Big thanks to Peter Cruickshank from the International Teledemocracy Centre at Edinburgh Napier Uni (folk behind e-petitioning) and petitioner Bob Thomsom who took part. Sorry I couldn't get to this but I was at the petitions workshop. Anyway, Bob and Lesley Thomsom who also took part have both blogged on this.
Fergus, Clerk to the PPC

PPC meeting Tuesday 5 October

Phew, phew, phew! PPC meeting yesterday lasted 3 1/2 hours . Jings, crivvens, help ma boab. Some very interesting discussions on the petitions. I've made the point before about the breadth of topics but quite amazing how the discussion jumps from one topic to the next to the next etc.
Lots of follow up points which we will be taking forward today with around 60 letters going out to various organisations. Most of yesterday's petitions probably coming back to PPC at end November which is likely to be a long agenda with around 40+ petitions being considered at 23 November meeting. I feel a sickie coming on!
Fergus, Clerk to the PPC

Understanding Parliament conference

Well, the second Understanding and Influencing your Parliament conference now underway. Opened by the Presiding Officer with some interactive voting. Interesting results on people's awareness of the Parliament and the methods available to get involved in what goes on here. Of course, that is what today is all about, to explain and clarify.

Colleague David McGill, who heads up the Legislation team here, made a really good contribution particularly on petitions. David used to Clerk the PPC a few years ago - pinnacle of his career!
Going back in for next session when Ron Beaty will be talking about his petition and his school bus safety campaign. Move into workshops this afternoon so will give a wee update before then.

Fergus, Clerk to the PPC

Understanding and Influencing your Parliament conference

This Saturday (2 October) sees a big event in the Parliament with the second Understanding and Influencing your Parliament conference. The conference is targeted at local (i.e. community-based) voluntary and charity-sector organisations, civic groups and campaign organisations. Around 150 attendees from across Scotland are expected to attend the event aimed at developing effective skills to allow such groups to have their voice heard at Holyrood.
Petitions will play a central role in the conference. One of the main speakers in the Chamber on Saturday morning is Ron Beaty who has petition on improving school bus safety. Ron will talk about his campaign and how his work so far. He will also take part in the petition workshop in the afternoon along with petitioner/campaigner Douglas McKenzie . The workshop will be chaired by Rhona Brankin MSP, the PPC Convener (and I will be there!).
There will also be a social media workshop where participants can discuss and learn about different forms of social media (eg blogs) and how these can be used as a way of sharing information and promoting an issue. Taking part in that workshop is Bob Thomson who has a petition on availability of Low Dose Naltrexone and Peter Cruickshank from the International Teledemocracy Centre at Edinburgh Napier University. ITC were the folk wot developed the e-petition system (and of course the Scottish Parliament was the first legislature in the world to accept e-petitions back in 2000).
I am going to blog from the conference and get some photos on to the site which I hope you find helpful.
Fergus, Clerk to the PPC

Tuesday's meeting

We return to Holyrood and Tuesday will see another committee meeting. Usual bumper agenda.
First petition up is PE1319 on improving youth football. The committee will take oral evidence from Henry McLeish who chaired the Scottish football review. Then there are six new petitions with oral evidence in respect of the first two. The Committee then moves back to current petitions with 20 current petitions before it.
No more external meetings planned now so remainder of session will be focus on dealing with the volume of petitions. In committee room 1 on Tuesday, usual 2.00 pm start on Holyrood TV

Time for Reflection Wednesday 22 September

Petitioner Tina McGeever will lead Time for Reflection in the Parliament Chamber on Wednesday 22 September. TfR is the slot each Wednesday before the commencement of business in the Chamber when an invited speaker addresses the meeting of the Parliament for up to 4 minutes. Tina as you know has been campaigning to improve the system for accessing cancer treatment drugs on the NHS and has successfully brought about many important improvements in the systems and procedures use by health boards across Scotland. Her petition goes back before the PPC in November for an update from the Scottish Government on the roll out of guidance to health boards earlier this year.
You can watch TfR live, 2.30 pm, via Holyrood TV.
Well done Tina. Well deserved!
Quick update: Here is Tina at TfR
You can read what was said by clicking here or view the proceedings again via Holyrood TV archive