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The meeting opened at 9.30 am.
1. Abolition of Council Tax: Tommy Sheridan moved
S1M-2631—That the Parliament believes that the council
tax is a fundamentally unfair and regressive tax; believes in
social justice and the redistribution of wealth from the rich
to the poor; therefore agrees to abolish the council tax and
replace it with the Scottish Service Tax which is based on an
individual’s income and is inherently fairer, more efficient
and redistributive; notes that the Scottish Service Tax would
raise more revenue than the council tax and that it would remove
the burden of paying for local government jobs and services
from the shoulders of low paid workers and pensioners and place
it firmly on the shoulders of the well paid and the wealthy,
and believes that the introduction of the Scottish Service Tax
should be complemented by the return of the right for local
authorities to raise and retain their business rates and a thorough
investigation of land value and speculation taxes to supplement
local authority revenue.
The Deputy Minister for Finance and Public Services moved amendment
S1M-2631.2 to motion S1M-2631—
Leave out from first "believes" to end and insert—
"welcomes the substantial reforms that the Scottish
Executive has brought to the operation of local government
finance, including the stability for three year council tax
figures and welcomes the Executive’s commitment to pursue
further reforms, further welcomes the fact that councils are
now collecting a higher proportion of council tax than ever
before and the continuing work by the Executive and local
authorities to better target and further improve collection
arrangements, and notes that the Local Government Committee
of the Parliament will shortly conclude its inquiry into local
government finance and local taxation."
Tricia Marwick moved amendment S1M-2631.1 to motion S1M-2631—
Leave out from second "believes" to end and insert—
"notes that it is part of an unsustainable system of
local government finance which, under Labour’s stewardship,
has resulted in an increase of £103 to the average householder’s
yearly tax bill while local services have deteriorated and
calls for a full review of local government finance which
includes the replacement of unfair property based taxation
with a system of local income tax, which takes account of
ability to pay."
After debate, amendment S1M-2631.2 was agreed to ((DT) by division:
For 60, Against 21, Abstentions 30). As a result, amendment
S1M-2631.1 was pre-empted.
The motion as amended was then agreed to ((DT) by division:
For 62, Against 19, Abstentions 31).
Accordingly, the Parliament resolved—That the Parliament
welcomes the substantial reforms that the Scottish Executive
has brought to the operation of local government finance, including
the stability for three year council tax figures and welcomes
the Executive’s commitment to pursue further reforms, further
welcomes the fact that councils are now collecting a higher
proportion of council tax than ever before and the continuing
work by the Executive and local authorities to better target
and further improve collection arrangements, and notes that
the Local Government Committee of the Parliament will shortly
conclude its inquiry into local government finance and local
taxation.
2. Introduction of Progressive Water Tax: Tommy Sheridan
moved
S1M-2632—That the Parliament believes that water and sewerage
services are essential services which should be publicly owned
and democratically controlled for the benefit of all Scotland’s
citizens; further believes that water and sewerage service charges
to domestic customers should be paid for by using an income-based
personal tax which would be progressive, efficient and easily
understood; therefore endorses the replacement of the current
unfair water rate system for domestic customers with a new individual
income-based water tax that would be fair and redistributive,
while raising more revenue for Scotland’s water and sewerage
services, and notes that this new Water Tax would be collected
by the Inland Revenue in Scotland on behalf of the Scottish
water industry.
The Minister for Environment and Rural Development moved amendment
S1M-2632.1 to motion S1M-2632 —
Leave out from first "believes" to end and insert—
"commends the efforts of the Scottish Executive in ensuring
that the public water industry in Scotland is strong and efficient,
bringing considerable benefits to all customers; recognises
the Executive’s continuing commitment to a public water
industry; recognises that the best way to fund the Scottish
water industry is through charges on domestic and non-domestic
customers utilising the services provided; recognises that
the current system for charging domestic customers already
provides a degree of protection for lower income households
and the most vulnerable through the link to council tax banding,
and finally recognises that the reduction scheme provides
help to those low income households facing the biggest charge
increases."
After debate, the amendment was agreed to ((DT) by division:
For 61, Against 3, Abstentions 47).
The motion as amended was then agreed to ((DT) by division:
For 61, Against 3, Abstentions 47).
Accordingly, the Parliament resolved—That the Parliament
commends the efforts of the Scottish Executive in ensuring that
the public water industry in Scotland is strong and efficient,
bringing considerable benefits to all customers; recognises
the Executive’s continuing commitment to a public water
industry; recognises that the best way to fund the Scottish
water industry is through charges on domestic and non-domestic
customers utilising the services provided; recognises that the
current system for charging domestic customers already provides
a degree of protection for lower income households and the most
vulnerable through the link to council tax banding, and finally
recognises that the reduction scheme provides help to those
low income households facing the biggest charge increases.
3. Faslane and the Anti-Nuclear Campaign: Tommy Sheridan
moved
S1M-2633—That the Parliament believes that nuclear weapons
pose a very real threat to humanity and accordingly should be
opposed on moral, social, political and economic grounds; opposes
the possession of nuclear weapons; supports unilateral disarmament
in Scotland and across the UK in pursuit of a non-nuclear world,
free of the threat of destruction by nuclear weapons; further
supports the Scottish CND and Trident Ploughshares blockade
of Faslane nuclear submarine base on 11-13 February, and upholds
the right of demonstrators to protest peacefully in support
of world peace.
The Deputy Minister for Justice moved amendment S1M-2633.1
to motion S1M-2633—
Leave out from "believes" to end and insert—
"supports the right of demonstrators to protest peacefully
in support of world peace, but condemns those in a democratic
society who abuse this right and act in contravention of the
criminal law."
After debate, the amendment was agreed to ((DT) by division:
For 77, Against 32, Abstentions 3)
The motion as amended was then agreed to ((DT) by division:
For 77, Against 26, Abstentions 8).
Accordingly, the Parliament resolved—That the Parliament
supports the right of demonstrators to protest peacefully in
support of world peace, but condemns those in a democratic society
who abuse this right and act in contravention of the criminal
law.
4. Environmentally Sustainable Employment and Recycling:
Robin Harper moved S1M-2635—That the Parliament recognises
the significant potential to create sustainable employment that
will benefit both the economy and local and global environments;
further recognises the potential of such employment to reduce
the impact of climate change and toxic pollution of air, land,
rivers and seas, protect and enhance biodiversity, reduce social
exclusion and make better use of natural resources; in particular
recognises the potential for new jobs in the sectors of renewable
energy, energy efficiency, public transport, organic food and
farming, nature conservation, eco-tourism, education and outdoor
pursuits and materials re-use and recycling, and calls on the
Scottish Executive to stimulate environmentally sustainable
employment as a matter of priority, including by (a) ensuring
that at least 30% of electricity comes from renewable energy
sources by 2010 with further increases to 2050, (b) achieving
between a 40% and 60% increase in energy efficiency across domestic
and industrial sectors, including the introduction of enhanced
building standards regulations for insulation, heat recovery
and passive heating and ventilation, (c) developing a strategic
plan for organic agriculture that would support conversion of
up to 20% of land to organic production within 10 years, (d)
setting targets for traffic reduction to further encourage a
modal shift from private to public transport and to redress
the present imbalance between road and rail funding, (e) setting
a mandatory national target for recycling of 30% of household
waste by 2010 and further, independent targets for recycling
of fridges, re-use of white goods and recycling or safe disposal
of batteries and other hazardous household waste and (f) producing,
in order to achieve the mandatory national target for recycling,
a National Re-use and Recycling Action Plan to include (i) additional
support for community recycling, (ii) clarification of objectives
for the waste industry including a presumption against incineration
and waste-to-energy plants in new guidelines, (iii) a commitment
to set an example in all areas of sourcing, consumption, reduction,
re-use and recycling, (iv) new guidance to developers of composting
operations including on methane reduction and recovery, (v)
finance for and establishment of Environment and Waste Resource
Advice units in all large business parks and (vi) steps to ensure
that community recycling operators play a full part in all planning
and development of area waste strategies.
The Deputy Minister for Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong
Learning moved amendment S1M-2635.3 to motion S1M-2635—
Leave out from first "recognises" to end and insert—
"congratulates the Executive on the progress made in
integrating sustainable development at the heart of its policy-making
and supports the Executive in stimulating environmentally
sustainable employment."
Fiona McLeod moved amendment S1M-2635.2 to motion S1M-2635—
Insert at end—
", and agrees that these objectives, amongst others,
should be considered for inclusion in a national environment
plan for Scotland."
John Scott moved amendment S1M-2635.1 to motion S1M-2635—
Leave out from "to stimulate" to end and insert—
"to note that the creation of employment opportunities
in renewable energy products and recycling industries will
require the creation of a broader skills base, and finally
notes the need to develop in Scotland and the UK the technology
to meet the growing demand for renewable energy, recycling
and recycled products."
After debate, amendment S1M-2635.3 was agreed to ((DT) by division:
For 59, Against 51, Abstentions 1). As a result, amendments
S1M-2635.2 and S1M-2635.1 were pre-empted.
The motion as amended was then agreed to ((DT) by division:
For 60, Against 51, Abstentions 1).
Accordingly, the Parliament resolved—That the Parliament
congratulates the Executive on the progress made in integrating
sustainable development at the heart of its policy-making and
supports the Executive in stimulating environmentally sustainable
employment.
5. Business Motion: Euan Robson, on behalf of the
Parliamentary Bureau moved S1M-2634—That the Parliament
agrees the following programme of business—
Wednesday 30 January 2002
2.30 pm Time for Reflection
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Stage 1 Debate on the Fur Farming (Prohibition)
(Scotland) Bill
followed by Debate on Adoption and Children Bill
- UK Legislation
followed by Executive Motion in respect of UK Legislation
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members' Business – debate on
the subject of S1M-2302 Dr Sylvia Jackson: Introduction of
a Pollution Inventory
Thursday 31 January 2002
9.30 am Stage 1 Debate on the Scottish Public Sector Ombudsman
Bill
followed by Financial Resolution in respect of
the Scottish Public Sector Ombudsman Bill
followed by Procedures Committee Debate on its
5th Report 2001 (Changes to the Standing Orders of the Scottish
Parliament) and 1st Report 2002 (Changes to the Standing Orders
of the Scottish Parliament)
followed by Business Motion
2.30 pm Question Time
3.10 pm First Minister's Question Time
3.30 pm Debate on the Local Government Finance Order
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members' Business - debate on the subject
of S1M-2528 by Mr Kenneth Gibson: Young Runaways
Wednesday 6 February 2002
2.30 pm Time for Reflection
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Stage 3 Debate on the Community Care
and Health (Scotland) Bill
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members' Business
Thursday 7 February 2002
9.30 am Scottish National Party Business
followed by Business Motion
2.30 pm Question Time
3.10 pm First Minister's Question Time
3.30 pm Stage 1 Debate on the Public Appointments (Parliamentary
Approval) (Scotland) Bill
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members’ Business
After debate the motion was agreed to.
6. Question Time: Questions were answered by the
First Minister and other Ministers and junior Scottish Ministers.
7. European Structural Funds: The Deputy Minister
for Finance and Public Services moved S1M-2630—That the
Parliament recognises the success of the Executive’s strategic
approach and decentralised administration in managing European
Structural Funds and underpinning its commitment to key policy
priorities, in particular education, jobs and transport, and
endorses the continuation of this approach to ensure a sustainable
impact from this funding.
Tricia Marwick moved amendment S1M-2630.1 to motion S1M-2630—
Leave out from "the success of" to end and insert—
"that £6 billion has been made available to Scotland since
1975 through European Union (EU) structural funding; further
recognises that, because of EU enlargement, the level of support
offered to Scotland in future years is likely to diminish, and
urges the Scottish Executive to ensure that the full benefits
of EU structural funds still available are used for sustainable,
strategic and infrastructure improvements and to involve itself
fully in the ongoing debate about the future of EU enlargement
and the consequences for EU structural funding."
After debate, the amendment was disagreed to ((DT) by division:
For 50, Against 62, Abstentions 0).
The motion was then agreed to ((DT) by division: For 63, Against
0, Abstentions 49).
8. Decision Time: The Parliament took decisions on
items 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7 as noted above.
9. The Colin O’Riordan Trust: The Parliament
debated S1M-2585 in the name of Angus MacKay—That the Parliament
recognises the outstanding contribution made by the late Dr
Colin O'Riordan to the provision of access to music for all
children in Edinburgh, and particularly Sciennes Primary School,
and throughout Scotland, in founding the City of Edinburgh Music
School and in the many youth orchestra activities with which
he was associated, and congratulates his family on the foundation
of the Colin O'Riordan Trust, which aims to assist aspiring
young musicians by promoting musical excellence and improving
access to musical instruments for those children who might otherwise
not have the opportunity to pursue music.
The meeting closed at 5.58 pm.
P E Grice
Clerk of the Parliament
24 January 2002
Appendix
(Note: this Appendix does not form part of
the Minutes)
Subordinate Legislation
Affirmative Instruments
The following instrument was laid before the Parliament on
24 January 2002 for approval by resolution
The Local Government Finance (Scotland) Order 2002
laid under the Local Government Finance Act 1992
The following instrument was laid in draft before the Parliament
on 24 January 2002 for approval by resolution
The Town and Country Planning (Fees for Applications and
Deemed Applications) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2002
laid under the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act
1997
Negative Instruments
The following instrument was laid before the Parliament on
24 January 2002 and is subject to annulment
The Local Authorities Etc. (Allowances) (Scotland) Amendment
Regulations 2002 (SSI 2002/15)
laid under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and
the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973
Other Documents
The following documents were laid before the Parliament on
24 January 2002 and are not subject to any Parliamentary procedure—
The Local Government Finance (Scotland) Order 2002: Report
by the Scottish Ministers (SE/2002/51)
laid under the Local Government Finance Act 1992
The Impact of the Terrorist Attacks on the Scottish Economy
(SE/2002/53)
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