Current Petitions

The next petition is PE415 from the Scottish Environment LINK Access Network, the Scottish Countryside Access Network and the Scottish Sports Association on outdoor access for all. The petition calls on the Parliament to ensure that the proposed legislation to provide a right of responsible access does not introduce laws that could criminalise the public while they are enjoying the outdoors.We sought the views of the Scottish Executive on the petition and considered its response at our meeting on 16 December. We agreed at that meeting to ask the petitioners for their response to the Scottish Executive's response. We have now received a response from the petitioners that welcomes the many positive changes that have been made. However, they outline several concerns regarding the bill as introduced, particularly regarding section 11. Section 11 gives local authorities wide-ranging powers "to exempt particular land and exclude particular conduct",which they believe may put local authorities under pressure to close areas of land rather than to improve access to it, as the bill intends. They also draw attention to section 17, which gives local authorities the responsibility"to draw up a plan for a system of paths",but does not place on them any duty to implement and manage such a system, leaving open the possibility that the plans may never be realised.As it appears that the petitioners have only minor concerns relating to the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill, as introduced, it is suggested that we agree to note their response and take no further action in relation to the petition. We should copy the petitioners' response to the clerk of the Justice 2 Committee, for her information, and to the Executive, for it to take on board as it pursues the bill through the Parliament. Is that agreed?Members indicated agreement.