Parliament Workbench
Data: Official Report to 12 Nov 2026

Official Report · Committee

Current Petitions

Nuisance Hedges (PE497)

Wednesday 8 December 2004 Public Petitions Committee Petitions 8 contributions · 4 speakers

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The record

8 contributions
Michael McMahon Lab The Convener · Hamilton North and Bellshill
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The first current petition is PE497, from James and Pamela McDougall, which calls on the Parliament to urge the Executive, following its consultation exercise of 2000, to introduce legislation at the earliest opportunity to alleviate the nuisance caused by hedges.At its meeting on 25 February 2003, the committee agreed to keep the petition open and to monitor progress of the legislative proposals in the new session. Following recent amendments to standing orders on the procedures for members' bills, Scott Barrie's proposal for a high hedges bill has fallen, along with every other proposal. The clerk to the non-Executive bills unit has advised that Scott Barrie will be required to produce a consultation paper under the new procedures if he wishes to introduce a member's bill.I have been contacted by Scott Barrie, who has told me that he intends to introduce a bill on which he has been working. Do members want to wait to see Scott's proposals?

John Scott Con Ayr
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We have been waiting some time for the bill. It is a long time since Scott Barrie said he intended to introduce it. I hope that he will do so quickly. If he does not, perhaps the Executive should consider addressing the matter in the new planning bill that it intends to introduce. Has a similar bill been passed in England and Wales? Is there room for a Sewel motion here? I, too, have constituents with this problem—it is quite an issue.

Rosie Kane SSP Glasgow
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I think that there has been such legislation.

Michael McMahon Lab The Convener · Hamilton North and Bellshill
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I am not sure. I understand that Scott Barrie intends to introduce his bill in the new year. The Executive may be waiting for him to do so before it incorporates the measure into its proposals. That is a matter between Scott Barrie and the Executive.

Jim Johnston Clerk
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I understand that the UK Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 contains provisions on the issue for England and Wales.

John Scott Con Ayr
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Presumably it is not possible to transpose part of the act to Scotland.

Jim Johnston Clerk
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That is correct.

Michael McMahon Lab The Convener · Hamilton North and Bellshill
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Shall we ask Scott Barrie to comment formally on the matter? If he does not, we could ask the Executive whether it intends to do something in this area. Do we agree to contact Scott officially to find out what his plans are and to continue to investigate the issue?Members indicated agreement.

In this meeting

Everything on 8 Dec 2004 →
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  3. New Petitions Petitions · 63
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