Summary

  • The health committee takes evidence from sportscotland's chief executive

  • Topical questions sees a question about deaths following fungal infections caused by pigeon droppings at the QEUH and then on Brexit

  • MSPs debate city deals and regional economic partnerships

  • A Labour MSP leads a member's debate on cervical screening uptake

  1. Walking football and netball on the risepublished at 10:57 Greenwich Mean Time 22 January 2019

    Walking footballImage source, bbc

    Ms Harper says there has been a rise in walking football and walking netball for elderly people and asks if this has been tracked.

    "We haven't tracked that yet," replies Mr Harris.

    He agrees with the SNP MSP that there has been a quick rise in these activities.

    We'll look to work with partners to get that data in the future, the sportscotland chief executive elucidates.

  2. Background: Active Schoolspublished at 10:54 Greenwich Mean Time 22 January 2019

    runningImage source, bbc

    According to sportscotland it works in partnership with all 32 local authorities to invest in and support the Active Schools Network. The Network consists of over 400 managers and coordinators dedicated to developing and supporting the delivery of quality sporting opportunities for children and young people.

    Active Schools aims to provide more and higher quality opportunities to take part in sport and physical activity before school, during lunchtime and after school, and to develop effective pathways between schools and sports clubs in the local community.

    Active Schools has worked with schools for over 10 years providing opportunities for children and young people to get involved, and stay involved, in sport and will continue to make a significant contribution to a world class sporting system in Scotland.

    This booklet gives you a clear overview of Active Schools:

    Active Schools booklet, external

  3. What is sportscotland doing on social prescribing?published at 10:51 Greenwich Mean Time 22 January 2019

    SNP MSP Emma Harper
    Image caption,

    SNP MSP Emma Harper

    SNP MSP Emma Harper highlights the benefits of sport on health and wonders about sportscotland's partnership with the NHS on social prescribing.

    There is a lot of this going on locally but we couldn't claim to be leading on them, Mr Harris replies.

    We've been looking at integrating resources to get people active and working with colleagues in Active Scotland, external on this, he adds.

    Jacqueline Lynn points to the health strategy in Dundee, which integrates local projects with the health service, as a positive example.

  4. 'We are not an agency that dictates'published at 10:46 Greenwich Mean Time 22 January 2019

    Mr HarrisImage source, bbc

    Mr Harris explains there has been an extended relationship with all 32 local authorities to help them get people to take part in activities.

    The sportscotland chief executive says his organisation tries to add value to local efforts, but he adds he would like to see more targeted efforts.

    "We are not an agency that dictates, we're an agency that is partnership orientated to meet local needs."

  5. Schools should open their facilities to communities at end of school days, says Tory MSPpublished at 10:42 Greenwich Mean Time 22 January 2019

    Tory MSP Brian Whittle
    Image caption,

    Tory MSP Brian Whittle

    Tory MSP Brian Whittle queries the times schools open their sports facilities to communities.

    He suggests that having them open at soon as school is finished, rather than later in the evening, would better encourage children to participate.

    Jacqueline Lynn insists sportscotland is working with partners to improve this but adds the organisation cannot instruct local authorities.

  6. Background: Sporting agency describes 20% funding cut as "heartbreaking"published at 10:40 Greenwich Mean Time 22 January 2019

    Sport funding in Scotland faceda 20% reductionImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Sport funding in Scotland faced a 20% reduction

    Back in 2017 we reported funding for sportscotland was facing a 20% reduction over a three-year period, a move described as "heartbreaking" by the national agency.

    The cuts were being blamed on reduced government spending and a drop in National Lottery ticket sales - a major contributor to sports backing.

    Governing bodies were bracing themselves for potential job losses.

    Read more here.

  7. Still some capacity in school estatepublished at 10:38 Greenwich Mean Time 22 January 2019

    Jacqueline Lynn says Active Schools has been there for 14 years and 45% of the schools are participating.

    SNP MSP George Adam tells Ms Lynn local sports clubs do not believe that her assertion that 89% of the school estate has been used was the case.

    Mr Harris accepts there is still some capacity but points to the benefit in having Active coordinators in every school.

    The access must be planned, as a "little bit of sophistication" will reap rewards he adds.

  8. sportscotland working with councils on sport facility accesspublished at 10:33 Greenwich Mean Time 22 January 2019

    Tory MSP Miles Briggs
    Image caption,

    Tory MSP Miles Briggs

    Tory MSP Miles Briggs wonders about local authority charges for facilities.

    Stewart Harris says sportscotland is aiming to create a clear plan for access.

    We are trying to persuade them about the best ways they can use their resources and allow the most people to participate, he adds.

    Mr Briggs points to critics of the National Tennis Centre who suggest it will do little to encourage grassroots sport.

    John Lunn says this centre will be "one piece of the jigsaw," ensuring there is a development path.

  9. 'Real progress' in using school estate for sportpublished at 10:29 Greenwich Mean Time 22 January 2019

    Jacqueline Lynn sports development head (schools and community) sportscotlandImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Jacqueline Lynn sports development head (schools and community) sportscotland

    Tory MSP Brian Whittle asks about £12m in podium programme funding for elite sportspeople from UK Sport.

    Mr Harris agrees that is the case and explains athletes can move between podium programmes and sportscotland support.

    Tory MSP Miles Briggs pivots to the use of the school estate in sport.

    Jacqueline Lynn, sports development head (schools and community) at sportscotland, says 89% of the school estate is being used for sport.

    "There's real progress there."

  10. Background: Andy Murray criticises LTA chiefs over failure to build on his successpublished at 10:25 Greenwich Mean Time 22 January 2019

    Murray has said that hip pain is likely to force his retirement this yearImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Murray has said that hip pain is likely to force his retirement this year

    Andy Murray has criticised British tennis for failing to translate his achievements into grassroots growth in the sport at home.

    The 31-year-old's future is in doubt as he contemplates further hip surgery.

    The three-time Grand Slam winner says not enough has been done by the Lawn Tennis Association to build on British success in recent years.

    "I'm not sure Britain has really capitalised on the last seven or eight years of success we've had," he said.

    Read more here.

  11. UK Sport spent £350m on performance sport in last cyclepublished at 10:21 Greenwich Mean Time 22 January 2019

    Mr Cole-Hamilton asks about funding from UK bodies.

    UK Sport funds the British sporting bodies, says Mr Harris, and it is sportscotland's job to ensure there is alignment between these bodies and Scottish athletes.

    UK Sport spent £350m on performance sport in the last cycle.

    Young Andy Murray
    Image caption,

    Andy Murray won the under-14s title at the National Junior Championships in Nottingham in 1999

    The Lib Dem MSP asks about encouraging grassroots sports and supporting talent.

    "I think that's in the best place it's ever been," responds the sportscotland chief exec.

    The balance between encouraging participation for all and nurturing talent is right, he adds.

  12. What is the focus of sportscotland's time between elite performance and grassroots sport?published at 10:16 Greenwich Mean Time 22 January 2019

    CyclingImage source, Thinkstock

    Mr Harris says, in terms of performance, 44 medals were won in the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast which was a "fantastic result".

    The sportscotland chief executive tells the committee it is really important to review everything the organisation does.

    Lib Dem MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton asks what the focus of sportscotland's time is between elite performance and grassroots sport.

    Mr Harris says 90% of public investment is spent on grassroots sport.

    He outlines the support to elite sportsmen which is around 10%.

  13. People of all ages should take part in sport says sportscotlandpublished at 10:08 Greenwich Mean Time 22 January 2019

    Sportscotland's chief executive Stewart Harris
    Image caption,

    Sportscotland's chief executive Stewart Harris

    Sportscotland's chief executive Stewart Harris tells the committee his organisation has been trying to create a system for sport for the past six years, including schools, communities and sports clubs.

    We want to see people of all ages taking part, he adds.

    Active Schools has been running for 14 years which provides an opportunity to introduce young people to activity for life, Mr Harris says.

    He highlights there are 196 community sport hubs in Scotland.

  14. Background: What is sportscotland?published at 10:05 Greenwich Mean Time 22 January 2019

    British Blind SportImage source, British Blind Sport

    According to its website, external, sportscotland is the national agency for sport in Scotland.

    We see a Scotland where sport is a way of life, where sport is at the heart of society, making a positive impact on people and communities.

    Atsportscotland we believe:

    • Sport should be open to everyone and conducted in a way which promotes equality and respect for others.
    • Competition should to be fair and take place within the spirit and rules of (the) sport. Success should result from honest endeavour, training and preparation by the athlete and impartiality by those who officiate
    • Athletes must comply with the World Anti-Doping Code and those who work with athletes should put their interests first and not abuse their trust.
    • All those involved in sport should put its interests before any personal or financial gain.
    • Sponsorship and other commercial involvement should be compatible with the ethics and values of sport.
  15. And we're off................published at 10:03 Greenwich Mean Time 22 January 2019

    WitnessesImage source, bbc

    Health and Sport Committee convener Lewis Macdonald introduces:

    • Stewart Harris chief executive sportscotland
    • Jacqueline Lynn sports development head (schools and community) sportscotland
    • John Lunn sports development head (pathways) sportscotland

    Read the committee's papers here., external

  16. Join us at 2.05pm for a topical question on this issue..................published at 10:00 Greenwich Mean Time 22 January 2019

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  17. The Health and Sport Committee begins shortly....published at 09:57 Greenwich Mean Time 22 January 2019

    The Health and Sport Committee will shortly take evidence on sportscotland, external.

    MSPs will quiz:

    • Stewart Harris chief executive sportscotland
    • Jacqueline Lynn sports development head (schools and community) sportscotland
    • John Lunn sports development head (pathways) sportscotland
    sportscotlandImage source, sportscotland

    The committee will then take evidence on the Cremation(Scotland) Regulations 2019 [draft], external.

    These regulations make provision regarding cremations in Scotland, in particular in respect of the management and operation of crematoriums, applications for cremation, the handling of ashes and cremation registers.

  18. Welcome to Holyrood Live!published at 10:55 Greenwich Mean Time 21 January 2019

    Good morning and welcome to Holyrood Live on Tuesday 22 January 2019.

    Sportscotland will give evidence to MSPs on the Health and Sport Committee.

    Topical questions will begin with a query about reports two patients have died at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital after contracting a fungal infection, and what advice has been issued to NHS boards on this matter.

    Nicola Sturgeon nd Theresa MayImage source, BBC/PA/Getty images
    Image caption,

    Expect the Scottish government's response to the latest Brexit statement from Westminster at around 2.10pm

    There will follow a question calling for the Scottish government's response is to Theresa May’s latest statement on how she plans to proceed with the Brexit withdrawal agreement.

    The government will the lead a debate on the progress of the city deals.

    Labour MSP Monica Lennon’s member’s debate looks at the latest cervical screening uptake statistics

    AberdeenImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    MSPs will debate Scotland's City Region deals