When groups lobby MSPs, Ministers, Civil Servants, Special Advisers or Law Officers, they should submit a return to the Lobbying Register. Entries can be searched at: https://lobbying.scot/SPS/LobbyingRegister/SearchLobbyingRegister
However, many meetings do not meet the criteria for lobbying, and MSPs cannot submit their own entries, meaning their Lobbying Register may seem incomplete.
During the first few months of being an MSP, I met with many groups and organisations. After a constituent queried the list on my Lobbying Register, I have decided to provide a list below for transparency covering the period of May – September.
In the interest of simplicity and privacy for those seeking assistance, I have not included: meetings with colleagues; meetings with individual constituents; surgeries; party business; interviews, such as with journalists; Cross-Party Groups; meetings which I would normally have undertaken as a councillor, such as public committee meetings or group meetings; or Parliamentary Business undertaken such as taking part in debates, question times, and committee work.
May
Merkinch Partnership: as a member of the Board, I attend as many Merkinch Partnership meetings as possible. (12th May, 2nd June)
South Kessock Community, Velocity, and the Highland Council staff: I attended a litter-pick on the 17th of May in the fields around Carnarc Crescent. During this, I had conversations with the Highland Council Tenant Participation Officers, the Community Payback team, Velocity Cafe, and other attendees.
Youth Highland: I attended the virtual launch of Youth Highland’s book, Where’s Your Head At, which aimed to get the voices of young people otherwise with very few communication channels to influence holders and decision makers heard, and spoke with facilitators and young people who were present. (21st May)
NHS Highland: I attended my first stakeholder engagement session with other Parliamentarians and their staff. This is a monthly commitment.
June
Scottish Environment LINK: I attended a meeting with this group at which they lobbied MSPs on the need to stand up for various species in Scotland. Following this, I was named “Nature Champion” for the capercaillie.
Scottish Canals: I attended a public meeting and discussion on Scottish Canals’ Carse projects. (https://emmaroddick.scot/2021/06/03/msp-welcomes-carse-investment/)
Living Rent: I attended a meeting with local and national representatives from Living Rent and discussed many issues around housing, including short-term lets regulations, rent controls, data, and other issues important to their members.
Centre for Homelessness Impact: I took part in a panel as part of the Impact Forum 2021, discussing my experience and the importance of considering invisible homelessness and issues which are exacerbated by living in a rural or island community.
NHS Shetland: I had a virtual meeting with the Chief Executive of NHS Shetland ahead of a visit to the islands the following week. (https://emmaroddick.scot/2021/06/11/new-highlands-and-islands-msp-makes-first-regional-visit-to-shetland/)
Merkinch Primary: I had a tour of the new Merkinch Primary School and discussed with the Head Teacher various issues including recovery from the pandemic, free music tuition, and how the children were enjoying learning in the new building.
Disability Equality Scotland: I had a brief call with Disability Equality Scotland following taking part in their hustings in March, during the election. I agreed to write an op-ed for their magazine.
Shetland Islands Council: I met with the Leader and Deputy Leader of the SIC at the Town Hall to discuss issues facing the council area including fuel poverty, transport issues, and many other topics.
Hjaltland Housing Association: I met with the Chief Executive to discuss issues facing the association such as the cost of building materials and decarbonisation, as well as related fuel poverty. We discussed various potential policies to combat some of the issues and also chatted about current projects.
Shetland Women’s Aid: I met with SWA to discuss violence against women and girls, funding, rape and sexual assault, and mental health, amongst other topics important to the organisation.
Ability Shetland: I met with the organisation to discuss their ongoing work, including beach wheelchairs and transport.
Crisis: I met with national representatives from Crisis, the homelessness charity. We discussed homelessness and potential policies which could help to combat it.
EHRC Scotland: Introductory meeting to discuss their role in Scotland and current issues around human rights.
The Open University in Scotland: Interview as a past student to discuss what the OU does well. Afterwards, we had an introductory meeting and discussed various current issues and stories in the news about the university. A follow-up meeting was held a few weeks later.
ENRG Debrief: agreed to an interview discussing being disabled in politics.
Rest and Be Thankful Campaign Group: I attended a meeting alongside other MSPs to discuss the issues facing the Rest and Be Thankful, mainly landslips, and the merits of various routes to tackling it. I later signed a motion marked for Members’ Business to discuss the issue further in Parliament.
Women 50:50: I had a brief chat with Women 50:50 during which I agreed to take part in a virtual panel event which was hosted by them on 21st June at 20:00.
Orkney Islands Council: I met with the Leader of the Council to discuss issues facing Orkney.
Orkney Housing Association: I met virtually with the Housing Association to discuss issues facing them, and agreed to a future visit to one of their projects to find out more.
Orkney Pride: I attended the first Orkney Pride and discussed various issues with the organisers plus attendees from the Equality Network/Scottish Trans Alliance. I later attended a fitness class at the Pickaquoy Centre which was Pride-themed. (https://emmaroddick.scot/2021/06/28/islands-msp-supports-orkneys-first-pride-march/)
Orkney Blide Trust: I visisted the Orkney Blide centre and garden, then spent around an hour discussing various issues around mental health and services with its manager.
Orkney Advocacy: I had a brief conversation with a representative from Orkney Advocacy about current issues facing the group following withdrawal of funding.
The Place, Alness: I officially opened the Field, the new location of the youth group The Place, which supports young people to gain employability skills and provides a safe space for social events. I discussed related issues with a number of attendees. (https://emmaroddick.scot/2021/06/28/snp-msp-returns-home-to-ross-shire-to-open-new-youth-facility/)
Stonewall: I met with Stonewall to discuss ongoing issues facing the LGBTQI+ community in Scotland.
Equate Scotland: I met with Equate and discussed women in STEM and other gender inequalities in the workplace.
July
Police Scotland: I had an introductory meeting with the new Chief Superintendent for the Highlands and Islands. We discussed policing issues around the region.
CalMac: I had an introductory meeting with the Public Affairs Manager for CalMac and discussed a number of issues which had been raised by constituents.
Dignity in Dying: I met with the group ahead of a Members’ Bill expected later in the year and following an email campaign by its members.
Developing the Young Workforce: I met with a DYW representative from Easter Ross to discuss how I can help get young people in the area into work and engaged in politics. I agreed to record a “#NoWrongPath” video to be shown in schools following exam results.
John Muir Trust and Nevis Landscape Partnership: I travelled to Glen Nevis to meet with representatives from both groups as well as HighLife Highland staff on-site. We took a walk around the foot of the ben and discussed the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, youth rangers, land management, deer management, depopulation, disability access, and many more related topics.
Inclusion Scotland: I met with Inclusion to discuss upcoming issues and debrief from the election campaign which had a fair bit of focus on disability rights.
SeeMe Scotland: I met with representatives of the group to discuss mental health awareness, personality disorders, suicide prevention, and other issues. I also made it clear I would be joining the Mental Health CPG.
SSPCA: I met with the local SSPCA centre to discuss animal welfare issues, particularly in the context of COVID. We discussed how the new 2019 Act will make it easier to help animals they rescue. (https://emmaroddick.scot/2021/07/14/local-msp-celebrates-new-act-after-visiting-sspca-in-inverness/)
Highland2Holyrood: I met with a family who had cycled from Farr to Holyrood, raising awareness of active travel as well as collecting money for rewilding charity Trees for Life. I talked about sustainability, active travel, and other issues with both the parents and children and later lodged a motion in Parliament commending their actions.
August
Engender: I met with Engender to discuss gender inequality, including in politics. We discussed how to improve diversity in political representation and tackle misogyny and other issues.
Scottish Young Carers: I attended the Scottish Young Carers Festival 2021 and took part in the mental health workshop. I listened to young carer representatives and the issues they raised.
Prospect: I met with Prospect to discuss ongoing issues with the HIAL ATMS proposals. (https://emmaroddick.scot/2021/09/09/roddick-makes-call-in-scottish-parliament-for-hial-to-reconsider-air-traffic-management-scheme/ )
MS Society: I met with the MS Society to discuss various issues, including that the incidence of MS is much higher in parts of H&I than the national average. I had been approached as a member of the Social Justice and Social Security Committee.
Alness First Responders: I went on shift with the group over a Friday evening to find out more about what they do and the issues they face. We discussed the Scottish Ambulance Service and how Community First Responders can complement their work. (https://emmaroddick.scot/2021/09/02/roddick-announces-local-hero-nomination-as-volunteer-first-responder-michael-oneill/)
SSEN: I met with SSEN to discuss their work in the region, including improving infrastructure and their inclusion of subsea broadband cables when replacing their own cables, improving connectivity in the Northern Isles.
Friends at the End: I met with the group following a meeting with Dignity in Dying to discuss the issue of assisted dying with more groups. I had also approached other groups on the subject at this point.
Living Rent: I met with the group again and attended a protest after one of their members had a fuse box fire in their council property.
Orkney Harbour Authority: Introductory meeting to discuss current work and future plans. Agreed to visit their facilities at some point in the future.
Blue Cross: Met to discuss issues around animal welfare, including vet availability, diversity, and cost around the region.
HIAL: Introductory meeting with HIAL including a discussion around the current ATMS proposals.
Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers: I met with the ASSC to discuss short-term lets regulations proposals.
North Highland College: I met with the Principal to discuss issues facing the College, tackling depopulation, sustainability, and many more topics.
Caithness Broch Project: I met with the Project to discuss the issues they were having finding a location for a recreated iron-age broch and how to find funding. (https://emmaroddick.scot/2021/08/13/roddick-supports-historic-caithness-with-broch-project/)
Caithness Roads Recovery: I met with the group to discuss road improvements and how I can help.
Trees for Life: I travelled to Dundreggan to meet with representatives from Trees for Life and other organisations involved in the rewilding centre. I visited the tree nursery and heard about what they are doing to help native species survive and thrive. (https://emmaroddick.scot/2021/08/18/dundreggan-rewilding-centre-fantastic-idea-says-emma-roddick/)
Federation of Small Businesses: I met with the Development Manager for FSB in the Highlands to discuss issues facing small businesses in the region, including recruitment difficulties, lack of accommodation, and the potential short-term lets regulations.
ROCKWOOL UK: I met with ROCKWOOL to discuss fire safety in high-rise buildings, including hospitals and schools in the region.
Save the Children: I met with Save the Children to discuss child poverty targets and how the Scottish Government can meet them. Introductory meeting as a member of SJSS Committee which has child poverty in its remit.
SCORSS: I met with SCoRSS to discuss poverty and social security, including the impact of the removal of the £20 Universal Credit uplift.
HighAbility: I met with HighAbility to discuss a number of issues facing disabled people in the Highlands, including transport issues like the implementation of the pavement parking ban. (https://emmaroddick.scot/2021/09/06/roddick-asks-scottish-government-how-local-authorities-can-support-parking-ban/)
SSEN: I met with SSEN to discuss issues in Dalmally and Kylerhea raised by constituents.
SAMH: I attended a training session with SAMH on mental health in the workplace in order to ensure I am doing what I can to support staff.
September
Nairn Book & Arts Festival: I attended the event and spoke with individuals and businesses in the area.
UHI: Introductory meeting with the new Principal of the UHI. We discussed the importance of a diverse offering to Highlands & Islands students to promote studying and staying in the area. (https://emmaroddick.scot/2021/09/13/roddick-reaches-out-to-uhi-head-over-end-of-vanity-courses/)
Citizens’ Advice Bureau: I met with CAB to discuss current issues including the removal of the £20 Universal Credit uplift, rising fuel prices, and the end of furlough.
HISA: I met with students from HISA to discuss the same issues discussed with the Principal. We also covered COVID and vaccines.
Merkinch Partnership: I had a meeting with a representative of the Merkinch Partnership to discuss a report which had just been published on the effect of COVID on those in poverty, including the effect on the attainment gap and around digital exclusion and digital poverty.
CARE for Scotland: I met with a representative of the group to discuss assisted dying following a number of meetings with other campaign groups on the subject.
Highland Poverty Action Network: I had a brief chat with one of the members as I was unable to attend the full meeting which took place during Parliamentary Business
BiTastic: I met with organisers ahead of hosting a session on the 24th during their programme.
NHS Highland: at the stakeholder group, I queried issues around young people and vaccines.
If you would like your entry above removed or edited, please email emma.roddick.msp@parliament.scot
Emma Roddick MSP 