The Scottish Government’s Cabinet will hold four meetings outside Edinburgh this summer, First Minister Alex Salmond announced today….
Dornoch, Stirling, Isle of Bute and Kilmarnock will be the locations for public meetings and Ministerial engagements – as well as the Cabinet meeting itself – during the Parliament’s summer recess period.
The Scottish Government’s Cabinet will hold four meetings outside Edinburgh this summer, First Minister Alex Salmond announced today.
Dornoch, Stirling, Isle of Bute and Kilmarnock will be the locations for public meetings and Ministerial engagements – as well as the Cabinet meeting itself – during the Parliament’s summer recess period.
The announcement follows on from two previous years of successful Summer Cabinet programmes where hundreds of people have participated in events in Dundee, Melrose, Stornoway, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Dumfries, Inverness, Pitlochry and Skye.
As well as the formal Cabinet Meeting, Ministers will host public meetings on the Government’s ‘Vision for Scotland’, stage receptions to celebrate Scotland’s year of food and drink, and undertake visits and engagements around each meeting.
The schedule for this summer is:
- July 26 and 27 – Dornoch
- August 9 and 10 – Stirling
- August 23 and 24 – Isle of Bute
- September 6 and 7 – Kilmarnock
The First Minister said:
“This summer Government Ministers will be visiting communities to discuss the issues – both local and national – that are important to the people of Scotland.
“Last year’s programme received a positive and enthusiastic reception from Scottish communities and this summer we aim to build on that success by taking the Government to towns across the country and encouraging debate on our aspirations and future vision for Scotland.
“From July to September, the Cabinet will visit Dornoch, Stirling, Isle of Bute and Kilmarnock to listen to the views and concerns of wider Scottish society and also strengthen our awareness of the issues and matters that mean most to the communities we serve. “
Full details for each visit will be announced ahead of each leg of the Summer Cabinet programme, but the key elements of all four programmes will be:
- A formal meeting of the Scottish Cabinet
- A public meeting based around the Scottish Government’s ‘Vision for Scotland’, with the opportunity to formally question Ministers at a Q&A session, followed by informal discussion opportunities afterwards
- A reception to mark the Year of Food and Drink, celebrating the efforts of local individuals and companies who are involved in promoting and producing Scottish products