2nd Meeting, 2021

Date: Wednesday, September 1, 2021
Session: 6
Location: T4.60-CR6 The Livingstone Room
Meeting opened at: 10:02am
Meeting closed at: 12:42am

Committee Members Attendees

Audrey Nicoll (Convener)

Russell Findlay (Deputy Convener)

Katy Clark

Jamie Greene

Fulton MacGregor

Rona Mackay

Pauline McNeill

Collette Stevenson

1 Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take items 6 and 7 in private.

2 Scottish Government priorities for the criminal justice remit in session 6:

The Committee took evidence from—

Keith Brown, Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Veterans, Ash Denham, Minister for Community Safety and Neil Rennick, Director of Justice, Scottish Government .

3 Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (UK Parliament legislation):

The Committee took evidence on legislative consent memorandum LCM(S6)4 from—

Keith Brown, Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Veterans and Graham Thomson, Head of Police Powers and Workforce Unit, Scottish Government .

4 Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (UK Parliament legislation):

The Committee agreed with the recommendation of the Scottish Government that the legislative consent motion (LCM(S6)4), lodged by Keith Brown MSP, for the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill should be agreed by the Scottish Parliament. The Committee also agreed that the Convener should arrange for the publication of a short, factual report on the outcome of the Committee’s deliberations.

5 Subordinate legislation:

The Committee considered the following negative instruments—

The Sexual Offences Act 2003 (Prescribed Police Stations) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2021 (SSI 2021/220)

Act of Sederunt (Fees of Messengers-at-Arms and Sheriff Officers) (Amendment) 2021 (SSI 2021/225)

Members noted various issues in relation to the Act of Sederunt (Fees of Messengers-at-Arms and Sheriff Officers) (Amendment) 2021 (SSI 2021/225). The Committee agreed not to make any recommendations to the Parliament on either instrument.

6 Pre-Budget Scrutiny (in private):

The Committee considered its approach to Pre-Budget Scrutiny. Following discussion, the Committee agreed to further consider its approach to Pre-Budget Scrutiny following its round table session on 8 September 2021 on the current impact of COVID-19 in the justice sector and the next steps for recovery.