Minutes: 09 May 2023

1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take item 5 in private.

2. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee took evidence on—

The First-tier Tribunal for Scotland General Regulatory Chamber and Upper Tribunal for Scotland (Composition and Rules of Procedure) (Miscellaneous Amendment) Regulations 2023 [draft]; and

The First-tier Tribunal for Scotland (Allocation of Functions to the General Regulatory Chamber) Regulations 2023 [draft]

from—

3. Subordinate legislation:

Siobhian Brown, (Minister for Victims and Community Safety) moved—

S6M-08337—That the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee recommends that the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland General Regulatory Chamber and Upper Tribunal for Scotland (Composition and Rules of Procedure) (Miscellaneous Amendment) Regulations 2023 [draft] be approved; and

S6M-08338—That the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee recommends that the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland (Allocation of Functions to the General Regulatory Chamber) Regulations 2023 [draft] be approved.

The motions were agreed to without division.

4. Asylum Seekers in Scotland:

The Committee took evidence from—

Bronagh Andrew, Operations Manager, TARA - Trafficking Awareness Raising Alliance;

Superintendent Claire Dobson, Partnerships, Prevention and Community Wellbeing Division and Chief Inspector Elaine Tomlinson, Safer Communities Team, Greater Glasgow Division, Police Scotland;

and then from—

Gayle Findlay, Policy Manager, COSLA;

Thomas Glen, Chief Executive, Perth & Kinross Council;

Louise Long, Chief Executive, Inverclyde Council;

Dr Nina Koruth, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Glasgow Psychological Trauma Service, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde;

Susanne Millar, Chair of the Scottish Asylum Dispersal Partnership Board and Chief Officer, Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership.

5. Consideration of evidence (In Private):

The Committee considered the evidence it heard under agenda item 4.