Minutes: 05 October 2021

1. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee took evidence on the Code of Conduct for Councillors from—

Ben Macpherson, Minister for Social Security and Local Government, Tony Romain,Senior Policy Officer, Local Government Policy and Relationships Unit and Claire McKenna,Senior Policy Officer, Local Government Policy and Relationships Unit, Scottish Government.

The following interests were declared—

Elena Whitham declared an interest as a councillor in East Ayrshire Council.

Meghan Gallacher declared an interest as a councillor in North Lanarkshire Council.

Paul McLennan declared an interest as a councillor in East Lothian Council.

2. Subordinate legislation:

Ben Macpherson (Minister for Social Security and Local Government) moved—
S6M-01124—That the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee recommends that the Code of Conduct for Councillors be approved.

The motion was agreed to.

3. Work programme(In Private):

The Committee considered its work programme and agreed—

• its approach to the scrutiny of the draft Valuation and Rating (Coronavirus) (Scotland) Order 2021;
• to hold evidence sessions on:
o the Local Governance Review,
o representation in local government elections,
o the affordable housing programme,
o alternative models for delivery of affordable housing,
o the impact of material costs and skills shortages on affordable housing building in rural areas,
o the costs of retrofitting to meet net-zero requirements,
o the report of the Scottish Government’s working group on improving housing outcomes for women and children experiencing domestic abuse,
o the Scottish Government’s rented sector strategy;
• to undertake post-legislative scrutiny of Parts 2 and 9 Community Empowerment Act.