Minutes: 08 March 2022

1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take item 4 in private.

2. Coronavirus (Recovery and Reform) (Scotland) Bill:

The Committee took evidence on the Bill at Stage 1 from—

Alastair Houston, Solicitor and Head of Housing & Court Department, Legal Services Agency;

Matt Downie, Chief Executive, Crisis;

John Blackwood, Chief Executive, Scottish Association of Landlords;

Andrew Watson, Researcher, University of Glasgow;

and then from—

Patrick Harvie, Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants’ Rights, Greig Walker, Coronavirus (Recovery and Reform) Bill Team Leader, Yvonne Gavan, Private Housing Services Team Leader and Craig McGuffie, Lawyer, Scottish Government.

The following interests were declared—

Meghan Gallacher as a councillor in North Lanarkshire Council.

Mark Griffin as an owner of a private rental property. 

Paul McLennan as a councillor in East Lothian Council.

Elena Whitham as a councillor in East Ayrshire Council.

 

3. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee considered the following negative instruments— Non-Domestic Rate (Scotland) Order 2022; Non-Domestic Rating (Valuation of Utilities) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2022.

The Committee agreed to make no recommendations in relation to the instruments.

4. Coronavirus (Recovery and Reform) (Scotland) Bill (In Private):

The Committee considered the evidence heard earlier in the meeting.

5. National Planning Framework 4 (In Private):

The Committee considered its approach to its report.