Minutes: 05 September 2023

1. Declaration of interests:

Pam Gosal MSP was invited to declare any relevant interests and indicated she had nothing to declare.

Mark Griffin MSP declared an interest as a former owner of a private rented property. 

Marie McNair MSP declared an interest as a former Councillor for West Dunbartonshire.

2. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take items 5, 6 and 7 in private.

3. Post-Legislative Scrutiny of the Community Empowerment Act 2015:

The Committee took evidence from—

Tom Arthur, Minister for Community Wealth and Public Finance, Joe FitzPatrick, Minister for Local Government Empowerment and Planning, Kathleen Glazik, Community Empowerment Team Leader and Andrew Connal, Community Planning and Public Service Reform Team Leader, Scottish Government;

Councillor Steven Heddle, Vice President and Garrick Smyth, Policy Manager Corporate, Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA).

4. New Deal with Local Government:

5. Post-Legislative Scrutiny of the Community Empowerment Act 2015 (in private):

The Committee considered the evidence heard earlier in the meeting.

6. New Deal with Local Government (in private):

The Committee considered the evidence heard earlier in the meeting.

7. Community Councils (in private):

The Committee agreed the contents of a letter to the Minister for Community Wealth and Public Finance.