Minutes: 16 January 2024

1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take items 3 and 4 in private.

2. Budget Scrutiny 2024-25:

The Committee took evidence on the Scottish Government's Budget 2024-25 from—

Cllr Katie Hagmann, Resources Spokesperson and Mirren Kelly,Chief Officer, Local Government Finance, COSLA;

David Robertson, Finance Lead, SOLACE and Chief Executive, Scottish Borders Council

and then from—

Joe FitzPatrick, Minister for Local Government Empowerment and Planning, Ian Storrie, Head of Local Government Finance and David Cowan, Head of Regeneration and Place, Scottish Government.

Stephanie Callaghan MSP declared an interest as having served as a Councillor on South Lanarkshire Council.

Marie McNair MSP also declared an interest as having served as a Councillor on West Dunbartonshire Council.

3. Budget Scrutiny 2024-25 (in private):

The Committee considered the evidence heard earlier in the meeting.

4. Work programme (in private):

The Committee considered its work programme and agreed to:

• invite key housing stakeholders to provide written submissions with their views on the Scottish Government’s draft Budget 2024-25;

• invite additional stakeholders to participate in round-table sessions on Housing to 2040;

• write to the Scottish Government for its views on the importance of complaints processes within local authorities for Community Councils and for an update on progress being made with the Scottish Government’s review of the Community Empowerment Act and Local Governance Review;

• write to the Scottish Government to ask how it will continue to engage with allotment stakeholders in light of Scottish Allotments and Gardens’ application to be dissolved;

• hold a business planning day.