Minutes: 11 January 2022

1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take items 4 and 5 in private.

2. The role of local government and its cross-sectoral partners in financing and deliveringa net-zero Scotland:

The Committee took evidence from—

Councillor Susan Aitken, Council Leader, Glasgow City Council;

Councillor Jenny Laing, Council Leader, Aberdeen City Council;

Councillor Adam McVey, Council Leader, City of Edinburgh Council;

and then from—

Councillor Margaret Davidson, Council Leader, Highland Council ;

Simon Fieldhouse, Environment Manager, Dumfries and Galloway Council.

Jackie Dunbar MSP declared an interest as a Councillor for Aberdeen City Council.

3. European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018:

The Committee considered a proposal by the Scottish Government to consent to the UK Government legislating using the powers under the Act in relation to the following UK statutory instrument proposals—

The Pesticides (Revocation) (EU Exit) Regulations 2022

The Committee agreed that the provisions set out in the notifications should be included in the UK SI.

4. The role of local government and its cross-sectoral partners in financing and delivering a net-zero Scotland (In Private):

The Committee considered the evidence it heard earlier under agenda item 2.

5. Work programme (In Private):

The Committee considered its work programme and agreed to discuss and agree witnesses for evidence sessions on the Scottish Government’s fourth National Planning Framework (NPF4) by correspondence.