Minutes: 28 June 2022

1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take items 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 in private.

2. A Modern and Sustainable Ferry Service for Scotland:

The Committee took evidence from—

Sam Bourne, Chairman, Arran Ferry Action Group;

Garry MacLean, Vice Convenor, Islay Community Council Ferry Committee;

Margaret Morrison, Chair, Harris Transport Forum;

Joe Reade, Chair, Mull & Iona Ferry Committee;

Paul Riley, Transport Representative, Stronsay Community Council;

Laurence Odie, Chairman, Yell Community Council.

3. Public petitions:

The Committee considered the following petitions and agreed, in relation to—
[PE01750] Independent Monitoring of Satellite tags fitted to raptors, to close the petition, and raise issues around satellite tagging of raptors with relevant witnesses during this Parliamentary session;
[PE01815] Translocate protected beavers to reduce licensed killing, to close the petition, and raise issues around licenses to manage beavers, and translocation of beavers, with relevant witnesses during this Parliamentary session;
[PE01872] Improve the reliability of island ferry services, to close the petition, following the decision to hold an inquiry into A Modern and Sustainable Ferry Service for Scotland.

4. Energy price rises (in private):

The Committee considered a draft report.

Various changes were agreed to and the Committee delegated to the Convener responsibility for finalising the draft report for publication.

5. A Modern and Sustainable Ferry Service for Scotland (in private):

The consideration of evidence for this item was deferred to a later meeting.

6. Work programme (in private):

The Committee considered its work programme.

The Committee considered a draft remit for its inquiry into a Modern and Sustainable Ferry Service for Scotland, and a draft call for views, and agreed to delegate final authority to sign off both to the Convener. The Committee also agreed to take evidence in autumn on the Scottish Government’s biodiversity strategy.  The Committee also agreed to invite the Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport to give evidence in autumn on the Scottish Government’s 2022-23 programme for government.

7. High Speed Rail (Crewe - Manchester) Bill (UK Parliament legislation) (in private):

The Committee considered a draft report. One change was agreed to, and the Committee agreed the draft report.

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

This item (consideration of evidence heard at the meeting on 21 June 2022 under agenda item 2) was deferred to a later meeting.