Minutes: 05 September 2023

1. Declarations of interests:

The Convener welcomed Douglas Lumsden to the Committee and invited him to declare any relevant interests. Douglas Lumsden said he had no relevant interests to declare.

The Convener welcomed Ben Macpherson to the Committee and invited him to declare any relevant interests. Ben Macpherson said he had no relevant interests to declare. Ben Macpherson indicated he is registered on the roll of Scottish Solicitors.

2. Choice of Deputy Convener:

The Committee chose Ben Macpherson as its new Deputy Convener.

3. Decision on taking business in private:

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

4. Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023 (in private):

The Committee considered correspondence from the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Net Zero and Just Transition.

The Committee agreed draft letters to the UK and Scottish governments regarding environmental provisions in the Act.

5. Appointments to the Board of the Scottish Land Commission (in private):

The Committee considered correspondence from the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands.

The Committee agreed its approach to scrutiny of candidates for appointment to the Board of the Scottish Land Commission. The Committee agreed to write a letter to the Scottish Government regarding its decision.

6. Scotland’s electricity infrastructure: inhibitor or enabler of our energy ambitions? (in private):

The Committee considered a draft report.

Various changes were agreed to. The Committee agreed to delegate to the Convener responsibility to finalise the report for publication.

Edward Mountain declared an interest as a Partner in Delfur Farms Farming Partnership, a farming business which receives income from power lines across his land, and that he is in negotiation as to another proposed power line, which could generate further income.