Minutes: 05 December 2023

1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take item 6 in private.

The Committee also agreed to consider its draft Stage 1 report on the Circular Economy (Scotland) Bill in private at future meetings.

2. Circular Economy (Scotland) Bill:

The Committee took evidence on the Bill at Stage 1 from—

Lorna Slater, Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity, Ginny Gardner, Head of Circular Strategy Unit, Gareth Heavisides, Circular Economy Bill Team Leader,  Ailsa Heine, Solicitor and Janet McVea, Head of Zero Waste Unit, Scottish Government.

Jackie Dunbar declared an interest as a former Councillor on Aberdeen City Council.

Edward Mountain declared an interest as a landowner who has been subjected to flytipping on his land.

Douglas Lumsden declared an interest as a former Councillor on Aberdeen City Council.

3. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee took evidence on the Fly-tipping (Fixed Penalty) (Scotland) Order 2023 (2023/335) from—

Lorna Slater, Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity and Ailsa Heine, Solicitor, Scottish Government.

Edward Mountain declared an interest as a landowner who has been subjected to flytipping on his land.

4. Subordinate legislation:

Murdo Fraser moved—S6M-11534—That the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee recommends that the Fly-tipping (Fixed Penalty) (Scotland) Order 2023 (2023/335) be annulled.

After the debate, Murdo Fraser sought leave to withdraw the motion. There were no objections to this.

The Committee subsequently agreed to make no recommendations in relation to the instrument. The Committee delegated to the Convener responsibility for finalising a draft report for publication.

5. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee considered the following negative instrument—

Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Amendment (Scotland) Regulations 2023 (2023/336)

The Committee agreed to make no recommendations in relation to the instrument.

6. Circular Economy (Scotland) Bill (in private):

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

The Committee agreed to make a request to the Parliamentary Bureau for an extension to the Stage 1 deadline for the Bill.