Minutes: 07 February 2023

1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take items 6 and 7 in private.

2. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee took evidence on the Environmental Regulation (Enforcement Measures) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2023 [draft] from—

Lorna Slater, Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity, Charles Holmes, Head of Extended Producer Responsibility and Carolyn Boyd, Solicitor, Scottish Government.

3. Subordinate legislation:

Lorna Slater (Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity) moved—S6M-07583—That the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee recommends that the Environmental Regulation (Enforcement Measures) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2023 be approved.

The motion was agreed to by division (For 5, Against 1, Abstentions 1).

The Committee agreed to consider a draft report by correspondence, and delegated to the Convener responsibility for finalising the report for publication.

4. A modern and sustainable ferry service for Scotland:

The Committee took evidence from—

David Hibbert, Technical Superintendent, Marine Services, Orkney Islands Council;

Cllr Moraig Lyall, Chair, ZetTrans and Chair, Environment and Transport Committee, Shetland Islands Council;

and then from—

Murray Bain, Project Manager, Corran Ferry, The Highland Council;

Russell McCutcheon, Executive Director, Place, North Ayrshire Council;

Scott Reid, Marine Operations Manager, Argyll and Bute Council;

Cllr Uisdean Robertson, Chair, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.

5. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee considered the following negative instrument—

Packaging Waste (Data Reporting) (Scotland) Regulations 2023 (SSI 2023/007)

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

6. A modern and sustainable ferry service for Scotland (in private):

The Committee considered the evidence it heard earlier under agenda item 4.

7. Work programme (in private):

The Committee considered its work programme.

The Committee agreed its approach to scrutiny of air quality and the forthcoming Air Quality Improvement Plan to be laid in Parliament by the Scottish Government, and witnesses for this scrutiny. The Committee also agreed to consider a revised approach to a short inquiry into aspects of Scotland's energy needs at a future meeting.