Minutes: 05 November 2024

1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take items 3, 4, 5 and 6 in private.

2. Land Reform (Scotland) Bill:

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

Dr Josh Doble, Policy Manager, Community Land Scotland;

Jon Hollingdale, Policy Adviser, Scottish Community Alliance;

Linda Gillespie, Head of Community Ownership, Development Trusts Association Scotland.

Edward Mountain declared an interest in a farming partnership in Moray, as set out in the register of interests. Specifically, he declared an interest as owner of approximately 500 acres of farm land, of which 50 acres is woodland. He also declared that he is a tenant of approximately 500 acres in Moray under a non-agricultural tenancy and that he has another farming tenancy for about 20 acres under the Agricultural Holdings (Scotland) Act 1991. He also declared that he sometimes takes on grass lets on an annual basis

3. Land Reform (Scotland) Bill (In Private):

The Committee considered the evidence heard earlier in the meeting.

4. Appointments to the Board of the Scottish Land Commission (In Private):

The Committee considered a list of recommended candidates for appointment to the Board of the Scottish Land Commission. The Committee agreed to invite the Scottish Government nominees to give evidence.

5. Work programme (In Private):

The Committee considered its work programme. The Committee agreed some witnesses for future evidence sessions on the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill at Stage 1. The Committee agreed a draft letter to the Scottish Government on National Outcomes.

6. Pre-Budget Scrutiny (In Private):

The Committee considered a draft letter on its Pre-Budget Scrutiny. Various changes were proposed. The Committee agreed to consider a further draft by correspondence and to delegate authority to the convener to sign off the final draft.