Minutes: 30 January 2024

1. Decisions on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take item 3 in private and to consider a draft letter to the Scottish Government regarding the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy in private.

The Committee also agreed to consider its work programme in private at its next meeting.

2. Budget Scrutiny 2024-25:

The Committee took evidence on the Scottish Government's Budget 2024-25 from—

Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, Màiri McAllan, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Net Zero and Just Transition, Simon Fuller, Deputy Director, Rural and Environmental Science and Analytical Services and Philip Raines, Deputy Director, Domestic Climate Change, Scottish Government;

and then from—

Màiri McAllan, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Net Zero and Just Transition, Kersti Berge, Director, Energy and Climate Change and Philip Raines, Deputy Director, Domestic Climate Change, Scottish Government;

Alison Irvine, Interim Chief Executive and Kerry Twyman, Director, Finance and Corporate Services, Transport Scotland.

In relation to financial assistance for landowners, Edward Mountain declared an interest as a Partner in a family farming partnership that includes woodland, and in a wild fishery.

3. Budget Scrutiny 2024-25 (in private):

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

4. Scottish Biodiversity Strategy (draft Delivery Plan) (in private):

The Committee agreed to defer this item to its next meeting.