Minutes: 28 October 2021

1. Decision on taking business in private:

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

2. Community Justice: Sustainable alternatives to custody:

The Committee took evidence from—

Joe Griffin, Director-General Education and Justice, Neil Rennick, Director of Justice and Catriona Dalrymple, Deputy Director of Community Justice and Parole, Scottish Government.

3. Covid-19: Vaccination programme:

The Committee took evidence from—

Stephen Boyle, Auditor General for Scotland;

Leigh Johnston, Senior Manager and Eva Thomas-Tudo, Senior Auditor, Performance Audit and Best Value, Audit Scotland.

4. Covid-19: Vaccination programme (In Private):

The Committee considered the evidence heard at agenda item 3 and took further evidence from—

Stephen Boyle, Auditor General for Scotland;

Leigh Johnston, Senior Manager and Eva Thomas-Tudo, Senior Auditor, Performance Audit and Best Value, Audit Scotland.

The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government on issues raised during the meeting.

5. Community Justice: Sustainable alternatives to custody (In Private):

The Committee considered the evidence heard at agenda item 2 and took further evidence from—

Stephen Boyle, Auditor General for Scotland;

Antony Clark, Interim Director of Performance Audit and Best Value and Nichola Williams, Senior Auditor, Performance Audit and Best Value, Audit Scotland. 

The Committee agreed to write to the Criminal Justice Committee on issues raised during the meeting and close its scrutiny of the report.