Minutes: 14 September 2023

1. Decision on taking business in private:

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

2. Criminal courts backlog:

The Committee took evidence from—

Neil Rennick, Director-General Education and Justice and Catriona Dalrymple, Interim Director of Justice, Scottish Government ;

Eric McQueen, Chief Executive, Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service.

3. Criminal courts backlog:

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

Stephen Boyle, Auditor General for Scotland;

Mark Taylor, Audit Director, Audit Scotland.

4. Criminal courts backlog:

The Committee considered the evidence heard at agenda items 2 and 3 and agreed to defer further consideration until follow-up written information is received from the Scottish Government.

5. Work programme:

The Committee considered its work programme and noted correspondence from the Chief Executive of NHS Scotland and Director-General for Health and Social Care in relation to NHS in Scotland 2022, and agreed to write to the Scottish Government to seek further information.

In relation to the 2021/22 audit of South Lanarkshire College, the Committee noted correspondence received from the Principal and Chief Executive of South Lanarkshire College and agreed its approach to the handling of additional correspondence received. 

The Committee noted correspondence from the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance in relation to the Administration of Scottish  income tax 2021/22.