Minutes: 23 February 2023

1. Decision on taking business in private:

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

2. The 2021/22 audit of the Scottish Government Consolidated Accounts and Scotland's public finances: Challenges and risks:

The Committee took  evidence on the section 22 report and briefing from—

John-Paul Marks, Permanent Secretary, Colin Cook, Director of Economic Development , Alison Cumming, Director of Budget and Public Spending and Jackie McAllister, Chief Financial Officer, Scottish Government.

3. The 2021/22 audit of the Scottish Government Consolidated Accounts and Scotland's public finances: Challenges and risks (In Private):

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

Stephen Boyle, Auditor General for Scotland;

Michael Oliphant, Audit Director and Richard Robinson, Senior Manager, Audit Scotland.

4. The 2021/22 audit of the Scottish Government Consolidated Accounts and Scotland's public finances: Challenges and risks (In Private):

The Committee considered the evidence heard at agenda items 2 and 3 and agreed to write to the Scottish Government on issues raised during the meeting.

The Committee also agreed to close its scrutiny of the 2020/21 audit of the Scottish Government Consolidated Accounts.

5. New vessels for the Clyde and Hebrides: Arrangements to deliver vessels 801 and 802(In Private):

The Committee considered its draft report and agreed a number of changes, some by division. The Committee agreed to continue consideration of the draft report at a future meeting.

The meeting was suspended at 11:31 and reconvened at 13:05.