Minutes: 09 February 2022

1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take item 6 in private. The Committee also agreed to consider a draft letter on the draft National Planning Framework 4 in private at its next meeting.

2. Draft National Planning Framework 4:

The Committee took evidence from—

Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands;

Tom Arthur, Minister for Public Finance, Planning and Community Wealth;

Jill Barber, Head of Aquaculture Development; Cara Davidson, Branch Head: Environment and Natural Resources; Andy Kinnaird, Head of Planning Transformation; Philip Raines, Head of Rural Economy and Communities Division; and Fiona Simpson, Chief Planner, Scottish Government.

3. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee took evidence on the Aquaculture and Fisheries etc. (Scheme for Financial Assistance) (Scotland) Regulations 2022 from—

Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands; 

Caroline Cowan, Interim Deputy Director Funding and Strategy, Marine Scotland; Ian Hepburn, Future Marine Funding Strategy Team Lead, Marine Scotland; and Emma Phillips, Scottish Government Legal Directorate, Scottish Government.

4. Subordinate legislation:

Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands moved—

S6M-02734 — That the Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment Committee recommends that the Aquaculture and Fisheries etc. (Scheme for Financial Assistance) (Scotland) Regulations 2022 [draft] be approved.

The Committee agreed (by division: For 7, Against 1, Abstentions 1).

5. Good Food Nation (Scotland) Bill:

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

Jayne Jones, National Chair of ASSIST FM Food and Drink, Argyll & Bute Council;

Mark Hunter, Strategic Lead Food and Facilities Support, East Ayrshire Council;

Mike Callaghan, COSLA Policy Manager, COSLA.

6. Draft National Planning Framework 4 (In Private):

The Committee reviewed the evidence heard earlier in the meeting.

7. Good Food Nation (Scotland) Bill (In Private):

The Committee reviewed the evidence heard earlier in the meeting.