Minutes: 24 May 2023

1. Decision on taking business in private:

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

2. National Islands Plan Annual Report 2022:

The Committee took evidence from—

Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, supported by Erica Clarkson, Head of Islands Policy, Nicola Crook, National Islands Plan Team Leader, Cameron Anson, Repopulation and Island Communities Policy Manager and Professor Francesco Sindico, Carbon Neutral Islands Team Leader, Scottish Government.

3. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee considered the following negative instrument—

Bee Diseases and Pests Control (Scotland) (Amendment) Order 2023.

The Committee agreed to make no recommendations in relation to the instrument.

4. Annual Report 2022-23(In Private):

The Committee considered a draft Annual Report for the parliamentary year from 13 May 2022 to 12 May 2023.  The report was agreed for publication.

5. National Islands Plan Annual Report 2022(In Private):

The Committee considered the evidence it heard earlier in the meeting.

6. Work programme(In Private):

The Committee considered its work programme. The Committee agreed the oral evidence sessions for its scrutiny of the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill at Stage 1.