Chamber and committees

Thank you. That was very interesting. I participated in that workshop, which was very useful. It is concerning that people cannot come forward.

I will move on to questions from Miles Briggs.

On the point about support, do you have any thoughts on whether the Scottish Government has a role in helping or encouraging councils to provide more support?

Talat Yaqoob would like to say something, but I think that her audio has gone. Maybe we will have to move on. We were doing so well.

Actually, we now have Talat Yaqoob’s picture. It is nice to see you.

Jessie Duncan wants to come in on the issue.

That concludes our questions. Thank you very much for giving evidence today along with your officials.

We are now joined virtually by our second panel of witnesses, to continue our evidence taking on understanding barriers to people seeking local elected office. I welcome Councillor Shona Morrison, who is the president of COSLA. This is the first time that you have joined the committee in your new role, Shona, so I give you a big warm welcome. Councillor Morrison is joined by Alexis Camble, who is policy and participation officer for equalities at COSLA.

Before I open the session to questions from members, I invite Councillor Morrison to make a short opening statement.

It is great that you were able to listen to our previous panel. You will have heard me asking for thoughts about representation of young women in local authorities. Do you have anything more to say about the even greater challenges that young women face to being elected?

There is an issue with managing agendas, which I am busy doing this morning.

Does anyone else want to come in on that?

Cara Davidson mentioned amendments, but what they will be and when they will come seems to be a mystery. What role will the Scottish Parliament have in scrutinising outputs from the discussions that you have been having?