Chamber and committees

A short factual report of the committee’s decision will be prepared and published. I thank the minister and his officials for joining us.

I suspend the meeting briefly to allow for a change of witnesses.

Our next item of business is the first evidence session in the committee’s post-legislative scrutiny of the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014. I welcome Joanne Davidson, from Scottish Chambers of Commerce;?Stacey Dingwall, who is head of policy and external affairs for Scotland at the Federation of Small Businesses; and Colin Smith, who is the chief executive of the Scottish Wholesale Association.?Lindsey Millen from Close the Gap is unable to attend and has sent apologies.

As always, it would be helpful if members and witnesses could keep questions and answers as concise as possible.

The committee decided to undertake this inquiry because procurement has come up as an issue in a number of our inquiries in this parliamentary session. That started with our inquiry into Scotland’s supply chain, and the matter was also raised in our town centres and retail inquiry and in various other pieces of work that we have done. In particular, we want to look at the 2014 act to see whether it has made progress in the areas in which it was hoped it would make progress, and whether we need improvements in some areas.

I will ask a general opening question then allow other members to come in, so there will be a chance to expand on answers to me. First, I am looking for the key changes that the act has made for the businesses that you represent. What has been positive about the act?

Colin, do you agree that the act should get a C+ or has the experience of your members been more positive?

Thank you, Stacey.

I will bring in Murdo Fraser, to be followed by Evelyn Tweed.

The difference in size between Fife and Clackmannanshire is quite interesting. Because Clackmannanshire is a small council, it is often felt that it does not have enough resources. They are one of the smallest and one of the biggest councils in Scotland and, although size and capacity are often an issue, they are obviously not in that case.

I am sorry to interrupt, but I just want to ask whether the model that you have described is a positive. You have said that, with winning contracts, big is in some ways better; for a start, it provides more economies of scale. However, larger businesses then subcontract to smaller companies. What is the problem with that model? Why is that not advantageous for smaller companies? The big one wins the contract, but it gives the supply to the smaller ones.

You can ask your questions. I will then allow other members to come in. Go ahead.

Okay. That brings us to the end of the evidence session. I thank the witnesses for attending. We now move into private session.

Regional transport partnerships.

You said that the food procurement process is the same as that for procuring computer equipment—it is not targeted.