Chamber and committees

I think that “illness” is sufficient, because it puts the expectation on to the members to explain to themselves that it is a serious illness, rather than having to explain to anyone else.

Thank you. As members have no other questions, thank you very much, cabinet secretary. We will have a brief pause to allow a changeover of witnesses. Thank you to those who are leaving, and thank you to those who are staying.

Will 9 per cent remain with the Crown Estate as per the agreement?

Thank you. It is good that the money is classed as revenue, not capital, because if it had been capital, it would, under the agreement, have all had to stay with the Crown Estate.

We will park that issue there. I think that Mark Ruskell has some questions.

I think that intercatchment transfers mainly date from 1950s legislation, so they are perhaps not relevant in 2022. That is not a great approach to take in terms of biodiversity and disease transfer. I am delighted to hear that you are looking at it.

On climate change.

Agenda item 2 is the last evidence session in our inquiry into the role of local government and its cross-sectoral partners in financing and delivering a net zero Scotland. I refer members to the clerks’ and Scottish Parliament information centre papers for this item.

The committee launched the inquiry in December to look at the progress at local level in reaching net zero targets. In spring we began to look in depth at key themes and last week we heard from local government experts and leaders. Today, we will conclude with evidence from the Scottish Government.

I welcome Michael Matheson, the Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport, and Ben Macpherson, the Minister for Social Security and Local Government. I believe that you also have with you, from the Scottish Government, Gareth Fenney, head of heat networks and investment—I hope that I pronounced that right; if I did not, I apologise—Philip Raines, deputy director, domestic climate change, and Ian Storrie, head of local government finance.

We had allocated about 75 minutes for this item, but due to circumstances beyond our control we might have to reduce that slightly. Cabinet secretary, we have allowed you a brief opening statement. You will know from previous committees that you and I have attended that I like to keep that down to about two minutes maximum, so you have your two minutes, cabinet secretary.

Thank you very much, cabinet secretary. I will enjoy this session, because the committee and you have such a wide remit. There will have to be a certain amount of mental agility from you and from committee members. I look forward to that. The first questions will come from Monica Lennon.

You saved me chasing the cabinet secretary. Thank you, deputy convener. Jackie Dunbar has been sitting very quietly. It is your turn now.

I am happy with that. Monica Lennon, you have a couple of follow-ups on that.