Good morning and welcome to the first meeting of the Pentland Hills Regional Park Boundary Bill Committee in the fourth session of the Scottish Parliament. There is no one in the public gallery, so I do not have to instruct members of the public who wish to use tablet devices or mobile phones during the meeting to switch them to flight mode. Members may, of course, consult tablets or other electronic devices during the meeting if that is how they access their papers.
Under rule 12.1.6 of standing orders, the first meeting of a committee after it is established by the Parliament
“shall be chaired by the Oldest Committee Member until a convener is chosen.”
I appear to have the dubious privilege of being that member.
Our first agenda item is for members of the committee to declare any interests that they might have. In accordance with section 3 of the “Code of Conduct for Members of the Scottish Parliament”, I invite members to declare any interests that are relevant to the remit of the committee. I remind members that any declaration should be brief but sufficiently detailed to make clear to any neutral listener the nature of the interest.
I must ask each member individually whether they have any interests to declare, and I will start with Mike MacKenzie.