The Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) produced one new briefing this week:
Health and Sport Committee
7 October 2014
26th Meeting, 2014
The Committee will meet at 9.45 am in the Robert Burns Room (CR1)
1. Decision on taking business in private: The Committee will decide whether to take item 3 in private and whether its consideration of the draft report should be taken in private at future meetings.
2. Mental Health (Scotland) Bill: The Committee will take evidence on the Bill at Stage 1 from—
Colin Fraser, Mental Health Officer, Glasgow City Council Social Work Services;
Beth Hall, Policy Manager, Health and Social Care Team, COSLA;
Dr John Gillies, Chair, RCGP Scotland;
Dr Ruth Stocks, Chair, British Psychological Society Division of Clinical Psychology Scotland, British Psychological Society;
Dr John Crichton, Chair, Faculty of Forensic Psychiatry, Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland;
Derek Barron, Chair, Mental Health Nursing Forum Scotland;
Karin Campbell, Chair (Principal Mental Health Officer, Highland Council), Social Work Scotland Mental Health.
3. Health Inequalities: The Committee will consider a draft report.
Proposed future business
At its next meeting, on 28 October, the Committee expects to consider the draft 2015-2016 budget.
Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee
7 October 2014
28th Meeting, 2014
The Committee will meet at 10.00 am in the Adam Smith Room (CR5)
1. Decision on taking business in private: The Committee will decide whether to take items 7, 8 and future consideration of the Mental Health (Scotland) Bill at Stage 1 in private.
2. Legal Writings (Counterparts and Delivery) (Scotland) Bill: The Committee will take evidence on the Bill at Stage 1 from—
Professor George Gretton, Lord President Reid Professor of Law, and Dr Gillian Black, Senior Lecturer in Law, University of Edinburgh;
Dr Ross Anderson, Junior Counsel, Ampersand Advocates and Honorary Research Fellow, University of Glasgow;
and then from—
Stephen Hart, Legal Counsel, Braveheart Investment Group plc;
Stuart Clarke, Head of Legal Services, Scottish Enterprise;
and then from—
Christopher Kerr, Head of Legislation and Legal Policy, and Kenny Crawford, Commercial Services Director, Registers of Scotland.
3. Instruments subject to affirmative procedure: The Committee will consider the following—
Road Traffic Act 1988 (Prescribed Limit) (Scotland) Regulations 2014 [draft].
4. Instruments subject to negative procedure: The Committee will consider the following—
South Arran Marine Conservation Order 2014 (SSI 2014/260);
Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) (Scotland) Amendment (No. 2) Regulations 2014 (SSI 2014/249);
Legal Aid and Assistance By Way of Representation (Fees for Time at Court and Travelling) (Scotland) Regulations 2014 (SSI 2014/257).
5. Instruments not subject to any parliamentary procedure: The Committee will consider the following—
Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 (Commencement No. 3) Order 2014 (SSI 2014/251 (C.22)).
6. Courts Reform (Scotland) Bill: The Committee will consider the delegated powers provisions in this Bill after Stage 2.
7. Mental Health (Scotland) Bill: The Committee will consider further the delegated powers provisions in this Bill at Stage 1.
8. Welfare Funds (Scotland) Bill: The Committee will consider a draft report to the Welfare Reform Committee.
9. Report on instruments considered by the Committee during 2013-14 (in private): The Committee will consider a draft report outlining the work of the Committee during the parliamentary year 2013-14.
10. Legal Writings (Counterparts and Delivery) (Scotland) Bill (in private): The Committee will consider the evidence it heard over the course of the last two meetings.
Proposed future business
At its next meeting, on 28 October, the Committee expects to consider subordinate legislation and take evidence from the Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism on the Legal Writings (Counterparts and Delivery) (Scotland) Bill.
Education and Culture Committee
7 October 2014
23rd Meeting, 2014
The Committee will meet at 10.00 am in the James Clerk Maxwell Room (CR4)
1. Curriculum for Excellence: National Qualifications: The Committee will take evidence from—
Michael Russell, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, Scottish Government;
Bill Maxwell, Chief Executive, Education Scotland;
Fiona Robertson, Director of Learning, Scottish Government.
Welfare Reform Committee
7 October 2014
14th Meeting, 2014
The Committee will meet at 10.00 am in the Mary Fairfax Somerville Room (CR2)
1. Welfare Funds (Scotland) Bill: The Committee will take evidence, in a round-table discussion on the Bill at Stage 1 from—
Derek Young, Policy Officer, Age Scotland;
Mark Ballard, Head of Policy, Barnardo's Scotland;
Marion Davis, Head of Policy & Research, One Parent Families Scotland;
Scott Robertson, Operational Manager, Quarriers;
Lynn Williams, Policy Officer, Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations;
and then from—
Jon Shaw, Welfare Rights Worker, Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) in Scotland;
Beth Reid, Policy Officer, Citizens Advice Scotland;
Jules Oldham, National Policy & Practice Coordinator, Homeless Action Scotland;
Bill Scott, Director of Policy, Inclusion Scotland;
Paolo Mazzoncini, Director of Operations East, Sacro;
Duncan Dunlop, Chief Executive, Who Cares? Scotland.
2. Welfare Funds (Scotland) Bill (in private): The Committee will consider the evidence it has received on the Bill.
Proposed future business
At its next meeting, on 28 October, the Committee expects to take evidence on the Welfare Funds (Scotland) Bill.
Justice Committee
7 October 2014
25th Meeting, 2014
The Committee will meet at 10.30 am in the David Livingstone Room (CR6)
1. Decisions on taking business in private: The Committee will decide whether to take items 3, 4 and 5 in private.
2. Child sexual exploitation: The Committee will take evidence from—
Catriona Dalrymple, Head of Policy Division, and Stephen McGowan, Procurator Fiscal, Major Crime and Fatalities Investigation, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service;
Assistant Chief Constable Malcolm Graham, Police Scotland.
3. Draft Budget Scrutiny 2015-16: The Committee will further consider its approach to the scrutiny of the Scottish Government's Draft Budget 2015-16.
4. Work programme: The Committee will consider its work programme.
5. Criminal Justice and Courts Bill (UK Parliament legislation): The Committee will consider a draft report.
Proposed future business
At its next meeting, on 28 October, the Committee expects to take evidence on the Assisted Suicide (Scotland) Bill at Stage 1.
Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee
8 October 2014
23rd Meeting, 2014
The Committee will meet at 9.00 am in the James Clerk Maxwell Room (CR4)
1. Decision on taking business in private: The Committee will decide whether to take item 7 in private.
2. Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill (UK Parliament legislation): The Committee will take
evidence on legislative consent memorandum LCM(S4) 31.1 from—
Fergus Ewing, Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism, Scottish Government;
Chris Boyland, Head of Strategic Reform, Accountant in Bankruptcy;
David McPhee, Head of Business and Energy Unit, Office of the Chief Economic Adviser;
Elaine Drennan, Head of Employability, Skills and Lifelong Learning Analysis, Educational Analytical Services;
Neil MacLeod, Principle Legal Officer, Solicitors Constitutional and Civil Law.
3. Subordinate legislation: The Committee will take evidence on:
Bankruptcy and Debt Advice (Scotland) Act 2014 (Consequential Provisions) Order 2014 [draft];
Bankruptcy (Money Advice and Deduction from Income etc.) (Scotland) Regulations 2014 [draft];
Common Financial Tool etc. (Scotland) Regulations 2014 [draft];
Debt Arrangement Scheme (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2014 [draft];
from—
Fergus Ewing, Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism, Scottish Government;
Claire Orr, Executive Director Policy and Compliance, and Chris Boyland, Head of Strategic Reform, Accountant in Bankruptcy;
Graham Fisher, Scottish Government Legal Directorate.
4. Subordinate legislation: Fergus Ewing (Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism) to move—
S4M-11068—That the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee recommends that the Bankruptcy and Debt Advice (Scotland) Act 2014 (Consequential Provisions) Order 2014 [draft] be approved.
S4M-11069—That the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee recommends that the Bankruptcy (Money Advice and Deduction from Income etc.) (Scotland) Regulations 2014 [draft] be approved;
S4M-11070—That the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee recommends that the Common Financial Tool etc. (Scotland) Regulations 2014 [draft] be approved;
S4M-11071—That the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee recommends that the Debt Arrangement Scheme (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2014 [draft] be approved;
5. Subordinate legislation: The Committee will consider the following negative instruments—
Bankruptcy (Scotland) Regulations 2014 (SSI 2014/225)
Bankruptcy (Applications and Decisions) Regulations 2014 (SSI 2014/226)
Bankruptcy Fees (Scotland) Regulations 2014 (SSI 2014/227)
6. Draft Budget Scrutiny 2015-16: The Committee will take evidence on the Scottish Government's Draft Budget 2015-16 from—
Garry Clark, Head of Policy and Public Affairs, Scottish Chambers of Commerce;
Stephen Boyd, Assistant Secretary, Scottish Trades Union Congress;
James Withers, Chief Executive, Scotland Food and Drink;
Iain McTaggart, General Manager and Company Secretary, Scottish Council for Development and Industry.
7. Review of evidence heard: The Committee will review the evidence heard at today's meeting.
Proposed future business
At its next meeting, on 29 October, the Committee expects to consider the Scottish Government's Draft Budget 2015-16 and its approach to the inquiry into Maximising Scotland's Export Potential.
Finance Committee
8 October 2014
25th Meeting, 2014
The Committee will meet at 9.30 am in the Adam Smith Room (CR5)
1. Decision on taking business in private: The Committee will decide whether to take item 5 in private.
2. Further fiscal devolution: The Committee will take evidence from—
Professor David Bell, and David Eiser, Research Fellow, University of Stirling.
3. Draft Budget Scrutiny 2015-16: The Committee will take evidence in a roundtable format on preventative spending from—
Lynn Brown, Deputy Chief Executive and Executive Director of Finance, Glasgow City Council;
Laura Friel, Executive Director of Finance and Corporate Support, North Ayrshire Council;
Iona Colvin, Director of Health and Social Care Partnership, North Ayrshire Council/NHS Ayrshire and Arran;
Roddy Burns, Chief Executive, Moray Council;
Pamela Gowans, Chief Officer of Health and Social Care Integration, NHS Grampian.
4. Community Empowerment (Scotland) Bill: The Committee will take evidence on the Financial Memorandum from—
Dr Amanda Fox, Food and Drink Policy, Heather Holmes, Head of Community Assets Branch, and Ian Turner, Bill Team Leader, Scottish Government.
5. Work programme: The Committee will consider its work programme.
Proposed future business
At its next meeting, on 29 October, the Committee will continue to take evidence on Draft Budget 2015-16.
Local Government and Regeneration Committee
8 October 2014
25th Meeting, 2014
The Committee will meet at 9.30 am in the Robert Burns Room (CR1)
1. Community Empowerment (Scotland) Bill: The Committee will take evidence on the Bill at Stage 1 from—
Archie MacGregor, Head of Community Ownership Support Service, and Alan Thomson, Head of Corporate Relations, Scottish Water;
John Hosie, Community Regeneration and Health Manager, Dundee City Council;
Lizanne McMurrich, Head of Information and Learning, and Leisure Facilities, North Lanarkshire Council;
Judith Proctor, Corporate Lead Integration and General Manager Moray CHP, NHS Grampian;
and then from—
John Glover, Scotland Community Land Advisor, Community Land Advisory Service;
Martin Doherty, Policy Advisor, Volunteer Scotland;
Robin Parker, Public Affairs Officer, Barnardo's Scotland;
Maggie Paterson, Chair of Community Learning and Development Managers Scotland, Community Learning and Development Managers Scotland;
Linda Gillespie, Programme Manager, Development Trusts Association Scotland;
and then from—
Dewi Morgan, Chair, Old Aberdeen Community Council;
Ryan Currie, Project Manager, Reeltime Music;
Teresa Aitken, Glenboig Neighbourhood House;
Alice Bovill, St Mary's Centre Dundee;
Yvonne Tosh, Douglas Community Open Spaces Group Dundee.
2. Community Empowerment (Scotland) Bill (in private): The Committee will consider the evidence recieved at the meeting.
Proposed future business
At its next meeting, on 27 October the Committee will be meeting in Dumfries. At its meeting the Committee expects to consider the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Bill with oral evidence from Local Authorities, Third Sector groups and Community Bodies.
Public Audit Committee
8 October 2014
16th Meeting, 2014
The Committee will meet at 9.30 am in the David Livingstone Room (CR6)
1. Decision on taking business in private: The Committee will decide whether to take item 5, 6 and 7 in private.
2. Section 23 report - Accident and Emergency - Performance update: The Committee will take evidence on the Auditor General for Scotland report entitled "Accident and Emergency - Performance update" from—
Paul Gray, Director General Health & Social Care and Chief Executive NHS Scotland, John Connaghan, Director for Health Workforce and Performance, John Matheson, Director Finance, eHealth and Pharmaceuticals, Professor Jason Leitch, Clinical Director, The Quality Unit, and Dr Aileen Keel, Acting Chief Medical Officer, Scottish Government.
3. Section 22 report - The 2013/14 audit of the Scottish Government Consolidated Accounts: The Committee will take evidence on the Auditor General for Scotland's report entitled "The 2013/14 audit of the Scottish Government Consolidated Accounts - Common Agricultural Policy Futures programme" from—
Caroline Gardner, Auditor General for Scotland;
Mark Taylor, Assistant Director, and Gemma Diamond, Senior Manager, Audit Scotland.
4. Major Capital Projects: The Committee will consider the Scottish Government's September 2014 Major Capital Projects progress update.
5. Section 23 report: Accident and Emergency- Performance update: The Committee will consider the evidence recieved at Agenda item 2 and take evidence from—
Caroline Gardner, Auditor General for Scotland;
Angela Canning, Assistant Director, Tricia Meldrum, Senior Manager, and Catherine Young, Project Manager, Audit Scotland.
6. Consideration of approach: The Committee will consider its approach to the Auditor General for Scotland's report entitled "The 2013/14 audit of the Scottish Government Consolidated Accounts - Common Agricultural Policy Futures programme" and take evidence from—
Caroline Gardner, Auditor General for Scotland;
Mark Taylor, Assistant Director, and Gemma Diamond, Senior Manager, Audit Scotland.
7. Work programme and working practices: The Committee will consider its future work programme and working practices.
Proposed future business
At its next meeting it is expected that the Committee will take evidence on reports recently published by the Auditor General for Scotland.
Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee
8 October 2014
25th Meeting, 2014
The Committee will meet at 9.30 am in the Sir Alexander Fleming Room (CR3)
1. Decision on taking business in private: The Committee will decide whether to take at item 4 in private.
2. Scotland's climate change targets: The Committee will take evidence from—
Paul Wheelhouse, Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Jim Gilmour, Policy Adviser, Directorate for Energy and Climate Change, and John Ireland, Deputy Director of Low Carbon Economy Division, Scottish Government.
3. The Crown Estate: The Committee will take evidence from—
Gareth Baird, Scottish Commissioner, Ronnie Quinn, Lead for Energy and Infrastructure in Scotland, and Alan Laidlaw, Rural and Coastal Portfolio Manager, Scotland, The Crown Estate.
4. Community Empowerment (Scotland) Bill: The Committee will consider its approach to scrutiny of Part 4 of the Bill at Stage 1.
Infrastructure and Capital Investment Committee
8 October 2014
23rd Meeting, 2014
The Committee will meet at 10.00 am in the Mary Fairfax Somerville Room (CR2)
1. Decision on taking business in private: The Committee will decide whether to take item 5 and 6 in private.
2. Homelessness in Scotland: The Committee will take evidence from—
Margaret Burgess, Minister for Housing and Welfare, Marion Gibbs, Team Leader, Homelessness, and John Sharkey, Policy Officer, Homelessness, Scottish Government.
3. Deregulation Bill (UK Parliament legislation): The Committee will consider the legislative consent memorandum lodged by the Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities (LCM(S4)30.2).
4. Subordinate legislation: The Committee will consider the following negative instrument—
Homeless Persons (Unsuitable Accommodation) (Scotland) Order 2014 (SSI 2014/243)
5. Inquiries: The Committee will consider proposals for potential inquiries into freight fransport in Scotland and digital participation and exclusion in Scotland.
6. Homelessness in Scotland: The Committee will consider the evidence heard, and discuss its next steps.
Proposed future business
At its next meeting, on 29 Oct, the Committee expects to take evidence on the Draft Budget 2015-16.
European and External Relations Committee
9 October 2014
18th Meeting, 2014
The Committee will meet at 9.00 am in the Robert Burns Room (CR1)
1. Brussels Bulletin: The Committee will consider the latest issue of the Brussels Bulletin.
2. Scottish Government’s Action Plan on European Engagement: The Committee will take evidence from—
Fiona Hyslop MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs, and Craig Egner, Head of European Relations Team, Scottish Government.
3. The Presidency of the Council of the European Union The Committee will take evidence from—
Pasquale Terracciano, Italian Ambassador to the United Kingdom.
Proposed future business
At its next meeting, on 30 October 2014, the Committee will consider its approach to the Scottish Government's draft budget 2015-16.
Equal Opportunities Committee
9 October 2014
16th Meeting, 2014
The Committee expects to consider its approach to the scrutiny of the Scottish Government’s Draft Budget 2015-16 and its work programme.
Justice Sub-Committee on Policing
9 October 2014
9th Meeting, 2014
The Committee expects to meet in the David Livingstone Room (CR6) to take evidence on independent custody visiting.
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