Minutes: 24 September 2024

1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take items 3 and 4 in private.

2. Pre-Budget Scrutiny 2025-26:

The Committee took evidence as part of its pre-budget scrutiny for 2025-26 from—

Jo Armstrong, Chair and Derek Yule, Member, Accounts Commission;

Blyth Deans, Audit Director and Lucy Jones, Audit Manager, Audit Scotland;

and then from—

Dr Jonathan Carr-West, Chief Executive, Local Government Information Unit (LGIU);

Abdool Kara, Executive Director, National Audit Office.

3. Pre-Budget Scrutiny 2025-26 (in private):

The Committee considered the evidence heard earlier in the meeting.

4. Work programme (in private):

The Committee considered its work programme:

In relation to it inquiries into the Scottish Housing Regulator and Scottish Public Services Ombudsman, the Committee agreed to:

•  requests for anonymous publication of submissions;
•  a request for a submission to treated on a confidential basis by the Committee; and
•  to delegate the consideration of future requests to the Convener provided that the requests are of a similar nature to those under consideration at this meeting.

The Committee also agreed to respond to the Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee’s call for views on its inquiry into Framework legislation and Henry VIII powers and to consider a draft response at a future meeting.