Minutes: 11 March 2025

1. Decisions on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take items 4 and 5 in private.

2. Public petitions:

The Committee considered the following petitions—

PE1743: Amend the law to protect the rights of pre-1989 Scottish Secure Tenants. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders and to write to the Scottish Government highlighting the need for continued engagement with rented sector stakeholders on this issue.

PE1778: Review the Scottish Landlords Register scheme. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders. 

PE1912: Funding for council venues. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders. 

Mark Griffin MSP indicated he is a member of Unite the Union and the GMB Union.

3. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee considered the following negative instruments—

Non-Domestic Rate (Scotland) Order 2025 (SSI 2025/37)

Non-Domestic Rates (Levying and Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Regulations 2025 ( SSI 2025/38)

Non-Domestic Rates (Transitional Relief) (Scotland) Regulations 2025 (SSI 2025/39)

Non-Domestic Rates (Hospitality Relief) (Scotland) Regulations 2025 (SSI 2025/40)

Local Government Pension Scheme (Scotland) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (SSI 2025/48)

The Committee agreed to make no recommendations in relation to the instruments.

4. Correspondence (in private):

The Committee considered correspondence from the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee and the Finance and Public Administration Committee and agreed to consider draft responses at a future meeting.

5. Heat in Buildings (in private):

The Committee discussed a pre-legislative approach to the proposed bill on heat in buildings and forthcoming draft climate change plan. The Committee agreed to consider further proposals for visits and a call for views at a future meeting.