Minutes: 14 January 2025

1. Decision on taking business in private:

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

2. Housing inquiry and budget scrutiny 2025-26:

The Committee took evidence from—

Paul McLennan, Minister for Housing, Scottish Government, Kirsty Henderson, Affordable Housing Supply Programme Manager, More Homes Division, Will Tyler-Greig, Deputy Director, More Homes Division and Lauren McNamara, Interim Deputy Director, Housing Emergency.

3. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee considered the following negative instrument—

Town and Country Planning (Fees for Applications) (Scotland) Amendment (Amendment) Regulations 2024

4. Housing inquiry and budget scrutiny 2025-26:

The Committee considered the evidence heard earlier in the meeting. The Committee agreed to:

• Write to local authorities and the Scottish Government on the evidence heard and to delegate responsibility to the Convener for finalising the letter; and

• To report on its Housing Inquiry. 

5. Work programme:

The Committee considered its work programme and agreed:

• To hold a short inquiry on council tax reform. It agreed to:
  • Write to the Joint Working Group on Sources of Local Government Funding and Council Tax Reform;
  • Themes and witnesses for evidence sessions, and to delegate responsibility to the Convener for finalising witnesses.

• To consider an approach to wider consideration of local taxation at a future meeting.

• A response to correspondence from the Standards Commission for Scotland and to delegate responsibility to the Convener for finalising the letter.