Minutes: 18 March 2025

1. Declaration of interests:

Graham Simpson was invited to declare any relevant interests and indicated that he had no interests to declare.

2. Decisions on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take items 5, 6 and 7 in private.

3. Building Safety and Maintenance:

The Committee took evidence from—

Sean Clerkin, Campaign Coordinator, Scottish Tenants Organisation;

Aoife Deery, Senior Social Justice Policy Officer, Citizens Advice Scotland;

Shona Gorman, Vice-Chair, Tenants Together Scotland;

Yvette Hoskins, Vice Chair, Dundee RAAC Campaign Group;

Emma Saunders, National Organiser, Living Rent;

and then from—

Peter Drummond, Chair of Practice Committee, Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland;

Gloria Lo, OiSA Designs Chartered Architect, OiSA Designs.

4. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee considered the following negative instrument—

Council Tax (Exempt Dwellings) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2025 (SSI 2025/56)

5. Building Safety and Maintenance (in private):

The Committee considered the evidence heard earlier in the meeting.

6. Scrutiny of the Scottish Housing Regulator (in private):

The Committee agreed correspondence to the Scottish Housing Regulator. 

The Committee also agreed to write to the Scottish Government, the Public Audit Committee and the Conveners Group on issues raised during its scrutiny of the Scottish Housing Regulator.

It also agreed to delegate responsibility for finalising the letters to the Convener.

7. Correspondence (in private):

The Committee agreed correspondence to the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee on committee effectiveness and the Finance and Public Administration Committee on the budget process.