Minutes: 27 June 2023

1. Decision on taking business in private:

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

2. Scottish Government priorities relevant to the Committee's remit:

The Committee took evidence from—

Màiri McAllan, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Net Zero and Just Transition, Alison Irvine, Chief Executive, Transport Scotland, Phil Raines, Deputy Director, Domestic Climate Change and David Signorini, Director, Environment and Forestry, Scottish Government.

Edward Mountain declared an interest as a Partner in Delfur Farms Farming Partnership, of Moray, a farming business with ancillary residential lettings.

3. UK subordinate legislation:

The Committee took evidence on the Persistent Organic Pollutants (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (UK statutory instrument proposals) from—

Màiri McAllan, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Net Zero and Just Transition and Dan Merckel, Chemicals Team Leader, Scottish Government.

4. UK subordinate legislation:

The Committee considered a proposal by the Scottish Government to consent to the UK Government legislating using the powers under the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 in relation to the following UK statutory instrument proposals—

The Persistent Organic Pollutants (Amendment) Regulations 2023

The Committee agreed that the provision set out in the notification should be included in the UK statutory instrument. The Committee also agreed to write to the Scottish Government to request a future update in relation to the UK SI.

5. Scottish Government priorities relevant to the Committee's remit (in private):

The Committee considered the evidence it heard earlier under agenda item 2.

6. Work programme (in private):

The Committee considered its work programme.

The Committee agreed—

• Its approach to scrutiny of the Circular Economy (Scotland) Bill at Stage 1, including to consider the Waste and Resources Common Framework and wider consideration of the operation of UK Internal Market Act 2020 with regard to environmental policy as part of its scrutiny of the Bill, a call for views, themes and witnesses for initial evidence sessions, and an approach to its engagement and a media strategy;
• A draft letter to the Convener of the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee regarding scrutiny of net zero aspects of Bills;
• Its main themes for remaining evidence-gathering and a future letter on pre-budget scrutiny for 2024-25;
• To hold an evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy and the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, on Scottish Government priorities relevant to the Committee's remit, at a future meeting;
• To hold an evidence session with the Minister for Transport on the Scottish Government’s transport priorities at a future meeting;
• To hold evidence sessions with ESS, NatureScot and SEPA on their annual reports and current priorities at future meetings;
• To hold an evidence session on Scottish Water’s annual report and current priorities with Scottish Water, Business Stream, the Water Industry Commissioner and Consumer Scotland at a future meeting;
• To write to the Scottish Government to further request information about the Deposit Return Scheme March 2023 Gateway Review report;
• To invite the UK Government to give evidence on the Deposit Return Scheme, Waste and Resources Common Framework and wider consideration of the operation of UK Internal Market Act 2020;
• To write to the Scottish Government and other Scottish Parliamentary committees regarding the forthcoming draft Climate Change Plan;
• To issue a call for views targeted at relevant stakeholders on the UK Emissions Trading Scheme Common Framework;
• To write to the Scottish Government to request further information in relation to Schedule 1 of the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill; and
• To write to the Scottish Government asking it to publish its response to the Session 5 Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee report on “The development and implementation of marine plans in Scotland.”