Minutes: 26 September 2023

1. Decision on taking business in private:

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

2. Circular Economy (Scotland) Bill:

The Committee took evidence on the Bill at Stage 1 from—

Cat Hay, Head of Policy, Food and Drink Federation Scotland;

Ewan MacDonald-Russell, Deputy Head, Scottish Retail Consortium;

Colin Smith, Chief Executive, Scottish Wholesale Association.

3. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee took evidence on the Deposit and Return Scheme for Scotland (Miscellaneous Amendment) Regulations 2023 [draft] from—

Lorna Slater, Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity, Ailsa Heine, Solicitor, David McPhee, Deputy Director, Deposit Return Scheme and Haydn Thomas, Head of Deposit Return Scheme Unit, Scottish Government.

4. Subordinate legislation:

Lorna Slater (Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity) moved—S6M-09842—That the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee recommends that the Deposit and Return Scheme for Scotland (Miscellaneous Amendment) Regulations 2023 [draft] be approved.

The motion was agreed to. The Committee agreed to delegate to the Convener authority to finalise a draft report for publication.

5. Circular Economy (Scotland) Bill (in private):

The Committee considered the evidence it heard earlier under agenda item 2 and its approach to future evidence and engagement. The Committee agreed witness panels for future evidence sessions and agreed to delegate to the Convener authority to confirm alternative witnesses if required.

Jackie Dunbar declared an interest as a former Councillor for Aberdeen City Council.

6. Scotland's Deposit Return Scheme (in private):

The Committee considered the evidence it heard earlier under agenda item 3.

7. Energy Bill (UK Parliament legislation) (in private):

The Committee considered its approach to the second supplementary legislative consent memorandum (LCM-S6-26b) lodged by Neil Gray (Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy).

The Committee considered a draft report. An amendment was agreed to and the Committee agreed the report for publication.