Minutes: 16 January 2024

1. Declaration of interests:

The Convener welcomed Sarah Boyack, attending as a substitute for Monica Lennon, and invited her to declare any relevant interests.

Sarah Boyack declared that she is a member of a number of organisations, which she said are recorded in her register of interests. Sarah Boyack also indicated that she is a former Minister for Transport.

2. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take item 7 in private.

3. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee took evidence on the Bus Services Improvement Partnerships (Objections) (Scotland) Regulations 2024 [draft] from—

Fiona Hyslop, Minister for Transport, Scottish Government;

Bettina Sizeland, Director of Bus, Accessibility and Active Travel, Transport Scotland.

4. Subordinate legislation:

Fiona Hyslop (Minister for Transport) moved—S6M-11609—That the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee recommends that the Bus Services Improvement Partnerships (Objections) (Scotland) Regulations 2024 [draft] be approved.

The motion was agreed to. The Committee delegated to the Convener responsibility for finalising the draft report for publication.

Douglas Lumsden declared an interest as a former Councillor on Aberdeen City Council.

5. Environmental governance in Scotland:

The Committee took evidence from—

Lloyd Austin, Convener, Governance Group, Scottish Environment LINK;

Dr Shivali Fifield, Chief Officer, Environmental Rights Centre for Scotland;

Professor Sarah Hendry, Dundee Law School, University of Dundee;

Bridget Marshall, Chief Officer, Scottish Environment Protection Agency;

Professor Simon Parsons, Director of Environment, Planning and Assurance, Scottish Water;

Jamie Whittle, Convener, Environmental Law Sub-committee, Law Society of Scotland.

Ben Macpherson declared an interest as a Solicitor on the roll of Scottish Solicitors, and indicated that he is a former practising and non-practising member of the Law Society of Scotland.

6. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee considered the following negative instrument—

Bus Services Improvement Partnerships and Local Services Franchises (Provision of Information) (Scotland) Regulations 2023 (2023/368)

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

7. Environmental governance in Scotland (in private):

The Committee considered the evidence it heard earlier under agenda item 5.