Minutes: 19 May 2022

1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take items 2 and 4 in private.

2. Work programme (In Private):

The Committee considered its work programme.

In relation to its scrutiny of the report: New Vessels for the Clyde and Hebrides: Arrangements to deliver vessels 801 and 802, the Committee agreed to invite the current Chief Executive and former Chair of Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited to give oral evidence at a future meeting. It also agreed to invite the Director and Chief Executive of Fergusson Marine Engineering Limited to give oral evidence, on a separate panel, at a future meeting.

The Committee agreed to seek written evidence from the former Chief Executive of Transport Scotland, the former Director-General for Enterprise, Environment and Innovation and the former Minister for Transport and Islands, Scottish Government. 

The Committee agreed to close its scrutiny of the 2020/21 audit of Scottish Canals.

3. Major Capital Projects: Accountability and governance arrangements:

The Committee took evidence from—

Helen Carter, Deputy Director Infrastructure and Investment, Nick Ford, Director of Scottish Procurement and Property, Alan Morrison, Deputy Director Health Infrastructure, Investment and PPE and Andrew Watson, Director for Budget and Public Spending, Scottish Government;

Lawrence Shackman, Director, Major Projects, Transport Scotland.

4. Major Capital Projects: Accountability and governance arrangements (In Private):

The Committee considered the evidence heard at agenda item 3 and took further evidence from—

Stephen Boyle, Auditor General for Scotland;

Morag Campsie, Senior Manager, Audit Services, Audit Scotland.

The Committee agreed to decide its next steps at a future meeting.