Minutes: 26 October 2023

1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take items 3, 4 and 5 in private.

2. Scotland's colleges 2023:

The Committee took evidence from—

Stephen Boyle, Auditor General for Scotland;

Mark MacPherson, Audit Director, Tricia Meldrum, Senior Manager and Douglas Black, Audit Manager, Audit Scotland.

3. Scotland's colleges 2023 (In Private):

The Committee considered the evidence heard at agenda item 2 and took further evidence from—

Stephen Boyle, Auditor General for Scotland;

Mark MacPherson, Audit Director, Tricia Meldrum, Senior Manager and Douglas Black, Audit Manager, Audit Scotland.

4. Scotland's colleges 2023 (In Private):

The Committee considered the evidence heard at agenda items 2 and 3 and agreed to hold a roundtable evidence session with representatives from the colleges sector, followed by an evidence session with the Scottish Funding Council and the Scottish Government at future meetings.

5. Work programme (In Private):

The Committee agreed correspondence to the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee and agreed to close its scrutiny of How the Scottish Government is set up to deliver climate change goals: Governance and risk management arrangements for net zero and adaptation outcomes.

In relation to its scrutiny of new vessels for the Clyde and Hebrides: Arrangements to deliver vessels 801 and 802, the Committee considered correspondence from the Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy, dated 29 September 20323 and 4 October 2023 and agreed to write to the Cabinet Secretary. The Committee also considered correspondence from the Minister for Transport and agreed to write to the Minister.

The Committee considered the report titled "Procurement of vessels 801 and 802: Allegations of fraud" prepared by Barry Smith KC and published by Caledonian Maritime Assets (CMAL) and agreed to write to CMAL, the Scottish Government and Transport Scotland. 

The Committee agreed to close its scrutiny of the 2021/22 audit of the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland.