Minutes: 05 March 2025

1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take agenda items 4, 5 and 6 in private.

2. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take its meeting on Wednesday 12 March 2025 in private.

3. Fiscal sustainability and public reform in Scotland:

The Committee took evidence from—

John-Paul Marks, Permanent Secretary, Lesley Fraser, Director-General Corporate, Joe Griffin, Director-General Strategy and External Affairs and Alyson Stafford, Director-General Scottish Exchequer, Scottish Government.

4. Fiscal sustainability and public reform in Scotland (In Private):

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

Stephen Boyle, Auditor General for Scotland;

Carole Grant, Audit Director, Richard Robinson, Senior Manager and Fiona Diggle, Audit Manager, Audit Scotland.

5. Fiscal sustainability and public reform in Scotland (In Private):

The Committee considered the evidence it heard at agenda items 3 and 4 and agreed to await further follow up written information from the Scottish Government before considering its next steps.

6. Work programme (In Private):

The Committee considered its work programme and in relation to the 2023/24 audit of the Water Industry Commission for Scotland, agreed to write to the Water Industry Commission for Scotland and the Scottish Government.

In relation to Alcohol and drug services, the Committee agreed to write to the Criminal Justice, Health, Social Care and Sport and Social Justice and Social Security Committees and in doing so, close its scrutiny of the report.

The Committee considered correspondence from the Auditor General for Scotland and agreed to consider the briefing on Additional support for learning as part of its work programme.