Seòmar agus comataidhean

I have none that I am aware of.

No, I am not.

Good morning, minister. First, I declare an interest as a former local councillor, as I am about to ask a question in that regard.

When I became a local councillor for Aberdeen City Council, I was PVG checked. Will the elected member role be classed as a mandatory role in the new scheme?

We have been hearing evidence about how the bill will work in practice, and I heard what you said about children being given choice and flexibility.

We heard in evidence that pupils could opt out of the residentials altogether, or would not have to do it all at once. A question was also raised about what would happen if a pupil changed schools. In that regard, is there a national system in place just now that could be adapted to ensure that, if a child opts out of a residential trip but decides later that they want to opt back in, that could be tracked? That would ensure that every pupil gets the same chance and experience.

I just want to find out whether local authority elected members will be part of the mandatory scheme, given that they undertake duties that involve vulnerable adults and young children. When I was at Aberdeen City Council, I was under the presumption that being in the scheme was mandatory, so I just wonder whether it is mandatory in the new scheme.

Are you saying that we would have to get our own data system? Am I right in thinking that there would be additional costs involved in that?

If we are going to get it right for every child, we must ensure that our pupils with additional support needs can access residential outdoor education as well. How can we ensure that they get the same benefits? We want every child to get the same benefits, irrespective of whether they are neurodivergent or whether they have additional support needs.

If the bill proceeds, do you know if there is capacity in the system to meet the increase in demand?

I am just trying to find out whether being in the scheme will be mandatory moving forward. I was under the impression that it was mandatory. I am just trying to find out whether it actually is—that is all.

It predates my time here, too.