Seòmar agus comataidhean

It is estimated that a third of the population is entitled to free bus travel, which is provided to older and young people and to disabled people. Do you think those are the right groups to focus on? I put that question to Paul White first.

Mick, do you have any comments?

Obviously, Strathclyde Partnership for Transport offers a concessionary rail travel scheme.

Do you want to come in, Paul?

Councillors would very much welcome that. As I mentioned, I was a councillor previously, so I get it.

We heard that some councils are unhappy with the current funding formula. Will the fiscal framework and related work address those concerns?

As has been mentioned, one of the new deal’s stated priorities is tackling poverty. Some people feel that the current funding formula does not recognise or give enough weight to poverty and deprivation levels. Will you consider that issue?

I direct members to my entry in the register of members’ interests. I was a councillor in West Dunbartonshire until 2022.

Councillor Heddle, do you have any points to make on community councils?

Sarah Watters, would you like to make any further points?

Good morning, ministers, and Councillor Heddle and officials. It is great to see you here this morning—we really appreciate your time.

I will touch on community councils. They have been around for many years—50 years, in fact. What role do you see them having in helping to deliver on the aspirations of the Verity house agreement?

I have two other questions. Should legislation be used to give community councils an enhanced role in local democracy? Are you confident that they are sufficiently representative of the local communities that they serve?

Minister, the new deal states that the local government settlement will be simplified and consolidated. Will you expand on how you are progressing towards a settlement and on the benefits that that approach will deliver?

It is good to see you all at the committee. Understandably, the session has focused on processing times. I found your written submission very helpful. Social Security Scotland and the DWP have different approaches. Illustrating that point, in section 12 of your submission, you state that both the CDP and ADP

“improve significantly on the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefits which they replace.”

To give some context for what we are dealing with, can you expand on what you mean by that?