Seòmar agus comataidhean

My question is for Maggie Sandison. I think that both witnesses have already touched on this, but could variations in the voter-to-councillor ratio across wards impact on effective and convenient local government? Obviously, the issue is relevant to the isles, so I would like to hear your thoughts on it.

Thank you for that, Maggie. I ask the same question of Douglas Hendry and then Derek Mackay.

Okay. Thank you.

On that point—and this might be anecdotal—when complaints and cases come in, does the member of the public who is complaining understand the details of the 2021 act, or does the complaint come in and you then have to say that it relates to paragraph 7 or whatever of the code of conduct? Do complainants quote the act? I am just trying to get an understanding. Is there a better understanding of the code itself or is it just that, as you said, people have had more time and send in something general that they think is out of order? I am trying to understand the balance.

I take it that there is appropriate feedback. If a case or a complaint comes in, there is feedback as to why it not possible to go any further.

Yes—it leads on to my question. The “Diversity Delivers” strategy is important and was the first equal opportunities strategy on ministerial appointments. I understand that a change to primary legislation is needed if it is to be updated. What process would that entail?

Thanks for that.

Convener, I seek your guidance, and we can probably get guidance from the clerk as well. I attended the first meeting of the CPG on independent convenience stores, but not as an office bearer. I arrived at the meeting late and was not party to the discussions. However, we should probably take a view on whether I should take part in this discussion—I want to check that.

The second point that I want to make, before we get on to the discussion, is about our own role in CPGs. We will all be involved in various CPGs—maybe as members, maybe as conveners—and I think that, for the clarity, openness and transparency of this committee going forward, it would be good to discuss our own positions as either conveners or members of CPGs and to have guidance on that.

You do not want facetious complaints coming in. If there is that feedback to members of the public, and if they understand it, that is an important part of the service.

Thank you for that. I have a supplementary question. Is there a formal process in place for new board members to give feedback on their induction and their on-going training? Is there a stage—after, say, three months, six months or a year—when they can feed back and, if the feedback is positive or negative, that can be amended or changed? Is there a formal process whereby board members have that opportunity?