Seòmar agus comataidhean

Good morning. We had the Accounts Commission with us last week—we talked about challenges, and the issue of inequalities was mentioned. I want to get your views on that, given that inequalities have become more entrenched in the past 18 months as a result of Covid.

In the previous session, we spoke with the cabinet secretary about building resilience in our communities and about the resources that we need to ensure that we do not miss opportunities arising from how communities have stood up in the past 18 months or so.

My final question, which I also raised with the cabinet secretary, is about the role of economic development units. As you will know if you listened to the previous session, I spoke to the Economic Development Association Scotland about the importance of those units in our economic recovery. What are your views on that? What are you hearing from economic development colleagues in councils about how we can enhance their role?

Yesterday, I met the Economic Development Association Scotland, which represents economic development professionals. One issue that was mentioned was the role of economic development units in local authorities. They are big facilitators when it comes to economic recovery, so how can we enhance their role?

I refer to my entry in the register of members’ interests. I am a councillor on East Lothian Council.

Given the possibility of continued one-year UK Government budgets, is there a way in which the Scottish Government could provide local government and the third sector with long-term budget certainty over the next parliamentary session, perhaps with indicative budgets?

As we recover economically from Covid, councils’ abilities to support that recovery are key. Services in areas such as economic development, planning, environment and health are fundamental to that objective. Can you comment on spend levels on those services across Scotland and say whether there are divergences in that? What impact if any is that having on economic recovery?

Like Meghan Gallacher, I am a councillor—on East Lothian Council—and like Mark Griffin, I own a property, which is in the East Lothian Council area.

Yes, convener. I nominate Bob Doris for the position of deputy convener.

Bob Doris was chosen as deputy convener.

I concur with the comments that have been made. Involving people in our work is important. We need to reach out to as many people as possible and ensure that we listen to all parts of society. We have not mentioned the Scottish election, but it was mentioned in the legacy paper. We all went into the election thinking that turnout might drop, but the opposite happened, so it would be good to understand the reasons behind that. We should obviously try to encourage as big a turnout as possible in future elections. A bit of work and investigation into that would be very helpful so that the trend of increased turnout can, I hope, continue.

I concur with what has been said. I am looking forward to working with the rest of the committee.

I have no relevant interests to declare.