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Thank you. Having tenants sit on the board is a very interesting concept in relation to the charter, as it allows you to hear directly from people who are renting. How are those tenants selected? What areas are they from, and do they sit on the board for a particular term? How does that work?

It did, thank you. Finally, I want to touch on marginalised groups. You mentioned “biased groups” who know about the charter, but I am conscious that there will be groups of people who do not know about it. Is deeper work going on behind the scenes to ensure that we tap into those marginalised communities? It is so important that they, too, know their rights.

Good morning, minister and panel. I, too, refer members to my registered interest as a serving councillor on North Lanarkshire Council.

I will continue with the theme of principles of taxation. Does the Scottish Government’s proposed approach go against the principles of certainty and stakeholder engagement? I ask that because the committee has previously raised concerns about the issue. I seek from the Government the assurance that those principles will underpin the setting of non-domestic rates policy in the future. Will the minister provide reassurance?

Good morning. Before I ask my questions, I refer members to my entry in the register of members’ interests, as I am a serving councillor in North Lanarkshire Council.

I want to build on Andrew Watson’s answer to the question on the need for a separate PRS consultation by asking him how sufficient the Government’s consultation on the bill’s proposals was overall.

Thank you, minister.

Good morning. We have spoken a little this morning about the tribunal’s workload. We know that, during the pandemic, there was a decrease in the number of applications for eviction orders, as would be expected. As we move out of the pandemic, will the workload increase? Will cases therefore take longer to consider?

You used the term “modest” in relation to the backlog that could happen on the back of the bill. Does the Scottish Government expect a backlog, regardless of whether the bill is progressed?

You mentioned engagement events and making sure that people are aware of the charter through digital means, which I am sure will be important. However, as we know, there are still many people in our communities who are not part of the digital age. Will the charter be voiced to those people—particularly those with disabilities, who cannot physically attend the events that you are hoping to hold to promote the charter?

I refer members to my entry in the register of members’ interests: I am a serving councillor on North Lanarkshire Council.

I want to pick up on the answer that you gave to my colleague Miles Briggs on engagement with tenants. You have highlighted the fact that you want the charter to be easy to use rather than a high-level, detailed policy document. In annex B of the briefing paper that was supplied to the committee, there is a quote from the South Lanarkshire Council tenant development support project:

“Most tenants don’t know what the Charter is. The Scottish Government need to do more to ensure all social tenants are aware of it.”

Could more be done to raise awareness of the charter among tenants?

Thank you, convener. I am very grateful. I apologise to the committee. Before I questioned the minister, I should have referred members to my entry in the register of members’ interests, which states that I am a serving councillor on North Lanarkshire Council. I would be grateful if that could be added to the record.