Seòmar agus comataidhean

Yes. We can agree by correspondence the report that will go to the Parliament. It is just that it requires a signature as well.

It is a formal report that shows not only the vote but the evidence that we heard and the matters that are outstanding. That is why I invited the minister to respond in time for his reply to be attached to the report so that it, too, will be before the Parliament when it makes its decision.

Let us pause for a moment. I think that you might be looking at the wrong part of the wrong document. That is a different part.

I am very grateful for that, minister.

In conclusion, I should clarify some matters arising from this evidence-taking session. The committee has, by 27 October, to report on the motion that has been lodged, and a number of outstanding issues have been highlighted in evidence. Minister, can you undertake to provide the committee with your response in time to allow us to attach it to our report to the chamber?

I am grateful for that confirmation.

Before we move on to agenda item 4, I formally thank the minister and his officials, particularly Ian Thomson, for attending the meeting and giving evidence.

I request that the minister stay for agenda item 4, which is the formal part of our proceedings. I invite the minister to move motion S6M-01125.

Motion moved,

That the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee recommends that the Model Code of Conduct for Members of Devolved Public Bodies be approved.—[Tom Arthur]

I have a couple of matters to raise. The one that is most relevant in respect of the code is the training that will be required for both new and existing members. How do you plan to meet that need?

As you have said, it is all about the relationship with people in the polling station.

Are you aware of any examples of your being unable to trace where the slogan, picture or whatever had come from during the most recent election?

Not in the slightest. Thank you for putting all of that on the record. I—and, I am sure, committee members—also want to thank the local authorities and all the almost unnoticed people who allow the elections to go ahead safely.

Our questions are grouped according to theme, just to make it easier to answer them, and I will kick off with the voter experience. Clearly the election went ahead successfully in incredibly challenging circumstances, but do you have any comments about the planning and the work that went on to make the poll safe for individual voters. Malcolm, do you want to kick off on that?

Good morning and welcome to the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee’s third meeting in session 6. Today, the committee will hear evidence on the 2021 election, but, first, there is a decision to be made. Do members agree to take in private item 3, which is consideration of the evidence that we will hear today?

Members indicated agreement.