Seòmar agus comataidhean

I note that, in the section on public comment, point 24 says:

“Councillors and employees both have a responsibility to project a positive image of the Council and should avoid making any public comments that could bring it into disrepute.”

Reading that, a new councillor might feel that they should not comment on any concern, even if it is to do with bullying or whatever. Indeed—the minister will be aware of such cases here in the capital—such matters are often taken to the press before the council can start to look at them. Do you think that that rule is too tight, with regard to councillors being unable to comment publicly on concerns that they have about the running of the council or other issues to do with it?

I take those points on board, and paragraph 25 captures that view. However, paragraph 24 is specifically about bringing the council as an institution “into disrepute”. I am concerned that a new councillor who reads that might feel that, under the code of conduct guidance, they cannot be critical in the press. It says that they have to

“project a positive image of the Council”,

but in some cases they might not feel that they can do that. Perhaps it is just a matter of looking at the wording to ensure that councillors know that, if they need to, they can make public comment against the organisation, as it were, but not against a particular employee.

With regard to commitments, you touched on the issue of digital barriers. We have seen some improvements in that respect, but not for those who might be at a further remove from such technology. Perhaps some consideration should be given to making commitments with regard to people who do not have such access. Moreover, have there been any commitments in relation to British Sign Language translation services and advocacy?

I reiterate what my colleague Jeremy Balfour has said. Amendments 4, 5, 8 and 9 are useful and I, too, thank Maggie Chapman for lodging them. Further to what she has outlined to the committee at stage 2 about the discussions that she has had with the Scottish Government on the issues, can she reassure us that the Scottish Government and the Scottish Green Party will bring what is proposed in the amendments back to Parliament at stage 3 so that the important requirements in them can be taken forward? Has she received such a commitment from the minister? He is here, so maybe he will also outline that to the committee.

Listening to this morning’s conversation, I have a question about the rationale behind using the health board model. I fully understand that as far as patient advocacy is concerned, but would it not make more sense to use a local government model, given that a lot of advocacy is already provided for people in that area?

I have a couple of questions, but first I put on record that, like everyone round the table, I welcome the move to independent advocacy.

However, there are concerns about the organisation that will deliver the service not having a footprint in Scotland and institutional knowledge. What assurances have you had, beyond those that you refer to in your letter to the committee, that it will genuinely be a national service? Setting up a centre in Glasgow is one thing, but Glasgow is not Scotland. I apologise to Glasgow members, but it is important that we make sure that the service is a national one and that some of the barriers that we have had previously will not be put up by the new service.

In addition, could you outline what level of funding is currently provided to other organisations in Scotland to provide advocacy?

In response to our call for evidence, the view has been expressed—unanimously, I think—that our planning departments are not necessarily in a good place. We have heard that nearly a third of planning departments have had staff cuts since 2009 and that planning authorities’ budgets have diminished by 42 per cent in real terms over that period. How are planning departments functioning currently? What needs to be done to tackle some of the challenges? We will start with Nicola Barclay and Craig McLaren. If anyone else wants to come in, put an R in the chat and we will bring you in after that.

First, I want to record our thanks to Boundaries Scotland. It is important that we recognise the substantial work that it has undertaken.

However, from the correspondence that I and, I know, all committee members have received, I am aware that there are still real concerns about the proposals for Argyll and Bute and Highland. With that in mind, I suggest that we reject this set of boundary changes.

Island community impact assessments have been highlighted to the committee. What advice did the Scottish Government give Boundaries Scotland on undertaking those assessments? Is the Scottish Government satisfied that no separate impact assessments were required?

Good morning, Deputy First Minister and other panel members. I have a few questions on the consultation process—specifically, on how it has been conducted, given the Covid-19 pandemic. It has not been possible to hold in-person public meetings and, as the committee has found, in many communities internet access is not wonderful. What are your views on the consultation process?