Communities Committee
Members continued taking Stage 1 evidence on the Planning etc. (Scotland) Bill.  Last week’s panel included representatives from residents' associations, Greenspace Scotland, Planning Aid for Scotland, the Disability Rights Commission and the Scottish Mediation Network.  Again Third Party Right of Appeal and consultation on local plans were the main issues.

The Committee also considered a petition by Cumbernauld Mast Relocation Group, calling on the Scottish Executive to ban masts in residential areas until health risks are assessed by the Parliament.  Members agreed that the planning related issues raised in the petition should be taken into account in its consideration of the planning Bill and that no further action should be taken.

Enterprise & Culture Committee
The report on the business growth inquiry was completed, as was consideration of part one of the Bankruptcy and Diligence etc. (Scotland) Bill with evidence from Deputy Enterprise Minister, Allan Wilson.  One down, only three more sections of the Bill to go.  The Minister also proposed an SSI effecting change to the Renewables Obligations which will help support the biomass industry as well as offshore wind and wave.

The Committee also dealt with various pieces of subordinate legislation and considered its approach to the Crofting Refrom etc Bill.

Equal Opportunities Committee
The Committee continued its disability inquiry with evidence from Deputy Enterprise Minister, Allan Wilson, on the barriers to education facing disabled people.  Members also agreed to note in its report some of the key issues identified by members who visited Norway recently.

Finance Committee
Evidence on the Scottish Executive’s Efficient Government Initiative came from the Improvement Service for Local Government. The Improvement Service has estimated that £122 million of efficiency savings would be made in 2005-06.  The savings are being applied to close funding gaps, rather than reinvestment in services.  The matter of statutory performance indicators was raised, although some members felt they are not helpful for measuring outcomes.

For its scrutiny of the Financial Memorandum for the Criminal Proceedings etc. (Reform) (Scotland) Bill, the Committee agreed to adopt level 2 scrutiny for the Financial Memorandum i.e. that it should take oral evidence from Scottish Executive officials and also seek written evidence from relevant organisations.

The Committee also began its consideration of its draft report on its inquiry into the cost of the Local Authority Single Status Agreement; and its inquiry into deprivation.  Further consideration will be given at the next meeting.

Health Committee
The Committee met last week with Care Commission staff and lay assessors in Dundee, before embarking on an evidence session with members of the Commission's management team and the two local councils, Dundee and Angus.  Questions were asked in relation to various issues which arose during the course of the inquiry and the session proved useful and informative.

Justice 2 Committee
Deputy Justice Minister, Hugh Henry, gave evidence on Executive amendments to the Police, Public Order and Criminal Justice (Scotland) Bill in relation to the management of sex offenders.  The Minister also gave evidence in relation to the Legislative Consent Memorandum on the Police and Justice Bill currently before the UK Parliament.

The Committee went on to Stage 2 consideration of the Police, Public Order and Criminal Justice (Scotland) Bill.  There were no areas of real concern.

Local Government and Transport Committee
The freight transport inquiry continued at the Civic Centre in Motherwell, with evidence from the Freight Transport Association, the Road Haulage Association, EWS and the Malcolm Group.  The most interesting evidence was from Andrew Malcolm, who argued that the A9, which suffers greatly from slow traffic held up by speed-restricted lorries, would be too costly to the taxpayer to upgrade.  Instead he lobbied for a speed increase for lorries from 40mph to 50mph, which would speed up the traffic, decrease congestion and, because of the emissions caused by driving in lower gears, be better environmentally.  Members thought this was a valid point and will raise it with the Executive.

Members also considered the contents of their Stage 1 report on the Local Electoral Administration and Registration Services (Scotland) Bill. Two issues which will be covered in the report include UNISON’s fears of job losses and the issues of marriages at sea which cannot happen at present because of registration boundaries.

Procedures Committee
In a short meeting, the Committee agreed its revised draft report (subject to some further changes) on Procedures relating to Crown Appointments.  The Committee then continued with its inquiry into accountability in governance, noting a letter from the Convenor of the Finance Committee inviting the Committee to submit evidence to the Finance Committee's inquiry into accountability and governance. It was agreed to consider the issue at a future meeting.

Public Petitions Committee
Members considered various petitions last week, including one on behalf of the Metered Parking Organisation on consultation from a resident in the West End of Glasgow who has to pay for metered parking outside his 'week day' home.  Another was urging the Scottish Executive for a full written explanation to be provided in cases when Procurator Fiscals do not consider it in the public's interest to pursue criminal proceedings. Members believed the petitioner raised some valid concerns and issues and has agreed to write to the Scottish Executive on the issue.  Another interesting petition was raised by pupils at Ross Hall Academy concerning the provision of lockers. The school is a PPP and Glasgow City Council has argued that the PPP provider should provide the lockers, the Scottish Executive responded with a similar reply.  Members have agreed to write again to the Scottish Executive for clearer guidance on the issue.

Subordinate Legislation Committee
The Committee enjoyed a long debate on many aspects of the Bankruptcy and Diligence etc. (Scotland) Bill.  The Committee had raised a number of issues with the Scottish Executive and the Executive had responded by making a number of points about the complex nature of insolvency law and diligence and the general use of subordinate legislation instead of primary legislation. 

For instance, under Debtor Application, the Committee was not clear why delegated powers were thought to be appropriate.  The Committee was also concerned about the width of powers in the debtor's home and other heritable property and considered that, in view of the importance of the subject matter, delegated powers were not appropriate, especially as only negative procedure was proposed in relation to their exercise.  There were a number of other areas where the Executive has been asked to comment and the matter will come back to the Committee at a future date.