Audit Committee
Last week the Committee met in the Beardmore Conference Hotel, which is attached to the Golden Jubilee hospital in Clydebank.  It received a briefing from the Auditor General for Scotland (AGS) on his report on implementing the NHS consultant contract and then heard from representatives of NHS Scotland, the Golden Jubilee Hospital and Ayrshire and Arran Health Board regarding the AGS report on tackling waiting times.

On the consultant contract, while recognising that it is the first change to consultants' terms and conditions since 1948, the report had also found that the cost of the contract was underestimated, making it difficult for boards to plan for it properly.  It noted that the impact of the contract was difficult to assess as it is not yet being used to its full potential.  Finally, the report called on the Executive, Health Boards and consultants to work together to ensure that the contract works to the benefit of patients.

On waiting times, the Committee received positive evidence about the role of the Golden Jubilee in the future, once it is no longer focused on tackling the longest waits.  Services such as the new cardiothoracic centre and other specialties are set to be housed there.

Communities Committee
Evidence on the Planning etc. (Scotland) Bill came from Councillors, CoSLA and West Lothian Council.  All representatives welcomed the provisions of the Bill in general.  However, there were concerns raised about the provision of resources and concerns surrounding the planning gain supplement.

Education Committee
The main item of business was related to a Members’ Bill on school meals and snacks.  The Committee was not to consider the substance of the Bill, but to decide whether there had been adequate consultation so that the Bill need not be consulted on now it has been lodged.  It appears that, despite carrying out a consultation in the summer, the member in charge forgot to lodge her bill and has only just done so.  The Committee agreed that there had been adequate consultation and, this time, the Bill has been lodged.

Environment and Rural Development Committee
The main item of business was the appearance of the Environment Minister before the Committee to discuss issues relating to Scottish Water. Members wanted to know how the investment will take place; what reassessment has been done regarding delays; when the programme can be expected; and how the issues of dispute between the Executive, the Water Industry Commissioner and Scottish Water will be resolved.

Stage 2 of the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Bill saw an agreement by 8-1 that tail docking should be outlawed on animal welfare grounds.

Equal Opportunities Committee
The Committee last week took evidence from the Communities Minister on the recently published strategy for an ageing population.

It also continued taking evidence on its disability inquiry, with evidence from the Scottish Arts Council; Sportscotland; Visit Scotland; the Cinema Exhibitors' Association; the Scottish Beer & Pub Association; and the British Retail Consortium.  The Committee discussed with the representatives access to public leisure facilities and shops for people with disabilities.  Interesting suggestions were highlighted and the inquiry continues.

Finance Committee
Members considered a draft report on the inquiry into deprivation and agreed that a further draft would be discussed at its next meeting.  The Committee also considered its draft report on the Financial Memorandum of the Planning etc. (Scotland) Bill.  The Committee agreed the contents of the report, subject to various changes being made.

On 23rd March, the Committee’s report on the Financial Implications of the Local Authority Single Status Agreement was released.  The Committee looked at the financial implications of harmonising local authority workers' terms and conditions and at the cost of one-off payments to compensate workers for past pay discrimination.  The Committee found that, despite the fact that agreement on Single Status was reached between local authorities and unions in 1999, Single Status has only been implemented in one of the 32 local authorities.

Key recommendations include:

• Councils, unions and CoSLA should engage in realistic negotiations, recognising the need to reach a solution;

• The Executive should explore with CoSLA or individual councils whether there might be any funding for increased efficiency and modernisation;

• Councils should examine ways in which reserves can be topped up;

• The Executive should facilitate this process where appropriate, ensuring full implementation across Scotland within a year; and

• The cost of Single Status and equal pay settlements should be taken into account, along with performance on Efficient Government and other funding pressures in determining next year's local government settlement

Health Committee
The Committee continued to take evidence for its care inquiry, focusing on free personal care for the elderly and the work of the Care Commission.  The Committee heard personal concerns regarding nursing home and private elderly care. 

Justice 1 Committee
It was agreed to hold a short inquiry into the Scottish Criminal Records Office and the Scottish Fingerprint Service.  This will not, however, be a replacement for a public inquiry.  The Committee went on to consider an SSI on fees for shorthand qriters in Sheriff Courts.

Justice 2 Committee
Last week's meeting took evidence on a proposed amendment to the Police, Public Order and Criminal Justice (Scotland) Bill.  The amendment, proposed by Paul Martin (LAB), would authorise the police to keep samples (such as DNA samples) from arrested suspects if the suspects are not later convicted of the offence.  The Committee heard from Dr. Helen Wallace of Genewatch UK and John MacLean, director of the Scottish Criminal Records Office.

Genewatch opposes the retention of samples, citing encroachment of civil liberties.  The Scottish Criminal Records Office supported the amendment, contending it will make criminals easier to detect.  This was disputed by Dr. Wallace of Genewatch, who said there is no evidence that retaining samples has made criminals easier to identify.  The Committee also heard evidence from the Deputy Minister for Justice, who stated the Executive will not commit until all the evidence has been heard. 

The Committee also recommended the draft Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 Order 2006 and the draft Community Justice Authorities Order 2006 be approved.

Local Government and Transport Committee
The Scottish Executive and Finance and Public Sector Reform Minister, Tom McCabe, gave evidence on Business Improvements Districts.  The Minister explained in detail the technical aspects associated with the part of the Planning etc. (Scotland) Bill relating to this.

Members also continued taking evidence on their freight transport inquiry, last week from the Office of Rail Regulation and the STUC, ASLEF and the T&G.  The STUC highlighted concerts about the shortage of drivers in the industry and suggested this was something the Executive should look at.  They also raised concerns about the need for more rest stops on trunk roads so that drivers can comply with the Working Time Directive (WTD) and more consistency across the industry on complying with the WTD.

Procedures Committee
The Committee considered an invitation by the Finance Committee to provide written evidence to its inquiry into accountability and governance.  There is a deadline of 18th April for the submission and the Committee needs to decide if it wishes to submit written evidence or refer the Finance Committee to its recently published report on those matters which fall within its remit.  The Committee has also been invited to be represented at a Finance Committee seminar on 24th April.

Public Petitions Committee
Two petitions last week on a new Forth Road Bridge (one for and the other against).  This provoked a good debate amongst members and will be considered further in the future. There were also petitions calling for a public inquiry into the Dunblane shootings.  These were rejected because there was no new evidence.  Another petition concerned the supervised taking of methadone.  This is already practiced in Glasgow and surrounding areas and was considered by members as a practice which could be replicated elsewhere.

Subordinate Legislation Committee
The Committee considered the delegated powers in the Bankruptcy and Diligence etc. (Scotland) Bill.  The Committee was grateful for the Executive's helpful response to its recent request for further information in connection with this complex Bill.  There is now little difference between the Executive and the Committee on a number of important areas.  With reference to issues surrounding the discharge of a debtor, the Executive has acknowledged there is an issue with regard to legislation versus subordinate legislation.  It confirms there will be further consideration on whether an amendment at Stage 2 would be appropriate.  The Committee was also concerned that negative procedure did not provide the correct level of scrutiny with regard to a debtor's home and family.  The Executive has now conceded that the debtor's home is of particular importance and will reconsider whether negative procedure is appropriate and may bring forward an amendment at Stage 2.

Other Committee Homepages:

European and External Relations Committee
Standards Committee