Minutes: 09 September 2025

1. Decisions on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take items 5, 6 and 7 in private.

2. Proposed National Good Food Nation Plan:

The Committee took evidence from—

Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, Tracy McCollin, Head of Good Food Nation Team and Laura Hunter, Procurement Policy, Scottish Government.

3. Pre-Budget Scrutiny:

The Committee took evidence as part of its Pre-Budget Scrutiny from—

Dr Dawn Roberts, Chief Executive, Dumfries and Galloway Council;

Thomas Glen, Chief Executive, Perth & Kinross Council;

Ken Gourlay, Chief Executive, Fife Council;

Nikki Bridle, Chief Executive, Clackmannanshire Council;

Malcolm Burr, Chief Executive, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.

4. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee considered the following negative instrument—

Council Tax Reduction (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) (No. 4) Regulations 2025

5. Proposed National Good Food Nation Plan (in private):

The Committee considered the evidence heard earlier in the meeting.

6. Pre-Budget Scrutiny (in private):

The Committee considered the evidence heard earlier in the meeting.

7. Reform of Energy Performance Certificates (in private):

The Committee agreed its approach to scrutiny of reform of Energy Performance Certificates. This included inviting a panel of witnesses to give evidence on reform of EPC and the Committee agreed to delegate responsibility to the Convener for finalising the panels.