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I wonder whether the committee would consider writing to the Scottish Government to ask how the engagement, pilots and investment in the early adopter communities will benefit children at nine months old in those communities, and how that work will inform its development of a targeted offer for one and two-year-olds.

I welcome our witnesses. First, I will continue on a theme that the convener asked about—that of communities, businesses and industry in national parks. As somebody who has visited Aviemore for 35 years and who watched its decline, I have seen the huge investment that has been put into the area, especially in the tourism and hospitality industries, following the designation of the Cairngorms national park. However, there are also negatives. Housing to accommodate workers was a huge problem in Aviemore, and it is still a huge problem.

John, could you highlight the positives of what has happened to areas such as Aviemore, such as the investment that has been put in? I will come on to the negatives.

The key drivers for designating more national parks are the climate and nature crises. How important are national parks as a mechanism for tackling the climate and nature crises?

My next question is also aimed at you, John. In 2023, NatureScot gave advice that there should be regular reviews by the Government and stakeholders on progress within national park partnership plans. How well do you think national parks are currently reviewing their progress or being externally scrutinised?

I wonder whether the committee would like to write to the National Day Nurseries Association, the Scottish Private Nursery Association, the parents group—Connect—and COSLA to seek views on the issues that have been raised by the petition. The committee could also write to the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, highlighting the submissions that the committee has received and the call that was raised in PE2111 to fund early learning and childcare from nine months old. The committee could seek an update on the work to develop new childcare offers, including details of any discussion that the Scottish Government has had with the UK Government on the issue, specifically the financial support that is available to families.

Would the committee consider writing to the Cabinet Secretary for Transport to note the delay in the publication of the strategic transport projects review 2 delivery plan and to ask when it will be published, and to ask whether the new UK Government has reaffirmed its commitment to provide multiyear funding to improve the A75?

Perhaps the committee would consider writing to the Scottish Government to ask whether it intends to take any action on private wastewater systems in response to the water, wastewater and drainage policy consultation findings. We could ask whether the Government recognises that, by prioritising its enforcement activity on incidents that have the greatest environmental impact or involve significant non-compliance, SEPA is not addressing actions that fall under that threshold but still have a significant impact on people’s quality of life?

In the light of an earlier answer from Mr Kelly, I want to ask what discussions you have had with Highland Council and NHS Highland about the impact of potential changes. In evidence last week, the committee heard that they were in support of the Government’s stage 2 amendments, but earlier you said that all council leaders are in support of what you are doing.

Rachel Cackett touched on my next question. How should the breadth of stakeholder views be represented on a national care board to ensure that it remains responsive to everyone who is affected by board decisions, including service users and providers?

Good morning, everyone. My questions are on the accountability and functions of the national care service board. What do you understand to be the board’s purpose? To what extent could it or should it contribute to fundamental reform of the social care landscape?