While the Committee supports the broad aims of the Bill,
in a report published today, the majority of the Committee do not believe the case has been made for the suggested approach to achieve those aims.
The Bill, which was introduced by Sarah Boyack MSP, aims to protect future generations by ensuring that public bodies take decisions with long terms goals in mind. A move away from policy making that the Member says is too often focussed on ‘achieving short-term gains’.
One of the main aspects of the Bill is the establishment of a Future Generations Commissioner for Scotland. However, the Committee acknowledged the presumption against the creation of any further SPCB-supported bodies, including Commissioners, at this time. It also noted the Scottish Government’s ongoing review of the National Performance Framework.
Statutory definitions of both sustainability and wellbeing are also included in the Bill. Whilst the Committee heard that these could be valuable in helping public bodies to meet their wellbeing and sustainable development obligations, the Committee also heard they could create confusion, duplication and additional complexity.
Speaking as the report was published, Committee Deputy Convener Bob Doris MSP said:
“This Bill has at its heart an ambition that the Committee shares. It wants to ensure that the generations of tomorrow are at the forefront of decision making today. The Committee shares this ambition, and for that reason we commend Sarah Boyack MSP for introducing this Bill.
“But any new law must work in practice and a majority of our Committee has today expressed our concerns that this Bill won’t achieve its aims.
“Our report lists concerns about whether some of the measures in the Bill might lead to duplication of work for public bodies, as well as whether establishing a new Commissioner at this time is the right thing to do.
“In order to realise the ambitions of this Bill, public bodies must have the tools, guidance and support to ensure a consistent approach to delivery of wellbeing and sustainable development goals. The Scottish Government say the way to achieve that is via its substantial review of the National Performance Framework.”
The Committee’s report has also called on the Scottish Government to consider new legislation if the planned review of the NPF does not lead to the changes suggested.