Minutes: 03 September 2025

1. Declaration of interests:

Joe Fitzpatrick declared no relevant interests.

2. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take agenda items 4, 5 and 6 in private.

3. The 2022/23 audit of Lews Castle College:

The Committee took evidence from—

Stephen Boyle, Auditor General for Scotland;

Mark MacPherson, Audit Director, Audit Scotland;

Ian Howse, Public Sector Industry Lead Partner, Deloitte LLP.

4. The 2022/23 audit of Lews Castle College (In Private):

The Committee considered the evidence heard at agenda item 3 and took further evidence from—

Stephen Boyle, Auditor General for Scotland;

Mark MacPherson, Audit Director, Audit Scotland;

Ian Howse, Public Sector Industry Lead Partner, Deloitte LLP.

5. The 2022/23 audit of Lews Castle College (In Private):

The Committee considered the evidence heard at agenda items 3 and 4 and agreed to write to UHI North, West and Hebrides on issues raised during the meeting.

6. Work programme (In Private):

The Committee considered its work programme.

In relation to the 2022/23 audit of the Scottish Prison Service, the Committee considered correspondence from the Scottish Government, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons Scotland, Prison Officers' Association Scotland, PCS and Community Trade Unions and agreed to write to the Criminal Justice Committee and in doing so, close it's scrutiny of the report.

The 2022/23 audit of Forth Valley College: The Committee considered correspondence from the Scottish Government, Forth Valley College and the Scottish Funding Council and agreed to write to the Auditor General for Scotland.

The 2022/23 and 2023/24 audits of the Water Industry Commission for Scotland: The Committee considered correspondence from the Scottish Government and the Water Industry Commission for Scotland.

General practice: Progress since the 2018 General Medical Services contract: The Committee considered correspondence from the Scottish Government, BMA Scotland and Royal College of General Practitioners Scotland and agreed to write to the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee and in doing so, close its scrutiny of the report.

The 2023/24 audit of the Scottish Government Consolidated Accounts/ Strategic Commercial Assets Division: The Committee considered correspondence from the Scottish Government.

Major ICT Projects: The Committee considered the latest Major ICT Projects update and agreed to write to the Scottish Government.

Adult mental health: The Committee agreed to close its scrutiny of the report.

The Committee noted the Auditor General for Scotland's future draft work programme.

The 2023/24 audit of Ferguson Marine (Port Glasgow) Holdings Limited: The Committee considered correspondence from the Scottish Government and agreed to write to the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic.