Minutes: 06 November 2025

1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take item 7 in private.

2. Document subject to parliamentary control:

The Committee considered the following:

Draft statutory guidance on imprints for non-party campaigners at Scottish Parliamentary elections and council elections in Scotland (SG/2025/215)

3. Subordinate legislation:

Emma Roddick moved—S6M-19488—That the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee recommends that the Draft statutory guidance on imprints for non-party campaigners at Scottish Parliamentary elections and council elections in Scotland (SG/2025/215) should not be approved.

The motion was disagreed to (by division: For 0, Against 3, Abstentions 2).

4. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee took evidence on the Absent Voting at Scottish Parliament and Local Government Elections (Signature Refresh) (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Order 2025 and the Representation of the People (Absent Voting at Local Government Elections) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2025 (SSI 2025/263) from—

Graeme Dey, Minister for Parliamentary Business and Veterans, Iain Hockenhull, Elections Bill Team Leader and Lorraine Walkinshaw,Lawyer, Scottish Government .

5. Subordinate legislation:

Graeme Dey Minister for Parliamentary Business and Veterans moved—S6M-19176—That the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee recommends that the Absent Voting at Scottish Parliament and Local Government Elections (Signature Refresh) (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Order 2025 [draft] be approved. The motion was agreed to.

6. Freedom of Information Reform (Scotland) Bill:

The Committee took evidence on the Bill at Stage 1 from—

Dr Ben Worthy, Reader in Politics and Public Policy, Birkbeck College;

7. Code of Practice (in private):

The Committee considered the Electoral Commission’s Code of Practice for non-party campaigners in Scotland. The Committee agreed that the Convener should write to the Electoral Commission.