1. Pre-Budget Scrutiny:

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

Russell McCutcheon, Executive Director (Place), North Ayrshire Council;

Pippa Milne, Chief Executive, Argyll and Bute Council;

Gareth Waterson, Corporate Director of Enterprise and Sustainable Regeneration, Orkney Islands Council;

and then from—

Neil Rutherford, Senior Associate Director, Investment and Place;

    Tony Rose, Director Strategy and Economy; and

    Diarmaid Lawlor, Associate Director, Place, Scottish Futures Trust.

2. UK subordinate legislation:

The Committee considered a proposal by the Scottish Government to consent to the UK Government legislating using the powers under Articles 8(5) and 48(5) of retained Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 in relation to the following UK statutory instrument—

Pests of Plants (Authorisations) (Amendment) Regulations 2022.

The Committee agreed that the provisions set out in the notification should be included in the UK SI.