Minutes: 01 October 2026

1. Decisions on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take items 3 and 4 in private.

2. Pre-budget scrutiny 2027-28 – evidence:

The Committee took evidence from—

Josiah Lockhart, CEO, Changeworks, and Member, Climate Emergency Response Group;

Lewis Barlow, Decarbonisation Head of Profession, WSP.

David Barratt declared an interest as a councillor at Fife Council and as the Convener of the Fife Planning Review Body.

3. Pre-budget scrutiny 2027-28 – consideration of evidence (In Private):

The Committee considered the evidence heard under agenda item 2.

4. The environmental impacts of hyperscale data centres inquiry – approach (In Private):

The Committee reviewed its approach to the inquiry. The Committee agreed to: 
• Write to the Scottish Government with details of the inquiry;
• An approach to issuing a call for views and to delegate responsibility to the Convener for finalising the call for views;
• Write to the Scottish Government after the work agreed to date;
• Consider a second phase of work following the conclusion of the work agreed to date.