Minutes: 06 October 2026

1. Decisions on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take items 4, 5, 6 and 7 in private.

2. Pre-Budget scrutiny – evidence:

The Committee took evidence on the Local Culture Scotland report as part of its scrutiny preceding the Scottish Government’s Budget 2027-28 from—

Matt Baker, Artist and Author of Local Culture Scotland report;

Pauline Smith, Chief Executive, Development Trusts Association Scotland;

Kate Wimpress, Director, North Edinburgh Arts.

Pauline Stafford declared an interest as a Councillor for West Lothian Council and as a former employee of the National Youth Choir of Scotland.

3. Pre-Budget scrutiny – evidence:

The Committee took evidence as part of its scrutiny preceding the Scottish Government’s Budget 2027-28 from—

Councillor Maureen Chalmers, Community Wellbeing Spokesperson and Matthew Sweeney, Chief Officer - Communities, COSLA.

4. Pre-Budget scrutiny – evidence review (in private):

The Committee considered the evidence heard under agenda items 2 and 3.

The Committee agreed to seek written evidence from Community Leisure UK.

5. Pre-Budget scrutiny – upcoming evidence sessions (in private):

The Committee considered lines of questioning for future evidence sessions with Creative Scotland and the Cabinet Secretary for Education, Culture and Gaelic.

6. Pre-Budget scrutiny – written evidence (in private):

The Committee considered the written evidence received as part of its scrutiny preceding the Scottish Government’s Budget 2027-28.

7. Work programme (in private):

The Committee considered its work programme.

The Committee agreed to hold an inquiry on Screen Scotland. 

The Committee agreed to consider holding an evidence session on local and community newspapers and radio. 

The Committee agreed to consider holding an evidence session on the games industry.

The Committee agreed to return to consider further inquiries at a later date.