Minutes: 08 October 2026

1. Decisions on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take items 6, 7 and 8 in private.

2. Cross-Party Group:

The Committee considered an application for recognition from the proposed Cross-Party Group on Ireland, and took evidence from—

Patricia Gibson, Proposed Convener of Cross-Party Group on Ireland, Scottish Parliament.

Steven Bonnar declared an interest as a member of the proposed Cross-Party Group on Ireland  in relation to agenda items 2 and 3 and recused himself from all subsequent discussions and decision-taking on these matters.

3. Cross-Party Group - approval:

The Committee agreed to accord recognition to the proposed Cross-Party Group on Ireland.

4. Scottish Local Government Elections (Candidacy Rights of Commonwealth Citizens) Bill – Stage 1 evidence:

The Committee took evidence from—

Professor Toby James, Professor of Politics and Public Policy, University of East Anglia UK;

Professor Alistair Clark, Professor of Political Science, Newcastle University;

Andy Hunter, Chair of the Scotland and Northern Ireland Branch, Association of Electoral Administrators;


and then from—

Jamie Hepburn, Minister for Parliamentary Business and Veterans,

who was supported by:
Iain Hockenhull, Head of Elections;
Angus Reid-Bryan, Elections Team; and
Lorraine Walkinshaw, Lawyer, Scottish Government Legal Directorate.

5. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee agreed to make no recommendations in relation to the following instrument — Representation of the People (Absent Voting at Local Government Elections) (Scotland) Amendment (No. 2) Regulations 2026 [SSI 2026/263]

6. Review of evidence (in private):

The Committee considered the evidence it heard under agenda item 4.

7. Temporary Standing Order Rule Changes (in private):

The Committee considered its approach to scrutiny of temporary changes to Standing Orders affecting business in the Chamber agreed to by Parliament under Resolutions S7M-00378 and S7M-00378. The Committee agreed to issue a survey on the changes to all MSPs and agreed to delegate authority to the Convener to sign off the survey. The Committee agreed to further consider its approach to scrutiny at a future meeting.

8. Complaint (in private):

The Committee continued its consideration of a report from the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland.