Minutes: 25 June 2026

1. Declaration of interests:

Members of the Committee were invited to declare any relevant interests.

Jenni Minto indicated she is a member of Islay Energy Trust, a member of the RSPB, a Trustee of the Museum of  Islay Life and has a shareholding in Islay Energy Community Benefit Society, which returns 4% interest each year.

Jackie Baillie had no relevant interests to declare.

Tim Eagle declared an interest as an owner of a small sheep and arable farm in Buckie and indicated that he is Chief Whip for the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party and a member of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors.

David Linden indicated that his partner is Cat Smith, the Member of Parliament for Lancaster and Wyre and Chair of the House of Commons Select Committee on Procedures.

Mark Simpson had no relevant interests to declare.

2. Choice of Deputy Convener:

The Committee chose Tim Eagle as its new Deputy Convener.

3. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take item 6 in private.

4. Presiding Officer's Guidance on Conduct in the Chamber:

The Committee noted the Presiding Officer's Guidance on Conduct in the Chamber and agreed to reference it by way of a hyperlink in updated guidance on the Code of Conduct for MSPS. The Committee agreed to seek clarification on the interpretation of statements on attendance and remote participation set out in the Presiding Officer’s guidance.

5. Rules for Cross-Party Groups:

The Committee considered a note by the Clerk. The Committee agreed to a general modification to section 6.8 of the Code of Conduct to allow CPGs which have at least one MSP member from five (rather than all) of the parties represented on the Parliamentary Bureau to register.

6. Work programme (In Private):

The Committee considered its work programme. The Committee agreed to hold a Business Planning Day in Parliament and agreed to delegate authority to the Convener to finalise the programme for the day.

The Committee noted correspondence from:

Graham Simpson MSP on a proposed Bill for recall of MSPs;
The Minister for Parliamentary Business and Veterans on a prospective Bill on candidacy rights in Scottish local government elections;
The Presiding Officer on recommendations from the Scottish Parliament's Dignity at Work review and
The Presiding Officer on temporary amendments to Standing Orders.

The Committee agreed to write to Graham Simpson MSP and (in relation to the Dignity at Work Review) the Presiding Officer.