Agenda item 1 is consideration of a letter from the convener of the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee, which asks whether committees should be obliged to report periodically on how they have built equality considerations into their work. Does anyone have any views on that? The letter asks about the principle of reporting once a session or annually, whether we think that a rule change is necessary and whether we plan to include in our annual report a passage on mainstreaming equalities.
It is difficult to see how the issue is terribly relevant to our committee's work, but I have no particular objection to the proposal, if members want to go along with it.
We might reflect on issues for Audit Scotland, but I agree with Murdo Fraser that no substantial issues arise. However, the principle is worthy and we can reflect on the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee's deliberations after it has received responses.
Perhaps reporting could be done annually.
Probably.
That would be a health check.
Yes. Are we agreed?
Members indicated agreement.
We now move into private session.
Meeting continued in private until 11:47.
Previous
Interests