Official Report 438KB pdf
10:00
Under agenda item 2, we are considering two instruments. Brace yourselves, because I have a lot of reading to do. An issue has been raised on the following instrument.
Representation of the People (Absent Voting at Local Government Elections) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2026 (SSI 2026/251)
The purpose of the instrument is to enable a new category of elector to apply for an emergency proxy vote.
The committee asked the Scottish Government to identify which provision gives effect to the statement in the policy note that applications may be made until 5 pm on polling day. In its response, the Scottish Government acknowledged that the instrument does not specify that deadline and accepted that this was an error. It advised that a correcting instrument would be laid on 18 September 2026 and come into force at the same time as these regulations. The correcting instrument has now been laid. In the absence of a specific provision, applications would instead be subject to the existing deadline of 5 pm on the sixth day before the poll, which is contrary to the intended policy outcome.
Does the committee wish to draw this instrument to the attention of the Parliament under reporting ground (i) due to the omission of a closing date for the new category of emergency proxy vote applications?
Members indicated agreement.
Does the committee wish to note and welcome the Scottish Government’s prompt action to remedy this omission?
Members indicated agreement.
Also under this agenda item, no points have been raised on the following instrument.
Sports Grounds and Sporting Events (Designation) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2026 (SSI 2026/247)
Is the committee content that no reporting grounds are engaged?
Members indicated agreement.
The committee also wrote to the Scottish Government in relation to this instrument, querying the address given for Auchinleck Talbot Football Club’s ground, and the name given for the ground in Invergordon. That correspondence is published in full alongside the papers for this meeting.
Does the committee wish to note the Scottish Government’s response?
Members indicated agreement.