Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. I welcome back members after the summer recess. I remind members and members of the public who are in attendance to ensure that their mobile phones are switched off, as it can be disruptive if they go off during the meeting. I welcome Gil Paterson MSP and Des McNulty MSP, who are not committee members but have a particular interest in some of the matters that will be discussed today.
For the record, I declare that I am a former local government councillor and a former local government employee—a social worker and mental health officer in the field of criminal justice.
I thank you for your declaration and welcome you to the committee. I am sure that you will find the work fulfilling; we can guarantee that you will find it challenging.