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We have finished three of the four agenda items already. We are getting on quite well.
Long may it continue.
Our final item of business today is consideration of our approach to developing a work programme. Members who have been here before will know the format for this item, but some of us are new members. Perhaps the best approach is for members to think about arrangements for an away day during the summer recess, including venues and dates when they will be available. If members let the clerk, Jennifer Smart, know when they will be available, we can discuss the matter next week and see whether we can find a date that suits everybody.
Yes. That is sensible.
I tentatively suggest the last week in August, because then we will all be ready to come back when the Parliament resumes in September.
That does not present a problem to me.
It might be a problem for me.
And for me.
Perhaps we should do what has been suggested and let the clerks know when we are available so that we can find a date that suits everybody. Marlyn Glen's suggestion suits me, but we want everyone to be involved if possible.
Will the away day involve an overnight stay or will it be a daytime event in Edinburgh?
It can involve an overnight stay if the committee agrees to it. As another committee convener said to me, having an overnight stay is a way to ensure that there is good attendance. Also, people cannot escape quickly. It might be worth while for us to include an overnight stay, but we can discuss that and hear members' suggestions next week, when we will all be here for the first meeting of the Procedures Committee.
Perhaps the easiest way to proceed is to ask the clerks to e-mail members and find out when they will be away on holiday. The clerks can then suggest a date when most folk will be available. It might be difficult for us to come up with a suitable date, so it is best for the clerks to co-ordinate it.
We made quick progress today, but it might take a long time for us to decide on a date because members might say, "I can't make this date and you can't make that one." Perhaps it is best to take up Cathie Craigie's suggestion. I ask members to let the clerks know when they will be away on holiday so that we can nail down some dates on which we are all available. If members have suggestions about the venue for the away day and whether it should be in Edinburgh or elsewhere, they should mention that as well. We will return to the matter next week.
I do not think that we have to cover anything else today. We do not have to discuss the substantive matter of the work programme; we will come back to it.
Meeting closed at 14:27.
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Deputy Convener