Local Government Committee, 24 Nov 1999
Meeting date: Wednesday, November 24, 1999
Official Report
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Convener's Report
The next item is my report. Wearing my convener's hat, I spoke at a Unison meeting the week before last at the invitation of its executive. Norman Murray was the other speaker and we did a double act before answering questions. The same sort of issues came up as we have been discussing in the committee, such as the concern that McIntosh had not considered finance. I said that the committee would consider local government finance and that, although there would not be any more money, we would examine how it is divided up.
Unison was concerned about housing stock transfer, but Wendy Alexander has said that it is up to councils whether they go down the road of stock transfer. Concern was also expressed about proportional representation, and again people felt that the examples of this Parliament and of the European Parliament were not good ones. I pointed out that there are other types of PR and that we must discuss the matter. We might return to first past the post, but we should at least discuss the alternatives.
I felt that it was a helpful meeting. Having spoken to councils, trade union groups and other interested parties, I know that they feel that the committee is with them rather than against them. That is good and, when I speak to those groups, I can tell them that members of the committee are committed to local government and local provision of services.
After I left, I thought that, in all our deliberations and evidence sessions, we have missed the trade unions. Matt Smith came to the committee on a specific remit—to talk about his position vis-à-vis the McIntosh report. I suggest that we have a trade union session, at which we listen to the trade unions, which are relevant to—and loom large in—local government. I would have an agenda for that, with certain questions that we might want to ask, if members have any ideas. We should have that session before we produce our final McIntosh report. That will add another aspect to the picture.
I am asked to speak quite often, and it is not a single transferable speech—I change it round depending on where I am. I give people the support of the committee, and tell them about how the committee is made up and that so far—although this morning we came close—we have not fallen out and gone to a vote.
On the special islands needs allowance, will that come up?
Yes, it will.
I thank members for their attendance. We had a good discussion this morning. We aired plenty of views and we will take those matters forward—we will not leave them stagnant.
With a bit of amendment.
Indeed.
Meeting closed at 12:06.