Public Audit Committee

Meeting date: Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Official Report 411KB pdf

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Decision on Taking Business in Private

I welcome everybody to the Public Audit Committee’s sixth meeting in the fourth session of Parliament. I remind members and everyone else to ensure that all electronic devices are switched off—says he, searching desperately for his phone.

I welcome to the meeting Joanest Jackson, who is from the National Assembly for Wales and is here to observe our proceedings.

I have apologies from Tavish Scott, but I do not think that there are any other apologies.

Before we move to item 1, which is a decision on taking business in private, I will remark on the announcement that Robert Black, the Auditor General for Scotland, made about his imminent retirement. We all have cause to be grateful for the contribution that Mr Black has made to the Parliament as Auditor General since he was appointed and we value the work that he has done. Of course, he has had a long and distinguished career in public life. He worked in local government and, I think, was associated with one of the health boards at one point. Is that correct?

No, convener. I was chief executive of Tayside Regional Council and, before that, Stirling District Council when a certain Mr McConnell was a member of it.

You were also a stalwart of Strathclyde Regional Council for a number of years.

I was indeed. I had an excellent 10 years there.

It has been a long and distinguished career. We will be sorry to see you go and we value the work that you have undertaken. I am sure that, in the months leading up to your retirement, you will continue to play a valuable role in supporting the committee and the Parliament. I thank you for all your efforts over the years.

Thank you for your generous statement. Valedictories are a bit premature because all that I have done is to write to the Presiding Officer saying that, after 12 years, I would like to retire from the post. I am sure that it will take the Parliament a few months to appoint my successor and I intend to continue to fulfil my duties fully throughout that period, so you are stuck with me for a little while longer. I wish to go at a time that is convenient for the Parliament.

Thank you very much.

Does the committee agree to take items 5, 6 and 7 in private?

Members indicated agreement.