Audit Committee, 19 Dec 2000

Meeting date: Tuesday, December 19, 2000

Official Report 83KB pdf

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Work Programme

The forward work programme is based on discussions between the clerks and Audit Scotland. I notice that the national health service looms large through February and March. I remind the committee that we will receive the Scottish Executive responses to our reports on the Scottish Ambulance Service, skillseekers, the agricultural business improvement scheme and Holyrood, in addition to those reports that are set out in the programme. Perhaps the Auditor General would comment on the proposed work plan.

I have little to say, but I thank the committee for giving me the opportunity to comment. We need to plan our work programme a reasonable period ahead. The paper indicates when various pieces of work will be in a fit state for discussion at the Audit Committee between now and Easter. We expect to deliver on that time scale.

Broadly speaking, there are two categories of report. First, there are investigations that arise out of the audit. The two reports in that category are the financial overview report on the NHS and a proposed report on Tayside Health Board, its constituent trusts and the financial problems that they have experienced in the past financial year. Secondly, there are baseline reports. The reports in that category are stocktakes of the current position in waste management and the management of medical equipment. Both those reports are part of a continuing audit, which I shall revisit later in the year.

As you said, convener, there are also the matters arising from earlier reports, which are listed at the bottom of the page. We have a fairly full programme between now and the Easter recess.

Are there any comments? Does the committee agree to the future work programme?

Members indicated agreement.

I thank the Auditor General.

I notice the investigation into Tayside Health Board. I suggest that it might be appropriate for us to hold a meeting in a town in Tayside to allow members of the public to hear the evidence at first hand and to see the committee at work. If members of the committee agree to that, I suggest that the clerks produce an options paper on possible venues. Is the committee agreed?

Members indicated agreement.

I would be extremely agreeable, particularly if we went to Perth.

What about Kinross?

I shall await the options and show no bias.

Given that the forward work programme has a heavy emphasis on the national health service, I suggest that we ask our colleagues on the Health and Community Care Committee whether they want to be involved.

That is a useful suggestion. I am sure that you look forward to that with relish, Margaret.

Meeting continued in private until 14:41.