10/02/2012
Cross-Party Groups cover a wide range of subjects, such as Architecture And The Built Environment. Pictured is the Scottish War Blinded Centre, Linburn. © Andrew Lee
The rules governing Cross-Party Groups (CPGs) at Holyrood are to be examined by a parliamentary committee, it was announced today.
MSPs on the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments (SPPA) Committee will review the effectiveness of such groups along with their current level of transparency and regulation.
At present, more than 1,000 organisations participate in the work of 65 registered Cross-Party Groups in the Scottish Parliament, and 107 out of 129 MSPs are members of at least one CPG.
SPPA Committee Convener Dave Thompson MSP said: “While recognising the valuable work of CPGs, it is important to ensure that the system provides openness and transparency for both stakeholders and the wider public.
"Achieving this transparency, while not over-regulating CPGs, is the aim of our committee’s review.
“The focus of the review is therefore how effectively the current rules in relation to CPGs are working and whether any changes could be made to improve the system for registration, operation and regulation of Cross-Party Groups.”
The committee is seeking views on the operation and regulation of CPGs and has set out 16 questions to shape its consultation process.
The remit of the inquiry is:
To review the rules on Cross-Party Groups in the Scottish Parliament and propose identified changes to improve:
- the effectiveness
- the processes for the registration
- the operation
- and the regulation of Cross-Party Groups.