Note of Decisions Taken at 9th Meeting 2005

15 December 2005

Convener: Murray Tosh

Members:

Brian Adam Sarah Boyack Roseanna Cunningham Michael McMahon Des McNulty Cathy Peattie Iain Smith Karen Whitefield

Apologies

Trish Godman Sylvia Jackson

1. Minutes of the meeting held on 17 November

The minutes of the last meeting held on 17 November were agreed.

2. Matters Arising

The convener reported that the Presiding Officer had agreed to a trial arrangement in relation to allocating speaking times to committee conveners in Stage 1 Debates.

3. Committee Business in the Chamber

The Group agreed business to propose to the Bureau for committee dates up until the Easter recess.

4. Mainstreaming Equality

The Group considered a paper on mainstreaming equality in the work of the committees. The Group noted:  The work being undertaken by SPICe on behalf of the committees  The commencement of training for committee staff and SPICe researchers  The role to be adopted by the Equal Opportunities Committee in relation to the scrutiny of legislation for an equalities impact.

The Group agreed in principle that proposals should be drawn up suggesting how committees might conduct an equalities impact.

5. Commissioned Research

The Finance Committee’s proposal to carry out research on the economic impact of the Scottish budget was approved.

6. European and External Relations Committee – request to approve travel to Brussels

A proposal from the European and External Relations Committee to undertake a fact-finding visit to Brussels was approved.

7. Date of next meeting

The date of the next meeting is 19 January 2006.