Committee
Public Audit Committee 09 March 2016
09 Mar 2016 · S4 · Public Audit Committee
Item of business
Annual Report
A fair point has been raised. The Public Audit Committee’s work is of public interest, so hopefully the future committee will keep the issue in mind. I point out to colleagues that this is our final meeting before dissolution. Before moving into private session, I want to thank, on the committee’s behalf, Audit Scotland and the Auditor General for their hard work and professionalism over the past five years. Their reports and the evidence and the support that they have provided to us have, as I am sure that all members will agree, been invaluable. I am sure that our successors will be as grateful as we are for their good work. I would also like to thank our clerking team, led by Anne Peat. It goes without saying that we would be lost without the team—we would not be able to progress the committee’s agenda and the other supporting elements. I also thank the other staff who have supported us: the media team, the official reporters and the sound engineers, who ensure that the good work of the committee can be taken forward. I also thank the deputy convener, Mary Scanlon, Dr Simpson and Colin Keir, who are not seeking re-election to the Scottish Parliament. We hope that you have a long and healthy retirement, and we wish you all the very best for the future. My experience is that we have worked together as a committee, despite our political differences. There have never been any divisions, despite there being a Government majority built into the committee. That is a credit to all committee members.
In the same item of business
The Convener
Lab
Item 6 is the committee’s annual report. In line with previous years, this is simply a factual report on the committee’s work for the past year. Are members ...
Stuart McMillan
SNP
I do not know whether it is relevant to highlight this, but paragraph 25—the draft report’s final paragraph—says that the committee met 21 times and all the ...
The Convener
Lab
We had a tour around NHS Highland.
Stuart McMillan
SNP
Oh, sorry—so we did.
The Convener
Lab
You were there.
Stuart McMillan
SNP
No, I was not at that one.
The Convener
Lab
Sorry.
Stuart McMillan
SNP
Nonetheless, I stand corrected. Given other committees’ external activities, it is clear that they have been out of the Parliament a lot more. I mention the ...
The Convener
Lab
A fair point has been raised. The Public Audit Committee’s work is of public interest, so hopefully the future committee will keep the issue in mind. I poin...
Mary Scanlon
Con
Hear, hear.
The Convener
Lab
All the parliamentary committees should operate in that way—they should ensure that we can work together on the common agenda. Does any member have a brief ...
Mary Scanlon
Con
When I came here in 1999, David McLetchie was my leader. He offered me the Health and Community Care Committee. I said, “I don’t know much about it. I go to ...
Colin Beattie
SNP
I would like to join in the convener’s sentiments by thanking the Auditor General and her team; the clerks; the members around the table; the convener; Mary ...
Dr Simpson
Lab
As a latecomer, I have thoroughly enjoyed my brief time on the committee. The role of Audit Scotland has been phenomenally important in every committee that ...
Colin Keir
SNP
I thank the convener for his comments. I totally agree with the comments about the Auditor General and the support staff as well as, of course, those about m...
Stuart McMillan
SNP
I agree with the comments that have been made so far. What struck me about the committee during this session is the collegiate fashion in which members under...
The Convener
Lab
Okay colleagues, before there is any disagreement, I will move the committee into private session. I note that we have received apologies from Tavish Scott. ...