Hansard

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

21 Sep 2011

Business Gateway Inquiry

Good morning, minister. As you pointed out, local economic development, on which we spent £327.5 million last year through local authorities, was transferred in recognition of its role in the diversity of local economies. David Valentine has been clear and concise about trying...

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

10 Nov 2015

Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

We have the policy memorandum and the other accompanying documents, but how will the bill improve governance? What deficiencies in the governance of the universities and higher education have there been in the past? Can you give us some examples?

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

21 Sep 2011

Business Gateway Inquiry

Thank you, convener—I will ensure that that is done.The issue that I have is about the tendering process for the contracts and the achievement of consensus, which is difficult given the number of bodies that are involved. The Ekosgen report says that the business gateway is fi...

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

26 Sep 2012

Business Gateway Inquiry

You have talked about a national strategy. There is a bigger strategy, which is the national one that is set by Scottish Enterprise. You talked about strategy, yet Mr Lightbody just said that you do not know where the stuff is coming from, and that because the business gateway...

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

10 Nov 2015

Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

What kind of measures would be used to determine improvements that have taken place in a university because of a change of governance?

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

09 Feb 2016

Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

I will be brief. This goes back to what I said at a previous meeting. When legislation is passed, we do two things. One is that we invariably set targets that mean absolutely nothing, because they are applicable only at the time when they are applied. My concern is that those ...

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

14 Sep 2011

Business Gateway Inquiry

In suggesting that you did not think there should be wholesale change, you referred to the Ekosgen report. Despite concluding that business gateway is fit for purpose, it makes 29 recommendations, one of which—on its governance—I regard as very serious. How do the report’s rec...

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

14 Sep 2011

Business Gateway Inquiry

I am intrigued by the national unit, of which I was not really aware until I read the Ekosgen report, which I want to ask Richard Whitcomb about.The report states in its first few pages that the business gateway is “fit for purpose”. You may have heard my earlier question. One...

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

21 Sep 2011

Business Gateway Inquiry

I have one more question on governance. The Ekosgen report was sent to the business gateway external stakeholders group. Is it fair to have such consultation when some members of that group are potential bidders or current contractors?

Chic Brodie (South Scotland) (SNP) SNP Chamber

06 Oct 2011

Broadcasting (Scottish Borders)

I have an interest to declare. Some years ago, in the 1990s, in my role as a company troubleshooter, I was asked by the owners of a troubled local television company in Dundee, Channel 6, to join the board to see whether we could change its fortunes. We failed not just because...

Chic Brodie (South Scotland) (SNP) SNP Chamber

08 Sep 2011

Scottish Government’s Legislative Programme

As would be expected, I welcome the Government’s programme for our nation for 2011-12, which is against a backdrop—a canvas—of savage cuts in public spending and capital investment that is not of our making. That is not so much our own water as our own oil being thrown in our ...

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

26 Sep 2012

Business Gateway Inquiry

I will go beyond that if I may and come back to the involvement of the business gateway board of governance, because that will be relevant to our discussion with the next panel. In relation to Lanarkshire Enterprise, who sets the outcomes and targets for each individual counci...

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

26 Sep 2012

Business Gateway Inquiry

With due respect, Mr Lightbody, I take you back to the ekosgen report, for which your body paid £60,000. The report said that the governance of this organisation left a lot to be desired. Nothing has changed. Why not?

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

16 Jan 2013

European Commission (Work Programme)

No, it was not, actually. Anyway, she guided me happily through the meetings that we had.The paper that is in front of the committee covers two things. One is the priorities from the European Commission work programme that we should submit to the European and External Relation...

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

22 May 2013

Scottish Enterprise

I have been looking at your accounts for last year. Scottish Enterprise has accumulated £115 million between shares and loans. It is surprising that one loan is to a local authority. Given the conversation about bandwidth, how do you play your part in the governance of the com...

The Deputy Convener SNP Committee

14 May 2013

New Petitions

Agenda item 3 is consideration of new petitions, the first of which is PE1474, from David Milne, on governance and propriety during the Menie development. I remind members that we should stick to the conditions that are outlined in the petition without straying into any tangen...

The Deputy Convener SNP Committee

14 May 2013

Current Petitions

PE1438, by Lynsey Pattie, is on improving services for people with mental illness. The committee considered the petition about two months ago and agreed to write to the Scottish Government to seek information about child and adolescent mental health services; health improvemen...

Chic Brodie (South Scotland) (SNP) SNP Committee

04 Sep 2013

Green Investment Bank

Good morning. On that, I have a question on governance. I am concerned that, according to the briefing paper, your Edinburgh office has responsibility for asset management but transaction operations are carried out under the auspices of your London office. How is that circle s...

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

19 Feb 2014

Inquiry into Scotland’s Economic Future Post-2014

We have talked about currency and economy. At the end of the day, is this not about having proper governance and about the democratic choice of the people of Scotland? Will you respect that if they vote yes, whether that means currency or economic construction or whatever?

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

26 Feb 2014

Scotland’s Economic Future Post-2014

I have a question for Mr Thomson. We are looking at the figures, but the issue is about more than just figures. We are talking about good democratic governance—not being governed by a minority of those elected to London—and about the type of society that we aspire to be. On th...

Chic Brodie (South Scotland) (SNP) SNP Chamber

27 May 2014

Regeneration

I welcome the debate and the inquiry, which was as detailed and thorough as Mr Stewart said that it was. In the long term, nothing is as important as regenerating our communities, galvanising our neighbourhoods and handing power back to local people. Regeneration of local gov...

Chic Brodie (South Scotland) (SNP) SNP Chamber

03 Feb 2015

Community Empowerment (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

I suppose that, as I am an avowed devolutionist and strong supporter of personal, community and country independence, an inevitable expectation is that I will support the bill. Centralism and collectivism have no place in my personal lexicon. In general, I support the bill, bu...

Chic Brodie SNP Chamber

26 Feb 2015

Commission on Local Tax Reform

Gavin Brown misses the point. When I talked about setting local authorities free, I was saying that it should be right for them to determine the level of tax gathering and revenue that is appropriate for their circumstances. The competitiveness that I was about to mention wi...

Chic Brodie (South Scotland) (SNP) SNP Committee

01 Sep 2015

Subordinate Legislation

Following on from Mary Scanlon’s question, I have met the new board of Prestwick airport—not, I should point out, Glasgow Prestwick airport—and I think that the board’s understanding of governance and record keeping is paramount. I am not so concerned about that. However, havi...

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

15 Sep 2015

Creative Scotland

I would like to talk about governance and the tangible benefits that may come from funding. Before I do, I have to say that Paisley is on the route from Ayr to Glasgow and I would like to talk about Ayr. Seriously, in Ayrshire, where we had no non-regular funding, there is c...

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

15 Sep 2015

Creative Scotland

It would be good if you could because, again, one of our concerns was about the budget not being spent. Governance was another issue that was covered by the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee. A question was raised about who calls the shots, where the buck stops and so on....

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

06 Oct 2015

Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Good morning. I want to ask about the appointment of the chair of the governing body, which, of course, is a contentious issue. I ask the questions partly as devil’s advocate and partly as someone who has been a lay member of the court of the University of St Andrews and who h...

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

06 Oct 2015

Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Selection by whom?

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

06 Oct 2015

Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

What cross-section of people?

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

06 Oct 2015

Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

If that is the case, there should be no priority—either all or none should do it.

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

06 Oct 2015

Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

I am still unsure. In my experience, the chair of a private company, organisation or association has to carry, or at least ameliorate, the wider decisions of the body that they represent. It is a very difficult position. Selection by a cross-section of people would make the jo...

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

06 Oct 2015

Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

I think that I understand. However, it does not answer—for those who have been there—the practicalities of how difficult such a role is. On the selection element, where does the wider public interest and involvement lie?

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

06 Oct 2015

Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Forgive me, but are you telling me that the chair of the governing body of a major university with international experience will work only internally rather than represent the governing body and the university to the public?

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

06 Oct 2015

Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

I move to my last question. It has been suggested that an amendment to replace section 1 might be lodged at stage 2. What might be in that amendment?

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

06 Oct 2015

Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Is it not the case that consensus would best be arrived at by choosing the chairman or chairwoman from the body that they chair?

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

06 Oct 2015

Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

I am playing devil’s advocate—I want to hear your views.

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

07 Oct 2015

Work, Wages and Wellbeing Inquiry

To get into the detail, clearly with employee ownership, there is an aspect of legal compliance and governance. What percentage of the company is owned by employees? I presume that you retain the capability, whether by two-thirds majority or something else, to make decisions.

Chic Brodie (South Scotland) (SNP) SNP Chamber

04 Nov 2015

Save Our Steel

I, too, thank John Pentland for arranging the debate. Today, there is a sad situation for the families and communities of Motherwell, Cambuslang and the surrounding areas. Above all, it is potentially hugely damaging for Scotland and its downstream manufacturing. Many years ...

Chic Brodie (South Scotland) (SNP) SNP Committee

10 Nov 2015

Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Good morning, cabinet secretary. I find it very encouraging that, after our earlier debate on the matter, you are trying to reach consensus with stakeholders. How many university principals—not necessarily leaders of trade unions—did you and your officials meet prior to this s...

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

10 Nov 2015

Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

But my question is specifically with regard to the bill.

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

10 Nov 2015

Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

I understand that, but you have just made the point that our universities are excellent and of the highest standard. That is why I am struggling to understand what needs to be improved. I know that you have talked to the UCU, but how many of the principals have you talked to?

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

10 Nov 2015

Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

I asked what deficiencies there have been in an effort to understand why the Government is legislating. If we are to change the system, surely we need to know what needs to be improved. That is why I asked about deficiencies. Our universities are excellent—we know that many of...

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

10 Nov 2015

Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

I accept that participation in decision making and democratisation is fine but, at the end of the day, somebody has to make decisions. We will come to that later. On the basis that we cannot define what deficiencies there have been, how do you propose to measure outcomes that...

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

10 Nov 2015

Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

I understand that, but it would be unusual not to have some quantitative measures of outcome improvement.

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

10 Nov 2015

Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

On the issue of electing a chair, it is already the situation that the rector is elected by the staff, students and wider electorate. On the basis of the conversations that you say that you have had with principals, would it not be sensible, rather than looking at the personal...

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

10 Nov 2015

Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

I am not suggesting for one minute that they do—

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

10 Nov 2015

Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

The rectors should cover policy and chair the court on matters of policy, and there should be a co-chair who is not elected by the governing body. Can you give me an example of where the chairman of a large association has been elected and that has been successful?

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

10 Nov 2015

Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

I said “association”.

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

10 Nov 2015

Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

I did not say that; I said “association”.

Chic Brodie (South Scotland) (SNP) SNP Committee

06 Oct 2015

Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

I feel somewhat depressed that we are still in this situation of conflict. Change is a constant. I want to address a couple of issues. Yes, the universities need to be democratised. Having looked at levels of informed participation, I say to the unions and the students that de...

14. Chic Brodie (South Scotland) (SNP) SNP Chamber

02 Dec 2015

Portfolio Question Time · Further Education Governance

To ask the Scottish Government what monitoring and evaluation it has carried out of the reforms to the sector following the 2012 “Report of the Review of Further Education Governance in Scotland”. (S4O-04887)

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

12 Jan 2016

BBC Charter Renewal

I will preface my comments by saying that I am slightly more confident than I used to be that things will change radically, although I would hardly draw an analogy with having a Scottish actor promoting development of Scotland—we already have one in California called Sean Conn...

Chic Brodie (South Scotland) (SNP) SNP Chamber

14 Jan 2016

Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Will the cabinet secretary take an intervention?

Chic Brodie SNP Chamber

14 Jan 2016

Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Is it not conceivable that the rector, having been elected by the wider franchise, could take a co-chair’s role in looking at the policy of the university? The chair, who must be elected by the court, would then be responsible for chairing items of operational performance. Wou...

Chic Brodie (South Scotland) (SNP) SNP Committee

09 Feb 2016

Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

I support amendment 4B. I have made my position clear from the beginning that to have two individuals on the court elected by the wider franchise will not achieve consistency and will probably enhance points of conflict. That is not desirable. Amendment 4B helps to alleviate i...

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

09 Feb 2016

Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

I made a point about having the rector elected on a wider franchise to secure their attendance to project policy, which is clearly a driver for any institution. That would allow us to make sure that that democratisation applies at the very point of policy projection. I do not ...

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

09 Feb 2016

Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

I understand that, and if you cut any of us through the middle you would see democracy running through us. However, I still cannot understand—particularly if we want more candidates to stand for election—why it is okay for a governing body to elect over a period of a year or l...

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

09 Feb 2016

Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

We talked earlier about the appointments committee. I strongly agree that those who seek to appoint a chair should include as wide a range as possible of people who are affected by the talent of all the individuals in the institution. George Adam made a good point about ensuri...

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

09 Feb 2016

Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

Are you able to advise how many members of courts have been removed or asked to resign in the course of their tenure?

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

09 Feb 2016

Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

I hear what the cabinet secretary says about the university sector advisory forum looking at this contentious bill. However, at the end of the day, the bill will be passed by Parliament, and my general view is that a bill of this nature should be allowed to bed down and be giv...