Minutes: 18 February 2026

1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take item 5 in private.

2. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee took evidence on the Antisocial Behaviour (Fixed Penalty Offences) (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Order 2026 [draft] from—

Siobhian Brown, Minister for Victims and Community Safety, Robert Wyllie, Policy Lead, Safer Communities and Nicola Guild, Legal Directorate, Scottish Government.

3. Subordinate legislation:

Siobhian Brown (Minister for Victims and Community Safety) moved—

S6M-20475—That the Criminal Justice Committee recommends that the Antisocial Behaviour (Fixed Penalty Offences) (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Order 2026 [draft] be approved.

The motion was agreed to.

4. Policing and mental health:

The Committee took evidence from—

Stephen Gallagher, Director of Mental Health and Dr Robby Steel, Principal Medical Officer for Mental Health, Scottish Government;

and then from—

David Threadgold, Chair, Scottish Police Federation;

and then from—

Assistant Chief Constable Catriona Paton, Policing Together and Nicky Page, Temporary Director of Human Resources, Police Scotland.

5. Policing and mental health (In Private):

The Committee considered the evidence it heard earlier under agenda item 4.

6. Work programme (In Private):

The Committee considered its work programme. The Committee agreed to write to Dr Sandesh Gulhane MSP regarding recent correspondence. The Committee also considered and agreed a legacy report in relation to its cross-committee work with the Health, Social Care and Sport and Social Justice and Social Security Committees.