1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take item 4 in private.

2. Damp and Mould in Social and Private Rented Housing:

The Committee took evidence from—

Aoife Deery, Senior Social Justice Policy Officer, Citizens Advice Scotland;

Debbie King, Head of Advocacy, Shelter Scotland;

Emma Saunders, National Organiser,  Living Rent; 

Shona Gorman, Chair, Central Scotland Regional Network of Tenants and Residents;

and then from—

John Blackwood, Chief Executive , Scottish Association of Landlords;

Carolyn Lochhead, Director of External Affairs, Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA);

John Kerr, Co-Chair, Association of Local Authority Chief Housing Officers (ALACHO);

Timothy Douglas, Head of Policy and Campaigns, Propertymark

Ivan McKee MSP declared an interest as the owner of rental properties.

3. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee considered the following negative instruments—

Town and Country Planning (Play Sufficiency Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2023 (SSI 2023/97)

Town and Country Planning (Development Planning) (Scotland) Regulations 2023 (SSI 2023/101)

4. Damp and Mould in Social and Private Rented Housing (in private):

The Committee considered the evidence heard earlier in the meeting.