2nd Report, 2008 (Session 3)

Subordinate Legislation

Remit and membership

Remit:

To consider and report on (a) further and higher education, lifelong learning, schools, pre-school care, skills and other matters falling within the responsibility of the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning; and (b) matters relating to culture and the arts falling within the responsibility of the Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture.

Membership:

Aileen Campbell
Rob Gibson (Deputy Convener)
Kenneth Macintosh
Christina McKelvie
Mary Mulligan
Jeremy Purvis
Elizabeth Smith
Karen Whitefield (Convener)

Committee Clerking Team:

Clerk to the Committee
Eugene Windsor

Senior Assistant Clerk
Nick Hawthorne

Assistant Clerk
Andrew Proudfoot

Subordinate Legislation

The Committee reports to the Parliament as follows—

1. At its meeting on 14 May 2008, the Education, Lifelong Learning and Culture Committee considered the following affirmative instrument—

the draft Fundable Bodies (The Scottish Agricultural College) (Scotland) Order 2008.

2. Maureen Watt MSP, Minister for Schools and Skills, moved—

S3M-1784: That the Education, Lifelong Learning and Culture Committee recommends that the draft Fundable Bodies (The Scottish Agricultural College) (Scotland) Order 2008 be approved.

3. The Committee noted the Minister’s explanation of the policy intent behind the Order, which would, if approved, result in the Scottish Agricultural College becoming a ‘fundable body’. This would mean that in future it would receive funding and support from the Scottish Funding Council in the same way as other further and higher education institutions. Currently the College is funded directly by the Scottish Government.

4. It was further noted that it was the Minister’s intention that initial funding for the Scottish Agricultural College under the Scottish Funding Council would equate to that previously received by the College from the Scottish Government. The Minister indicated that negotiations on the detailed financial arrangements of the transfer were still taking place. She offered to come back to the Committee to explain the outcome of the negotiations in due course.

5. After debate, the motion was agreed to.