Local Government and Communities Committee

1. Decision on taking business in private: The Committee will decide whether to take item 4 in private. 2. Draft Budget Scrutiny 2017-18: The Committee will take evidence on the Scottish Government's Draft Budget 2017-18 from— Kevin Stewart, Minister for Local Government and Housing, Caroline Dicks, Head of Affordable Housing, Angus Macleod, Head of Home Energy Efficiency Programmes for Scotland Unit, and Barry Stalker, Spending Review Team Leader, Scottish Government; and then from— Derek Mackay, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Constitution, John Nicholson, Deputy Director for Financial Scrutiny and Outcomes, Douglas McLaren, Head of Local Taxation, Local Government Finance, Local Taxation Policy and Business Rates Unit, and Bill Stitt, Assistant Team Leader (Revenue), Local Government Finance, Local Taxation Policy and Business Rates Unit, Scottish Government. 3. Consideration of evidence (in private): The Committee will consider the evidence heard at agenda item 2. 4. Payments to returning officers in Scotland: The Committee will consider a draft report.