Minutes of Meeting on Wednesday 15th May 2025
Venue: Online via teams
Time: 16:00-18:00
Type: Panel Meeting
ATTENDEES:
Panel: Matthew Cole, Kirsten Jenkins, Alister Steele
Apologies: Margaret Corrigan and Fraser Stewart
Secretariat: Philippa Brosnan and Roanna Simpson
AGENDA ITEM 1: Introductory Remarks
Matt welcomed everyone to the meeting and noted Maggie and Fraser’s apologies.
AGENDA ITEM 2: Panel meetings and opportunities for engagement
The Panel agreed to meet with the Scottish Government Heat in Buildings Warmer Homes Scotland Team to discuss the WHS scheme for 2025-2026 on the 5th of June. The Secretariat will liaise with the Scottish Government team to ensure that the Panel receive a paper ahead of the discussion.
The Panel agreed that Philippa would attend the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations on behalf of the Panel.
The Panel also committed to engaging with the Poverty and Inequality Commission (PIC) to offer their perspective on fuel poverty related matters ahead of PIC’s feedback on the final Child Poverty delivery plan to be published next year.
AGENDA ITEM 3: General Update
Philippa requested that the Panel review the Annual Report by the end of May to facilitate its sign off at the in-person Panel meeting on the 9th of June.
Roanna gave an update on the status of the rural fuel poverty experience plan. It is progressing but all recognised that it needs to be published ahead of the RTS switch off on the 30th of June.
Philippa noted that the Acting Minister for Climate Action has responded to the Panel’s Funding Principles and Recommendations – the Panel agreed to consider the points made in their Periodic Report (PR) response.
The Panel agreed that meeting with the Scottish Government Fuel Poverty Team on the 9th of June would be a good opportunity to share its workplan and annual report, as well as talking to the plan, at a high level, for producing its PR response.
AGENDA ITEM 4: Periodic Report (PR) – Panel response
The Panel considered and tested the draft plan produced by the Secretariat for making the PRR response, incorporating apporaches previously suggested by the Panel, including individual reflections to be shared with the Secretariat ahead of collective discussion on the 9th of June, the drafting process and the potential for engagement.
AOB – Matt invited reflections and then closed the meeting.
Next meeting – 9th June 10:30-5:30 pm – at St Andrew’s House, Edinburgh.