Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee

2. Decision on taking business in private: The Committee will decide whether to take item 5 in private. 3. Common Agricultural Policy Payments: The Committee will take evidence from- Fergus Ewing, Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and Connectivity, Douglas Petrie, Head of Area Offices and Head of Agricultural Profession, Andrew Watson, Deputy Director for Agricultural Policy Implementation, Annabel Turpie, Chief Operating Officer, Rural Payments Operation, and Eddie Turnbull, Head of Agriculture and Rural Communities Information Systems, Scottish Government. 4. Islands (Scotland) Bill: The Committee will take evidence on the Bill at Stage 1 from— Ronnie Hinds, Chair, and Isabel Drummond-Murray, Secretary, Local Government Boundary Commission Scotland; Roddie Mackay, Leader, and Derek Mackay, Depute Returning Officer and Democractic Services Manager, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar. 5. Draft Budget Scrutiny 2018-19: The Committee will consider whether to seek approval for the appointment of a budget adviser.