SNP MSP Bob Doris elected convener of the Local Government and Communities Committee

SNP MSP Bob Doris has been elected convener of the Scottish Parliament’s Local Government and Communities Committee.

Labour’s Elaine Smith was elected as deputy convener.

The committee met briefly for the first time on Wednesday to elect a convener and deputy convener and discuss their work programme.

Doris said to Smith: “Delighted to have you as our vice-convener. I’m sure we’ll work very well together.”

The other members of the committee are SNP MSPs Kenneth Gibson and Mairi Evans, Conservatives Graham Simpson and Alexander Stewart and Green MSP Andy Wightman.

Three of the committee members are currently councillors on Scottish local authorities as well as being MSPs.

Mairi Evans is a councillor for Brechin and Edzell on Angus Council, Graham Simpson is a councillor for East Kilbride West on South Lanarkshire Council and Alexander Stewart is an elected member for Perth City South on Perth and Kinross Council.

The committee discussed its work programme in a private session, but announced afterwards that it had agreed to invite the Minister for Local Government and Housing, Kevin Stewart, to give evidence on 29 June.

The committee will hold a business planning day towards the end of the summer recess for future work.