Scottish Regulators Forum minutes: February 2026

Attendees and apologies

• Food Standards Scotland
• Healthcare Improvement Scotland
• Historic Environment Scotland
• NatureScot
• Scottish Environmental Protection Agency
• Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
• Scottish Government
• Scottish Housing Regulator
• Society of Chief Officers of Trading Standards in Scotland
• Society of Chief Officers of Environmental Health in Scotland
• Trading Standards Scotland, COSLA

Apologies

• Accountant in Bankruptcy
• Care Inspectorate
• Scottish Charity Regulator

Items and actions

Welcome and introductions

Chair opened the second meeting of the Scottish Regulators Forum and welcomed all attendees. Representatives from the Welsh Government were also in attendance as observers, with an interest in learning from Scotland’s work on Better Regulation and regulatory reform.

Review of previous actions

The forum confirmed that all actions from the previous meeting had been completed.

Minutes from the last meeting

The minutes of the first meeting were circulated in advance and were agreed by members. 

Review of the Terms of Reference (ToR)

Members considered the updated draft ToR, which reflected feedback on forum membership. It was agreed that the core membership should remain as defined in the Act, supported by participation from a wider group of relevant regulators as needed. Attendees agreed it was important to keep the forum inclusive and flexible.

The Chair informed members that Scottish Government colleagues leading on Public Service Reform (PSR) had expressed interest in establishing a ‘regulators cluster’ linked to the forum. Members agreed that it would be helpful for PSR officials to attend the next meeting to explain this proposal and answer members’ questions. 
A further draft of the ToR will be made available in advance of the next forum meeting, with a view to finalisation at that meeting.

Review of the Scottish Regulators’ Strategic Code of Practice

The first draft of the updated Code of Practice, was shared with forum members and members of the Regulatory Review Group for comment in advance of the meeting. 

In discussion, members welcomed the draft of the refreshed Code, seeing it as an improvement, and provided initial feedback highlighting the importance of:

• using clear and precise language to avoid ambiguity
• reflecting the different legal duties and powers of regulators
• recognising that some regulators operate independently of Scottish ministers
• ensuring the Code supports proportionate, transparent and consistent regulation
• considering how economic, environmental and social outcomes are balanced
• clarifying reporting requirements

Forum members were invited to provide any further comments in writing by 5 March. The Chair asked that, when highlighting any concerns with wording in the draft, forum members indicated if these also related to wording in the current Code of Practice. 

A further iteration of the draft revised code will be circulated ahead of the next forum meeting.

Forum work plan for 2026

A draft workplan for the coming year was shared with members for consideration. The workplan will evolve, but the following areas are expected to be covered:

• continued development of the updated Code of Practice, including preparation of the finalised version for Ministers 
• sharing best practice across regulatory bodies
• producing case studies for publication on the Scottish Government’s website
• exploring opportunities for joint regulatory working 
• engagement with UK-wide regulatory networks
• ongoing discussions relating to public service reform

The work plan will be updated to reflect the discussion on public service reform which will take place at the next meeting and will be recirculated.

Next steps

• members to provide written comments on the draft Code of Practice by early March
• Public Sector Reform colleagues to attend the next meeting to outline potential links with the forum 
• next meeting is proposed for late April