The Commission for Parliamentary Reform hear from former first ministers Jack McConnell and Henry McLeish.
MSPs take evidence from Finance Secretary Derek Mackay on the expenditure proposals in his draft budget.
Image source, bbcFinance Secretary Derek Mackay will now give evidence on his draft budget
Finance Secretary Derek Mackay will now give evidence to the Finance Committee, external.
The finance secretary will focus on his expenditure proposals in his draft budget.
Finance Secretary Derek Mackay will take questions from the public on his budget plans, after being grilled by MSPs.
Mr Mackay is to meet Finance Committee, external members for the second time in a week to discuss his tax and spending plans.
The committee appealed for the public to send in questions over social media, a selection of which will be put directly to the cabinet secretary.Mr Mackay has said he is "positive" about getting his budget passed, amid talks with the Lib Dems and Greens.
Image source, bbc/paHe attended the committee to discuss his tax plans, which will be the subject of a separate vote prior to the final budget vote, on 11 January.
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Today's will focus more on his spending plans, external, first with questions from MSPs and then a second session consisting of questions sent in by members of the public via social media.
The committee asked for people to send in questions using the Twitter hashtag #askthecabsec, saying "all admissible questions" would be published online and that the government would be invited to provide written responses to any not put to Mr Mackay.
Image source, bbcFinance Committee Convener Bruce Crawford
Questions about the local government settlement, the use of tax powers and funding for housing infrastructure were among those submitted.
Committee convener Bruce Crawford said MSPs wanted to "give the public the chance to put their questions to Derek Mackay" on his "highly significant" budget.
Also giving evidence at the meeting will be Graham Owenson, the government's head of local government finance, and the deputy directors of financial strategy and financial programme management.
Image source, bbcHenry McLeish
That concludes the evidence session with Henry McLeish.
Image source, bbcDerek Mackay
Join us at 4pm, when MSPs will take evidence from Finance Secretary Derek Mackay on the expenditure proposals in his draft budget.
Image source, bbcMr McLeish says Scotland will get more powers and become unrecognisable, which will lead to big challenges.
He says: "Things are going to be different."
The former first minister says: "Democracy, in my view, is at risk at the present time."
Mr McCormick says the international reputation of the parliament is very high and because of that perhaps it has become complacent.
He asks if the parliament has the appetite for change.
Mr McLeish says there is a problem that you cannot expect parliamentarians to have a great appetite for change when they are dealing with other things.
The former first minister says it is up to the commission and Scotland to have this debate with the parliamentarians to look at how things can be done better.
Image source, bbcKatie Burke MSYP
Katie Burke MSYP says it tends to be the usual suspects giving evidence every time, in committee.
Mr McLeish says the parliament often goes down the avenue of most convenience.
Commission member Geoff Mawdsley asks about the strengthening of select committees.
Mr McLeish says he would be in favour of having a bigger select committee function.
John McCormick asks how participatory Holyrood is and how could it be made more the parliament of the people
Mr McLeish sayS: "Compared with Westminster it is incredibly accessible."
Image source, Scottish ParliamentHe says for the Millennials Holyrood has always been there and that is good because it belongs to them.
Mr McLeish says the sovereignty of the people is key.
Professor Boyd Robertson asks if there is scope for ministers to be answering questions on their portfolios on a more regular basis.
Mr McLeish says ministers have a difficult job to do but they should be more available.
He says there is no reason why there should not be a Brexit committee.
Mr McLeish says Brexit is "a monumentally stupid idea" and having a committee on it would be an example of where other parliamentarians would more than likely agree with the government.
Image source, bbcMr McLeish says FMQs provides drama, but asks what it does for the democratic function
Mr McLeish says being totally transparent and open as a government is difficult.
The former Scottish Labour leader says the government has most of its strengths at its disposal.
He says FMQs and PMQs adds to the drama and it is difficult to stand there and get lambasted, but what does it do for the democratic function.
Mr McLeish says parliament wanted to be different in Scotland and it put a great deal of effort into being different.
The former first minister says "we strengthen our democracy by strengthening our parliament".
He says it is "not always obvious" that the parliament has a life outwith the government.
Image source, Scottish ParliamentCall for Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh to have a stronger role
Mr McCormick asks about Mr McLeish's suggestion of a standing commission for the parliament.
The former Labour leader says it would allow Scotland to think aloud, with the MSPs, about where it is going.
Mr McLeish says it would be a good idea to strengthen the identity of parliamentarians, with the presiding officer having a stronger role.
Mr McCormick asks if changes to the electoral system would free up the MSPs to be more independent parliamentarians.
Mr McLeish says the electoral system still carries the burden of first past the post.
The former first minister says there is a debate to be had that the whole of the parliament can be elected in other ways.
He says "once you have a tide moving, in first past the post, it sweeps everything".
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Image source, bbcFormer SNP MSP Fiona McLeod
Former SNP MSP Fiona McLeod asks how do we give the committees more time, if not with more MSPs.
Ms McLeod asks if committees should be able to meet when the chamber is sitting in plenary session.
Mr McLeish says: "Yes I do".
The former first minister says: The real work of the parliament goes on in committees."
Mr McCormick asks how much responsibility is on the individual parties to reform.
Mr McLeish says a good reference point for reform is Westminster
Mr McLeish says the good reference point is Westminster.
The former first minister says government whips should be willing to have more of their position scrutinised.
Image source, Scottish ParliamentMr McCormick asks what changes Mr McLeish would make to the committee system.
The former Scottish Labour leader says he would like to see the chairs of the committee be elected and have a much higher profile.
Mr McLeish says the select committee function is being slightly neglected.
Commission chair John McCormick asks about the capacity of the parliament.
Mr McCormick asks for Mr McLeish's key argument that more public money should be spent on more MSPs.
Mr McLeish says he does not think this is required at the moment and there is no rush to appoint more MSPs.
He says the Scottish Parliament is getting more powers via devolution.