Former SPA chief executive John Foley discusses the SPA audit with MSPs
MSPs quiz Nicola Sturgeon during first minister's questions
Tory MSP leads debate on electric shock collars
MSPs debate the repeal of Offensive Behaviour at Football Act
Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing says the Scottish government will consult on the Good Food Nation Bill this year.
Tory MSP Edward Mountain asks about funding to support the bill.
Mr Ewing says the promotion of a good food nation is about promoting good nutrition and attracting people to Scotland to enjoy Scottish produce.
"It's not all about money," he says.
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Image source, PAScotland has its national drink, its other national drink, and now it has its very own national chef.
The 2016 winner of MasterChef: The Professionals - Gary Maclean - will be the first to wear the Scottish government's new crown.
The post of National Chef was created to take forward plans to make Scotland a Good Food Nation, not only in terms of produce but also what people buy, serve and eat.
His job is celebrate Scottish produce and teach how to make the most of locally-sourced, healthy, sustainable and affordable food.
SNP MSP Gail Ross seeks an update on progress towards Scotland becoming a good food nation.
Image source, ThinkstockGreen MSP Mark Ruskell says stop skipping is only treated as a partial cancellation with no financial penalties.
Mr Ruskell calls for this to change in the new franchise.
Mr Yousaf says stop skipping PPM failure and ScotRail are held to account for those.
He says he will consider the Green MSP's suggestion.
Transport Minister Humza Yousaf
Transport Minister Humza Yousaf says ScotRail has faced a number of challenges in recent months.
He states an independent review into ScotRail's recovery measures is being taken forward.
Alex Rowley seeks a meeting with the minister to discuss details of the problems and calls for railways to be nationalised.
The minister says there was an improvement in the Fife service in the first part of 2017 but performance deteriorated in autumn, hence the review.
He agrees to facilitate a meeting with local MSPs and ScotRail managing director Alex Hindes.
On nationalisation, he points to the Scottish government allowing a public sector bidder for the contract.
Image source, GoogleBurntisland station is on the Fife Circle
According to Fife Today, angry commuters have hit out at ScotRail over the growing number of cancellations and incidents of ‘station-hopping’.
Many say the 7.57am service between Kirkcaldy and Edinburgh is rapidly deteriorating, with commuters being left late for work or appointments.
ScotRail often misses out stops in Fife on the crucial service to Edinburgh, blaming a ‘fault with the train’, however it is understood that the firm cites a lack of carriages as to the reason for ‘station hopping’.
Labour MSP Alex Rowley asks about reports that rail travellers on the Fife Circle face poor journey experiences and that there are consistent failures of service.
Image source, BBC/PA/Getty Images
Image source, bbcAfter general questions, we will provide extensive coverage of this week's First Minister's Questions.
This will be followed by a debate on electric shock training collars led by Tory MSP Maurice Golden.
Image source, Getty imagesThe week ends with the first stage debate of the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Repeal) (Scotland) Bill.
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Were any witnesses contacted by the Scottish government prior to appearing before the committee today, convener Jenny Marra asks.
All reply no.
And with that the Audit Committee brings to an end a fascinating evidence session with the Scottish Police Authority.
Time for a breather, but please be back in your seats for general questions at 11.40pm and first minister's questions should be a doozy, our extensive coverage will begin at noon as ever.
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Tory MSP Liam Kerr asks whether there was any dissent from the board on the payments.
Nicola Marchant and David Hume say not that they can recall.
Mr Kerr asks why the SPA rejected using a settlement agreement for Mr Foley.
Andrew Flanagan says the settlement Mr Foley was seeking would go beyond the VR/VER scheme.
Ms Marra raises the issue of relocation payments to the deputy chief constable and asks if they were appropriate.
Mr Foley says they were contractual entitlements given on the creation of Police Scotland.
Audit Scotland are telling us £28,000 of public money was spent unnecessarily on Mr Foley's payments, convener Jenny Marra says.
John Foley says he deliberately did not engage with board members on the issue because he felt it would not be appropriate.
Do you agree that the payment was unecessary, Ms Marra asks.
He says he agrees he could have worked a notice period.
Jenny Marra asks if Mr Foley has or will pay the money back.
John Foley says he will not, arguing he would have received payments had he worked the notice period.
"I have done nothing wrong," he states.
Image source, Getty ImagesFormer chief executive of the SPA John Foley left his position in October, shortly after the accounts were signed off.
A statement from the SPA said Mr Foley would be paid in lieu of his contractual notice as well as an early retirement payment.
Earlier this year, Scotland's police watchdog had criticised "dysfunctional" relationships at the top of the SPA.
A review by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland described a "fundamental weakness" at the board.
Mr Foley's departure follows the announcement two months prior that SPA chairman Andrew Flanagan was to resign.
Image source, Audit ScotlandThe 2016/17 audit of the SPA recognised that progress had been made in the financial management of the SPA and Police Scotland, but said improving transparency should be the main focus for management.
The SPA started 2017/18 with a predicted deficit of £47.2m. It currently forecasts deficits of £35.6m in 2018/19 and £15.9m in 2019/20.
Auditor general Caroline Gardner said that after predicting financial balance in 2020/21, the SPA may then move back into annual deficits due to continuing financial pressures.
Susan Deacon, the new chairwoman of the SPA, said she was determined to address the concerns highlighted in the report.
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Labour MSP Iain Gray asks why the panel felt it was acceptable to approve a budget with such a large overspend and what measures were considered to get a balance.
Andrew Flanagan says measures to reduce the cost were "quite fundamental and long-term", such as reducing the number of police officers.
More effective procurement and purchasing was also discussed, but Mr Flanagan explains this would take a long time to take effect because of long-term contracts.
Other issues included the lack of a single payroll system, ineffective HR and no agreed terms and conditions across the workforce, he says.
The SPA has predicted this will take three years to resolve, he adds.