Registration of new Groups

New Groups must follow the process of holding an initial meeting and electing office bearers as set out in Section 6, paragraphs 12 and 13 of the Code. The name and purpose of the Group must also be confirmed at the initial meeting and the MSP and non-MSP membership.

Within 30 calendar days of the initial meeting, the Convener must submit a completed registration form to the Standards clerks.

Once the completed registration form has been received by the Standards clerks it will go to the next suitable meeting of the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee to be considered for approval.

The Convener of the proposed Group will be invited to that meeting to discuss the Group's registration.

Modification of Section 6, paragraph 8 of the Code of Conduct

Section 6, paragraph 8 of the Code of Conduct requires that each CPG must have at least 5 MSPs including at least one MSP from each of the parties or groups represented on the Parliamentary Bureau.

At its meeting on 30 June 2016 the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee agreed to exercise its right to make a general modification to this section of the Code of Conduct to allow CPGs which have at least one MSP member from the majority of parties represented on the Parliamentary Bureau to register. There are currently five parties represented on the Bureau therefore, if the Group has MSPs from at least three parties, it meets the requirements of the Code.