FINANCIAL INDICATIVE OUTTURN

Members considered the report which provided an update on the financial outturn position of the SPA and Police Scotland for FY 2023/24. Patrick Brown highlighted a number of key points as detailed in the paper.

In discussion the following matters were raised:
• The Resources Committee Chair commented that the Committee recognised the balanced budget was a major achievement when there was an initial projected overspend. He paid tribute to Police Scotland’s Senior Leadership as well as the finance team.
• Members sought detail on the approach to project managing the digital and estates areas. Jame Gray (JGray) noted that during the last financial year, there was a large over allocation of capital which meant spending had to be slowed which had taken time to rebuild. JGray advised additional governance arrangements have been put in place to help monitor spend.
• CCFarrell thanked JGray and DCCSpeirs for driving operational changes and the mitigations that had to be put in place, confirming the Senior Leadership acknowledged the impact this had on frontline policing. Members supported the comments made.
• CCFarrell explained there was more scrutiny and visibility of budget management for all executive officers to give them more responsibility and accountability. CCFarrell also noted a broader discussion with Scottish Government on capital investment was required. The Chair commented that a balanced budget is essential, and the Authority have to advocate for more by demonstrating that investment in technology is being spent appropriately.

The Authority RESOLVED to:
• NOTE the report.