Internal Audit Reports

INTERNAL AUDIT REPORTS
Members considered three new internal audit reports.
Decision Making Processes - governance
Claire Robertson (CRobertson) highlighted a number of key points as detailed within the report.
In discussion the following matters were raised:
• The Committee Chair noted Police Scotland had requested the audit be undertaken.
• Members sought managements perspective on whether committed improvements on paper issuing were realistic, given the breadth of the governance structure. DCCSpeirs explained that the majority of papers brought to the Senior Leadership Board are firstly discussed at DCC Boards. The nature of policing and operational demands is the greatest challenge to delivering papers on time, however Police Scotland were committed to making improvements. One improvement was adopting the public sector target of paper circulation 7 days in advance.
• Members noted some papers are thereafter reported to SPA governance meetings and questioned if there was any way to minimise the amount of drafting. DCCSpeirs confirmed Police Scotland have a template that is replicated across all internal meetings. Kerri MacIver (KMacIver) added that if a paper is then taken to SPA, only the cover paper is required to be rewritten.
• The Committee Chair highlighted the Chief Constable Farrell had committed to reviewing decision making processes.

Ill Health Retirements and Injury
CRobertson highlighted a number of key points as detailed within the report, confirming BDO were content with the partial acceptances received.
In discussion the following matters were raised:
• Members were satisfied that the backlog had reduced but agreed it was key that recommendations are progressed and documented to help ascertain if further refinements were necessary.
• Members recognised the links to the People Committee and were assured the report would be shared. Members also heard the People Committee would be undertaking a deep dive on ill health retirements and injuries, where issues around monitoring would be discussed. ARAC will continue to monitor progress on recommendations. LBrown advised that ill health retirements and injuries used to sit within the Legal Committee but following a governance review to identify improvements, it was agreed it was more beneficial for it to sit within the People Committee remit.

Biometrics
CRobertson highlighted a number of key points as detailed within the report.
In discussion the following matters were raised:
• Members heard the Biometrics Commissioner had been involved in the audit and as such the report would be shared with him.
• Members were informed Police Scotland agree and accept all recommendations, and resource was being increased to provide an appropriate structure to take the recommendations forward. Members were assured completion dates were achievable.
• The Committee Chair noted that the observation sections in all reports were helpful to provide further understanding to the Committee.
The Committee RESOLVED to:
• NOTE the report.