Revised Model for Policing Oversight Group – Closure Report

Introduction
Police Scotland’s 3-Year Business Plan sets out the pathway to a more sustainable and affordable model for policing. During the plan’s development, the Revised Model for the Policing of Scotland Oversight Group provided enhanced assurance and oversight of progress, scope, and the pace of development. Now the completed Business Plan has been endorsed by the Authority, it is appropriate that governance and oversight of delivery are undertaken by the Authority’s Committees and Board. This report seeks Members’ approval to mainstream related governance and oversight into the work of the Authority’s Board and Committees and stand down the Revised Model for the Policing of Scotland Oversight Group.

The work of the Revised Model for the Policing of Scotland Oversight Group

The Revised Model for the Policing of Scotland Oversight Group met for the first time on 4 April 2024, with six meetings taking place between 4 April and 15 October 2024.

During the period, the Oversight Group requested, considered and provided feedback on regular reports from Police Scotland on -
Police Scotland’s Vision 2030.
•Financial planning, prioritisation and the impact of investment in technology and innovation.
Evidence of workforce requirements, service pressures and priorities, community priorities, front line focus and public impact.
Engaging staff, trades unions, staff associations, stakeholders and partners, and how outputs are reflected in developing plans.
Effective internal and external messaging, ensuring a clear narrative on the rationale for change and what it means for the public, workforce, stakeholders and partners.
Streamlining the internal strategic landscape.
Assessing and managing related risk.
The Draft 3-Year Business Plan and delivery milestones.

At the Oversight Group’s most recent meeting on the 15 October, Group Members highlighted the significant work undertaken by Police Scotland to develop the 2030 Vision and 3-Year Business Plan at pace and considered proposals for future governance and oversight.

Group Members highlighted the importance of regular reporting of strategic risk through the Audit, Risk and Assurance Committee (ARAC), and ensuring risks are contained within appetite and tolerance levels. Police Scotland has committed to continue to report related risk to ARAC, through its existing approach to strategic, organisational, and operational risk, and in relation to each commitment to deliver the 2030 Vision.

Group Members received assurance that 3-Year Business Plan milestones and progress on delivering the Vision will be fully integrated into an updated Policing Performance Framework, and progress reflected in regular reports to Policing Performance Committee. In addition, Group Members were briefed that a newly established Police Scotland People Board will consider related workforce issues and inform reports to the People Committee.

Group Members agreed that the group had delivered on its remit, and that the work of the Group had reached a natural conclusion. The Group Members supported proposals set out in this report, to mainstream future governance and oversight through the Authority’s Committees and Board Meetings.

Future governance and oversight

It is proposed that:

Police Scotland’s delivery of the milestones set out in the 3-Year Business Plan is considered by the Policing Performance Committee. The Committee would regularly examine improvement and impact; and milestone-based measures of progress towards the delivery of the 2030 Vision, Revised Model of Policing and associated Annual and 3 Year Business plans.

More detailed reporting on workforce, resourcing and finance, and risk, is considered at the People Committee; Resources Committee; and Audit Risk and Assurance Committee respectively.

To ensure the Authority maintains an overview of delivery of all elements of the 3-Year Business Plan and the Revised Model for Policing, Police Scotland will report on progress in public at Authority meetings at least twice a year.

The Revised Model for the Policing of Scotland Oversight Group is stood down.