Commonwealth Games 2026 Policing Oversight Group

MAIN ITEMS OF BUSINESS
• Terms of Reference Review
• Operational Briefing
• Planning Assumptions
• Finance Briefing
• Police Scotland Governance Structure
• Risk Update

KEY ISSUES RAISED
The Terms of Reference for this Oversight Group was presented. It was highlighted that the section around risk tolerances (Section 1.4) should be updated to be “within Police Scotland’s risk tolerance”, rather than “as far as possible”. Oversight Group Members and Police Scotland agreed with the amendment. The updated Terms of Reference is appended to this report and I would request that Board Members approve this updated version.

The Oversight Group received an extensive update detailing the policing planning progress, opportunities and risks and areas of priority for Police Scotland in relation to the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Members were advised of the 10 sports across 4 venues, accommodation plans, partnership working & mutual aid arrangements and the key stakeholders. ACC Mark Sutherland agreed to present the Stakeholder Register at a future meeting. Members sought and received assurance that Police Scotland have engaged with planning teams from previous Commonwealth Games (Birmingham 2022) to understand their lessons learned and discuss their planning model. It was highlighted that there are a number of planning details to be clarified at this stage. However, Members felt assured that Police Scotland’s initial operational planning is robust and were encouraged to note that Police Scotland already have a strong working relationship with Glasgow Life who are facilitating the organisation of the games.

Members received a comprehensive update in respect of Police Scotland’s 51 planning assumptions across the 5 key themes. The Oversight Group commended the breadth of the update and were encouraged by the amount of planning already undertaken. Given the level of potential risk, Members highlighted the importance of clear internal and external communications and were assured to hear that there is a dedicated Corporate Communications resource in place.

Members considered an update on the finance workstream and cost recovery for the 2026 Commonwealth Games. It was acknowledged and accepted by Members that there are some unknowns in relation to finance at this stage which will become clearer in the coming weeks. The Oversight Group requested that if significant progress is made, a paper is presented at the next meeting to provide assurance and clarity. Members sought and received assurance that there should be no financial gain or detriment to Police Scotland or the Scottish Police Authority as a result of policing the event. Members were assured to note Police Scotland’s stance that best value will be sought at every opportunity to minimise policing costs; however, cost will not compromise public safety.

The Oversight Group welcomed a verbal update on Police Scotland’s Governance Structure in relation to Policing of the Commonwealth Games 2026. The Oversight Group were encouraged to hear that Police Scotland have secured observer status at the Commonwealth Games Board.
Members were advised that the Gold Group meets on a 6-weekly cycle. It was agreed that the Oversight Group would take Police Scotland’s meeting cycle into consideration and set the frequency of the Oversight Group as 6-weekly at this stage.

Police Scotland provided a verbal update on risk. Members sought and received assurance that risks outside Police Scotland’s tolerance will be flagged to the Gold Commander. The Oversight Group requested a schematic articulating how risks are identified and managed is presented at a future meeting.

CONCLUSIONS/ACTIONS REACHED

• Updated Terms of Reference appended to this report for APPROVAL.
• Members of the Oversight Group were assured by the comprehensive planning already undertaken by Police Scotland.
• Police Scotland to share their Stakeholder Register at a future meeting.
• Members were assured that work is ongoing to understand the costs of Policing the 2026 Commonwealth Games and that public safety will not be compromised in relation to costs.
• Oversight Group Members requested to receive a comprehensive finance update once the detail is available.
• Agreed the Commonwealth Games 2026 Oversight Group will meet on a 6-weekly basis at this stage.
• The Oversight Group requested a schematic articulating how risks are identified and managed is presented at a future meeting.