Resources Committee

The formal minute of the public items of business will be available at the meeting scheduled for 17 June 2025. This will also be published on the SPA’s website. A full recording of the public items of business taken at this meeting can be accessed here.

Main Items of Business
Financial Monitoring, planning and oversight
• P10 Financial Monitoring Report
• 2025/26 Draft Budget
• Police Scotland Procurement Strategy
• Committee Effectiveness
• Charity Donation of PPE Products
• Contract Awards x 3
• Police Housing Update

Business Case Scrutiny & Oversight
• Body Worn Video Update
• National Integrated Communication Control System (NICCS) Change Request

Key Issues Raised

P10 Financial Monitoring Report
Revenue
• The considerable work to deliver a balanced revenue budget, which remains the forecast, was commended by the Committee. Any residual risks to delivery will continue to be managed closely in the coming weeks.
Capital
• Members asked that future committee reporting include a progress update on how much capital spend has been committed as the year progresses, as this will provide assurance that the impact of better planning across all business areas and budget holders is being seen.
• The Committee welcomed plans to introduce 3-5 year detailed delivery plans and the development of the associated resourcing requirements, so that budget holders have greater confidence to plan further ahead than is currently the case.
2025/26 Budget
• The committee discussed the draft budget and planning assumptions. Discussion focused on the choices required to mitigate all cost pressures and deliver a balanced budget, whilst maintaining the key elements of the three-year business plan.
• Members and Police Scotland colleagues agreed that a competent and balanced budget must be presented to the Authority. This budget must continue to enable the operation of an effective police service, keeping the people of Scotland safe.
• In line with the business plan, the committee expects to see further progress in Police Scotland’s evolving organisational design and workforce planning to reflect changing demand whilst reinvesting efficiency savings in frontline and community policing.
• The Committee also approved the Schedule of Rates for 2025/26.

Procurement Strategy 2025/28
• The Procurement Strategy for 2025-28 was considered with the focus of committee interest being across two main areas: resource and capacity within the team to delivery against the strategy, and alignment to delivery plans for the Estates Masterplan.

Committee Effectiveness
• The areas for improvement highlighted by this process were acknowledged by the Committee and consideration will be given to how that information can be used to improve the approach of the Committee going forward.

Charity Donation of PPE Products

• A proposal to make a charity donation of expired and near-expiry Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) acquired as part of the Operation Talla (COVID) response was considered and, subject to some additional clarity being provided, was approved to be recommended to Scottish Government for final sign-off.

Police Housing Update
• A further update on change to Police housing arrangements was considered and Members heard that, following the introduction of recent changes, there had been very little impact in respect of officer retention in remote and rural areas.
• The Committee sought and received assurance that any learning from the EqHRIA and Island Communities Impact Assessments would be fed back into the organisation for consideration in future projects.

Business Cases
Body Worn Video Update
• Members were reassured to hear that this project remains on track for the ‘go-live’ date with no current concerns in terms of delivery against milestones.

National Integrated Communication Control System Change Request
• Further to previous updates to the committee, Members reviewed the options going forward and subsequently approved a change request to complete delivery of the technical solution. Members reinforced their frustration over the elongated timelines and additional costs of the programme, but recognised the considerable effort being made to explore all viable options in remediating the situation.

Conclusions/ Actions Reached
• 2025/26 Budget to be further developed prior to presentation to the Authority for approval.
• Approval of Schedule of Rates for 2025/26.
• Approval of Procurement Strategy for 2025-28
• Approval of Changes to the National Integrated Communication Control System (NICCS) project from the approved Full Business Case.
• Approval of Charity Donation of PPE Products
• Approval x 3 Contract awards