Report Summary
The Scottish Police Authority attended the Criminal Justice Committee on Wednesday 30 October 2024 to give evidence as part of its pre-budget scrutiny. The Authority submitted written evidence in advance setting out the context for the policing budget and the challenges and requirements for the years ahead. This aimed to support Committee Members’ questioning on the day.
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SPA Corporate
The third element of the policing budget I would alert the committee to, are the costs associated with the governance and oversight of policing. The Authority’s corporate function supports the Board in its oversight and scrutiny of policing and delivers a range of statutory functions including complaint and conduct matters and an independent custody visiting scheme. The corporate function was allocated 0.4% (£5.5m) of the policing budget in 2024/25. When benchmarked against other similar policing oversight bodies such as the British Transport Policing Authority (0.7%) or the Northern Ireland Policing Board (0.7%), this reflects favourably. The Authority does not expect this percentage to change in the year ahead.
Finally, the Committee will be aware HMICS conducted a Strategic Review of the Scottish Police Authority which published in June 2024. This was a very positive report which highlighted significantly improved leadership, direction, governance and oversight of policing in Scotland by the Authority. My tenure as Chair of the Authority comes to an end on 31 January 2025, I am proud of all that have been achieved over the last 4-years. The Authority has developed itself as a strong, effective public body which adds significant value to the policing system.
I trust this submission aids members pre-budget scrutiny. We look forward to answering members’ questions on Wednesday 30 October 2024.
Yours sincerely
MARTYN EVANS
Chair
