Further detail

Notice of inspection
In September 2024, the Chief Executive received a joint letter from HMCIC and the Audit General for Scotland providing a formal notice of the intention to conduct a Best Value review of Police Scotland, the SPA and SPA Forensic Services in 2025.

The letter confirmed the work is likely to start early in the 2025/26 financial year and is expected to conclude by the end of the calendar year.

The letter also provided an early indication of areas they would expect to be focus of their evidence gathering to help with preparation for the review (appendix A).

They finally indicate that a more formal terms of reference and inspection plan will follow.

The Chief Executive has responded seeking a further timeline for the next steps of planning and inspection work as well as detail on the terms of reference.

SPA Corporate Update
Following the detailed inspection of the Authority earlier this year, the SPA is focused on continuous improvement by addressing the areas for development identified by HMICS.

The areas for development have been incorporated into the SPA’s business plan with progress monitored and reported as part of that plan.

In addition to this work Authority staff are continuing to undertake ‘deep dives’ of Best Value areas. Following the completion of the best value self-assessment, that informed the HMICS inspection, there was a commitment to complete two deep dives. In August a deep dive review of the BV subject area of ‘performance management’ was undertaken. As a result of this work ten new actions have been identified with some new actions included in the SPA business plan for the current and next year.

The equalities working group is progressing the second deep dive utilising the self-assessment completed previously and Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) guidance. Actions identified will be addressed this and next financial year.

Given the recent inspection and detailed self-assessment work undertaken recently by SPA corporate the Authority plans to update the existing assessment rather than completing a revised assessment from the start.

SPA Corporate staff are engaging regularly with colleagues in Police Scotland and Forensic Services sharing lessons learned and best practice from the SPA Corporate best value journey to date.

SPA Forensic Services
Forensic Services is currently undertaking a comprehensive self-assessment of Best Value. This initiative is progressing well and remains on track according to the plan presented to ARAC in August.

Forensic Services is adhering to the 2020 Best Value guidance, which has been specifically developed to assist local authorities and other public bodies in demonstrating continuous improvement in their performance metrics.

In August 2024, communications were disseminated to all Forensic Services staff, inviting them to participate in one of seven working groups dedicated to conducting a self-assessment against each of the Best Value themes. This self-nomination process was designed to leverage the diverse expertise and perspectives within Forensic Services, ensuring a thorough and inclusive evaluation of our practices and services.

Since then, seven workshops have been held, with participation from 46 colleagues across the organisation. These sessions were supported by colleagues from SPA Corporate as well as representatives from Police Scotland, who provide input of service back arrangements. During these workshops, participants engaged in discussions to reflect on specific indicators, make initial assessments, and identify both evidence of compliance and areas requiring further improvement. Additionally, several follow-up workshops have been conducted to review findings and validate evidence.

Forensic Services are currently in the process of consolidating all findings, evidence, and proposed improvement actions into a final report. It is anticipated that this report will be presented to ARAC in 2025 in advance of the HMICS/ Audit Scotland review.