HMICS ANNUAL REPORT

Members considered the HMICS Annual Report. Craig Naylor (CNaylor) highlighted a number of key points as detailed in the paper and paid credit to LBrown and JGray for their contribution to SPA and Police Scotland.

In discussion the following matters were raised:
• Members sought further comment on CNaylor’s suggestion that change programmes need to be prioritised or realigned. He responded that since in year budgeting for capital is challenging but the 2030 strategy shows real ambition, any change programme work that is not legislative requirement or will make meaningful change should be stopped.
• Members supported the proposal to assess the policing cost of new legislation and discussed the importance of understanding the impacts. CNaylor commented that new legislation such as the PECCS bill and drug driving are expensive but are the right thing to do.
• Further comment was sought on learning and scrutiny from partnership working to help drive public sector reform. CNaylor advised he was part of the Scottish Strategic Scrutiny Forum who would be providing some output on appropriate levels of policing scrutiny and how it can add value. He advised another ambition would be to try to influence Scottish Government on wider system reform.
• Regarding the Proceeds of Crime Act, CNaylor confirmed he would be supportive of some funds from forfeiture and seizure coming back into policing and prosecution service as long as it could be done without impacting the cash back from communities receive. DCCConnors added if this happened, the funds would be used to enhance forensic accountancy and analytical support and increase financial investigator capacity.
• DCCConnors thanked HMICS for their constructive scrutiny and recognition of the challenges and progress made. She confirmed the organisation are committed to continuing to reform to keep Scottish communities safe.

Members noted the report.