SPA CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S REPORT

Members considered the report which detailed activities involving SPA corporate staff since the previous Authority Meeting. CBrown highlighted a number of key points as detailed in the paper.

In discussion the following matters were raised:
• Whilst noting the Policing Performance Committee receive regular updates on the Police Scotland sex and gender review, comment was made that it was a complex legal environment and writing to EHRC was welcomed. Citing Professor Alison Sullivan’s review into data capture, Police Scotland were encouraged to identify policies that could have legal, reputational or operational risks. CBrown responded that all sources of information are important, and it should not be the sole responsibility of individual bodies to interpret the law, hence the dual work of the Police Scotland review and raising with EHRC. DCCSpeirs confirmed Police Scotland were committed to closely review the Scottish and UK landscapes, including ongoing tribunals and Professor Sullivan’s report.
• CBrown confirmed the budget allocation is adequate to deliver the Authority’s Annual Delivery Plan 2025-26.
• Referring to the audit and inspections update within the Scottish Railways Policing Committee summary report, Committee Member Mary Pitcaithly confirmed that the Committee were seeking to ensure outstanding recommendations are being prioritised.

Members noted the report.