ASSURANCE REPORTING

POLICE SCOTLAND BEST VALUE UDPATE
Members considered the report which provided an update on best value progress in Police Scotland. Patrick Brown provided a detailed summary of the report.

In discussion the following matters were raised:
• Members were advised that a deadline for the self-assessment had not been provided but Police Scotland were working towards April as indicated in the first letter received. ACrawley advised HMICS are working to their initial timescales that fieldwork will be undertaken in April and early May. The SPA Chief Executive stated that she felt a fixed date was required to allow work to be taken through appropriate governance in time.
• Members were assured Police Scotland will seek clarity on what is expected from HMCIS and Audit Scotland in relation to evidence.
• The Committee agreed to close action 20241120-AUD-002 based on the updates and discussion provided.

Members noted the report.

SPA AND FORENSIC SERVICES BEST VALUE UPDATE
Members considered the report which provided an update on best value progress across SPA Forensics and SPA Corporate. JMcNellis and Sam Curran (SCurran) highlighted a number of key points detailed within the report regarding SPA and Forensic Services, respectively.

In discussion the following matters were raised:
• Members heard that the compliance levels recorded for Forensic Services were considered positive but was an area of continuous improvement. The 4% that are not compliant are not applicable as the questions are geared to legislation, but guidance allows that to be recorded as non-applicable.
• Members were assured the self-assessment will be fully evidenced to provide an accurate current position. Members heard that a benefit of the exercise was the ability to demonstrate improvement over time.

Members noted the report.

AUDIT, RISK AND ASSURANCE COMMITTEE EFFECTIVENESS
Members considered the report which provided with the findings of a recent survey conducted with Board Members and stakeholders, seeking their feedback on the overall effectiveness of the committee. Vanessa Ewing (VEwing) highlighted a number of key points detailed within the report.

In discussion the following matters were raised:
• Members were informed the overall results will be reported to the Committee in May.
• Members questioned how the areas of EDI and culture can be improved. VEwing confirmed that all findings will be available to Members and stakeholders and work will be undertaken to review report templates so information on EDI will be more explicit.
• The Committee Chair encouraged continual focus on reducing the volume and length of reports as well as late submissions of papers.
• The Committee Chair questioned how stakeholder responses could be encouraged and heard the low return rate could be seen as a sign of satisfaction as there are good stakeholder relationships and there are opportunities to have discussions throughout the year.

Members noted the report.