Report Summary
This report provides members of the Scottish Police Authority with an overview of activities carried out by the Authority’s Chief Executive since the last Authority meeting held on 27 March 2025.
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Meeting
The publication discussed was referenced in the meeting below
Meeting of the Scottish Police Authority - 22 May 2025
Date : 22 May 2025
Location : Clayton Hotel Glasgow, 298 Clyde St, Glasgow, G1 4NP
Report detail
Best Value Audit & Inspection
Audit Scotland and HMICS are undertaking a joint Best Value audit of policing in Scotland. This will be the first dedicated Best Value audit of policing in Scotland to be undertaken since the Authority and Police Scotland were established in 2013.
The overall aims of this audit is to assess how effectively Best Value arrangements are demonstrating continuous improvement in delivering the strategic police priorities, the overall vision and transformation of police services. Audit Scotland and HMICS have now published the Audit Scope on both their websites which sets out five broader aims of the review. This scope also sets out how they will carry out the audit and notes they expect to publish their findings in early 2026.
On Thursday 22 May 2025, an audit meeting will take place with the Chief Constable, Director of Forensic Service as well as representatives from Audit Scotland and HMICS.
Update on 2025 / 26 Pay Award
2025/26 pay claims for police officers and staff have now been received. The Staff Side of the Police Negotiating Board for Scotland (PNBS), comprising the Scottish Police Federation, Association of Scottish Police Superintendents and Scottish Police Chief Officers Staff Association, submitted its claim in relation to police officer pay to the Official side on Tuesday 1 April 2025. Following the PNBS meeting of Friday 2 May 2025, the Official side has issued its initial written response to the claim. UNISON and Unite the Union (the Trade Unions) submitted their pay claim for police staff to the Authority on Tuesday 15 April 2025. The claim was subsequently discussed at the Joint Negotiating Consultative Committee (JNCC) of Tuesday 13 May 2025.
The Authority remains committed to working constructively with all parties to deliver timely pay offers through the appropriate negotiating mechanisms.
Programme for Government
On 6 May 2025, the Scottish Government published their 2025-26 Programme for Government. The programme has implications for policing, for example efforts to reduce mental health demands on policing. The Authority is engaging with Police Scotland and working to better understand the full implications.
Forensic Services Knowledge Exchange Event
On Tuesday 13 May 2025 the Joint Research and Evidence Forum supported a forensic services knowledge exchange event focused on how forensic science can respond to, and harness, new technologies and innovations as it responds to current and emerging challenges for policing and justice. A wide range of partner joined the event in person and their contributions will shape the Forensics Services Research, Development and Innovation Strategy due to be considered by our Forensics Committee in August 2025 this year.