Commonwealth Games Oversight Group - 6 October 2025

MAIN ITEMS OF BUSINESS
• Gold Command Update
• Summary of Learning Points
• Volunteering Opportunities for Police Staff
• Finance Update
• Risk Update

KEY ISSUES RAISED
• The Oversight Group received an update which outlined the current status of police planning for the 2026 Commonwealth Games (CWG), highlighting progress made, strategic timeline, opportunities, risks and key priority areas for Police Scotland.
o Police Scotland continue to attend governance forums within the Glasgow 2026 Ltd structures. Assurance given that external staff working across the various venues will have appropriate vetting and accreditations.
o Members were assured that the threat assessment is subject to continuous review.
o Police Scotland provided assurance that continuous engagement with trade unions is taking place.
o Members sought and received assurance that there are no concurrent events on the horizon and the planning team continue to monitor this.
o There was discussion around the planning assumptions in relation to officer numbers. Members were advised that the assumption is that Police Scotland will be working with the current number of officers by the time of the CWG.

• Members took assurance from the summary of learning points and debriefs from the policing of the following events: UCI Cycling World Championships (2023), COP26 (2021), European Championships (2018) and the Commonwealth Games held in Glasgow (2014).

• Volunteering Opportunities for Police Staff –
o Members were encouraged by the significant level of early interest from Police staff members via the volunteering note of interest form on the Intranet site.
o Members were further assured that this opportunity is accessible to staff members who live outwith the central belt of Scotland as accommodation at Tulliallan will be available.

• Finance update – The Planning Minute of Agreement has been signed off which has allowed for the 1st invoice to be issued. As requested at the previous meeting, the business as usual planning costs have been added to the Finance Update report within section 3.3.

• Risk update – Members were advised that there are 16 risks in total, one of which is out of tolerance regarding Accreditation & Vetting. Members were assured that all risks are discussed in detail at the Silver & Gold groups and also routinely reviewed by the Silver Support Superintendent.

CONCLUSIONS/ACTIONS REACHED

• Members received a comprehensive update from the Gold Commander which included a detailed strategic timeline for this operation.
• Members were assured that Police Scotland have taken learnings onboard from similar events they have policed in the past.
• The Oversight Group felt encouraged to note the significant level of early interest from staff to volunteer at the CWG and received assurance that Police Scotland are making this opportunity accessible for those living out with the central belt of Scotland.
• Planning Minute of Agreement has been signed off.
• Members received an update on the 16 open risks and were assured that these are reviewed routinely.