Resources Committee - 18 November 2025

The formal minute of the public items of business will be available at the meeting scheduled for 16 December 2025. This will also be published on the SPA’s website. A full recording of the public items of business taken at this meeting can be accessed here.

MAIN ITEMS OF BUSINESS
Monitoring, planning and oversight
Q2 Financial Monitoring Report & Budget Revision
Q2 Transformation Report & Benefits Report
Chief Officer Relocation Costs Assurance Report 2024/25
Estates
Estates Masterplan Update
Lessons Learned – Ayr Police Station
Procurement
Contract Award x 1
Business Case Scrutiny & Oversight
Business Case x 2:
Change Request x 1
Age of Criminal Responsibility (Scotland) Act 2019 (Change Request)

KEY ISSUES RAISED

Q2 Financial Monitoring Report
Revenue
• The Committee heard discussions continue to secure funding for the policing costs of the POTUS/ VPOTUS visits. Assurance was given that conversations with Scottish Government have taken place and Police Scotland has been clear the costs cannot be covered from the existing budget.
• The financial risk of a higher pay award settlement than budgeted was explored and the potential mitigating and funding options discussed. A budget revision to reflect the Scottish Government partial funding of the higher settlement was approved.
• The Committee considered the overspends on Legal and Ill Health costs. Work will be undertaken to better understand trends in legal settlements including the costs of obtaining legal services.
Capital
• Q2 progress against the capital plan was welcomed. Members discussed the management of capital receipts and challenges for long-term financial planning which are being discussed with Scottish Government.
Reform
• The underspend was explored by the Committee and assurance was given that there is close monitoring of reform spend and where identified as necessary, spend profile is refreshed.

Budget Development Group
• I will introduce standing updates to the Committee about the Budget Development Group. Recent meetings of this group, attended by both Police Scotland and SPA, have considered the Criminal Justice Committee written submissions to the Scottish Parliament. The Group considered the submissions and discussions focused on understanding the ask for additional Officers and staff posts as well as the challenge and consequences of flat cash budget scenarios.

Oversight of Transformation and Benefits
• I previously highlighted that the Committee expected to consider a revised approach to Change and Transformation and an enhanced Benefits Realisation Framework. Whilst progress has been made in the reporting format some further work is required so that reporting clearly shows the originally approved and expected costs, benefits and timelines and subsequent changes. The revised benefits framework and prioritisation arrangements are expected to be presented in the new year.
• Members noted progress to date and considered projects that had been paused or were red RAG rated.

Estates
• The Committee welcomed a comprehensive update and heard about some of the work to deliver the Estates Master Plan. Progress is welcomed by the Committee and Members asked that the internal and external communications are strengthened so that there is a clear understanding of how the Masterplan activity links to the Chief Constable’s vision. This will also help communicate clearly what types of buildings are being impacted, the alternative solution and the benefits these changes will bring.
• The Committee is interested in the stakeholder consultation process, and it was agreed we will consider the process at a future meeting.
• Lessons have been considered following a review of the Ayr Police Station Business Case and the Committee welcomes work to ensure future Estates projects have improved controls in place to enhance decision making.

Assurance Report - Chief Officer Relocation Costs
• Members received assurance that the costs paid are in line with the approved policy.
• Benchmarking work is underway on the policy and any recommendations that may arise will be considered by the Authority’s Executive Leadership and Remuneration Committee.

Business Cases
Police Scotland Strategy for Alternative Fettes Site Outline Business Case
The Committee considered an update on the plans to develop the Business Case for Alternative Fettes Site options and noted the timeline to return to the Committee with the Outline Business Case this Winter and the Full Business Case in Spring 2026. Members provided feedback and requested additional information be included as part of the developed Business Cases.

Cyber Identity & Access Management Initial Business Case Report
The criticality of this enhanced technology was understood by the Committee and Members were supportive of the work to ensure robust cyber security for the organisation. The Initial Business Case was approved.

Age of Criminal Responsibility (Scotland) Act 2019 (Change Request)
The change request was considered and approved, and it was noted there is confidence that no further slippage will be seen for this project.

CONCLUSIONS/ACTIONS REACHED
• Approval of Budget Revision
• Approval of Contract Award: Supply and Fit of Vehicle Tyres
• Approval of progression of Outline Business Case: Police Scotland Strategy for Alternative Fettes Site Outline Business Case
• Approval of Cyber Identity & Access Management Initial Business Case
• Approval of Age of Criminal Responsibility (Scotland) Act 2019 (Change Request)