Report Detail

1. Background

1.1 The Scottish Police Authority (the Authority) is committed to continuous improvement in the discharge of its responsibilities and its oversight and support for policing in Scotland. The Authority’s Corporate Governance Framework is subject to annual review with the most recent updates approved by the Authority in November 2025. In addition, the Authority considers the effectiveness of all of its committees annually through a process of self-assessment.

1.2 The review process was strengthened in 2024/25, with the views of stakeholders who attend committee meetings on the effectiveness of each committee.

1.3 Members and stakeholders were invited to complete the survey anonymously to encourage free and frank feedback.

1.4 The Authority is reporting the findings on each committee to public sessions of meetings to support accountability and transparency.

2. Further detail

2.1 There are no specific requirements or direction on how public bodies should undertake effectiveness reviews. The Authority considers a range of relevant documents including ‘On Board’ guidance, the Scottish Government Audit and Assurance Committee Handbook and the CIPFA Good Governance Standard for Public Services.

2.2 To offer both insight and trend analysis, the survey for 2025/26 sought feedback on the same four key areas as the 2024/25 survey:

• Reporting to committee
• Committee priorities and progress
• Members’ capability and overall operation of the Committee
• Delivery against the Terms of Reference

2.3 All members of the Forensic Services Committee in post between April 2025 and December 2025 completed the survey. Six responses were submitted by stakeholders, with four commenting on the Forensic Services Committee.

3. Survey Findings

3.1 The findings and feedback from Members and stakeholders are set out in full in the attached Appendix. Overall the results for the Forensic Services Committee are extremely positive, with very few areas of concern being raised, or areas where improvements could be made.

3.2 Members may wish to discuss the findings in relation to quality, clarity and accessibility (e.g. Plain English) of Committee papers.

4. Next Steps

4.1 Findings from this committee effectiveness process and Members’ considerations will support continuous improvement and inform the committee workplan and priorities for the year ahead.

4.2 It will also inform the overall evaluation of the committee’s effectiveness during 2025/26 through assurance reporting to the Audit Risk and Assurance Committee in May 2026.