Report Summary
This report summarises the performance of the Scottish Police Authority's corporate function for quarter two, July to September, of the 2025-26 reporting period.
The report excludes performance information for Forensic Services which is reported to the Authority's Forensic Services Committee.
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Summary
Corporate Strategy Delivery
72 per cent of planned milestones were delivered.
28 per cent were re-profiled, reflecting revised timescales and / or output for these areas of work. Re-profiled milestones are expected to be delivered in year.
The Annual Delivery Plan for 2025-26 and underlying team plans have been updated to reflect re-profiled work and revised timescales. This will be monitored through team plans and reporting to ELT.
SPA Corporate Strategy 2023-26 – Q2 2025-26 progress summary for ARAC.
People
Staff FTE – Overall staff FTE remains lower than budgeted level of 51 FTE. Dependency on work to review the SPA2020 Corporate structure which is due to complete in quarter three.
Mandatory training – Requirements for Information Management training now confirmed and only 67% complete. All staff with outstanding IM training will receive individual notification and Heads will be provided with an overview for their own teams. Plain English training in October will improve compliance in quarter three. Focus for quarter three is to ensure all outstanding training is completed.
Absence – Highest number of absences recorded in September 25 (n=7). A number were related to planned medical procedures with the next highest reason being respiratory illnesses (cold / flu). Absence will significantly reduce from October 25 with the resolution of one long term absence. Only one return to work outstanding.
Resources
Audit – Three recommendations closed, two HMICS and one internal audit. This included the overarching recommendation from the strategic review of the SPA. We continue to track the Areas for Development which sit under the overarching strategic review recommendation.
Risk – All corporate risks within appetite / tolerance since quarter two 2024-25.
FOI requests - 36 received consistent with previous quarter, but up 34 per cent on Q2 last year. Three reviews were received - two original decisions were upheld and one overturned. Compliance dropped to 97 per cent – one late response due to engagement with PS.
Subject Access Requests - 71 received consistent with previous quarter. Included 64 fingerprint requests by officers retiring. Compliance was 99 per cent - one response was late due to complications over what data was held.
Security Incidents – 1 recorded, down from 9 in the previous quarter. No incidents related to SPA Corporate. No incidents required reporting to the ICO.
Performance
Complaints – One SPA Corporate related complaint received during Q2, this was upheld.
Media Enquiries – 26 received for the Authority, consistent with previous quarter. 92 per cent were answered within the requested timeframe – due to resourcing issues on particular dates two were late but accepted.
Independent Custody Visiting – 31 per cent of detainees available at time of visits were seen, consistent with previous quarters.
Governance Support – 100 per cent of SPA Corporate papers, for public items, were published on time. Further detail on Q2 performance is available for internal purposes.
