Report Summary
This report summarises the performance of the Scottish Police Authority's corporate function for quarter three, October to December, 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
75 per cent of planned milestones were delivered.
25 per cent were re-profiled, reflecting revised timescales and / or output for these areas of work. Milestones re-profiled in quarter three are expected to be delivered in year.
The Annual Delivery Plan and underlying team plans have been updated to reflect re-profiled work and will be monitored through team plans and reporting to the Leadership Team. Service planning for 2026-27 is scheduled in quarter four.
SPA Corporate Strategy 2023-26 – Q3 2025-26 progress summary presented to the Authority's Audit, Risk and Assurance Committee.
Resources
Audit – Three recommendations closed, all HMICS.
Risk – All corporate risks within appetite and tolerance since quarter two of 2024-25.
Requests for Information – 26 received, a reduction from quarter two, but consistent with the same quarter in previous years. One request was for environmental information. Nil reviews were received. Compliance remained at 97 per cent – one response was late due to engagement required regarding third party data.
Subject Access Requests - 46 received, a reduction from both quarter two and the same quarter in previous years. Included 43 fingerprint requests by officers retiring. Compliance was 100 per cent.
Security Incidents – 7 recorded, up from 1 in quarter two. No incidents related to SPA Corporate. One incident reported to the ICO, for information only, no mandatory requirement to do so.
People
Staff FTE – Overall staff FTE remains lower than budgeted level of 51 FTE. Dependency on work to review the SPA2020 Corporate structure for which completion is now due to extend into quarter four.
Mandatory training – Excellent completion of mandatory training during quarter three with only Cyber training and Selection Interviewing not at 100%. Police Scotland have been contacted to understand availability of selection interviewing courses.
Absence – Number of absences reduced from a high in September partly due to resolution of one long term sick (LTS) case. Two LTS cases in December, however one has now returned to work. Short term absences mainly due to respiratory illnesses (cold / flu) which follows the seasonal trend. One RTW outstanding from December. Several absence records have missing medical certificates - line managers have been notified to update records.
Performance
Complaints – Nil SPA Corporate related complaints received during Q3.
Media Enquiries – 23 received for the Authority, consistent with previous quarter. 100 per cent were answered within the requested timeframe.
Independent Custody Visiting – 36 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 Q3 performance is available for internal purposes.
