Report Summary
This report summarises the performance of the Scottish Police Authority's corporate function for quarter four, January to March, 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
86% of planned milestones were delivered in quarter four.
14% of planned milestones were re-profiled for delivery in 2026-27, reflecting revised timescales and / or output for these areas of work.
The Annual Delivery Plan for 2026-27 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 the Leadership Team.
For full summary see SPA Corporate Strategy 2023-26 – Q4 2025-26 progress summary for the Audit Risk and Assurance Committee
Resources
Audit – One recommendation closed, recommendation 9 of the HMICS Thematic Inspection of Domestic Abuse Phase 1.
Risk – All corporate risks within appetite and tolerance since quarter two of 2024-25.
Requests for Information – 29 requests received, a slight increase on quarter three but consistent with the same quarter in the previous year. One review received. Compliance remained at 97% - one late response due to delay in relevant information held by Forensic Services being provided and which also required consultation with a procurement specialist.
Subject Access Requests - 88 received, an increase from both quarter three and the same quarter in the previous year. This included 81 fingerprint requests by officers retiring. One review received. Compliance maintained at 100%.
Security Incidents – 12 recorded, up from 7 in quarter three. No incidents related to SPA Corporate. No incidents required reporting to the ICO.
People
Staff FTE – Overall staff FTE remains lower than budgeted level of 51 FTE. Dependency on work to review the corporate structure for which is now extended into 2026-27.
Mandatory training – Good completion of mandatory training continued during quarter four. Cyber, Information Management and Selection Interviewing training are under 100%. Reminders issued to all staff to complete Cyber and Information Management courses, and continued engagement with Police Scotland on the availability of Selection Interviewing courses.
Absence – Highest number of absences in last 24 months recorded in March 2026, due to several unrelated short-term absences that have since returned to work. Only 1 long term absence at the end of March 2026. Short term absences were mainly due to respiratory illnesses (cold / flu) which follows the seasonal trend. Three RTW outstanding at quarter end. Several absence records have missing medical certificates – work continues with line managers to update records and express the importance of record keeping.
Performance
Complaints – Nil SPA Corporate related complaints received during Q4.
Media Enquiries – 30 received for the Authority, an increase on three previous quarters but consistent with same quarter in previous year. 100% of enquiries were answered within the requested timeframe.
Independent Custody Visiting – 31% of detainees available at the time of visits were seen. Visiting levels were consistent throughout 2025-26, those in previous quarters being 33%; 31%; and 36%.
Governance Support – 100% of SPA Corporate papers for public items were published on time. Further detail on Q4 performance is available for internal purposes.
