25 January 2010
MANAGEMENT BOARD
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 25 JANUARY 2010
CONFERENCE ROOM 1, CROWN OFFICE
Present:
Norman McFadyen, Crown Agent & Chief Executive (Chair)
John Dunn, Deputy Crown Agent
Robert Gordon, Non Executive Director
Morag McLaughlin, Area Procurator Fiscal, Lothian & Borders
Lesley Thomson, Area Procurator Fiscal, Glasgow
In Attendance:
Gavin Anderson, Business Manager, NCD
Mark Howells, Director of Finance
Kevin McArthur, Secretary
Sara Shaw, Secretary
Jennifer Veitch, Acting Head of Communications
Apologies:
Peter Collings, Deputy Chief Executive
Catherine Dyer, Chief of Strategic Delivery
Janice Irvine, Director of Human Resources
John Logue, Head of Policy Division
Bill Matthews, Non Executive Director
Minutes of previous meeting and matters arising
1. Norman McFadyen welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. The minutes of the meeting of 16 December 2009 were approved.
Action Points
3. Norman McFadyen addressed the points for action from the previous meeting.
Corporate Reports
4. The meeting noted the regular Operational briefing including the Workload (MB(10)01) report, target summary (MB(10)02) and updates on the impact of the Summary Justice Reforms. During discussion the following points were noted:
a) The meeting noted the continued decrease in the number of new cases being received.
b) The meeting noted that the overall performance against targets is very positive.
c) The meeting was advised that assistance is being provided to Highland and Islands in respect of their case marking.
d) John Dunn advised the Solicitor General will be appearing before the Justice Committee on 26 January 2010 to discuss the outcomes, so far, of the Summary Justice Reforms.
e) It was agreed that Summary Justice Reform updates should be provided when necessary but that it need not be a standing item on the agenda.
Finance Update
5. Norman McFadyen welcomed Mark Howells to the meeting.
6. Mark Howells introduced paper MB(10)03 which advised Management Board on the latest position for the 2009/10 financial year and asked for agreement on a recommended approach for the remainder of the financial year. This was agreed by Management Board.
Shaping Up
7. Robert Gordon provided Management Board with an update on the contents of the report of the Scottish Government Shaping Up core review project which will be published on 27 January 2010. The report highlights the significant progress made in recent years through the SG commitment to the Purpose and National Outcomes. It also makes a number of recommendations and suggestions on how the organisation can be improved, including building effective relationships with stakeholders, ensuring the delivery of outcomes, improving leadership, culture and behaviour and providing value for money and effectiveness. During discussion the following points were noted:
a) The meeting were advised that the move towards single responsibility and fewer tiers of management would be more appropriate for other areas of government.
b) Robert Gordon stressed that improving and building effective stakeholder relationships was a responsibility of all SG Divisions.
c) The meeting discussed the best way to communicate the review to COPFS staff.
Action: Peter Collings
Senior Management Seminars - Purpose and Format
8. Norman McFadyen introduced paper MB(10)04 which sought the views of Management Board on the way forward for future seminars and to provide direction for further discussion by Area PFs and ABMs at their joint meeting on 3 February 2010. During discussion:
a) The meeting agreed the spring seminar for SCS members works well and that the current format should be retained to underline the vision and direction of the service.
b) The meeting discussed the possibilities of holding smaller, more manageable seminars for all senior managers. It was agreed that the purpose and format of the larger, autumn meeting should be discussed fully by AFG and ABMs at the joint meeting on 3 February 2010.
Action: Secretariat
Scottish Crime Campus
9. Norman McFadyen welcomed Gavin Anderson to the meeting.
10. Gavin Anderson introduced paper MB(10)04 which provided MB with the projected design and associated costs for the Scottish Crime Campus and sought its views on the options for further involvement in the project. During discussion:
a) The meeting was reminded that Management Board agreed with the recommendation in paper MB(08)19 which sought a decision in principle that COPFS would have a presence on the Campus and become involved as an active player in the detailed specification and design phases.
b) It was noted that COPFS have continued to be engaged in the Scottish Crime Campus with John Dunn attending the Programme Board and various others attending the relevant approval/assurance Groups.
c) The meeting was reminded that the key aspect for the establishment of the Crime Campus was to encourage closer, collaborative working between partners involved in the investigation of serious and organised crime. The final plans for the Campus show that COPFS have been allocated a distinct area but not as originally envisaged.
d) The benefits and implications in view of the tight financial outlook were discussed.
e) Those attending the meeting agreed that further investigation into the financial and operational benefits and risks was required, including the question of the scale of any presence there and that further discussion should be reassessed by the Law Officers and Management Board
Internal Communications
11. It was agreed that a message on the Scottish Government Shaping Up Review should be placed on PF Eye.
AOB
12. Lesley Thomson and John Dunn provided the meeting with an update on the Fiscal AD programme and the work being done to identify potential candidates.
13. Morag McLaughlin advised the meeting of the outcomes from the recent Stonewall Equality Index results in relation to COPFS achievements. Although COPFS did not attain Top 100 status, Morag indicated that our rating has improved significantly from 2008. Morag advised that the diversity working group will create an action plan to ensure we improve again this year. The Crown Agent acknowledged the significant progress COPFS has made in the last year.
MB Secretariat
25 January 2010