19 May 2010
MANAGEMENT BOARD
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 19 MAY 2010
CONFERENCE ROOM 1, CROWN OFFICE
Present:
Catherine Dyer, Crown Agent (Chair)
Peter Collings, Deputy Chief Executive
John Dunn, Deputy Crown Agent
Janice Irvine, Director of Human Resources
Robert Gordon, Non Executive Director
Bill Matthews, Non Executive Director
Morag McLaughlin, Area Fiscal, Lothian and Borders
Lesley Thomson, Area Fiscal, Glasgow
In attendance:
Gavin Anderson, Business Manager
Steve Egan, IT Development Manager
Linda Herbert, Director of IT
Mark Howells, Director of Finance
John Logue, Head of Policy
Kevin McArthur, Secretary
Sara Shaw, Secretary
Jennifer Veitch, Acting Head of Communications
Geri Watt, Director of SDD
Welcome
1. Catherine Dyer welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Minutes of Previous Meeting and Matters Arising
2. The minutes of the meeting of 21 April 2010 were approved.
3. The Crown Agent addressed the action points from the previous meeting.
Corporate Reports
4. The meeting noted the usual Performance and Workload papers MB(10)22 (Healthcheck) and MB(10)23 (Target Summary) which provided MB with an overview of the Service's performance against targets and workload and an overall view of the main performance targets from April 2010. During discussion:
a) The meeting noted that performance targets were exceeded in April;
b) The meeting discussed the issues affecting Grampian Area meeting the Sheriff and Jury Bail target and noted the measures being taken by COPFS including ongoing work with Scottish Court Service around court provision.
Finance Update
5. Peter Collings provided the meeting with an update on the final position for COPFS in the financial year 2009/10.
6. The meeting discussed the financial future for COPFS and possible budget constraints as a result of the imminent UK public spending announcement.
CISG Update
7. Peter Collings updated the meeting on significant issues arising from the CISG meeting held on Friday 14 May 2010. During discussion:
a) The meeting noted that the new guidance on disability for line managers is very helpful and has been well received;
b) The meeting considered the need to improve delivery of Health and Safety service within COPFS.
Strategic Discussion
8. Catherine Dyer reported on the outcomes and actions from the recent MB Discussion on 12 May 2010. The meeting also discussed topics for the Strategic Discussion with the Law Officers.
Scottish Crime Campus
9. Gavin Anderson introduced paper MB(10)24 which provided MB with an update on current position of the Crime Campus and sought their approval to proceed as a partner agency and commit funding to the project. During discussion:
a) The meeting considered possible savings in terms of accommodation as a result of the commitment to the project;
b) The risks associated with continuing to participate in the project in the current financial climate were considered;
c) The meeting acknowledged that COPFS remains fully engaged in being part of the Scottish Crime Campus and agreed to commit funding to the project.
Phoenix
10. Peter Collings introduced paper MB(10)25 which advised MB of the current position in respect of Phoenix and sought their agreement on how to proceed with the programme.
11. The meeting considered the benefits and risks involved in continuing with the programme in the current and challenging future financial positions which are anticipated.
12. Management Board agreed to maintain its commitment to the Phoenix programme in light of the very significant business benefits that will be realised and risks associated with not delivering the programme.
MB Secretariat
19 May 2010