Minutes of the Operational Performance Committee: March 2025

Minutes of meeting held on 18 March 2025 by Microsoft Teams

Present:

• Stephen McGowan, Deputy Crown Agent – Litigation (Chair) (DCA)
• Andrew Richardson, Procurator Fiscal, High Court (AR)
• Gavin Anderson, Head of Business Management Local Court (GA)
• Andy Shanks, Deputy Procurator Fiscal, Specialist Casework (AS)
• Laura Buchan, Procurator Fiscal, Policy and Engagement (LB)
• Lynne Barrie, Procurator Fiscal, Local Court (LLB)
• Fiona Roberts, Head of Management Information Unit (FR)
• Lana Thomas, PA DCA – Serious Casework (Secretariat) (LT)

Absent:

The DCA welcomed everyone to the meeting and noted apologies for the above.

A special welcome to Lynne who replaces Andrew Laing going forward.

Agreed

Nil.

High Court

Paper noted, AR updated that the HC recovery plan is now in place.

Local Court

Paper noted, nothing to raise by exception other than the LC recovery plan is now in place.

Specialist Casework

Paper noted, AS updated that the Law Officers have approved a number of measures in relation to custody death investigations. AS to carry out effectiveness test within CDU and provide report to LO’s by end of April, this will link into the external review of FAI’s.

CDIT - Milestones target now in place and contained within the report- updated report to go to Exec Board on 27 March, more detail will be available then.

Policy & Engagement

Paper noted, LB highlighted a couple of points-
SG lay SSI on 1 April, update quickly hoped for thereafter, SG have a good understanding of the impact if we don’t get SSI.

BWV - ramping up, LB thanked all for involvement- rolling out in Dundee then quite rapidly nationally.

S.O review - understood to be finalised, awaiting sight.

Secure accommodation for under 18s remains a pressure, Lord president has been asked to be kept updated on any cases regarding this. AR noted that HC have a process in place whereby HC explicitly update the Local Authority at time of indicting. 

Minute to OPC - proposed DA Manual and DA CMI – LLB/LC provided comment to Jennifer Gilmour- group content subject to on-going discussions with Lynne Barrie in LC.

LB- current UNCRC work discussed, SMcG happy that it goes straight to the LO’s and no need to come to this forum for approval in the first instance as CC will have had sight.

Date of Next Meeting:

TBC