Minutes of the Resources Committee – 7 September 2023

Present

• Lindsey Miller, Deputy Crown Agent (Operational Support) (Chair)
• Keith Dargie, Head of Business Services & Chief Digital Officer
• Marlene Anderson, Director of Finance and Procurement
• Graham Kerr, Head of Business Management (Local Court)
• Sarah Carter, HR Director
• Thomas Lindie, Head of Business Management (Serious Casework)
• Jonathan Shebioba, Director of Support Services
• Elaine Hales, Head of Business Management (Operational Support)
• Sharon Davies, Head of Management Accounting and Planning

Secretariat

Ian Palmer, Executive Assistant Finance Division

Apologies

Doreen Crawford, Deputy HR Director

LM (Chair) welcomed the group.
Apologies were noted.

The Committee approved the draft minutes of the meeting held on 21 August 2023.

The Secretariat will arrange to have these published on the COPFS website.

The Committee noted that the tracker has no outstanding actions.

MA presented RC Paper 43 (2023) and gave a general overview.

Highlights included :

• The Annual Accounts for 2022-23 were signed on 31 August 2023 and are scheduled to be laid before the Scottish Parliament in the near future. The outturn reflects a revised current residual resource and capital underspend of £2.6m with a total underspend of £1.6m after AME and IFRS 16 adjustments.
• Scenario Planning, Modelling exercises and Workforce Planning analysis maintain aligned to the SG Path to Balance.
• Monthly meetings are being held with senior Finance Division staff, and HOBMs to explore budget forecasting and create a forum for open discussion, exchange of ideas and delivery of key priorities.
• Update in relation to funding for Next Generation Case Management programme.
• A workshop with senior managers in June 2023 identified a number of key non staffing expenditure savings, efficiencies, and counter- inflationary measures.
• A further workshop held at the end of August developed how the identified savings can be optimised for delivery.
• Savings identified include fuel and utility usage efficiencies and a review of the allocation of official mobile telephones.
• A communication is being prepared for imminent issue to all departmental staff outlining the key savings and efficiencies identified and how everyone can help deliver these.
• Planning preparation for the 2024-25 budget is due to start in the next few
  weeks.

The Committee noted the paper.

General discussion followed including recruitment and cross function transfer of staff,
and management of overtime working. It was agreed that these lines of discussion will be further explored at future meetings.

As a preamble, JS gave a brief outline of some of the major projects that are currently being managed by his team.

• Edinburgh Justice Centre
• Relocation of Dundee Procurator Fiscal’s Office
• COPFS West of Scotland Estates Strategy

JS presented RC Paper 44 (2023) (COPFS West of Scotland Estates Strategy

Update) and RC Paper 44 A (2023) (Annex to above).

The Committee welcomed the paper, noted its contents, and look forward to future updates.

SD outlined a case for an increase in the [REDACTED] Budget.

After general discussion, the Committee approved the recommendations.