Minutes of the Executive Board – 13 November 2019

Present:

• (Chair) David Harvie, Crown Agent
• John Logue, Deputy Crown Agent, Operational Support
• Lindsey Miller, Deputy Crown Agent, Serious Casework
• Stephen McGowan, Deputy Crown Agent, Local Court
• Ian Walford, Deputy Chief Executive
• John Cooper, Non-executive director
• Fiona McLean, Non-executive director
• Annie Gunner Logan, Non-executive director

In attendance:

• Mark Howells, Director of Finance and Procurement
• Moira Orr, Sheriffdom PF
• David Casey, Sheriffdom Business Manager
• Rosie Haswell, Head of Policy, Advice & Guidance
• Ann Marie Henderson, Personal Assistant to Crown Agent

Apologies:

• Rob Tinlin, Non-executive director

1. David Harvie, Crown Agent opened the meeting and welcomed all colleagues.

2. Apologies were noted from Rob Tinlin.

3. Members confirmed that there were no conflicts of interest.

4. The minutes of 11 September 2019 were agreed and can be published.

5. Director of Finance and Procurement introduced paper EB19/20(25) and provided the Board with a high level summary of recent and planned developments in respect of the 19/20 budget position.

6. The Board noted the total staff in post position and the steps being considered by the Resources Committee to manage in-year expenditure, both staff and non-staff.

7. The Board will be provided with an update on all aspects of procurement and contract management at the December Board meeting.

8. The recent article published on PF Eye relating our record number of staff is to be circulated to the non executive directors.

Action: PS CA to circulate PF Eye article on staff numbers to the non executive directors.

9. Rosie Haswell introduced paper EB18/19(26).

10.The Board noted the progress made to date and endorsed the wellbeing strategy and action plan, subject to some suggested changes.

11. DCA Operational Support introduced paper EB19/20(27).

12. The Board noted the work being carried out in Policy and Engagement in relation to the Vulnerable Witnesses (Criminal Evidence) (Scotland) Act 2019, Cyberkiosks and Digital Evidence, the Drugs Death Taskforce and the Prosecution of Veterans.

13. DCE provided the update to the Board for Business Services. The Board noted the work being carried out in estates, noting that a paper for further discussion will be provided to the Board at the December meeting setting out plans for further transformation of the estate.

14. The Board noted that Fair Futures is on track to be fully implemented by April 2020. Thereafter it will be for managers at all levels of the organisation to ensure that the benefits are captured going forward, in particular the change in culture which will be required.

15. DCA Operational Support introduced paper EB19/20(28).

16. The Board noted the minutes of the meeting held on 30 October 2019.

17. DCA Local Court introduced papers EB19/20(29).

18. The Board noted the current number of unmarked cases, and the spike in violent crime figures.

19. The Board were provided with an update on the Evidence and Procedure Pilots.

20. DCA Local Court introduced paper EB19/20(30).

21. The Board noted the minutes of the meeting held on 17 October 2019.

22. DCA Serious Casework presented paper EB19/20(31).

23. The Board noted the work being carried out across both Serious Casework and the High Court function, finding them both informative and helpful.

24.DCA Serious Casework introduced paper EB19/20(32) was introduced.

25.The Board noted the minutes of the meeting held on 30 October 2019.

26. The Board were provided with a brief update on the UN Climate Conference which is due to be held in Glasgow in November 2020.

27. DCE is to circulate the paper from CRG to the Board concerning the potential impact of the recent power cut. Action: DCE to circulate CRG paper to the Board concerning potential impact of the recent power cut.

28. DCA Operational Support provided the Board with an update regarding the security breach in Aberdeen.

29. DCA Operational Support is to circulate the Strategic Plan to Board members. Action: DCA Operational Support is to circulate the Strategic Plan to Board members.

30. The ‘Life of a Case’ DVD is to be circulated to the non executive directors. Action: DCA Operational Support to arrange for DVD to be circulated to the non executive directors.

Crown Agent’s Office
December 2019