Strategic Board minutes: September 2015

Attendees and apologies

Present

Leslie Evans (Chair), Alyson Stafford, Ken Thomson, Sarah Davidson, Paul Gray, Paul Johnston, Catherine Dyer, Alex Smith, Christina Allon, Linda McKay, Janet Hamblin, Gary Gillespie

Apologies

Graeme Dickson, Carol Tannahill

In attendance

Barbara Allison, Karen Watt, Ian Donaldson, James Hynd, Katie Wood

Items and actions

Agenda

13:00 Minutes of SB(15)2nd Meeting and Action Tracker

13:10 Horizon scanning, global economic issues

13:35 Scottish Government's Strategic Risk register

13:55 Scottish Government finance report

• SG consolidated accounts
• report from Chair of Scottish Government's Audit and Risk Committee

14:15 Business strategy and Corporate Board reports

• Business strategy progress report (including updates from the People, resources and improvement boards), quarterly report
• Corporate boards reports on deliverables of the Constitutional, Economy and Finance and Corporate Diversity boards

14:35 Reports

• report of the Chief Economist
• DG reports

14:55 AOB

15:00 Close

Minutes

Introduction and welcome

The Permanent Secretary opened this meeting of the Strategic Board (SB) and wecomed the observers.

The Permanent Secretary took the opportunity of this being Alex Smith's last SB meeting to thank him for his input in various settings to the Scottish Government (SG) over the years he has been a Non-Executive Director. His understanding and depth of knowledge of the organisation is vast and his contributions have been invaluable. Paul Gray also paid tribute to Alex and all wished him the best for the future.

Minutes of SB(15)2nd Meeting and Action Tracker

The minutes of the SB meeting on 5 June were approved.

Horizon scanning, global economics issues SB(15)15

A background paper focussing on China and Greece considered both the immediate and medium to long term economic positions of these countries and the possible implications for Scotland. It was recognised that the situation is hugely dynamic.

SG's Risk register SB(15)17 and finance report SB(15)18

The risk profile as described in the paper gives assurance the right issues are included in this risk register. Particular discussion on risks 5, 15, 16 and 17.

Thought will be given on adding risks.

DG Finance spoke to the finance report, providing particular updates.

Scottish Government consolidated accounts (consolidated accounts) SB(15)19

Alyson Stafford outlined both the process for handling the consolidated account and their near final content. Alyson asked for particular comments to be raised directly with her.

SB members indicated, for their respective interests, as accountable officers, that they were content, in principle, for the consolidated accounts, including the governance statement to go forward to the SG Audit and Risk Committee (SGARC) for subsequent signature by the Permanent Secretary as Principal Accountable Officer (PAO) following the conclusion of the assurance process at the SGARC on 24 September 2015.

SG Audit and Risk Committee (SGARC) Chair's report SB(15)20

Alex Smith provided this report which considered the financial year 2014/15 and the current year 2015/16 in terms of assurance on risk, control and governance provided to the Permanent Secretary in her role as PAO.

SB expects the portfolio Audit and Risk committees and DGs to carry out the appropriate level of in depth examination of all key risks. The SB seeks evidence and assurance of this approach from SGARC while also carying out a quarterly high level review of the SG risk register. Yhere has been good development in thi area on which we should continue to buid.

Business strategy progress report SB(15)21

This report is still in transitional format, using information that is compiled and used for the various boards that sit below SB. Both the content and way of reporting is likely to continue to evolve as SG2020 programme develops, with thought on what is the right information for SB to consider and including whether a summary highlight report showing where SB should focus its consideration would be helpful.

SGARC is considering the work of each corporate board and its respective assurance role. SB agreed it would be helpful to align this work with the work on governance under the SG2020 programme. ACTION: DG Finance, DG SEA Finance, Corporate Secretariat and Perm Sec's office.

Further discussion included:

• noting the role and remit of the Improvement Board, which was established for a particular purpose which has, particulalrly in relation to the establishment of an improvement framework and team, been achieved, is to be discussed at its next board meeting on 7 September.
• recognition of the importance for the organisation to have a recognised areas which considers and scrutinises the performance of the SG
• SB agreement to review operation of the SB, including the matters it needs to consider that flow from the structure and governance that sits below

ACTION: DG Finance, DG SEA, SG2020 Programme office, Corporate Secretariat and Perm Sec's office.

Report of Chief Economist, DG reports, report of CSA

No report.

Next meeting

The next meeting of SB is currently scheduled for 3rd December.

PS/Permanent Secretary September 2015

strategic board minutes thursday 03 september 2015.pdf

File type

4 page PDF

File size

87.1 kB