SB(09)9th Conclusions
MEETING OF THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT STRATEGIC BOARD:
HELD ON THURSDAY, 17 SEPTEMBER 2009
Present
Sir John Elvidge KCB (chair)
Leslie Evans
Paul Gray
Andrew Goudie
Stella Manzie CBE
Alyson Stafford
Kevin Woods
Bridget Campbell (for Robert Gordon)
Bill Bound
Heather Logan
Apologies
Robert Gordon CB
David Fisher
In Attendance
Norman McFadyen
Angiolina Foster
Sarah Davidson
Elinor Mitchell
Robin Benn
Chris Boyland
Kerry Twyman (Agenda Item 3 only)
Ros Cockerell (Agenda Items 3 and 4 only)
Alistair Brown (Agenda Items 4 and 5 only)
Scott Mackay (Agenda Item 6 only)
Andy McClintock (Agenda Item 7 only)
Ruth Parsons (Agenda Item 8 only)
Agenda Item 1: Minutes and Matters Arising
1. The Strategic Board agreed the minutes of the meeting held on 20 August 2009 (SB(09)8th Conclusions).
2. The Strategic Board Action Tracker had been circulated to the Board. Heather Logan requested an update on the action: "Quantum of Litigation", taken at the meeting of the Board on 30 October 2008. Elinor Mitchell agreed to provide an update for the next Board meeting. (Action: Cabinet and Corporate Business Secretariat)
Agenda Item 2: Update on the Economy (oral item)
3. Andrew Goudie introduced the regular monthly update to the Strategic Board on the economy and circulated slides (SB(09)9th Meeting - Presentation - Agenda Item 2 - Scottish Economy Update). The overall Markit Purchasing Managers Index had moved above fifty, showing positive growth. Business optimism appeared to be improving.
Part of the record of discussion under this agenda item is considered exempt from publication at this time and has been redacted.
4. The rate of employment in Scotland had fallen from 77% to 74%. There had been a sharp increase in unemployment amongst the 16-24 year old age group. The numbers of those claiming benefits was currently lower than the numbers who had been made redundant in that period.
5. Points made in discussion:
(a) Publication of the refreshed Economic Recovery Plan was planned for the end of October; and
(b) Access to working capital was important to ensure cash liquidity, particularly for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). A recent survey of SMEs highlighted this as a concern.
Part of the record of discussion under this agenda item is considered exempt from publication at this time and has been redacted.
6. The Strategic Board agreed:
(a) That a breakdown of the 2009-10 figures for UK net borrowing should be produced and circulated to the Board. (Action: Head of the Office of the Chief Economic Adviser)
Agenda Item 3: Report on the 2008/09 Annual Accounts (SB(09)52)
7. Alyson Stafford introduced paper SB(09)52. The next steps were that the accounts would be discussed at the meeting of the Scottish Government Audit Committee (SGAC) on 22 September; agreed SGAC would recommend to the Permanent Secretary, as the Chief Accountable Officer, that he should sign off the accounts; and the accounts would then be certified by the Auditor General before publication on 29 September.
Part of the record of discussion under this agenda item is considered exempt from publication at this time and has been redacted.
8. Points made in discussion:
(a) Once again, the accounts had received a clean audit opinion and there were no associated Section 22 reports. This was a tribute to the tremendous effort from staff across the entire organisation and reflected well on the Scottish Government's standards of financial control.
Part of the record of discussion under this agenda item is considered exempt from publication at this time and has been redacted.
9. The Strategic Board agreed:
(a) The 2008/09 Annual Accounts and SIC should be approved and signed, subject to the addition of suitable wording in the SIC to take account of a change in the external risk environment. (Action: Director of Finance)
Part of the record of discussion under this agenda item is considered exempt from publication at this time and has been redacted.
Agenda Item 4: Finance Director's Report (SB(09)51)
10. Alyson Stafford introduced the Finance Director's Report.
Part of the record of discussion under this agenda item is considered exempt from publication at this time and has been redacted.
11. Points made in discussion:
(a) Again in line with the agreed arrangements, it remained important that all underspends arising were regarded as a corporate resource and were reported to the centre rather than being redistributed within portfolio areas;
(b) There were robust plans in place for managing the budget; and provided the agreed arrangements were followed across the Government the desired financial outturn position was achievable.
Part of the record of discussion under this agenda item is considered exempt from publication at this time and has been redacted.
12. The Strategic Board agreed:
Part of the record of discussion under this agenda item is considered exempt from publication at this time and has been redacted.
Agenda Item 5: Draft Budget 2010-11
13. Alyson Stafford introduced the Draft Budget 2010-11 which was due for publication later that day. The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth was due to make a Parliamentary Statement and take questions that afternoon. Following Committee scrutiny through the autumn, it was planned that there would be a Parliamentary debate on 17 December to consider the Finance Committee's report.
Part of the record of discussion under this agenda item is considered exempt from publication at this time and has been redacted.
Agenda Item 6: Finance Administration Budget (SB(09)54)
16. Alyson Stafford introduced paper SB(09)54 which set out the Administration 2008-09 outturn position and 2009-10 forecast outturn position.
17. A comprehensive organisation chart had been produced and this was being used to consider individual vacancies and vacancy levels.
Part of the record of discussion under this agenda item is considered exempt from publication at this time and has been redacted.
19. The Strategic Board agreed:
(a) That the filling of internal vacancies should be approved by Deputy Directors, with Directors providing support as required. (Action: Director General Finance and Corporate Services; and all Directors General)
Agenda Item 7: Scottish Government Information Security (SB(09)55)
20. Paul Gray introduced paper SB(09)55.
Part of the record of discussion under this agenda item is considered exempt from publication at this time and has been redacted.
21. Points made in discussion:
(a) Information security should be flagged as an important issue in the next Team Brief;
(b) The e-Learning Protecting Information application did not include information on protective markings. However, the Scottish Police Services Authority had produced guidance on protective markings and this could be adapted for use within the Government;
(c) Line managers should be encouraged to follow-up the strong messages on document security, which should be included in the next Team Brief, with face to face discussions; outlining the importance of information security and individual responsibilities. Checks should also be carried out to ensure that correct procedures were being followed.
Part of the record of discussion under this agenda item is considered exempt from publication at this time and has been redacted.
22. The Strategic Board agreed:
(a) The recommendations for improving information security as outlined in the paper; (Action: Chief Security Officer)
(b) That all Board members would undertake the e-learning on protecting information before the next Board meeting and would encourage their staff to do the same; (Action: All) and
(c) A laminated guide giving advice on information security and key telephone numbers would be produced for all staff. (Action: Chief Security Officer)
Agenda Item 8: Organisational Review (oral item)
23. Ruth Parsons provided an oral update on this item.
Part of the record of discussion under this agenda item is considered exempt from publication at this time and has been redacted.
24. Points made in discussion:
(a) Communications would be key to success, delivering consistent clear messages would be important going forwards.
Part of the record of discussion under this agenda item is considered exempt from publication at this time and has been redacted.
25. The Strategic Board agreed: to provide leadership to the ongoing work of the organisational review team and to receive regular updates on progress. (Action: Director General Finance and Corporate Services)
Date of Next Meeting
26. Thursday, 8 October at SAH, Edinburgh at 10.00am.
Cabinet and Corporate Business Secretariat
September 2009