Senior Management Team Meeting - Minutes - 29 January 2025
Attendees
- Alison Irvine, Interim CEO - Chair
Bus Accessibility and Active Travel
- Juliet Bell for Bettina Sizeland – Items 1-6
Finance and Corporate Services
- Kerry Twyman (KT) – Director
- Andy Pope (AP)
- David Swanson (DS)
- Joanne Demarco (JD)
- Mary Fitzgerald (MF)
- Danny Chalmers (DC)
- Elaine Herd (EH)
Ferries
- Gordon MacLeod (GM) for Roddy Macdonald – Items 1-6
Environment, Climate and Sustainability
- Morna Cannon (MC) Interim Director
Major Projects
- Lawrence Shackman (LS) - Director
Rail
- Bill Reeve (BR) – Director
- Hilary Cameron (HC) items 1-9
Roads
- Donald Morrison (DM) for Hugh Gillies – Items 1-9
Transport Strategy and Analysis
- Fiona Brown (FB) – Interim Director
CEO Office
- Mark Dunlop
- Pam Yorke
Risk overview
AP advised that there was no risk deep dive for Road Safety as planned as further work is required on the risk statement. The risk report provided provides a schedule for deeps dives scheduled for the year ahead.
It was noted that Rail IR had been removed from the DG risk register, MC was asked to review the wording on the Climate Change risk. MC suggested a Climate deep dive in July. KT advised she was attending a risk workshop and would look to consolidate some of the finance risks. An update would be provided after this.
The Scottish Government (SG) has arranged a session on risk appetite. This will be highlighted to staff.
AI sought assurance from Directors that the risk register had been reviewed by their directorates.
Action – Climate deep dive in July – AP
Action – review climate change risk – MC
Action – provide update on finance risk following workshop – KT
Corporate Dashboard
The SMT reviewed the report provided and AP advised there were no concerns in regards to correspondence.
Comms update
DC advised the comms team were meeting the Cabinet Secretary to go over the comms plan which included Ardrossan, Rail fares and the budget narrative. DC asked the SMT to ensure the comms plan is regularly updated by their teams.
AI discussed the month by month priorities with the SMT.
The SMT were asked to review the priorities and advise DC on any changes.
Action – review priorities and comms plan – All Directors
DIAA Audit Outcome
GS covered the report and recommendations from Internal Audit. The review found no fraud or irregularities. It highlighted some improvements required in the reporting processes with T&S and ePC. GS advised that the new Oracle system in place would help with the controls for T&S.
AI asked for assurance that all SMT have read the report and disseminated to teams. Procedures should be reviewed for teams with ePC cards to make sure the correct procedures were in place. Any gifts and hospitality declined should also be registered.
There will be a spotlight on this at the next all staff session.
Action – ensure correct procedures are followed for ePC cards and gifts and hospitality registered on Oracle – All Directors
Budget
KT advised they were still working through December monitoring exercise and the Path to Balance was complete. The team were looking at the impact of Storm Eowyn, the spring budget and the 26/27 Capital budget commission was expected shortly. The SMT were asked to ensure they were regularly reviewing forecasts.
HR Update
Health and Safety
DS discussed our approach to Health and Safety and advised that following recent discussions he would provide a paper advising how we can be more strategic in our approach across TS.
Action – provide paper on Health and Safety - DS
Digital
DS advised the SMT that the Digital and Corporate services team had commenced work on gathering Digital comms across TS and will report back once complete.
Action – bring report on Digital comms to SMT - DS
Annual Leave
JD provided an update on the annual leave policy position from the SG in 26/27.
Action – provide details to SMT to inform further discussion- JD
Bothwell St
SK provided a brief update on the soft neighbourhoods discussion from the last SMT. AI asked for a paper to be sent to her with options and she would consider further.
Action – provide paper on soft neighbourhoods - SK
People Survey
DS Provided a short presentation on the themes from the recent People Survey. There will be further discussion on this at the SMT workshop.
EH provided an update on the workstreams of the Transformation programme and the ongoing OD work.
Exceptions
AI raised concerns about the number of exception requests being presented.. DS to look at the headcount and send revised papers for AI to review.
Action – updated paper to be sent to AI for review - DS