Senior Leadership Team - 16 June 2026
Attendees
Amanda Black Head of Legal Services (AB)
Ilya Zharov Head of Reviews & Policy (IZ)
Lynsay Cooper Communications Officer (LC)
Steven Ross Information Coordinator (SR)
Jennifer Fisher Executive Assistant (Minutes) (JLF)
Laura Duguid Finance Manager (LD)
Laura Paton Commissioner (LP)
Phil Chapman Director of Operations (PC) (Chair)
Raymond Brown Head of Investigations (RB)
Sharon Smit Head of Corporate Services/Accountable Officer (SS)
Welcome and Apologies
PC opened the meeting and welcomed attendees.
Apologies
Apologies were noted from Irina Wilkie, Head of Communications. LC attended in her absence.
Matters proposed to be considered in private.
Attendees agreed to consider agenda items 9-17 in private, for the reasons set out on the agenda.
Minutes and Action Log from previous meeting
Draft Minutes
LP advised that she had submitted amendments to the minutes to JLF via email in advance of the meeting.
Minutes of the May 2026 meeting were approved – pending LP’s amendments.
2.2 Action Log
The SLT action log was reviewed; both actions remain ongoing
AP1: Develop guidance for staff attending court to provide evidence.
Action: ongoing
AP2: Review 2026 staff survey questionnaire (as shared at May 2026 SLT) and provide feedback to SS
Action: ongoing
Commissioner’s Update Report
Update Report
The Commissioner’s report was circulated with the papers and was taken as read.
Statutory Advisory Board
LP advised that the Statutory Advisory Board (the Board) Induction session, held on 20 May 2026, had been very successful, with positive feedback received from the Chair and members. It was noted that the first meeting of the Board is scheduled to take place this afternoon.
Child Friendly Complaints Handling Guidance (CFCH)
LP advised that PIRC’s CFCH Guidance will formally launch in July 2026. Members were asked to review the guidance documents circulated and provide any comments or feedback to SRO McGruer. LP requested that SI Houliston also be asked to review the draft guidance and provide feedback.
Action: Members to review the draft CFCH Guidance documents circulated and provide feedback.
LP further advised that PIRC’s Statutory Guidance will be reviewed and re-launched in 2027, with the review taking into account revised arrangements for handling complaints involving, or made by, children. Further update will be provided in due course.
RB advised that he was progressing the conclusion of PIRC’s operational guidance with Police Scotland (PSoS) and would share this with SRO McGruer later this afternoon.
Members noted the updates provided.
Communications Update
LC provided an overview of the Communications Update report, circulated in advance.
Strategic Review and Strategic Plan
Activity relating to the Strategic Review and Strategic Plan remains ongoing, with activity currently paused pending the agreement of final Strategic Plan report.
DEI
Progress ongoing with development of a DEI monitoring form.
HR Portal
Work on the HR Portal remains ongoing with continued engagement with HR colleagues and web providers to improve functionality and search-ability.
Staff Engagement
A range of staff communications and engagement activity was delivered in May 2026, including Commissioner updates, Strategic Review messaging and Board related communications.
Members noted the updates provided.
Training
The Training report was circulated with the papers and was taken as read.
Annual Training Plan
SS advised that the Training Coordinator is currently preparing the annual training plan and requested members provide details of any training requirements. SS advised that the training plan will be presented for review at the July SLT meeting.
Members noted the updates provided.
Finance
LD provided an overview of the Management Accounts to end May 2026, highlighting the following:
Salary costs are £30k overspent year to date (YTD), primarily due to vacancy efficiency targets and increased overtime costs. Vacancy efficiencies are closely monitored.
Running costs are £2.7k underspend YTD, indicating expenditure is broadly in line with budget.
Accommodation costs during May 2026 relate to repairs across both sites, including works such as kitchen/canteen lighting and air conditioning repairs.
There is an underspend in legal fees due to delays in the Sheku Bayoh Public Inquiry.
Overall expenditure is currently £27k overspent YTD.
Overtime Budget
LD reported that a small overtime budget (£5k) had been reallocated from non-pay, however this was already overspent. Members discussed the requirement for an increased overtime budget and agreed that a further meeting would be convened to review requirements.
LD to arrange a meeting with department heads in the coming month.
Members noted the update provided.
Policy Documents
PIRC Employee Vetting and Reference Policy
Not approved: AB requested additional time to review the policy and provide feedback. It was agreed that the policy would be updated accordingly and recirculated for approval via correspondence.
PIRC Grievance Policy
Not approved: AB requested additional time to review the policy and provide feedback. It was agreed that the policy would be updated accordingly and recirculated for approval via correspondence.
PIRC Volunteering Policy
Not approved: AB requested additional time to review the policy and provide feedback. It was agreed that the policy would be updated accordingly and recirculated for approval via correspondence.
Any other business
Nil to note