Written Question · S5W-31957 · Session 5
Further to the answer to S5W-31236 by Kate Forbes on 26 August 2020, whether the accountable officers in each agency outside the Scottish G…
The question
To ask the Scottish Government further to the answer to S5W-31236 by Kate Forbes on 26 August 2020, whether the accountable officers in each agency outside the Scottish Government Main (SGM) arrangements are (a) issued with guidance regarding appropriate pay and grading arrangements, (b) given any pay remit specific to their organisation regarding establishment numbers and pay levels, (c) required to notify or seek the approval of their sponsor department of any proposed pay and grading arrangements and (d) required to have regard to any guidance offered and provide justification for arrangements that depart from the guidance.
The answer
In response to each of your points regarding Accountable Officers in agencies outside the Scottish Government Main arrangements:
(a) All Accountable Officers are issued with a designation letter from the Permanent Secretary to the Scottish Government that specifically points to the accountability guidance within the Scottish Public Finance Manual, to which they must adhere. Accountable Officers are personally answerable to the Parliament for the exercise of their functions in accordance with section 15 of the Public Finance and Accountability (Scotland) Act 2000 and for the propriety and regularity of their use of resources. Regularity involves compliance with relevant legislation (including the annual Budget Act) and relevant guidance issued by the Scottish Ministers
- in particular the Scottish Public Finance Manual. Accountable Officers are also issued with supporting guidance relating to the Public Sector Pay Policy publication.
(b) The Accountable Officers within each agency being established have separate delegated authority to negotiate staff terms and conditions, including pay and staffing structures, subject to their organisational resources and to Public Sector Pay Policy. To ensure any proposed changes to staff pay align with Public Sector Pay Policy, each agency is required to submit pay remit proposals for approval by the Scottish Government before entering into any trade union negotiations.
(c) Any proposed changes to pay and grading structures require consultation with, and approval from, the Scottish Government. The Public Sector Pay Policy Technical Guide sets out what should be taken into account when a public body, including agencies outside of Scottish Government Main arrangements, is proposing any such changes.
(d) All agencies are expected to adhere to guidance issued. It is the responsibility of the Accountable Officer to justify any departure from the guidance to the Scottish Government.
(a) All Accountable Officers are issued with a designation letter from the Permanent Secretary to the Scottish Government that specifically points to the accountability guidance within the Scottish Public Finance Manual, to which they must adhere. Accountable Officers are personally answerable to the Parliament for the exercise of their functions in accordance with section 15 of the Public Finance and Accountability (Scotland) Act 2000 and for the propriety and regularity of their use of resources. Regularity involves compliance with relevant legislation (including the annual Budget Act) and relevant guidance issued by the Scottish Ministers
- in particular the Scottish Public Finance Manual. Accountable Officers are also issued with supporting guidance relating to the Public Sector Pay Policy publication.
(b) The Accountable Officers within each agency being established have separate delegated authority to negotiate staff terms and conditions, including pay and staffing structures, subject to their organisational resources and to Public Sector Pay Policy. To ensure any proposed changes to staff pay align with Public Sector Pay Policy, each agency is required to submit pay remit proposals for approval by the Scottish Government before entering into any trade union negotiations.
(c) Any proposed changes to pay and grading structures require consultation with, and approval from, the Scottish Government. The Public Sector Pay Policy Technical Guide sets out what should be taken into account when a public body, including agencies outside of Scottish Government Main arrangements, is proposing any such changes.
(d) All agencies are expected to adhere to guidance issued. It is the responsibility of the Accountable Officer to justify any departure from the guidance to the Scottish Government.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S5W-31957 by reference.