Minutes of the CPS Board Meeting on 20 July 2005
Present:
Ken Macdonald (Chair)
Richard Foster
Neil Franklin
Philip Geering
John Graham
Claire Hamon
Peter Lewis
Angela O'Connor
Portia Ragnauth
Deborah King
Judith Hunt
Philip Oliver
Anjali Arya
Moira Wallace
Nick Hawkins for Item 3
Chris Yule for Item 5
Jasvier Boyal and Suzanne Westcott for Item 7
Pam Teare for Item 8
Secretariat:
Gary Cox
Apologies
Jim England
Dru Sharpling
Seamus Taylor
Item 1: Previous minutes and actions arising
1. The note of the last Board meeting on 18 May 2005 was agreed.
2. On actions arising, the Board noted that HR representatives were attending the Unit Head roadshows; Board Committees would report on progress on issues from the April Senior Managers'Conference at the next Board meeting; and options for the media attending the next Conference was to be discussed at this Board meeting.
Item 2: Director's Update
London Bombings
3. The Director reviewed the CPS response to the London bombings of 7 July, where there were regular meetings to review the situation and to keep staff informed. CPS business continuity arrangements worked well.
4. The Government is proposing anti-terrorist legislation. The Service is already strengthening its approach to the prosecution of terrorist crimes through the restructuring of Casework Directorate into three new Divisions reporting to the DPP, covering serious and organised crime, anti-terrorism and special cases, such as major disasters.
Unit Head Roadshows
5. Roadshows with Unit Heads are underway to discuss the vision for the Service; what delivering the vision means for people in differing jobs; and the changing role for Unit Heads in leading their people through those changes.
Item 3: Delivering on Charging and Advocacy in tandem
6. The Board recognised that charging and advocacy are the two priority initiatives for the CPS. Both put a premium on prosecutors to provide charging advice to the police and to advocate on Crown Court cases. There were a number of synergies in lawyers undertaking advocacy and charging, particularly where experience of trial advocacy helped in advising the police and helping to shape strong cases for presentation in court.
7. In reviewing the demands on Areas in delivering the two initiatives, the Board acknowledged that more needs to be done to assess and manage risks to delivery in individual Areas. Both initiatives were well-planned, under strong governance arrangements and closely managed. The Board was assured that with these arrangements in place, and with the commitment and leadership of CCPs, Unit Heads and others, Areas will be able to deliver on charging and advocacy initiatives in tandem.
Item 4: Assurance report on delivery, change and risk
8. The Board considered an Assurance Report on delivery of PSA and CPS targets, business change projects and management of corporate risks. The Board noted that the next Assurance Report will be presented to the Board in November 2005, reporting on delivery, change and risk management at mid-year ending September 2005.
Item 5: Compass Benefits Realisation
9. The Board considered proposals to manage and report on benefits realisation for the COMPASS programme and noted that the CPS will be subject to an OGC Gateway Review in August, which will focus on benefits realisation.
10. The Board agreed that benefits delivery was a corporate responsibility and that COMPASS benefits realisation arrangements needed to be firmly aligned with delivery of the Service's overall Efficiency Plan. The Board agreed that the Service needed to develop its capacity for benefits realisation and that a small team be established for a short period to take this work forward.
Item 6: First Quarter 2005-06 Financial Outturn
11. The Board considered the resourcing position at the end of June 2005 and initial forecasts for expenditure over 2005-06. Business Development and Finance Directorates are monitoring the budget position closely and are actively working on improving the management of prosecution costs, through the very high cost case scheme, the introduction of case management panels and case auditors and the extension of the graduated fee scheme.
Item 7: Improving Employee Performance Management
12. The Board agreed proposals to develop employee performance management arrangements encompassing the employee journey from recruitment to exit. The Board noted that the proposals would strengthen the management arrangements for the Service to deliver its aims and objectives and would underpin the cultural and business changes needed for the Service to become a world-class prosecuting authority.
Item 8: Autumn Senior Managers'Conference
13. The Board considered initial proposals for the Autumn Senior Manager's Conference around a theme of "Making it Happen", concentrating on delivering the charging and advocacy initiatives and addressing issues raised at Unit Head roadshows.
Item 9: Draft Agenda for the next Board Meeting
14. The Board agreed the agenda for the next meeting on 21 September 2005.
Item 10: Any Other Business
15. The Board noted the recent announcement from HM Treasury that Spending Review 2006 had been postponed until 2007 and that this would be a comprehensive spending review covering years 2008 - 2011.
Strategy Planning & Change Division
July 2005
