Date: 11 June 2025

Time: 10:00

Venue: St Andrew’s House, Edinburgh

Present—

• Ed Pybus (Chair)
• Adam Bennett (Member)
• Dr Marilyn Howard (Member)
• Judith Paterson (Member)
• Dr Mark Simpson (Member)

Apologies: None

In attendance (SCoSS Secretariat)—

• Stephen Herbert, Secretary
• Andrew Strong, Head of Policy and Scrutiny
• Christopher Galloway, Analysis and Participation Support Officer
• Lisa Kinnear, Governance and Engagement Officer

The Chair welcomed the Board and the Cabinet Secretary to the fifth meeting of the Board in 2025.  The Board had a wide ranging discussion with the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP.  Issues discussed included the recent Charter scrutiny report published by the Commission, the evolution of the devolved social security system post-case transfer, inter-governmental relations and the role of equality impact assessments.

The Board considered the issues discussed with the Cabinet Secretary at the previous agenda item.  The Board agreed to consider holding an event with stakeholders to discuss effective ways of developing policy in a devolved landscape and to invite a representative from DWP to a future Board meeting.

Marilyn Howard declared that she is a former recipient of the DWP Winter Fuel Payment.

The draft Minutes of the April Board meeting were amended and agreed.

Andrew Strong provided the Board with an update on the timescale for scrutiny of the forthcoming draft regulations. The Board agreed an approach to stakeholder engagement during the scrutiny period.  It was also agreed that Judith Paterson and Ed Pybus would lead on scrutiny of the draft regulations and Adam Bennett on stakeholder engagement.  Finally, it was agreed to hold an ad hoc Board meeting during July to begin scrutiny of the draft regulations.

The Board considered the draft regulations and agreed a formal response.

Stephen Herbert provided the Board with an update on forecast expenditure for 2024-25 which was requested by the Board at the April Board meeting, the update also included an estimate of the amount of ‘discretionary spend’ available in 2025-26 and of the cost of increasing the number of posts in the Secretariat at a range of grades.

Andrew Strong provided the Board with an update on recruitment noting that a new member of the secretariat is expected to start in August.

The Board noted the update.

The Board noted that the risk register was reviewed at the May meeting of the Audit Sub-Committee at which it was agreed to add a new risk which related to the recent departure of key finance staff.  The Board also agreed to remove out of date risks from the register.  The Board agreed the amended risk register.

The Board noted that Edward Pybus and Judith Paterson will be giving evidence at the Social Justice and Social Security Committee on 26 June.

The Chair provided the Board with an update on his recent attendance at a Scottish Government induction workshop and forthcoming meetings as follows—

• Social Security Scotland Executive Advisory Body;
• Attending the CPAG Scotland conference; and
• Scottish Human Rights Commission.

The Board agreed to cancel the Board meeting on 26 June and also discussed pre-legislative scrutiny on up-rating and bringing external expertise into the work of the Board.

Meeting closed at 12:59

Date of next Board meeting: Thursday 28 August 2025