Date: 28 March 2024

Time: 14:00

Venue: Microsoft Teams

Present—

• Dr Mark Simpson (Interim Co-Chair)
• Judith Paterson (Interim Co-Chair)
• Dr Marilyn Howard (Member)
• Dr Jackie Gulland (Member)

Apologies: None

In attendance (SCoSS Secretariat)—

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

Interim Co-Chair, Judith Paterson, welcomed the Commissioners to the third meeting of the Board in 2024.

Members did not have any relevant interests to declare.

The Minutes of the February Board meeting were considered, and following amendment, agreed.

In attendance—

• Beth Stanners, Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance policy lead;
• David Hilber, Case Transfer Team Leader; and
• Euan Geddes, Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance Case Transfer, Scottish Government.

Beth Stanners spoke to the scope, content and timetable for the draft regulations.  The Board discussed the content of the regulations with officials with particular regard to the complexity of the regulations and the importance of effective communication with future recipients of Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance about their options.

The Board agreed an approach to reporting on the draft regulations and that Dr Jackie Gulland would lead on scrutiny of the draft regulations.  The Board also agreed to undertake line by line scrutiny of the draft regulations at an ‘ad-hoc’ Board meeting on Thursday 18 April.

In attendance—

• Michelle Rumgay, Senior Policy Officer, David Hilber, Case Transfer Team Leader; and
• Posy Musgrave, Team Leader, Funerals and Early Years Policy, Five Family Payments, Funeral Support and Challenge Rights.

Michelle Rumgay detailed the scope and content of the draft regulations.  In particular, it was noted that the draft regulations would amend the existing Funeral Support Payment regulations in recognition of anticipated developments in funeral provision since the launch of the payment in 2019.  The Board discussed the scope of the draft regulations with officials.  The Board agreed to undertake line by line scrutiny of the draft regulations at an ‘ad-hoc’ Board meeting on Thursday 18 April.

In attendance—

• Charlotte Walmsley, Policy Manager for Short-Term Assistance and Re-determinations; and
• Lynn Forsyth, Unit Head, Five Family Payments, Funeral Support and Challenge Rights.

Charlotte Walmsley detailed the policy intent of the draft regulations.  Discussion centred around the recommendation that the Scottish Government should ensure that information on Short-term Assistance while challenging a decision includes the possibility of not regaining passported benefits in full at the end of the process so that people can make an informed decision about whether to apply.  The Board discussed the legal position set out in the draft regulations and whether there was a mis-match with actual experience ‘on the ground’.  The Board agreed to provide further information to Scottish Government officials, in writing, on this point.

The Board agreed to defer consideration of this agenda item to the ‘ad-hoc’ Board meeting on Thursday 18 April.

The Board agreed to defer consideration of this agenda item to the ‘ad-hoc’ Board meeting on Thursday 18 April.

The Board agreed to defer consideration of this agenda item to the ‘ad-hoc’ Board meeting on Thursday 18 April.

The Board discussed the legislative progress of the Social Security (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill and potential amendments to the Bill to bring further regulations within the scope of SCoSS scrutiny.  The Board agreed to respond in writing to the Scottish Government Sponsor Unit and Bill Team with regard to potential amendments.

The Board noted that a three year contract for maintenance of the SCoSS website had been awarded to ‘the Gate’ from 1 April 2024.

The Board also noted that the Interim Co-Chairs had attended a recruitment engagement event, on 27 March, with potential candidates for the Chair and Board member vacancies on the SCoSS Board.

Meeting closed at 17:00.

Date of next meeting: Thursday 25 April