3. Committee Report - SPA Strategic Policing Plan for Scotland Consultation Response
North Ayrshire Council · 2 March 2026
Back to Police and Fire and Rescue Committee — 2 March 2026 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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NORTH AYRSHIRE COUNCIL 2 March 2026 Police and Fire and Rescue Committee Meeting Title: Strategic Policing Plan for Scotland 2026-2029 Consultation Purpose: To advise the Committee of the response submitted to the consultation. Recommendation: That the Committee notes the response submitted. 1. Executive Summary 1.1 On 1 December 2025, the Scottish Police Authority (“SPA”) issued a request for responses to a consultation on the draft Strategic Policing Plan for Scotland 2026- 2029. 1.2 The deadline for responses to the Consultation was 25 January 2026. 1.3 Members of the Police and Fire and Rescue Committee were asked to share their views on the draft Strategic Policing Plan via email in order that responses could be collated and submitted on behalf of the Committee by the deadline. 1.4 The purpose of this report is to provide the Committee with a copy of the response that was submitted. 2. Background 2.1 The SPA launched a consultation on their new draft Strategic Policing Plan for Scotland 2026-2029 and sought views and observations to inform the final plan. 2.2 The draft Plan identified five strategic outcomes. These are narrated in the draft Plan as:- 1. Strategic Outcome 1: Communities are safer and more secure, with less crime and improved wellbeing, through effective policing services reflective of local needs. 2. Strategic Outcome 2: Services are designed and delivered compassionately, in a trauma-informed and person-centred way to ensure victims have trust and confidence in policing and are supported. 3. Strategic Outcome 3: Partners and stakeholders are involved in developing a responsive and proactive whole-system approach to prevention, early intervention and harm reduction.
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4. Strategic Outcome 4: The policing working environment is safer and its culture more inclusive, and is one where inspiring leadership enables everyone to feel valued and supported. 5. Strategic Outcome 5: The policing system delivers best value through efficient, effective and sustainable services, which are adaptable and embrace opportunities for innovation and collaboration 2.3 A copy of the response agreed by Committee members and submitted by officers is included at Appendix 1. 2.4 In summary, the Council welcomed the priorities suggested by the SPA. 3. Proposals 3.1 That the Committee notes the response submitted to the SPA. 4. Implications/Socio-economic Duty Financial 4.1 None. Human Resources 4.2 None. Legal 4.3 None. Equality/Socio-economic 4.4 None. Climate Change and Carbon 4.5 None. Key Priorities 4.6 The response to the consultation contributes to the Council priorities of Wellbeing and Communities and Local Democracy. Community Wealth Building 4.7 None. Islands Communities Impact Assessment (ICIA) 4.8 None. United Nations Rights of the Child (UNCRC)
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4.9 None. Consumer Duty 4.10 None. 5. Consultation 5.1 The SPA will take account of the responses to the consultation received on their draft Plan to help inform the final Strategic Policing Plan. The finalised version of the Plan will be brought back to this Committee for information. Aileen Craig Head of Democratic Services For further information please contact Raymond Lynch, Senior Legal Manager, on Email: raymondlynch@north-ayrshire.gov.uk. Background Papers: 0
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Appendix 1
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Response ID ANON-QHQM-4VKS-Y Submitted to Strategic Policing Plan for Scotland 2026-2029 Submitted on 2026-01-23 17:09:24 Survey 1 To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the five strategic outcomes? Outcome Agreement - Outcome 1- Communities are safer and more secure, with less crime and improved wellbeing, through effective policing services reflective of local needs: Agree Outcome Agreement - Outcome 2- Services are designed and delivered compassionately, in a trauma-informed and person-centred way to ensure victims have trust and confidence in policing and are supported: Agree Outcome Agreement - Outcome 3- Partners and stakeholders are involved in developing a responsive and proactive a whole-system approach to prevention , early intervention and harm reduction: Agree Outcome Agreement - Outcome 4 – The working environment is safer and its culture more inclusive and is one where inspiring leadership enables everyone to feel valued and supported.: Agree Outcome Agreement - Outcome 5 – The policing system delivers best value through efficient, effective and sustainable services, which are adaptable, and embrace opportunities for innovation and collaboration.: Agree Please use the box below to add any comments on the strategic outcomes: The outcomes aspired to are dependent on good training and importantly the ‘buy in’ by officers who see the challenging side of human life on a daily basis policing the streets of Scotland. They perhaps feel somewhat under the cosh when doing their level best to provide a quality policing service and yet have to deal with many folk who make false allegations. Police actions dealing with violent individuals, often with a mental health background can result in their actions being subject to review. There is no doubt that policing today is more challenging than ever before. Maintaining standards can be very difficult when dealing with the most dangerous people in society where every action by the police is caught on camera. Not an easy role! Daily decision making lies with senior officers and that must always remain, thus avoiding allegations of political control of operational policing. 2 Do you have any other comments about the Strategic Policing Plan for Scotland? Please use the box below for any additional comments, for example if there is anything else that you think could be included. : Having a plan is important, but it needs to be flexible because of the changing nature of the challenges which need to be dealt with, often at very short notice viz visits by President of USA; major conferences attracting protests; marches, parades requiring mutual aid etc. About you 3 In what capacity are you completing the survey? I am answering on behalf of an organisation Please specify organisation: North Ayrshire Council Police and Fire and Rescue Committee About you 4 Are you a police officer, member of police staff, or otherwise employed by the Scottish Police Authority? No 5 Have you experienced any of the following in the last 12 months? Not Answered 6 Which of the following best describes you? Not Answered If you selected other, please specify below.:
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7 Are you trans or do you have a trans history? Not Answered 8 What is your age group? Drop down menu with age categories: 9 Which of the following best describes your sexual orientation? Not Answered If you selected other, please specify below.: 10 Do you have any physical or mental health conditions or illnesses lasting or expected to last for 12 months or more? Not Answered About you 12 What is your ethnic group? Dropdown list asking you to select your ethnic group: If you selected other, please specify below: 13 What is your religion? Dropdown list asking you to select your religion: 14 Caring responsibilities Dropdown list asking about your caring responsibilities: 15 Care experienced Dropdown list asking if you have care experience: