1. Portfolio/Number/Name:COPFS/C1 Alternatives to Prosecution |
2. Programme/Activity: The project covers the introduction of the Driver Improvement Scheme for some motoring offences (typically speeding) where, instead of a fiscal fine or other legal action being taken against them, the offender attends a driver improvement course. The project also covers the introduction of Orders making it possible to offer fixed penalties for the offences of driving with no insurance and similar traffic offences instead of prosecuting these in the Sheriff Court. |
3. Efficiency | 3.1 Current target; £m | | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 |
Cash | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.1 |
Time | 0 | 0 | 0 |
3.2 Efficiencies delivered; £m | | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 |
Cash | 0.92 | - | - |
Time | 0 | - | - |
4. Accountable Officer for delivery | Norman McFadyen, Crown Agent & Chief Executive |
5. Project Manager | Bill McQueen, Deputy Chief Executive |
6. EGDD Portfolio Manager | Angus Gardner |
7. Description of efficiency and actions to be taken | 7.1 What is the efficiency improvement? How will the efficiencies be made? The intention is that by improving driving skills the offender is less likely to re-offend. As the cost of the driving improvement course is borne by the offender, this is less costly than COPFS issuing a fiscal fine or commencing proceedings against the offender. Savings will also be made by using fixed penalties instead of prosecuting in the Sheriff Court. |
7.2 What are the main actions that are needed to secure the delivery of this efficiency improvement? Guidance has been issued to Fiscals on the Driver Improvement Scheme. Savings are however, dependent on the number of reports submitted by the Police, and whether the Police themselves issue conditional offers, in specific driving offence categories. At this early stage the number of cases being reported by the Police is below that forecast and savings are not currently being accrued at the anticipated level in respect of the Driver Improvement Scheme. This is recognised and is being addressed. Progress will continue to be closely monitored. |
8. Associated costs | 8.1 Are there any development or redundancy costs associated with the delivery of this efficiency? No. |
9. Measurement | 9.1 What are the inputs that will be measured? Legal resources required to prosecute offending drivers. |
9.2 What are the outputs that will be measured? Number of individuals undertaking driver improvement training. Number of individuals receiving fiscal fines for driving offences. |
9.3 What is the baseline for inputs and outputs? The baseline for measuring inputs and outputs is 2004/05. |
10. Quality cross-check | 10.1 What quality indicators are being used to ensure that quality of service is maintained or improved? The Business & Policy Development Division will validate the output through analysis of data from the case tracking system. |
11. Monitoring | 11.1 What are the arrangements for monitoring the delivery of efficiencies? Efficiency savings will be measured using readily available data from our case tracking system managed by our Business & Policy Development Division who will validate the output. |
12. Reporting | 12.1 What are the arrangements for reporting the delivery of efficiencies? We will monitor and report to our Management Board mid-year (September) and at financial year-end. This will be led by the Director of Finance who is a member of the Management Board. |
13. Dependencies | 13.1 Explain if your efficiencies are dependent on legislation or other structural changes being achieved. The projected savings arise from the introduction of the Driver Improvement Scheme and the introduction of fixed penalties for certain offences. |
14. Use of efficiencies | 14.1 How are the efficiencies released from improvement activity being used to improve front-line services? A reduction in the number of cases prosecuted has the benefit of releasing Deputes to prosecute other categories of cases which frees up resources for Ministers to allocate to their priorities. There will also be savings in police and court time. |