MG(05)10th Conclusions
MANAGEMENT GROUP
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD IN THE ABBEY BUSINESS
CENTRE,
80-83 PRINCES STREET, EDINBURGH
AT 8.30AM ON THURSDAY, 17 MARCH 2005
Present: | John Elvidge | Permanent Secretary |
| John Aldridge | Finance Director |
| Sally Carruthers | Director of Change and Corporate
Services |
| Mike Ewart | Head of Education Department |
| Eddie Frizzell CB | Head of Enterprise, Transport and
Lifelong Learning Department |
| Robert Gordon CB | Head of Justice Department and Head of
Legal and Parliamentary Services |
| Andrew Goudie | Head of Finance and Central Services
Department |
| Norman McFadyen CBE | Crown Agent and Chief Executive of the
Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal
Service |
| Nicola Munro | Head of Development Department |
| Richard Wakeford | Head of Environment and Rural Affairs
Department |
| Kevin Woods | Head of Health Department |
| Shonaig Macpherson | Non-Executive Member |
| Michael Watts | Non-Executive Member |
| | |
In Attendance: | Donald Cameron | Cabinet/MG Secretariat |
| Andrew Watson | Cabinet/MG Secretariat |
| Liz Lewis | Head of Ministerial Support Group |
| Professor Gillian Stamp | (Attended as an observer) |
Agenda Item 1: Minutes of Previous Meeting and
Matters Arising
1. The minutes of the meeting held on
10 March (MG(05)9th Conclusions) were approved.
Agenda Item 2: Current Issues
2. Mrs Lewis said that the First
Minister had been engaged in a wide range of issues
including preparation for the Borders rail link
announcement. The First Minister had been pleased with the
launch of the International Development policy for Scotland
at the Commonwealth Local Government Conference in Aberdeen
and had been grateful for the work done by officials
involved in preparing for the event.
3. Dr Goudie updated MG on a range of
key issues following the Chancellor of the Exchequer's
budget announcement on Wednesday, 16 March and in
particular implications for budget consequentials and the
Efficient Government programme. The Permanent Secretary
said that the Efficient Government Delivery Group would
shortly publish the technical notes prepared by Departments
on cash releasing savings. Further work was required to
increase the volume of time releasing savings and
consideration should be given to bringing in external
support, where necessary, to assist departments in
identifying time releasing savings.
Events Planning Grid
4.
MG noted the Events Planning Grid and
agreed that Departments should consider
activity that might be highlighted in support of Tartan Day
activity in week beginning 4 April.
First Minister's Questions
5.
MG agreed the draft answers and supporting
material for FMQs later that day, Thursday, 17 March.
Agenda Item 3: Cabinet Business (Paper
MG(05)32)
6. The Permanent Secretary gave a brief
report from the Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday 16
March. Cabinet had discussed a report of the work of the
Ministerial Short-Life Working Group on violence; and
agreed proposals for reforming the summary justice system.
MG noted progress in preparing papers for
forthcoming Cabinet meetings and the importance of early
identification of time critical business over the coming
months.
Any Other Business
7. There was no other business.
Cabinet/MG Secretariat
March 2005