Police Negotiating Board for Scotland: constitution

Secretariat

14. The Secretariat, acting independently of the Board and answerable to the Chairperson, will be provided by the Scottish Government and is responsible for:

(a) The administrative arrangements for meetings of the Board and its sub-committees and working groups;

(b) Taking the minutes and notes of such meetings;

(c) Providing information to the Sides, either on request from the Sides or as the Secretariat in consultation with the Chairperson considers appropriate;

(d) Administrative tasks in relation to requests made under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002;

(e) The preparation and publication of Board circulars and the Annual Report;

(f) Other matters determined by the Board.

15. On request, the Secretariat may provide either Side with such other assistance as is consistent with the Secretariat's independent status.

16. Where necessary the Secretariat will prepare, in consultation with the Official and Staff Sides, explanatory memoranda giving agreed interpretations of:

(a) Police Regulations which give effect to agreements reached by the Board;

(b) Agreements reached by the Board which are not embodied in Police Regulations.