Scottish Government Records Management Plan Progress Update Review

4. Authority Background

The Scottish Government (Part of the scheduled public authority 'Scottish Ministers') is the devolved government for Scotland which is responsible for most of the issues of day-to-day concern to the people of Scotland, including health, education, justice, rural affairs and transport.

Disclosure Scotland (Part of 'Scottish Ministers') is an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government which provides criminal records checks under Part V of the Police Act 1997 and the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007.

Transport Scotland (Part of 'Scottish Ministers') is an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government which is responsible for advising Scottish Government on strategy and policy options for transport in Scotland and for increasing sustainable economic growth through the development of national transport projects.

Student Awards Agency for Scotland (Part of 'Scottish Ministers') is an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government giving financial support to all eligible students doing a course of higher education in the UK.

Accountant in Bankruptcy (Part of 'Scottish Ministers') is an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government responsible for administering the process of personal bankruptcy and recording corporate insolvencies in Scotland.

The Scottish Agricultural Wages Board (SAWB) is an executive non-departmental public body set up under the Agricultural Wages (Scotland) Act 1949. The SAWB exists to set minimum rates of pay and other conditions of service for agricultural workers in Scotland.

The Chief Dental Officer (CDO) is the Scottish Government's principal dental adviser, and as such has direct access to ministers. The post has direct involvement in the development of health policy in Scotland, including, health promotion and health protection. The CDO has lead responsibility for issues such as clinical effectiveness, quality assurance, accreditation and research.

The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) is the Scottish Government's principal medical adviser and is also Head of the Scottish Medical Civil Service. The post covers every aspect of health in Scotland.

Her Majesty's Inspector of Anatomy for Scotland inspects premises where bodies for anatomical examination and anatomical specimens are kept. He also inspects record keeping and disposal practices.

Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland is required to inspect the 15 prisons across Scotland in order to establish the treatment of, and the conditions for prisoners and to report publicly on the findings. The Public Services Reform (Inspection and Monitoring of Prisons) (Scotland) Order 2015 came into force on 31 August 2015 and from this date HM Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland assumed overall responsibility for the monitoring of prisons, which is carried out on a day to day basis by independent prison monitors.

Independent Prison Monitors appointed under section 7B(2)(a) of the Prisons (Scotland) Act 1989 are volunteers who provide an independent viewpoint on the humane treatment and conditions for prisoners in all prisons across Scotland and conduct investigations either as a result of a prisoner raising an issue or from observations that are made during prison visits. Monitors report formally on their findings.

Prison monitoring co-ordinators appointed under section 7A (2) of the Prisons (Scotland) Act 1989 co-ordinate the work of Independent Prison Monitors.

Her Majesty's Fire Service Inspectorate for Scotland, or HM Fire Service Inspectorate, is an autonomous agency of the Scottish Government. Its function is to provide independent, risk based and proportionate professional inspection of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. The Inspectorate can enquire into any matter concerning the operation of a fire and rescue service.

The Safeguarders Panel is responsible for recruitment and selection, training, managing appointments, complaints and monitoring performance of safeguarders across Scotland. The statutory responsibility for these functions lies with the Safeguarders Panel which is administered by the Children and Families Directorate.

The Drinking Water Quality Regulator for Scotland is responsible for monitoring water quality and enforcing the regulations on behalf of Scottish Ministers. Technical and logistical support is provided by the Drinking Water Quality Division of the Scottish Government.

The Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland (MACS) is an advisory non departmental public body. The Convener and Members are appointed by the Minister for Transport. The role of MACS is to consider matters about the needs of disabled persons in connection with transport that the committee think are appropriate and to advise the Scottish Ministers about those matters that the committee think are appropriate.