Eddie Fraser, Chief Executive (East Ayrshire Council) and Greg Colgan, Chief Executive (Dundee City Council) (for lateness).

There were no conflicts of interest intimated prior to the commencement of the meeting.

There was submitted the Minute of the meeting of this Group held on 11 August 2025.

DECIDED: That the Minute be approved.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive of Scotland Excel providing an update on key developments within Scotland Excel, since the meeting of the CEOMG held on 11 August 2025, and the key strategic activities and outputs delivered by each team within the corporate structure.

DECIDED: 

(a) That the report be noted; and

(b) That it be noted that Scotland Excel were re-focussing efforts on contracts and commissioning.

The Customer Services Manager gave a presentation which included information on the draft budget proposals for 2026/27; Scotland Excel’s revenue estimates; employee costs; supplies and services; income and income stream maximisation. It was noted that Scotland Excel were also working on a revised income strategy. 

It was noted that a presentation on the draft budget proposals for 2026/27 would be delivered to the upcoming meeting of the CIPFA Local Government Directors of Finance Group and it was agreed that the presentation include information around how Scotland Excel was constantly reviewing its structure; the journey over the past five years in relation to savings and income growth; ‘telling the story’ around transformation savings to councils; and highlighting Scotland Excel’s frameworks and the councils utilising these. 

DECIDED: 

(a) That the presentation be noted; and

(b) That further information on the matters discussed be included in the presentation being delivered to the upcoming meeting of the CIPFA Local Government Directors of Finance Group.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive of Scotland Excel relative to the draft operating plan for 2026/27 which provided the CEOMG with an opportunity to review the proposed operating plan 2026/27 in advance of its submission to the Executive Sub-committee and Joint Committee.

The Business Intelligence Officer gave a presentation to members which included an overview of the operating plan; the reporting process via the Executive Sub-committee and Joint Committee together with priorities and commitments.

Following consideration of the report and presentation, and following discussion, it was agreed that further detail be included in the draft operating plan 2026/27 around prioritising frameworks which were due to end and could not be extended; visibility of where input from councils was required; deadlines, what Scotland Excel expected to deliver and how this would be tracked and escalated; and engagement with 32 councils and what they are looking for from Scotland Excel.

DECIDED: That further detail on the matters discussed be reflected in the draft operating plan 2026/27.

Under reference to item 3 of the Minute of the meeting of this Group held on 11 August 2025, the Chief Executive of Scotland Excel, the Director of Strategic Procurement and the Director of Customer & Business Services gave a presentation which included the actions and priorities around the two growth themes: growing Scotland Excel services; and Scotland Excel and sector models and the two foundation themes; growing Scotland Excel services; and Scotland Excel and sector models; an overview of social care commissioning; construction procurement; digital procurement; spend analysis around the five asks of SOLACE/IS; the Scotland Excel National Savings Team; alternative business models; and the next steps.

Following discussion on the matters raised during consideration of this item, it was agreed that the Group investigate the possibility of Scotland Excel delivering a presentation to an upcoming evening SOLACE meeting.

DECIDED: That the Group investigate the possibility of Scotland Excel delivering a presentation to an upcoming evening SOLACE meeting.

The Chief Executive of Scotland Excel gave a presentation which included information on the fleet, waste and digital procurement workstreams together with updates in relation to the SOLACE review of shared services and SEEMIS.

DECIDED: That the presentation be noted.

The Director of Customer & Business Services gave a presentation which included information on the new format of value reporting which would include more infographics and be more assertive about value.

DECIDED: That the presentation be noted.