NRS STRATEGIC BOARD MEETING
Tuesday 24 June 2025
10:00 – 12:00
Hybrid: Lord Clerk Registers Room and Microsoft Teams
Attendees
Alison Byrne, Chief Executive (Chair)
Anne Moises, Non-Executive Director
Tim Wright, Non-Executive Director
Maggie Waterston, Non-Executive Director
Director of Information and Records Services & Deputy Keeper
Director of Corporate Services & NRS Accountable Officer
Director of Census Statistics
Director of Statistics
Chief Finance Officer
NRS Head of Customer Services Operations (interim)
Director of Digital & IT Services (interim)
Head of Portfolio & Governance (Business change)
NRS Business Change Manager
Corporate Governance Manager
Head of Portfolio Delivery
NRS BMU - Secretariat
Apologies
Director of Digital & Delivery
Head of BMU
1. Welcome, Introductions and Apologies
1.1 The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting. Apologies were noted as listed above.
2. Review of previous minutes/action log and Declarations of Interest
2.1 Minutes of 12 March 2024
An amendment was required on the minutes of 12 March 2025 and the updated minutes would be re-issued to board members.
2.2 Action log
The action log was reviewed and updated.
2.3 Declarations of Interest
There were no new declarations of interest.
3. Vision Strategy, Target Operating Model and Corporate Plan
3.1 An overview was given highlighting the transformation programme scope and Corporate Plan.
3.2 An update was provided on progress of the Shaping the Future noting that this would underpin the Corporate Plan.
3.3 It was advised that the Strategy and Corporate Plan would be published in Autumn 2025, noting that work on this would be reviewed regularly to ensure the relevance of the Strategy and the Target Operating Model. Staff engagement had been successful with positive feedback given at the various sessions.
3.4 It was noted that the time period had moved to 2035 based on feedback given at the previous Strategic Board. It was noted that work was continuing on the Strategic Objectives. Further workshops would be planned to develop these.
3.5 The six workstreams of the transformation programme were discussed. The Service Definition work was highlighted as the highest priority in the scope. This would be carried out alongside the customer definition work.
3.6 The Fees, Charges and Income programme was discussed. Considerations were ongoing regarding NRS position on charges in line with the Scottish Public Finance Manual.
NEW ACTION: SB 60 NXDs asked the senior team to review its charging model for NRS services
3.7 The Digital Data and Technology work stream was discussed. Plans and challenges were highlighted. Suggestions regarding shared services were highlighted and discussed. Further considerations would be made.
3.8 A discussion was held regarding the NRS Corporate plan resource challenges. Collaboration opportunities and secondment opportunities that included pooled resource possibilities were highlighted as options to reduce pressures within NRS staffing constraints. The NXD’s and the Chair noted the progress done to date and thanked NRS for its work on these important outputs. It was recommended that NRS challenge itself on its delivery pathway from organisations that faced the same challenges as NRS. Efficiencies were discussed and a question posed about what the target was for them? It was noted that NRS had delivered efficiencies in the past. Three Delivery Partners had recently been procured to help enable alleviation of resource pressure, service delivery and project management.
4. 2025/26 Budget & Portfolio Plan
4.1 It was noted that the slides had set the direction of travel in the various areas.
5. Any Other Business
5.1 There was no further business discussed. The Chair thanked everyone for their contributions and thanked the Director for Information and Records Services as it was the last meeting they would attend.
6. Date & Time of next Meeting
6.1 The next meeting would be held on 11 September 2025
