Advisory Group
Advisory Group on Biometric Data
Section 33(1) of the Scottish Biometrics Commissioner Act 2020 provides that the Commissioner must establish and maintain an Advisory Group. The purpose of the group is to give advice and information to the Commissioner about matters relating to the Commissioner’s functions.
Terms of Reference
The members of the group are determined by the Commissioner, subject to the approval of the Parliamentary Corporation as to the number of members, the persons to be appointed, and any remuneration or expenses.
The procedure for the group is to be such as the Commissioner determines, and the group will initially meet twice per year. This will be reviewed after the Scottish Biometrics Commissioner has completed one business cycle.
Professor Niamh Nic Daeid
Director of Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science
University of DundeeLorna Ferguson
Detective Chief Superintendent, Head of Local Crime and Specialist Crime Support
Police ScotlandMhairi Morrison
Procurator Fiscal, Head of National Initial Case Processing
Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal ServiceEleanor Deeming
Scottish Human Rights CommissionProfessor Shannon Vallor
Baillie Gifford Chair in the Ethics of Data and Artificial Intelligence at the Edinburgh Futures Institute (EFI)
University of EdinburghDr Diana Miranda
Senior Lecturer in Criminology - Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research
University of StirlingProfessor William Webster
Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner
Biometrics and Surveillance Camera CommissionerAdvisory Audit Board (AAB)
As part of its governance arrangements, the Scottish Parliament Corporate Body (SPCB) has established an Advisory Audit Board (AAB) to perform a function like that of an Audit Committee. The main purpose of the AAB is to provide advice to the Clerk/Chief Executive of the Parliament and, where appropriate, the SPCB on the standard of corporate governance and internal control across the organisation.
Terms of Reference
Parliamentary Commissioners have access to the services of the AAB. This provides a mechanism for the AAB to oversee the management of risk and audit issues within the office of the Scottish Biometrics Commissioner and to advise the Commissioner on matters relating to good governance. This includes:
Monitoring the integrity of the Biometric Commissioner’s financial statements, including its annual and interim reports and any other formal announcement relating to its financial performance, reviewing significant financial reporting issues and judgements which they contain. Reviewing summary financial statements and any financial information contained in certain other documents, such as budget submissions.
Reviewing the effectiveness of the Scottish Biometrics Commissioner’s internal financial controls, other internal controls, performance management and risk management systems.
Reviewing the Scottish Biometrics Commissioner’s arrangements for its employees to raise concerns, in confidence, about possible wrongdoing in financial reporting or other matters. Ensuring that these arrangements allow proportionate and independent investigation of such matters and appropriate follow up action.
Advise the Commissioner in relation to engaging suitable external auditors; reviewing and assessing internal audit requirements and approving annual internal audit work plan; reviewing all reports from those auditors; reviewing and monitoring the senior management team's responsiveness to the findings and recommendations of the auditor.
Oversee the relationship with the external auditor; meet regularly with the external auditor, including before and after the audit; meet the external auditor at least once a year, without members of the senior management team present, to discuss their remit and any issues arising from the audit; review and approve the annual audit plan and ensure it is consistent with the scope of the audit engagement; review the findings of the audit with the external auditor.