Finance and governance
Our Framework document summarises how we work with the Scottish Government (SG) and our key roles and responsibilities. The Framework Agreement does not confer any legal powers or responsibilities, it forms a key part of our accountability and governance framework and is subject to regular review, with any changes agreed by Scottish Ministers.
The Chief Executive is accountable to the Scottish Ministers for the economic, effective, and efficient operation of the Agency and is responsible for providing assurance in relation to financial and operational performance. The Chief Executive is appointed as the Accountable Officer for the agency by the Principal Accountable Officer for the Scottish Administration (the Permanent Secretary).
Our Senior Management Team are responsible for monitoring and challenging progress against our objectives on a quarterly basis, and we formally report on our performance against our objectives within our Annual Report and Accounts each year.
As part of our Performance Monitoring processes, we also review the Risks and Challenges that may impact on the achievement of our objectives and put in place appropriate mitigating actions.
Our Audit and Risk Committee provides additional challenge and external perspective to the work of the Agency and is also responsible for drawing significant matters arising to the attention of the Scottish Government Audit and Assurance Committee. .
Information Management
Transport Scotland complies with the Scottish Government Records Management Plan which sets out how we maintain our information and records in an effective manner while complying with key legislative requirements. We adhere to the key principles of the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018 and conduct an annual compliance review to monitor compliance with the legislation. As a Scottish public authority, we are subject to the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 and the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004, and we actively monitor performance in relation to responding to requests for information within the statutory timescales.
Sponsored Bodies
Continuing to provide funding for public transport services and to improve and maintain transport infrastructure in Scotland is vital in allowing the people of Scotland to travel freely while ensuring we minimise our global impact on the environment.
Transport Scotland funding also reflects our role as sponsor of:
- Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL)
- David MacBrayne Limited (DML)
- Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL)
- Scottish Canals (SC)
- Scottish Road Works Commissioner (SRWC)
- ScotRail Holdings Limited (SRH)
We undertake the Scottish Ministers’ role as the sole shareholder of CMAL, DML and HIAL. DML is funded from the operation of its subsidiaries, including CalMac Ferries which operates ferry services under a Public Service Contract with Transport Scotland, which also includes payment to CMAL for the use of its vessels, ports and harbours. CMAL funds the vessels by loans from Transport Scotland and we also provide them with grant funding for agreed port and harbour improvements.
We provide funding directly to HIAL, SC and SRWC to cover the net cost of their operations and capital investment.
Network Rail is a UK central government body sponsored by the Department for Transport but we provide funding towards the operation, maintenance and renewal of the railway in Scotland under the terms of a Network Grant and for its enhancement under the terms of Enhancement Grant.
Transport Resources
Transport Scotland’s financial resources form part of the overall Scottish budget, which is currently set on an annual basis. Table 1 sets out the Budget Bill for 2023-24, with comparative figures for 2022-23.
| Transport Service | Budget Bill 2022-23 £000’s |
Budget Bill 2023-24 £000’s |
| Rail Services | 1,401,946 | 1,418,262 |
| Concessionary Travel | 413,886 | 425,693 |
| Motorways and Trunk Roads | 721,166 | 775,769 |
| Ferries | 315,244 | 439,970 |
| Air | 79,020 | 73,977 |
| Other Transport | 356,211 | 346,334 |
|
Local Authority Grants (RTP and Cycling) / Support for Active Travel / Inter Island Ferries |
58,454 | 58,454 |
| Total | 3,345,927 | 3,538,459 |