The Civil Contingencies Act 2004 (Contingency Planning) (Scotland) Regulations 2005

Co-operation and Strategic Co-ordinating Group

3.—(1) Scottish Category 1 responders which have functions which are exercisable in a particular police area must co operate with each other and with general Category 1 responders which have functions which are exercisable in that area in connection with the performance of their duties under section 2(1).

(2) The co-operation referred to in paragraph (1)–

(a) may take the form of two or more Scottish Category 1 responders co operating with each other, or one or more Scottish Category 1 responders cooperating with one or more general Category 1 responders; and

(b) must take the form of all Scottish Category 1 responders which have functions which are exercisable in that police area co-operating together in a single group with all general Category 1 responders which have functions which are exercisable in that police area.

(3) The form of co-operation referred to in paragraph (2)(b) is referred to in these Regulations as the “Strategic Co ordinating Group”.

(4) As part of the Strategic Co ordinating Group, Scottish Category 1 responders which have functions which are exercisable in a particular police area must make arrangements to hold a meeting at least once every six months; and each Scottish Category 1 responder must, so far as reasonably practicable, attend such a meeting or arrange for it to be effectively represented at that meeting.

(5) Scottish Category 2 responders which have functions which are exercisable in a particular police area must co operate with each Scottish and general Category 1 responder which has functions which are exercisable in that area in connection with the performance by that Scottish and general Category 1 responder of its duties under section 2(1);

(6) A Scottish Category 2 responder which has functions which are exercisable in a particular police area–

(a) must, so far as reasonably practicable, attend a meeting of the Strategic Co ordinating Group for that area or arrange to be effectively represented at that meeting, if it is asked to do so by all of those Scottish and general Category 1 responders which have functions which are exercisable in that police area; and

(b) in the case of any other meeting of that Strategic Co ordinating Group, must consider whether it is appropriate for it to attend the meeting or to be effectively represented at the meeting.

(7) For the purposes of paragraph (6) and analogous provision in regulations made by a Minister of the Crown under Part 1, the Scottish Category 1 responders which have functions which are exercisable in a police area must–

(a) keep each Scottish and general Category 2 responder which has functions which are exercisable in that area informed of–

(i) when meetings of the Strategic Co ordinating Group are to take place;

(ii) the location of such meetings;

(iii) the matters which are likely to be discussed at such meetings;

(b) make arrangements for a Scottish or general Category 2 responder to attend any such meetings where the Scottish or general Category 2 responder wishes to do so; and

(c) consider whether a Scottish or general Category 2 responder should be asked to attend such a meeting.