2. Governance, Sponsorship and Accountability
2.1 The FSS Board will serve as the Programme Sponsorship Group. As Scotland’s national food body, the Board is best placed to fulfil this role in line with the Managing Successful Programmes (MSP) framework adopted for SAFER. This reflects its statutory duty to protect public health in relation to food, its authority to allocate resources, and its accountability to the Scottish Parliament as a Non-Ministerial Office.
2.2 Acting as the Sponsorship Group ensures the programme remains strategically aligned with national policy objectives, FSS’s statutory responsibilities, and the wider public health interest, while providing the necessary governance and leadership.
SAFER programme organisational hierarchy
Here is a visual only chart of: Flowchart showing the reporting structure for the SAFER programme.
Please find more information provided in the detailed description and/or table below.
Text from diagram
The first box shows the top level of the hierarchy which is the Scottish Parliament and Scottish Government Ministers.
The second box shows the SAFER Sponsoring Group (FSS Board) who reports to the Scottish Parliament and Scottish Government Ministers.
The third box shows the SAFER Senior Responsible Officer (SRO) who reports to the Scottish Parliament and Scottish Government Ministers.
The fourth box shows the SAFER Programme Board who reports to the SAFER Senior Responsible Officer (SRO).
The fifth box shows the SAFER Programme Manager who reports to the SAFER Programme Board.
The sixth box shows the Workstreams /Projects who report to the SAFER Programme Manager.
2.2.1 The Scottish Parliament and Scottish Ministers are also listed in the organisational structure, as it is anticipated they may have a role, especially if any outcomes of the programme trigger the need for legislative change.
2.3 Matters exceeding the Programme Board’s delegated authority, such as changes impacting FSS statutory obligations, financial commitments beyond agreed limits, or significant alterations to programme scope, must be escalated to the Sponsoring Group (FSS Board) for decision.