Scientific Advisory Committee - Terms of Reference

Roles and Responsibilities

  1. The NatureScot Board has established a Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC).
  1. Appropriate research and sound evidence provide the basis for informed scientific advice on which many of the operational and strategic decisions or judgements of NatureScot depend.  The SAC is an expert committee that has the role of providing or scrutinising scientific advice on which the NatureScot Board and staff base decisions. This role will reinforce NatureScot's scientific credibility and authority with partners and stakeholders.

Remit

  1. The remit of the SAC is as follows:
  • Advice: As requested by NatureScot Board and staff, provide advice on scientific matters (natural and social science); contribute to the development of NatureScot's research and strategic evidence portfolio within the context of the Corporate Plan; advise on novel and contentious proposals and projects; and respond to requests from the Board in relation to wider scientific issues raised by the public and/or scientific community.
  • Peer Review: In consultation with the Director/Deputy Director of Nature and Climate Change, review the quality, timeliness and relevance of NatureScot internal and commissioned research, and report its findings to the Board and/or to senior staff as appropriate;
  • Review: Review the scientific basis for the notification of an SSSI, and any consents, when requested to do so by the Protected Areas Committee including all cases in which NatureScot is obliged to consider representations made by interested parties, and to advise the NatureScot Board as appropriate; and
  • Other contributions: Contribute in light of an individual member's specialist knowledge, to in-depth investigations of particular topics as required by the NatureScot Board or when requested by the Director/Deputy Director of Nature and Climate Change.

Reporting lines

  1. The SAC is a Committee of the NatureScot Board and reports directly to it. An annual report will be made to the Board on the work of the Committee.

Membership

  1. The membership of the SAC is approved by the NatureScot Board. The Committee comprises up to seven members: the Chair will be drawn from the NatureScot Board. The other members (up to six in number) are appointed through open recruitment from outwith NatureScot. The Committee should have a balance of experience and knowledge that covers the breadth of NatureScot science (in the widest sense) requirements. Appointments are normally for three years, with the possibility of re-appointment subject to performance and need, of up to a maximum of eight years.

Meetings

  1. The SAC holds plenary meetings twice a year, and on such other occasions as required by its Chair and the NatureScot Board, depending on the agreed work programme.  If specialist advice is required on particular topics rather than wider issues such as marine topics, species/land-management interactions, protected areas proposals wind farm developments, or an individual SSSI),it is not expected that the full Committee needs to meet.
  1. The quorum of the SAC is a majority of currently appointed members of the Committee (that is, more than half), including the person chairing the meeting.
  1. The SAC may wish to delegate specific activities, including provision of advice, to a sub-group. Such groups would be expected to have no fewer than two members of the SAC, with one member chairing the group. Sub-group members can also be drawn from the SAC Expert Panel and invitations can be made to other individuals, where necessary, to supplement the expertise of the SAC and Expert Panel.
  1. The SAC may, if required, engage an external specialist advisor to assist in the assessment of representations made to a SSSI notification and broader areas of work.
  1. The SAC may request the SAC Chair and Director/Deputy Director of Nature and Climate Change to maintain a panel or list of experts on whose expertise and knowledge they may draw; subject to “registerable interests” as set out in NatureScot’s “standing orders and ways of working” Guidance.  People invited to be on this ‘SAC Expert Panel’ will only receive remuneration if and when they are asked to provide a service to the SAC. 
  1. The ‘Standing Orders for meetings of the NatureScot Board’ set out in the Ways of Working Guidance apply as appropriate to the meetings of the SAC.
  1. In the interests of limiting its environmental impact, where possible NatureScot will utilise video/telephone conferencing equipment to reduce the need for attendees to travel to meetings.
  1. Where necessary, the SAC may hold additional online meetings (two to three a year).  These will be informal sessions including workshops for more in depth exploration of complex issues.

Openness and Transparency

  1. The SAC meetings generally include both closed (to address ‘official sensitive’ matters) and open sessions. Access to the Open session meeting agenda will be available to the public five days prior to each meeting via www.nature.scot.  Open Session meeting papers will also be available to download from the website five days prior to the meeting. Open session minutes will also be made available on the website once confirmed as true and accurate records by the Chair and Committee members.
  1. Notice of planned attendance by the public to open session items must be provided 24 hours prior to any SAC meeting by contacting the Nature and Climate Change Directorate Support team. Members of the public cannot participate in discussions or decisions of the SAC during the meeting.

Remuneration for additional time allocated to an SAC member

  1. In some circumstances an SAC member may be asked to work more than ten days per annum.  Where this is the case, the Director/Deputy Director of Nature and Climate Change and the Director Support Manager  will liaise with Executive Office.  This is subject to Guidance in the chapter ‘Remuneration for Board and Committee Members’.

Dignity at work

  1. NatureScot is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to treating every member of staff with dignity and respect.  The individual and corporate responsibilities outlined in our Dignity at Work Policy extend to Committee members and incorporate duties under the Equality Act 2010.

Time recording

  1. If any Member feels there is a need to work additional time, or that circumstances are such that they are unable to fulfil the full number of contracted days, then they should discuss this with the Deputy Director/Committee Chair.  The Deputy Director/Committee Chair will subsequently advise Executive Office.  NatureScot will only ask for Work Recording forms to be completed by Members to support a claim for time over and above their normal contracted days.

Performance appraisal

  1. The Chair will carry out an informal performance appraisal with each SAC member each year. Any relevant developmental needs will be identified, and action taken to meet these. Written appraisal reports will be produced at the start of the third year of a member’s term of office and discussed with the SAC member.  

Support services

  1. The administrative and the scientific servicing of the SAC are undertaken by the Nature and Climate Change Directorate.has the primary role, with staff (led by the Principal Adviser on Science), in providing the appropriate scientific material and advice to the SAC Members In addition, it may be appropriate for a member of the Director Support Team to act as the scientific secretary to the SAC and its review groups. More information about these services can be provided on request.

Review

  1. The terms of reference of the Scientific Advisory Committee are reviewed every two years. The last review was in February 2024, and the changes were endorsed by Board in March 2024.
Last updated: