West Yorkshire Police Authority Minutes 25-05-12

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    MINUTES

    RESOURCES

    25 MAY 2012

    MEMBERS PRESENT

    Mark Burns-Williamson OBE Trevor LakeLes Carter (Chair) Ken SmithRoger Grasby (Vice-Chair) Janet SpencerDavid Kirton

    OFFICERS PRESENT

    West Yorkshire Police West Yorkshire Police AuthorityACO Nigel Brook Judith Heeley Treasurer

    Jeffrey Bridgeman Executive Officer Karen Grey External Relations DirectorT/ACC John RobinsChief Inspector Kate Riley

    The meeting commenced at 10.20am.

    PART I IN PUBLIC

    54. APOLOGIES

    None.

    55. DISCLOSURES OF INTEREST

    None.

    56. MINUTES OF THE RESOURCES COMMITTEE HELD ON (a) 2 MARCH 2012AND (b) 30 MARCH 2012

    The minutes of the Resources Committee held on (a) 2 March 2012 and (b) 30March 2012 were agreed as a correct record.

    57. MATTERS ARISING

    Members were referred to a pre-prepared sheet outlining progress with theactions from the meeting on 2 March 2012.

    T/ACC Robins gave a verbal update about the new Human Resourcescomputer system, explaining that the Force delayed implementation in order tolearn from the difficulties experienced by Merseyside Police. He added that,whilst the system was live, full functionality would be achieved before the end of2012.

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    T/ACC Robins reported back that the new Deputy Chief Constable hadconsidered members suggestion about an Operation Transform newsletter, but

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    had expressed a preference for continuing to provide video briefings. PoliceAuthority staff were asked to assess whether the video currently on the Intranetwas accessible.

    Mark Burns-Williamson said that a number of replies had been received to theletter sent to various people about the financial impact of council tax supportlocalisation. He promised to circulate a summary of the responses in due

    course. ACO Brook added that the matter had been raised with ministersnationally through ACPO Cabinet and the Gold group, since the impact onpolice forces was expected to be around 60m, rising to 100m. Judith Heeleyconfirmed that meetings held locally had confirmed the estimated impact, butthe position would be clearer in June. Judith also mentioned that the deadlinefor confirmation of the council tax base was being raised with the Departmentfor Communities and Local Government, as it didnt fit with the proposedregulations for consulting on the precept with police and crime panels.

    ACTIONS

    Police Authority staff to assess the accessibility of the OperationTransform video briefing.

    Mark Burns-Williamson to report back to members on the responsesreceived to his letter to MPs on Council Tax Localisation.

    58. CHAIRS URGENT ITEMS

    None.

    59. CHIEF CONSTABLES ANNOUNCEMENTS

    T/ACC Robins reminded members that they had been sent details of the changein Command Team member portfolios and informed them that interviews forsenior officer promotions were underway.

    ACO Brook reported that the PFI contract had achieved financial close the daybefore and that, since the gilt rates had fallen compared with the originalbusiness case, the ongoing revenue Authoritys contribution would reduce.Members were pleased with the news and discussed how the PFI team couldbe recognised for their work.

    Finally, he added that the new repair and maintenance contract had beensigned and would save the Force 880k per annum and that the Sir AlecJeffreys (Scientific Support) building was now open.

    60. EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC

    RESOLVED

    That the Press and Public be excluded from the Meeting for considerationof Agenda Item Numbers 18 and 19 (Minute Numbers 71 and 72 refer) on

    the grounds that they are likely to involve the disclosure of exemptinformation as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government

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    ACTION

    The Chief Executive to report to the next meeting giving legal advice onpursuing the Home Office in respect of the flawed guidance issued onmedical pensions, including the potential for a class action.

    62. WORKFORCE MIX, PROFILE AND TRENDS

    The Committee received a report of the Chief Constable which updated them ofthe position of the workforce mix and trends and provided key informationrelating to resourcing issues for the force.

    T/ACC Robins introduced the report by summarising its content and reportedthat the people plan was ahead of the financial plan. He remarked that policeofficers in other forces were tending to stay longer beyond the 30 year pointthan in West Yorkshire and that this would be something that the Force wouldbe keeping an eye on. Finally he informed members that the baseline in futurereports would be 31 March 2010 the beginning of the Comprehensive

    Spending Review (CSR) period.

    Members discussed the potential for greater numbers of female officersapplying for promotion, the critical number of police staff required to support theorganisation, the use of Special Constables and the items in the news about thechange in shift patterns for custody staff.

    RESOLVED

    That Members were satisfied that there were effective monitoringarrangements through predictive analysis to effectively manage the

    workforce mix and numbers in accordance with the aims of the PolicingPlan and the financial budgetary position.

    63. COSTED TRAINING PLAN 2011/12 OUTTURN REPORT

    Members received a report of the Chief Constable which detailed performanceagainst the 2011/12 Costed Training Plan.

    Members were particularly disappointed that the attendance for diversitytraining was so far below what had been forecast and felt that this reflected

    badly on the Force.

    Members raised the matter of the charges for failures to attend and inparticular, the noticeable differences between Wakefield Division and theCounter Terrorism Unit. T/ACC Robins promised to provide a more detailedanalysis but also informed members that the Force had stopped charging forfailures to attend, pending a review. Members were extremely concerned thata decision to stop charging had been taken before the review had been carriedout. They felt that charging had reduced the failures to attend and had beenintroduced after other measures to address the issue had failed. They asked foran explanation for this decision to be provided.

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    RESOLVED

    That Members noted the performance in respect of training deliveryagainst the 2011/12 Costed Training Plan in order to satisfy themselvesthat the Plan has been delivered effectively.

    ACTIONS

    a. The Force to provide a more detailed analysis of charges for failures toattend (in particular to explain the difference between CTU and, as anexample, Wakefield Division.

    b. The Force to provide an explanation of the decision to stop charging forfailure to attend in advance of the outcome of the ongoing review.

    c. The minutes to reflect the committees concern at the low attendance atdiversity training courses.

    64. FORCE TRAINING GOING FORWARD

    Members received a report of the Chief Constable which updated them on theshort-term savings and interim structure for learning and development in theForce.

    Chief Inspector Riley introduced the report and advised members that theproposals were still being discussed with the unions and staff associations.

    In response to questions, Chief Inspector Riley provided further informationabout the flexible approach to training that was proposed and the intention to

    take more training out to divisions and departments.

    Members advised that the Force needed to ensure that alternative forms oflearning were as effective as training courses, to justify the savings. Membersalso sought assurance that there would be capacity to carry out evaluation oflearning and development. They were advised that the new Human Resourcescomputer system was able to do this. Members asked that a further update onprogress was provided to the Committee meeting in September 2012.

    RESOLVED

    That members noted the proposed interim savings and endorsed thedirection of travel presented through the interim structure.

    ACTION

    The Force to provide an update report on training to the next meeting.

    65. STAFF SATISFACTION SURVEY RESULTS AND ACTION PLAN

    Members received a report of the Chief Constable which updated them on the

    results of the 2011/12 staff perception survey and the resulting corporate actionplan.

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    T/ACC Robins summarised the main findings of the survey and drew membersattention to the divisional and departmental action plans appended to the report.

    Members expressed some disappointment that they were not provided with theresults for the departments and divisions whose results were significantlydifferent from the average score.

    Members were also concerned that the Command Teams StrategicWorkstream relied on divisions and departments to devise and implement theirown action plans. Although they were assured that chief officers monitoredprogress through one-to-one meetings and operational performance reviews(OPRs), they did not feel able to scrutinise the topic as fully as they would haveliked.

    T/ACC Robins agreed to ensure that the action plans featured on all agendasduring the next round of OPRs. Members of the Resources Committee askedthat other members of the Police Authority were informed of their concerns andbe prepared for the discussion at any OPR attended.

    It was also agreed to provide a further report on progress to the next meeting.

    RESOLVED

    That members used the report to understand the changes in staffperception as the Force goes through a significant period of change andthe extent to which employees feel committed to the organisation andsatisfied with their role and the corporate actions in place to addressissues.

    ACTIONS

    a. The Force to provide an update report to the next meeting on actionagainst Departmental and Divisional action plans to address the resultsof the staff satisfaction survey.

    b. The actions plans to be a specific item on the next round of OPRs.Members to be notified of the committees concerns in advance of this.

    66. STRATEGY FOR POLICE OFFICER RECRUITMENT

    Members received a report of the Chief Constable which presented informationon the recruitment of 40 police officers for the 2012/13 financial year.

    T/ACC Robins explained that the Command Team had agreed that the pool ofcandidates would be existing Special Constables, police staff and the 77 peoplewho were at the latter stages of the recruitment process when the freeze began.It was pointed out that of the 77 over 50% were existing members of policestaff.

    Members felt strongly that the pool of candidates ought to be confined to

    existing staff in the first instance, to enable anyone who might have to leavethrough redundancy a chance for alternative employment within the Force. Theyasked for a detailed explanation why the decision had been taken to include the

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    At the end of the debate, Ken Smith proposed that the Committee should notaccept the recommendation in the report. This was seconded by David Kirton.Members then voted on the proposal, which was passed.

    RESOLVED

    That Members considered the report and did not agree with the Command

    Teams determination.

    ACTION

    The Treasurer to clarify the regulations surrounding approval of PostRelated Allowances and report back on past decisions of the Committee.

    68. CAPITAL PROGRAMME OVERSIGHT BOARD

    Members received a report of the Chief Executive which reported back on thework of the Capital Programme Oversight Board.

    RESOLVED

    That Members satisfied themselves that the Board was conductingeffective scrutiny of the capital programme, as set out in its Terms ofReference.

    69. HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES

    Members received a report of the Chief Constable which provided a six-monthlyupdate of the key health and safety issues prevailing at the time.

    RESOLVED

    That the Committee used the information within the report to satisfythemselves that work to comply with the Health and Safety at Work Actwas being delivered effectively and efficiently.

    70. STANDING ORDER 12 DECISION OVER 65s MEDICAL PENSIONSREVIEW

    Members received a report of the Chief Executive which reported back to theCommittee urgent decisions made under the Authoritys Standing Order 12provision (Urgent Business).

    RESOLVED

    That Members noted the decision made by the Chair of the ResourcesCommittee under the Authoritys Standing Order 12 provision (UrgentBusiness).

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    PART II IN PRIVATE

    71. DEBT WRITE OFF

    Members received a report of the Chief Constable which asked them toconsider details of debts written off by the Force in 2011/12.

    RESOLVED

    That members noted the debts written off by the Chief Constable during2011/12 and satisfied themselves that all reasonable actions have beentaken to recover the debts.

    72. STANDING ORDER 12 DECISION SPECIAL PRIORITY PAYMENTSSCHEME FOR QUARTER 1 2012/13

    Members received a report of the Chief Executive which reported back to theCommittee urgent decisions made under the Authoritys Standing Order 12

    provision (Urgent Business).

    RESOLVED

    That Members noted the decision made by the Chair of the ResourcesCommittee under the Authoritys Standing Order 12 provision (UrgentBusiness).

    There being no other business the meeting concluded at 12.30pm

    CHAIR