Archived decisions
AT A MEETING of the PERSONNEL PANEL of the POLICE AUTHORITY held at Westgate Chambers, Staple Gardens, Winchester on Tuesday, 11 September 2001.
PRESENT:
Mr. G.M. King, JP (Chairman); Councillor D. Gillett; Councillor Mrs. J. Rayment; Mrs. R. Atkinson; Councillor P. Mason; Mr. R. Gully.
Also present: Mrs. M. Adamson (Director of Personnel); Mrs. C. McKenna (Assistant Director of Personnel); Mrs. M. Boyes (Clerk's Office)
104 MINUTES
(i) Meeting held on 14 May, 2001
Councillor Mrs. J. Rayment advised the Panel that she had not been contacted in connection with Equal Opportunity and Community and Race Relations Training. The Director of Personnel confirmed that she would remind the new training manager, Superintendent Leach.
The Minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 14 May, 2001 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
(ii) Meeting held on 31 July, 2001
The Minutes of the meeting held on 31 July 2001 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
105 POLICE STRENGTH FORECAST 2001/2002
The Panel considered a report of the Chief Constable (Item 2 in the Minute Book) showing the expected position on police officer numbers for the remainder of this financial year. For the first five intakes of probationers, the forecast has proved remarkably accurate. There is every reason to assume, therefore, that it will be so for the remainder of the year.
The Director of Personnel advised the Panel that this report would be submitted on a regular basis to the Panel. The report identified that the Force would be 154 officers short of budgeted funding at the end of March 2002. The Director of Personnel further advised the Panel that it was still the view that pay was the factor most affecting the inability to attract and retain police officers. In addition, it was reported that the Force currently employs 41 minority ethnic officers.
Members were advised that currently, due to police regulations, fixed term contracts were not able to be offered to retired officers being re-employed in the Force. A report will be submitted to the Home Secretary in the Autumn, indicating the lack of success in recruiting officers suggesting regional allowances be reviewed.
RESOLVED:
That the report be noted.
106 PRIVATE MEDICAL TREATMENT AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT
The Panel considered a report of the Chief Constable (Item 3 in the Minute Book) outlining the current arrangements for funding of private medical treatment and psychological support for its staff, with the objective of reducing sickness absence and early medical retirement. The report outlines the background, the current situation and proposals for the future.
The Director of Personnel advised members that each case was assessed on its own individual merits, and has proven to be very successful. An additional sum has been requested to increase the budget.
Members were further advised that since the 2 August, staff have not been able to refer themselves directly for psychotherapy. Applications for referral are made either to the Force Welfare Officer or the Force Occupational Health Physician. It is hoped that the changes in place will result in budget savings and these will be able to be used to provide private medical treatment for more officers.
Members enquired how officers on long term sickness or restricted duties were monitored. The Director of Personnel advised that this was monitored closely by the Force Occupational Health Department and that case conferences were convened regularly to ensure that all was being done for the individual officer.
Members enquired into the monitoring of short term sickness. The Director of Personnel advised that Regional Personnel Officers and Sickness Case Managers monitored staff sickness, as closely as they could. The current procedures and policies were being reviewed as despite all best efforts the reduction in sickness absence targets was not being achieved.
Members enquired why only ad hoc private medical treatment was arranged and how secure/confidential were referrals for psychological treatment. The Director of Personnel confirmed that referrals for psychological treatment would be dealt with by the Force Welfare Officer or Force Occupational Health Department and that all notes were recorded and filed on officers medical files which were securely stored in the Occupational Health Department and were only accessible by those staff who worked in the department. The Director of Personnel further advised the Panel that other forces were introducing a BUPA type scheme for medical treatment available to officers and their families. This would be reviewed closely to see if sickness absence levels were reduced significantly in these forces.
RESOLVED:
That the report be noted.
107 ESTABLISHMENT REPORT PART I
The Panel received and noted a report of the Chief Constable (Item 4 in the Minute Book) on various personnel matters.
108 EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC
RESOLVED:
That, by virtue of paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public be excluded from the meeting.
109 ESTABLISHMENT REPORT PART II
The Panel considered a confidential report of the Chief Constable (Item 6 in the Minute Book) on various personnel matters.
The Director of Personnel advised the Panel on the transfers of officers to other forces, which would appear to be due to a move to lower cost housing areas.
RESOLVED:
That the report be noted.
110 ASSISTED STUDIES FOR POLICE OFFICERS
The Panel considered a confidential report of the Chief Constable (Item 7 in the Minute Book) on the details of an officer who would shortly be undertaking a period of study within the Hampshire Constabulary Scholarship Scheme.
RESOLVED:
That the present situation be noted.
111 EMPLOYMENT TRIBUNAL STATISTICS - 1995 TO PRESENT
The Panel considered a confidential report of the Chief Constable (Item 8 in the Minute Book) setting out details of Employment Tribunal Statistics for 1995 to present.
The Director of Personnel advised the Panel on the criteria for tribunal claims.
RESOLVED:
That the data on the Employment Tribunal cases be noted.
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