Archived decisions

ITEM 2

AT A MEETING of the PERSONNEL PANEL of the POLICE AUTHORITY held at Westgate Chambers, Staple Gardens, Winchester on Tuesday 10 September, 2002.

PRESENT:

Mr. G.M. King, JP (Chairman); Mrs. R. Atkinson; Councillor P. Mason; Councillor Mrs. J. Rayment.

Also present: Mrs. M. Adamson (Director of Personnel, Police Headquarters); Ms. C. Vagg and Mrs. M. Boyes (Clerk's Office).

142 APOLOGIES

Apologies were received from Councillor D. Gillett; Mr. R. Gully and Mr. P. Robertson (Clerk).

143 MINUTES

The Director of Personnel asked for an amendment to be made to the minutes, Minute No. 136 and Minute No. 137.

With the above amendments the minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 28 May, 2002 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Matters arising:

Minute No. 134

The Director of Personnel advised that no comments had been received from Panel Members on the draft personnel strategy.

The Chairman advised the Panel of the changes in the Police Reform making Police Authorities liable for Health and Safety instead of the Chief Constable. The Panel would be kept informed of progress in this area.

The Chairman further advised the Panel that following a meeting with the Director of Personnel there would be a change to the format of the agenda for future meetings.

144 POLICE STRENGTH FORECAST 2002/03

The Panel considered a report of the Chief Constable (Item 3 in the Minute Book) showing the current and expected position on police numbers for 2002/03. By the end of March, 2003 strength is expected to be around 3,749, showing an increase of 235 officers over the year.

The Director of Personnel advised the Panel that recruitment was on course to achieve the target of officers, and full establishment would be reached in January, 2003. However, this did depend on the forecast for leavers and transferees to the Force. The Panel were further advised of the problems with Centrex , in that they were unable to guarantee all places for the required number of probationers. The Director of Personnel is writing to the Chief Executive of Centrex to express the Force's disappointment that the undertaking given earlier in the year was now not being offered. It would appear that Forces across the Country were doing well with recruitment and therefore the number of places that Centrex are able to offer are reduced.

The Panel were advised that the percentage of the Force strength that was made up of probationers was approximately 20% and that pressure would be applied on Centrex.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

145 RECRUITMENT UPDATE

The Panel considered a report of the Chief Constable (Item 4 in the Minute Book) illustrating the trends in police officer recruitment which continues to be positive. The report specifically covers the reporting period 1 April to 30 June, 2002.

The report identified the probationer recruitment numbers of previous years (October, 2000 to September, 2001), which averaged 19.5 recruits per intake. This was compared with the data for October, 2001 to September, 2002 which showed 32.9 recruits per intake. However, as the success of the recruitment campaign continues this is likely to increase to 40 and full strength will be achievable by January, 2003.

The Director of Personnel advised that she had contacted the Home Office with regard to the Crime Fighting Fund (CFF) money being available for future years. It was agreed to keep the Panel informed of any progress in this area.

The Panel noted the work being undertaken by the Positive Action Officer to encourage candidates from minority ethnic backgrounds.

The Director of Personnel advised the Panel that slight amendments were being made to the current process, the more detailed application form was to be sent out to those who had already completed the shorter version. It was hoped this would attract the highly motivated candidates. However consideration would be given to the conversion rates which had gone from 13% to 30%.

The Chairman wished the thanks of the Authority be passed to the recruitment department for all the hard work that is currently being put into the recruitment process.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

146 ESTABLISHMENT REPORT - PART I

The Panel considered a report of the Chief Constable (Item 5 in the Minute Book) on various personnel matters.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

147 EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC

RESOLVED:

That, by virtue of Paragraph 1 of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public be excluded from this part of the meeting.

148 ESTABLISHMENT REPORT - PART II

The Panel considered a confidential report of the Chief Constable (Item 7 in the Minute Book) on various personnel matters.

The Panel sought clarification on the issue of retention especially with regard to national work. The Director of Personnel advised that there was some work to be done around the reasons for leaving to enable forces to know the size and extent of the problem.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

149 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 from 1995 to present.

The Director of Personnel updated the Panel on the new claims that had been received since the last meeting.

RESOLVED:

That the data on the employment tribunal cases be noted.

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