ITEM 20

AT A MEETING of the PERSONNEL PANEL of the POLICE AUTHORITY held at Westgate Chambers, Staple Gardens, Winchester on Tuesday 12 November 2002.

PRESENT:

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

Also present: Mr P C B Robertson (Clerk), Mrs M Adamson (Director of Personnel, Police HQ), Mrs C McKenna (Assistant Director of Personnel, Police HQ), Mrs M Boyes and Ms C Vagg (Clerk's Office).

The commencement of the meeting was delayed pending the arrival of the Director and Assistant Director of Personnel.

150 APOLOGIES

There were no apologies received.

151 MINUTES

The minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 10 September 2002 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

152 STAFF TURNOVER TRENDS AND EXIT QUESTIONNAIRE RESULTS APRIL TO SEPTEMBER 2002

The Panel considered a report of the Chief Constable (Item 3 in the Minute Book) analysing staff turnover for the last 6 months (April - September 2002), and assessing trends when compared to figures for previous years. The report also focused on the reasons for leaving, gender, ethnicity and the service profiles of police and support staff leavers.

The Director of Personnel introduced the report, and confirmed that trends were reasonably steady.

The Panel requested to receive the information in actual numbers, rather than figures being expressed just as percentages at future meetings.

The Director of Personnel advised that problems were being experienced with staff leaving in the North East Hants Division. Police Officers are leaving to go to other police forces, support staff leave due to the buoyant economy. The problems were being examined on an ongoing basis to identify the need for remedial action.

The Members sought clarification on the exit interview process and the effectiveness. The Assistant Director of Personnel confirmed that management training in this area was being considered.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

153 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 continue to be positive.

The Assistant Director of Personnel introduced the report and advised the Panel of the efforts that were being made by divisions with recruitment.

The Director of Personnel advised the Members that the number of recruits that could be trained within the Training School had to reflect efficient class sizes, the maximum being 18 recruits per class. The current problem relates primarily to insufficient places being forthcoming at the District Training Centres run by Centrex.

Members sought clarification on how new recruits are posted, and tests which are no longer carried out as part of the recruitment process. These matters were addressed by the Assistant Director of Personnel.

The Director of Personnel further advised the Panel that contrary to earlier advice, full establishment would not be reached by the end of the financial year. This was due to a higher than forecast number of leavers and problems with places at Centrex. The position in relation to bounties being paid to divisions after the end of December 2002 would be discussed with the ACPO team.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

154 SICKNESS ABSENCE

The Panel considered a report of the Chief Constable (Item 5 in the Minute Book) addressing the sickness absence levels and trends for police officers and support staff from April - September 2002.

The Assistant Director of Personnel introduced the report and brought Members attention to paragraph 3. Figures are currently running higher than the target. Home Office funding of £100,000 had been granted to be spent on occupational health initiatives, which would assist in the process of bringing the figures down.

The Director of Personnel further advised that the current figures showed an improvement on last year, and that this is seen as a good achievement. The data in paragraph 2.1 would be improved upon for future meetings.

The Panel sought clarification on the reasons for sickness that were identified in Appendix 4, which required further investigation in relation to the figures and Appendix 2 and 3 numbers for support staff sickness to be double checked.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

155 POLICE REFORM ACT 2002 - HEALTH AND SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Panel considered a report of the Clerk and Chief Constable (Item 6 in the Minute Book) identifying the transfer of certain responsibilities and liabilities under health and safety legislation from Chief Constables to Police Authorities with effect from April 2003.

The Clerk introduced the report, detailing the transitional arrangements. Discussions between the Association of Police Authorities (APA), the Home Office, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) were on-going and further guidance and support was expected to assist with consideration of the implications.

The Police Reform Act 2002 substitutes Police Authorities as the responsible party with the day to day operational responsibilities remaining with Chief Officers.

RESOLVED:

That the progress to date be noted by the Panel.

156 ESTABLISHMENT REPORT PART I

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

The Director of Personnel introduced the report and drew Members attention to the death of a serving police officer in paragraph 2. The Panel expressed their sympathy.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

157 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.

158 ESTABLISHMENT REPORT PART II

The Panel considered a confidential report of the Chief Constable (Item 9 in the Minute Book) on various personnel matters.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted

159 EMPLOYMENT TRIBUNAL STATISTICS

The Panel considered a confidential report of the Chief Constable (Item 10 in the Minute Book) setting out details of employment tribunal statistics from 1995 to present.

The Director of Personnel updated the Panel on the decision of a recent tribunal claim which was upheld. The extended reasons were awaited from the Tribunal, which would be made available to the Panel in due course.

RESOLVED:

That the data on Employment Tribunal cases be noted.

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