• Agenda
  
  

(Adjourned Meeting of 9 May 2006)

Minutes of Meeting of the Northern Joint Police Board held in Council Chamber, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Wednesday 24 May, 2006 at 2.30 p.m.

 

Mrs J N Home in the Chair

Preliminaries

1.  Convener’s Opening Remarks

 

The Convener reminded Members that the meeting was being convened in Inverness on this revised date as it had not been possible to hold the meeting scheduled to be held in Lerwick on 9 May 2006 due to weather-related travel difficulties.

 

2.  Apologies for Absence

 

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of  Mr R Saxon, Mr E C Mackinnon and Mr B J Murphy of The Highland Council, Mr N M MacLeod of Western Isles Council and Mr J P Nicolson of Shetland Islands Council.

 

3.  Minutes – Previous Meeting

 

There had been circulated and APPROVED Minutes of Board Meeting of 20 January 2006. 

 

In relation to Freedom of Information (FOI), item 10 of the Minutes, Members requested that a report be provided to the Board giving a detailed breakdown of the staff time involved in dealing with FOI requests, the nature of the requests received and the costs involved in providing the information.  The Chief Constable undertook to submit a report to the next meeting of the Board.  He advised that the number of requests had increased significantly during the first quarter of the current year and that approximately 70% of the questions raised had been received from the media. 

 

The Board NOTED the position.

 

4.  Revenue Budget Monitoring Statement 2005/06 – Near Final Out-Turn

 

There had been circulated Report No. POL-11-06 dated 28 April 2006 comprising a statement and commentary by the Chief Constable on Revenue Expenditure and Income for the period to 31 March 2006.

 

The gross revenue expenditure shown was £47,704,000 against an anticipated budget of £47,570,000.  Total income received to 31 March 2006 was £2,929,000 against an anticipated budget of £2,217,000.  The actual year-end out-turn position, however, was expected to show an underspend of £589,000.  This was due to (a) income associated with the G8 Summit and (b) an underspend on pensions due to officers eligible to retire remaining in post and the subsequent saving of their recurring pension.

 

The Board NOTED the report with satisfaction.

 

5.  Revenue Budget 2006/07

 

There had been circulated Report No. POL-12-06 by the Chief Constable providing an update on the 2006/07 Revenue Budget.

 

Members were reminded that, at its meeting on 20 January 2006, the Board had noted a shortfall of £479,000 in the 2006/07 budget and that it was intended that this shortfall would be addressed through efficiency savings and budget economies. The Chief Constable was pleased to report that, through work carried out with Area Commanders and Service Unit Managers, the Capital and Project Management Group had been able to achieve efficiency savings of £254,000, which had reduced the level of resources required to be taken from reserves to £225,000. 

 

The Board NOTED the report with satisfaction.

6.  Capital Expenditure Monitoring Statement 2005/06

 

There had been circulated and NOTED Report No. POL-13-06 dated 28 April 2006 comprising a statement and commentary by the Chief Constable on Capital Expenditure for the period to 31 March 2006.

7.  Capital Plan 2006/07-2007/08

 

At its meeting held on 24 November 2005, the Board had approved proposed changes to improve the Force’s capital planning processes.

 

In this connection, there had been circulated Report No. POL-14-06 dated 28 April 2006 by the Chief Constable outlining a three-stage approach to capital spending and the Force’s capital priorities for 2006/07.

 

The Chief Constable drew Members’ attention to the project at Muir of Ord and reported that it was intended that £50,000 would be allocated to this project, principally from the Area Command revenue budget, to bring this facility up to a more acceptable standard as an operational station. 

 

The Board NOTED the improved capital planning process and AGREED the areas planned for further detailed work during 2006/07, as outlined in the report.

8.  Estate Projects

 

There had been circulated Report No. POL-15-06 by the Chief Constable providing Members with an outline of the framework currently being used by the Force for processing and approving capital projects.  The report was presented in a new format, which it was hoped would improve the administration of the capital projects and provide detail more relevant for Members.

 

The local Member for Caol expressed her pleasure that the project for the new Police Station at Kilmallie was now going ahead and thanked the Vice-Convener, Chief Constable and the Force Estates Manager for their help and support in providing the local community with a new and improved facility.

 

Thereafter the Board NOTED the revision of the reporting format and the current projects in construction phase; and APPROVED all projects in Stage One, as outlined in the report, for upgrading to Stage Two, subject to authorisation by the Force Capital and Project Monitoring Group.

 

9.  Integrated Communications Development Programme

 

There had been circulated Report No. POL-16-06 dated 13 April 2006 by the Chief Constable on progress with the Integrated Communications Development Programme.

 

The Chief Constable informed Members that both Operations Rooms were now live and were working together as a virtual Ops Room.  The Command and Control and Airwave systems were also live and he was pleased to report that Airwave was working well across the Force area.

 

The Board NOTED the report.

 

10.  Force Review Project

 

At its meeting held on 20 January 2006, the Board had been advised that it was intended to carry out a fundamental review of the Force during the following financial year, to ensure that operational capacity could be sustained.

 

In this connection, there had been circulated Report No. POL-17-06 dated 25 April 2006 by the Chief Constable outlining the process to be used in undertaking this review, which would examine how the Force delivered policing services, with a view to improving operational capacity and capability and to meeting future challenges.

 

The Chief Constable informed Members that the Review Project was about increasing the operational capacity in the Force within future budgets and had already generated positive interest amongst staff, who saw potential change as a normal and necessary part of operating a healthy and successful organisation.  The current policing style and approach worked well and the Force had made good progress in forming a working relationship with communities throughout the Highlands.

 

In relation to Members’ concerns regarding police resources in the Inverness area, the Chief Constable reassured the Board that new funding had been committed to providing 10 additional officers specifically for the Inverness Area Command during the current financial year.  The Convener reminded Members that the Area Commander was to meet with the Highland Council Inverness Area Committee on 27 May 2006, when Members would be given an opportunity to raise any concerns they had about local policing resources.

 

In reply to a query raised about a recent attempted murder in Inverness, the Chief Constable reported that the investigation into this matter had resulted in persons being detained in custody.

 

Referring to the potential restructuring of police forces throughout Scotland, the Chief Constable advised that, on 1 July 2006, he was to become President of the National Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland and he would be happy to keep the Board informed of the implications any such reform would have for the Force. 

 

Thereafter, the Board NOTED the report.

11.  Freedom of Information

 

The Chief Constable provided a report on a recent finding by the Scottish Information Commissioner (SIC) with regard to the release of information concerning the Force Executive vehicles.  A copy of the Commissioner’s report was available on the SIC website.

 

Members were advised that the decision to release the information requested had been taken to reinforce the Force’s commitment to openness and transparency.   The actual purchase of the vehicles had achieved best value in the sense that the anticipated resale of the vehicles when sold would actually cover the initial purchase costs.  However, there was an issue to be addressed about commercial confidentiality and the ability to continue to negotiate discounts for the whole vehicle fleet similar to those which the Force had received in the past.  For 2006/07 the Force was part of a national fleet agreement which would enable them to attract discounts within that contract.  As a result of the release of this information, however, it was unclear whether the Force would be able to negotiate similar discounts in the future.  However, the Chief Constable reassured the Board that the Force would continue to negotiate hard to get the best deals possible to meet best value targets.

 

During discussion, a number of Members expressed their concern as to the possibility that the Board’s financial interests might have been compromised.

 

Thereafter, the Board NOTED the report.

 

12.  Chief Constable’s Periodic Report

 

There had been circulated for noting Report No. POL-18-06 by the Chief Constable dated 24 April 2006 comprising his Periodic Report and covering the following issues:-

 

i.                     Crime and Road Accident Statistics;

ii.                   Crime Situation;

iii.                  Update from Operational Support; and

iv.                 Mountain Rescues

 

In speaking to the report, the Deputy Chief Constable was pleased to report that the detection rate had increased and the overall crime rate had decreased when compared with the same period in the previous year.  There had also been an increase in the detection of drugs due to the Force’s proactive campaign on this issue.  The road safety campaign continued to realise a decrease in the number of fatal and serious road casualties as a result of high visibility patrols and the Road Safety Initiative’s publicity campaign.  The Deputy Chief Constable reported that 50% of drink drive cases had been reported by members of the public and he took the opportunity to thank the public for their assistance in identifying such drivers.

 

Members’ attention was drawn to the fact that, since the beginning of the year, the Force had recovered six illegally held firearms.  The recovery of these weapons had been as a direct result of the good work carried out by staff both at Area Commands and at Headquarters.

 

In conclusion, the Deputy Chief Constable reported that drugs with a cash value of £150,000 had recently been seized throughout the Force Area and that currently there were 19 anti-social behaviour orders in force in the Highlands and Islands.

 

The Board welcomed the excellent report and commended the Force for their hard work.  They made particular reference to the success of the drugs initiatives and to the work of the Force in educating young people on the dangers and consequences of taking drugs.  Mention was also made of the continuous improvement made by Area Commanders in keeping the general public up to date with Force initiatives and campaigns. 

 

Thereafter, the Board NOTED the report.

 

13.  Letters of Appreciation

 

There had been tabled and NOTED 46 letters of appreciation received by the Chief Constable for the period from 1 January to 31 March 2006.  There had also been circulated and NOTED Report No. POL-19-06 by the Chief Constable illustrating letters of appreciation.

 

14.  Complaints Against The Police

 

There had been circulated and NOTED Report No. POL-20-06 dated 31 March 2006 by the Chief Constable regarding complaints against Police Officers from 1 January to 31 March 2006.

 

The Board AGREED that the Complaints Books specifying complaints against the Northern Constabulary, available for inspection by Members prior to the meeting, be declared exempt information by virtue of Paragraph 1 of Part I of Schedule 7A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

 

15.  Execution of Deeds

 

Members NOTED the deeds recently executed on behalf of the Board, as set out in the Agenda for the meeting.

 

16. Transfer and Deployment Policy

 

There had been circulated Report No. POL-23-06 by the Chief Constable providing Members with an outline of the Force’s current transfer and deployment policy and its operation. 

 

Members were reminded of recent media articles relating to the Force’s Transfer Policy.  In speaking to the report, the Chief Constable also reminded the Board of the unique geography of the Force area.  The Force was currently represented in 65 communities across the Highlands and Islands and the aim was to seek transfer in a modern and progressive way.  The transfer policy was explained very carefully to new recruits and members of staff were aware of the Force’s expectations.  The vast majority of transfers were voluntary and compulsory transfer was used only as a last resort to fill particular vacancies where there had been no volunteers.  Compulsory transfers were dealt with appropriately in a sensitive manner.

 

During discussion, Members expressed the view that the current transfer policy was essential to provide adequate cover throughout the area and they were confident that the current process used for transferring staff was fair and even across the Force.

 

Thereafter, the Board NOTED the report.

 

17.  Exclusion Of The Public

 

The Board AGREED that, under Section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the public be excluded from the meeting during discussion of the following items on the grounds that they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A of the Act.    

 

18.  Chief Officer Contracts

 

There had been circulated to Members only Report No. POL21/06 dated 3 May 2006 by the Clerk on Chief Officer contracts.

 

Having considered the recommendations, the Board AGREED:-

 

i.  an extension to the Chief Constable’s contract to 23 September 2011; and

ii.  to amend the Deputy Chief Constable’s salary with immediate effect to reflect an 80% relationship to that of the Chief Constable’s salary, with a backdated payment of £10,170 plus the relevant amount due for the period 31 December 2005 to 30 April 2006.

 

19.  Complaints Involving Chief Officers – Mr M MacSween

 

There had been circulated to Members only Report No. POL22/06 dated 2 May 2006 by the Clerk, together with Report No. CSG1/06 dated 18 April 2006 by the Clerk, previously considered by the Complaints Study Group at its meeting held on 26 April 2006, together with the Minutes of that meeting

 

Having considered the recommendations of the Complaints Study Group, the Board AGREED that no further action be taken on the ground that the complaints were unfounded.

 

The meeting ended at 3.30 p.m.