2 June 2026
Record of actions and decisions
Title: Chief Officer's Management Board - Strategic
Date: Tuesday 2 June 2026 at 1pm
Venue: Clift Room, Sutton Road HQ
Attendees
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| CC Tim Smith (Chair) | Chief Constable |
| DCC Peter Ayling | Deputy Chief Constable |
| ACC Nigel Brookes | Local Policing Directorate |
| T/ACC Tracey Quiller | Central Operations Directorate |
| T/ACC Simon Thompson | Crime Directorate |
| ACC Simon Wilson | Serious Crime Directorate |
| ACO Richard Leicester | Director of HR and L&D |
| ACO Gavin McKinnon | Director of Communications |
| ACO Claire Medhurst | Director of Support Services Directorate |
| PSE Jonathan Castle | Chief Finance Officer |
| Ch/Supt Rob Kirby (vc, item 3) | Head of L&D |
| PSE Becky Humphreys (item 4) | Head of Operational HR |
| PSE Gary Beautridge (item 6) | Head of Corporate Services |
| PSE Kenny Ingram (item 6) | Records Manager |
| Supt Matt Burbeck (item 7) | North Division Command |
| PC Tom McKie (item 8) | Cadet Coordinator |
| PC Luke Andersen (item 8) | Cadet Coordinator |
| PSE Sonya Gransden | Chief of Staff |
| DI Neil Martin | Staff Officer to DCC |
| PSE Catherine Hughes (minutes) | Executive Assistant to CC |
Apologies
1. Approval of the record from Tuesday 19 May 2026
The record of the previous meeting was approved.
2. Matters arising/action updates
10/26 – the update was noted and the action discharged.
3. College of Policing engagement report
Ch/Supt Kirby presented the College of Policing Engagement report, highlighting internal training management, national LMS changes, course completion rates, budgetary considerations, and comparative exam performance.
New action 12/26
T/ACC Thompson and ACO Leicester to review both the NIE and recruitment performance versus the national average and provide a view on whether any changes are needed to current processes, reporting back to COMB on 30 June.
4. Kent attrition exit analysis report
PSE Humphreys presented the biannual attrition and exit analysis, showing improved officer and staff retention, with ongoing challenges for ethnic minority turnover and emerging trends in staff citing pay as a reason for leaving.
New action 13/26
PSE Beautridge and PSE Humphreys to discuss options for using technology and available data to gain deeper insight into attrition and retention trends, focusing on actionable patterns, and report back in the next standing Attrition Exit Analysis Report update to COMB, on potential tool or agent development.
5. Risk management review update
ACO Medhurst presented the quarterly report as previously shared highlighting key changes.
- 2 new risks: URN 2880 DBS Backlog, URN 2881 Supply Chain Shortages
- 1 risk score increase: URN 2801 EES
- 1 risk score reduction: URN 2752 North Kent PFI
- 1 risk closed: URN 2775 ICCS
- 2 red risks: URN 2824 RDAIT resourcing, which will soon reduce to 40, and URN 2846 POLIT demand.
These will be discussed further at the upcoming Away Day.
6. DBS performance
PSE Beautridge and PSE Ingram provided an update on DBS performance, noting outstanding ratings for both disclosure and barring, and significant reductions in case backlogs and turnaround times. There are ongoing challenges with older, complex cases over 60 days, and it was noted recruitment and process improvements are underway to address this.
The chief constable acknowledged the team’s excellent work overall.
7. Police attendance at community events
ACC Brookes and Supt Burbeck presented the revised standard operating procedure following publication of the NPCC guidance for Police Attendance and Participation at Publicly Arranged Community Events published at the end of April. The guidance has been developed to support consistent decision-making when considering attendance and participation at publicly arranged community events where extra consideration is required on matters relating to the police duty of impartiality.
Chief Officers discussed explicitly referencing specific events, balancing the need for clear, actionable guidance with the risk of over-specification and the need for regular policy review as the political landscape evolves.
It was agreed further consultation and practical testing will be conducted, with last year's interim guidance remaining in effect for the current Pride season to ensure legal and operational consistency. A revised SOP will be brought back to a future meeting for Chief Officer agreement.
8. New cadet programme
PC McKie and PC Andersen presented an overview of the new Cadet Programme, highlighting its structure, impact on young people, volunteer leadership, and the introduction of a new evidence-based development framework.
New action 14/26
ACO McKinnon to explore opportunities with ACC Brookes and ACC Quiller for cadet operational deployments in selected areas, balancing safeguarding responsibilities.
9. Financial performance management update - P12
PSE Castle presented the year-end financial performance update, reporting a £1.1 million underspend, healthy reserves, and proposals for reinvestment, with discussions on capitalisation, reporting transparency, and future budget flexibility.
Chief Officers agreed to:
a. Approve the year end outturn position as outlined below
b. Approve the £8.9m transfer to reserve from services to support the medium-term financial position
c. Approve the £0.6m transfer to reserves from additional council tax funding to support the medium-term financial position
d. Approve the additional £1m revenue to capital transfer to reduce borrowing on short term assets and deliver a saving in 2026-27
e. Approve the £5.3m capital rollover
f. Approve the JAC and Performance Delivery Board versions of this report for publication
10. Any other business
10.1 Pension - change to PPS 1987 commutation factors
PSE Castle provided an update on national changes to police pension lump sum calculations, the impact on retiring members, and the steps being taken to communicate options and support affected individuals, with ongoing monitoring by the Pension Board.
10.2 National response to Henry Nowak case
ACC Brookes briefed the group on the national response to the Henry Nowak case, highlighting increased community tensions, monitoring of protest activity, and safeguarding measures for officers, with agreement to review communications and support as needed.
CLOSED SESSION - no record taken
Date of next meeting
Tuesday 16 June 2026, 1pm, Clift Room.