3 December 2024
Record of actions and decisions
Title: Chief Officer's Management Board - Strategic
Date: Tuesday 3 December 2024
Venue: Clift Room and virtual via Microsoft Teams
Attendees
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| DCC Peter Ayling (Chair) | Deputy Chief Constable |
| ACC Nigel Brookes | Central Operations Directorate |
| ACC Tracey Harman | Local Policing Directorate |
| ACO Richard Leicester | Director of HR and Learning & Development |
| ACO Gavin McKinnon | Head of Media and Comms |
| ACO Claire Medhurst | Director of Support Services Directorate |
| DCS Morgan Cronin (vc) | Rep. Serious Crime Directorate |
| DCS Emma Banks | Rep. Crime Directorate |
| PSE Jonathan Castle | Chief Finance Officer |
| PSE Gary Beautridge (items 1-7) | Head of Corporate Services |
| D/Supt Rachael Cumberland (item 6) | Crime Command |
| PSE Nicola Endacott (item 7) | Head of Intelligence and Data Analysis |
| PSE Alexa Fox (vc) (item 3) | Head of HR Resourcing |
| PSE Susan Marsden (items 1-5) | Head of Information Management |
| PSE Sonya Gransden | Chief of Staff |
| Insp. Donna Cork | Staff Officer to the DCC |
| PSE Emma Lewis | Staff Officer to the DCO |
| PSE Catherine Hughes (Minutes) | Executive Assistant to the CC |
Apologies
- CC Tim Smith
- ACC Andrew Pritchard
- ACC Simon Wilson
1. Approval of the record from Tuesday 19 November 2024
The record was approved.
2. Matters arising/action updates
Action 13/24 - included on agenda. Discharged.
Action 42/24 - for discussion in the closed session. Discharged.
3. Kent Police attrition update and leaving reason review
PSE Alexa Fox presented the paper as previously shared. The paper provided Chief Officers with the turnover position for the financial year to date (April to September 2024) comparing to previous years and benchmarking against National data, where available. The turnover considers all leaver reasons, and then analyses more specifically, resignations and transfers and the impact on gender and ethnic minorities. Overall, there is a reduction in leaver rates compared to the previous reporting period for both officers and staff and the numbers are comparable with national figures. Chief Officers discussed the impact of the vacancy factor on the figures.
New action 43/24:
ACO Leicester and PSE Fox agreed to incorporate a breakdown of ethnic minority figures, as provided at the Diversity & Inclusion Board, in the Attrition Update and Leaving Reason Review paper going forward.
4. Quarterly estates update and strategy approach
PSE Jonathan Castle presented the Estates quarterly update as previously shared. The areas of focus remain on addressing all D1 defects, delivering the agreed capital budget, providing noticeable improvements to working conditions in targeted locations, and ensuring statutory compliance. PSE Castle highlighted the difficulties in getting timely vetting of contractors and the risk this poses to the completion of the capital programme and statutory compliance remediation. Discussions are in progress with the Head of PSD to find a solution.
PSE Castle presented the Estates Strategy Approach and high-level timeline paper as previously shared, and sought Chief Officer agreement for the scope and deliverables. Chief Officers discussed the inclusivity of wording, future operational strategy, collaboration and co-location opportunities.
Decision:
Chief Officers agreed the scope and deliverables in the Estates Strategy Approach paper.
5. Private disclosure charges - six-month analysis
PSE Susan Marsden presented the paper as previously shared. In 2023, Chief Officers approved an increase to the charges made by the Public Disclosure Team in relation to private disclosures, to more accurately reflect the cost to the force of servicing them. The paper provided an update regarding the effect of these new charges on demand, income, and customer experience.
A review of the data indicates there are two areas where the force is not recovering its full cost and it is recommended the charges for Public Disclosure are updated. Based on current demand this will result in an additional £1,600 per month being generated in income for the force.
It is also suggested that a mid-fiscal year review of charges and demand is carried out annually thereafter, with an update to Chief Officer Management Board, to ensure that any increase or decrease to charges is assessed and agreed ahead of the next fiscal year.
DCC Ayling acknowledged the excellent work of PSE Marsden and her team in this area.
Decision:
Chief Officers agreed that PSE Marsden should look to begin recouping the new charging costs as soon as practicable.
6. Detective accreditation update
D/Supt Rachael Cumberland presented the paper as previously shared. It was noted the current detective constable gap is -36 FTE from the required establishment, and is projected to reach perfect profile by January 2025 with a focus on stability over the next six months. On average, the force was accrediting around 120 officers per year utilising the Detective Development Team (DDT), however, since April 2024 the team have accredited 110 constables, which is over 13 a month. The DDT establishment has recently grown using existing PC posts from the Crime Academy, to prevent the need for further attachments or secondments.
Chief Officers discussed the detective allowance and ways of stabilising staff numbers in roles that are more difficult to recruit into, such as rape and domestic abuse.
7. Data transformation
PSE Gary Beautridge and PSE Nicola Endacott presented the paper as previously shared. Agreement was sought to accept the business case for the Data Transformation Programme which is based on the hybrid delivery model as previously agreed at JCOG. The budget for the programme has been agreed and overall costs remain within the financial envelope for the programme and there are no additional requests for finances outside this agreed budget.
Chief Officers discussed data literacy and how to encourage this across the force. PSE Endacott advised full transition from the Data Hub is expected in 12 months’ time.
Decision:
Chief Officers agreed to the Data Transformation Business Case as presented.
8. Any other business
There was no further business for the open session.
Date of next meeting
Tuesday 17 December 2024, 1pm, County Room.