30 July 2024
Record of actions and decisions
Title: Chief Officer's Management Board - Strategic
Date: Tuesday 30 July 2024
Venue: County Room and virtual via Microsoft Teams
Attendees
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| CC Tim Smith (Chair) | Chief Constable |
| DCC Peter Ayling | Deputy Chief Constable |
| DCO Ian Drysdale | Deputy Chief Officer |
| ACC Tracey Harman | Local Policing Directorate |
| D/Supt. Gavin Moss | Rep: Serious Crime Directorate |
| ACC Simon Wilson | Crime Operations Directorate |
| A/ACC Patrick Holmes | Rep: Central Operations Directorate |
| ACO Richard Leicester | Director of HR and Learning & Development |
| ACO Gavin McKinnon | Director of Corporate Communications |
| ACO Claire Medhurst | Director of Support Services Directorate |
| PSE Jonathan Castle | Chief Finance Officer |
| PSE Sonya Gransden | Chief of Staff |
| Insp. Donna Cork | Staff Officer to the DCC |
| PSE Emma Lewis | Staff Officer to the DCO |
| PSE Fiona Brown (Item 3 and 5) (MT) | Chief Information Officer, Head of IT |
| DCS Samantha Price (Items 3 and 4) (MT) | Head of Crime |
| PSE Alison Pavis (Minutes) | Executive Assistant |
Apologies
- ACC Andrew Pritchard
- ACC Nigel Brookes
1. Approval of the record from Tuesday 16 July 2024
The record was approved.
2. Matters arising/action updates
Action 26/24 - carried forward to 27 August 2024.
3. ICCS Stability and Athena upgrade update
ACO Medhurst and PSE Brown provided an overview to Chief Officers on mitigating actions taken, by the Taskforce, to improve the stability of the ICCS system affecting the force Control Room’s service response to 999/101 public calls and radio communications with patrols.
ACO Medhurst provided an overview of the steps taken to resolve performance issues following the recent Athena V6 upgrade for Chief Officers information. DCS Price provided an overview of the operational contingency response instigated by the Gold Group to ensure business continuity.
The Chair praised the work that has been done and asked PSE Brown and ACO Medhurst to pass on his appreciation to all those involved.
Decisions:
The Chair requested a further update on the stability of ICCS outside of the meeting from ACO Medhurst.
PSE Brown agreed to provide DCC Ayling with details of the ICCS financial costs after the meeting.
New action: 27/24
ACO Medhurst to provide a verbal update on ICCS and Athena stability to Chief Officers at COMB Strategic on 27 August.
4. Victims and Prisoners Bill update
ACC Wilson and DCS Price provided an overview of the significant changes outlined in the briefing paper, noting the additional requirements on forces to achieve compliance with the legislation. The Chair thanked ACC Wilson and DCS Price for their update.
New action 28/24:
ACC Wilson to discuss compliance testing with the Victims and Prisoners Bill, against the HMICFRS future assessment requirements, with PSE Beautridge and PSE Neiles.
5. Memorandum of Trading Account (MTA)
Home Office review of national technology charges
PSE Brown provided a short presentation to update Chief Officers on the substantial rise in financial costs for the supply of technological solutions from the Home Office. The ongoing costs are likely to rise by 43% (£1 million increase) between 2024/2025 and 2026/2027. The Chair thanked PSE Brown for her update and leadership.
Decision:
The Chair agreed to sign the draft letter, on behalf of Chief Officers, to support the National Police Technology Council’s recommendation to commission an independent review of the Home Office costs that make up the MTA.
6. Finance 2024/2025 update (first quarter) period 3
Mr. Castle presented the first quarter report to Chief Officers for noting. Chief Officers noted the additional cost pressure on the savings programme following the recent government announcement of the annual pay award of 4.25%.
The Chair thanked PSE Castle for his update.
7. VAWG national police statement
ACC Wilson provided an overview of the recent publication describing the VAWG scale and threat focussing on the following headlines:
- sexual violence
- domestic abuse
- stalking
- CSEA
- online technology enabled VAWG
The report sets out recommendations for forces on the policing response based on threat, harm and risk, with further information on the establishment of the National Centre for Public Protection. ACC Wilson confirmed that the force is compliant in most areas.
Decision:
The Chair asked ACC Wilson to review whether the recommendations contained within the national report affect the current Kent structure or policing strategy and provide a further update to Chief Officers.
8. Any other business
8a. HMICFRS state of policing report
The Chair asked Chief Officers to review the above report, published on 19 July with a focus on the four key recommendations.
Date of next meeting
Tuesday 13 August 2024.