8 April 2025
Record of actions and decisions
Title: Chief Officer's Management Board - Strategic
Date: Tuesday 8 April 2025
Venue: Clift Room
Attendees
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| CC Tim Smith (Chair) | Chief Constable |
| ACC Nigel Brookes | Local Policing Directorate |
| PSE Fiona Brown | Rep. Director of Support Services |
| DCS Morgan Cronin | Rep. Serious Crime Directorate |
| ACO Richard Leicester | Director of HR and L&D |
| ACO Gavin McKinnon (vc) | Director of Corporate Communications |
| DCS Sam Price | Rep. Crime Directorate |
| T/ACC Tracey Quiller | Central Operations Directorate |
| PSE Jonathan Castle | Chief Finance Officer |
| PSE Gary Beautridge (item 4) | Head of Corporate Services |
| PSE Susan Marsden (item 4) | Head of Info Sec |
| PSE Becky Strachan (item 4) | Public Disclosures Manager |
| PSE Louisa Neiles (items 4 to 6) | Head of Force Inspectorate |
| PSE Sonya Gransden | Chief of Staff |
| PSE Catherine Hughes (Minutes) | Executive Assistant to CC |
By invitation
T/DCS Claire Findlay (item 3)(vc), Thames Valley Police
Apologies
- DCC Peter Ayling
- ACC Simon Wilson
- ACO Claire Medhurst
- ACC Andy Pritchard
1. Approval of the record from Tuesday 25 March 2025
Following minor amendments to the gender pay gap item, the record of the last meeting was approved.
2. Matters arising/action updates
Action 44/24 – the was noted and the action discharged.
Action 03/25 – the updates were noted, and the action carried forward to 22 April.
3. CTPSE briefing
This item was held in a closed session and no minutes were taken.
4. Freedom of Information (FOI) annual update
PSE Gary Beautridge, PSE Susan Marsden and PSE Becky Strachan presented the FOI update paper as previously circulated and highlighted key points. The paper summarised the response parameters required under the legislation and how the force balances this with a pragmatic approach. There are a number of exemptions where it is recognised that divulging information would be inappropriate. In 2024 1,811 FOI requests were received by the team, compared to 1,787 in the preceding period. Despite this increase in requests, compliance has increased by 8% to an average of 77% compared to a mean compliance of 72% for police forces nationally. PSE Marsden provided an update on the current publication strategy, how this positively impacts FOI requests and outlined the future planned enhancements to this strategy.
T/ACC Quiller enquired if policing powers was included within the publication strategy and PSE Marsden confirmed the Public Disclosures Team would link in to confirm this is appropriately captured.
The chief constable thanked the presenters for a comprehensive update, and it was agreed to amend the frequency of the FOI reporting to annually.
5. HMICFRS Peel inspection AFIs
PSE Louisa Neiles presented the AFI update paper as previously shared. It was noted seven AFIs are now complete and there are no AFIs rated as red. Eight AFIs (1, 2, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12 and 14) are rated amber and PSE Neiles provided a brief progress update on these noting most anticipated completion dates are scheduled for September.
PSE Neiles noted plans are in progress for creating a central repository and Teams Channel for sharing PEEL information with senior leaders leading up to and during inspection activity.
CC Smith praised the work to date on progressing the AFIs and acknowledged the future work still required which he will discuss further with DCC Ayling.
New action 08/25:
CC and DCC to discuss and agree a plan to address the amber rated HMICFRS Peel inspection AFIs.
6. Digital forensics hubs estate requirements
DCS Morgan Cronin presented the paper as previously shared seeking approval of essential works at Folkestone Police Station Digital Forensic Hub, and for a review of works required at Medway and Maidstone Police Station Digital Forensic Hubs. DCS Cronin confirmed key stakeholders were consulted with. A suitable space at Folkestone has been identified and a quote was obtained for the refurbishment work to the value of £40k.
Chief Officers approved both recommendation 5a and 5b in the Digital Forensics Hubs Estate Requirements paper for essential works at Folkestone and an estates review at Maidstone and Medway stations.
7. Any other business
There was no further business for the open session.
Date of next meeting
Tuesday 22 April 2025, 1pm, Clift Room.