§ Lord Bradshawasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have any plans to reduce the membership and streamline the procedures of the Police Negotiating Board. [HL6100]
§ The Minister of State, Home Office (Lord Falconer of Thoroton):In April 2001 the Government approved a number of changes to the constitution of the Police Negotiating Board following agreement with the official and staff sides. Both sides agreed to reduce their membership of the full board and to include the Association of Chief Police Officers and the Association of Chief Police officers in Scotland as members of the official side. The language of the constitution was simplified. Finally, government Ministers were given a new power to direct the board to consider and reach agreement on specified matters within specified deadlines, provided that those matters are of serious national importance to the police service.
87WAMy right honourable friend the Home Secretary used that power to direct the board to reach agreement on how to achieve a series of outcomes designed to modernise police pay and conditions of service. On 9 May 2002 the board reached agreement on a groundbreaking package of reforms. The reforms include competence-related pay for the most experienced officers in the federated ranks, special priority payments for the most difficult and demanding posts, new measures to manage ill-health retirements and poor attendance and new flexible working practices.
Under the Police Act 1996 the board is constituted in accordance with arrangements approved by government Ministers, made after consultation between Ministers and the organisations representing the interests of the authorities which maintain the police forces of the United Kingdom, the members of these forces and the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis.
There are no plans to consult the members of the board on further changes to the membership or procedures of the board.