17 April 2024

ATTENDANCE

CC Forber

DCC Bisset

ACO Lisa Stitt

T/ACC Catherine Clarke

CFO Louise Branford-White

Insp David Anderson – Staff Officer

Hannah Dancer – Corporate Communications

Sarah Gardiner – GSO, Executive Support            

APOLOGIES

T/ACC Wayne Fox

ITEM 1. Operational Update

Summary of Discussion:

No incidents of note were discussed.

ITEM 2: Performance

Summary of Discussion:

Performance will be monitored on a weekly basis by DCC Bisset with a monthly overview of data to be presented at COT.

ITEM 3 Action/Decision Log Review

Summary of Discussion:

Action 530 – FMS6. Item on the agenda. Closed

Action 531 – Transport Decision Tree. Governance is in place. Closed.

Action 556 - Governance changes. The required changes have been processed. Closed.

ITEM 4: Force Management Statement (FMS6)

Summary of Discussion:

Rebecca Baran Head of Business Design and Assurance and Gillian Havelock Governance and Assurance Lead joined the meeting.

Rebecca Baran provided an overview of the FMS6 cycle and how this is progressed within the organisation and the responsibility of the Chief Offer Team to look at portfolios across the force to identify gaps.

Gillian Havelock presented the current data, and a discussion took place around the areas where information was yet to be submitted. The Chief Officer Team noted some portfolio areas were still to submit final requests. The Chief Constable requested a communication be sent out for submissions to be actioned as a priority.

A discussion took place around the recently published Control Strategy, and it was agreed this should be aligned to the FMS and run parallel with timings.

DCC Bisset stated deadlines must be adhered to, to keep within timescale for final submission and COT review before submission the HMICFRS. It is the responsibility of Heads of Function to submit the information.

FMS is owned by the force and contribution is key to working as one team and vital for strategic planning.

ACTION – DCC Bisset to liaise with Rebecca Baran to publish communication around timeframe and submission of requests to Heads of Function.

ACTION – Rebecca Baran and Gillian Havelock to provide a weekly update to COT until the end of May. GSO to add to the forward planner.

ITEM 5: Draft uniform policy

Summary of Discussion:

DCC Bisset provided the meeting with an overview of the draft revised uniform policy.

Insp David Anderson presented the paper talking through the publics expectation of everyone working in the police service to have the highest standards of professionalism. Police officers and members of staff in a non-uniformed role also have a responsibility to present a professional image of the organisation, in line with the College of Policing’s Code of Ethics. This Guidance applies to Police Officers, Police Staff (whether employed by the Chief Constable or Enable) Special Constables and Volunteers collectively.

A Uniform is provided for various roles as identified free of cost for use only in the performance of their police duty and these uniforms have been assessed for suitability of role.

While this guidance deals with the general principles of uniformity, every reasonable effort will be made to accommodate variations in uniform for religious, cultural, and other protected characteristics.

The draft document provided a clear and comprehensive guidance on appearance, to present a professional image, achieve and maintain standards while also allowing for a level of self-expression.

It is expected that all individuals working for North Yorkshire Police take personal responsibility in making sure they attend work presenting themselves appropriately and behaving in line with the standards of professional behaviour and code of ethics.

This requirement is based upon maintaining the safety of the public, the safety of members of staff and the maintenance of a credible, public-facing professional image of North Yorkshire Police.

It was discussed that specialist kit is being utilised for general patrol and the Investment and Efficiency board are to look at the entitlement issue for all uniformed roles to include the quality of uniform procured.

A discussion took place around jewellery, tattoos and rings along with a consideration for those going through the menopause.

CC Forber would like a good uniform, one that is of quality for all officers and staff.

Insp Anderson will continue to consult with staff associations to assist with producing a final draft policy for Chief Officer Team consideration.

ACTION – CC Forber requested the cost to replace the current regional badge displayed on the uniform to the North Yorkshire Police Badge. Insp Anderson to progress.

ACTION – Investment and Efficiency Board to look at the entitlement and issue of uniform across NYP. GSO to remit action.

ACTION – Draft policy to be updated and presented to COT in 2 weeks. GSO to add to the forward planner.

ACTION – Draft policy to be presented to the JNCC Board.  GSO to add to the forward planner. 

ITEM 6: Abiding to timescales

Summary of Discussion:

DCC Bisset appraised the meeting of instances whereby information and papers have not met deadlines and the importance of prompt submission.

ITEM 7: People Management

Summary of Discussion:

No new requests submitted for discussion.

ITEM 8:  COT Forward Planner

Summary of Discussion:

The forward planner was discussed.  The Investment and Efficiency Board will no longer be part of the COT meeting. Finance and Budget Monitoring updates will be provided to COT monthly.

Performance data will be presented monthly.

ACTION – GSO will update the forward planner with the changes.

ITEM 9:  Urgent financial decisions and updates

Summary of Discussion:

None raised for discussion.

ITEM 10:  Any other portfolio updates by exception

Summary of Discussion:

None raised for discussion.

ITEM 11:  Chief Officer Team Commitments

Summary of Discussion:

The Chief Officer Team Commitments were reviewed, no changes were required.

ITEM 12:  Any other business

Summary of Discussion:

DEI report

Leanne Consett Head of People Services joined the meeting.

The meeting was appraised of work that had taken place after a number grievances were received by the force. These grievances have been reviewed by Natasha Harris an Independent Consultant who reviewed the current process within the organisation and to identify gaps.

Leanne Consett presented Natasha Harris’ report and outlined the 27 recommendations.

A discussion took place about the cross over with the Police Race Action Plan and the need in integrate the recommendations into that work. A Chief Inspector and two officers have recently been appointed to lead and deliver this work on behalf of the force.

CC Forber outlined his desire to have a force analyst dedicated to analysing disproportionality across the organisation and overlaying this with multiple data sources.

ACTION – work to be undertaken to establish if a disproportionality analyst can be found from within existing resources or a growth proposal to be brought forward – DCC Bissett to progress

ACTION – DCC Bissett to update COT on progress in terms of PRAP in one month.  GSO to add to the forward planner.

DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING

Date of next meeting: 24^th April 2024       

Time:          09:30am