15 January 2025
Minutes of Meeting
Meeting: COT Board
Venue: Haigh Conference Room, Alverton Court
Date and Time: 15th January 2025 @ 9:30am – 1:30pm
ITEM 1: ATTENDANCE CC Forber - Chair
DCC Bisset
ACO Stitt
ACC Clarke
ACC Moseley
Inspector Anderson – Staff Officer
Maeve Chappell – Head of Corporate Communications
Sarah Gardiner – GSO, Executive Support
APOLOGIES CFO Louise Branford-White
ITEM 2: Review of minutes
Summary of Discussion:
The minutes of the previous meeting were reviewed and agreed.
ITEM 3: Review of Action Log
Summary of Discussion:
No open actions required for review.
ITEM 4: Performance Summary of Discussion:
Presentation on SharePoint
Dan Southern Data and Insight Lead and Chief Inspector Alex Langley joined the meeting and presented the performance data for the month of December.
Response time for both rural and urban incidents remained positive, with urban at 84% and rural at 80%.
Incidents of anti-social behaviour continued to decrease.
Total recorded crime was down with 200 less crimes and this period which continued the long-term downward trend.
Violence against women and girls (VAWG) had seen a slight reduction in the month.
Serious violence had seen a reduction of 90 crimes compared to the same period in the previous year.
Theft of motor vehicle crime was slightly higher in the month. The Selby area has seen a rise, and this had been noted with plans in place to respond.
Residential burglary crime is down on last year, but an increase had been seen in the Craven district, ACC Clarke will discuss with Area Commanders.
Retail Crime was up with 418 crimes compared to 388 in the same period in the previous year. Work is ongoing by the Retail Crime Lead.
A discussion took place around how CCTV is obtained from retail premises and the possible use of digital solutions.
ITEM 5: Corporate Communications Monthly Update
Summary of Discussion:
Presentation on SharePoint
Maeve Chappell provided a review of 2024.
NYP has more Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn followers than any similar force. Ultimately, the more followers the force has, the wider out messages are seen and shared.
The force had seen an increase of 14.6K followers on the Facebook platform and published an additional 108 posts compared to 2023.
A discussion took place around the updated Missing from Home policy and how information is shared with the public.
The calendar of key events for 2025 was reviewed.
ITEM 6: Estate Plan Monthly
Update Summary of Discussion:
Presentation on SharePoint
Tim Edwards Head of Estates, Transport and Logistics joined the meeting and presented the monthly briefing to the COT.
The Joint Estates team had successfully navigated a period of significant transformation. Through focused leadership and a dedicated team, they have streamlined the capital plan, and achieved a 96% commitment against the financial plan.
The Team is proud to announce the imminent opening of Ripon Fire and Police Station and the state-of-the-art Victims Centre in York.
Looking ahead, priorities included drafting a comprehensive Estates and Sustainability Strategy, delivering the final elements of the current capital plan, starting early on the 25/26 capital plan and delivery of a structural review.
The Estates and Sustainability strategy will guide future decision-making and ensure that our facilities are modern, efficient, and environmentally sustainable.
The Alverton Court space utilisation review is progressing to deliver improved functionality.
Comprehensive improvement works addressing the HMIC Inspection action plan to Custody Suites is nearing completion at York and work will follow at the Harrogate and Scarborough sites.
The Fire Risk Assessment tendering process had failed, and an interim process was in place.
The new 5-year Estates Strategy to optimise the organisations property portfolio and support the forces evolving needs will be formally presented to COT in March 2025.
The new strategy will look at collaboration between NYP, NYFRS and other key partners to identify opportunities for further shared facilities and cost saving opportunities.
ITEM 7: People Management Monthly Update
Summary of Discussion:
Reports on SharePoint
Leanne Consett Head of People Services, Kerry West Talent and Development Manager, Janine Hall Health and Wellbeing Manager and Leanne Patterson People Operations Manager joined the meeting.
A discussion took place around understanding officer numbers, demand and capacity and how this was joined up to the recruitment schedule.
The CC spoke about Men’s Wellbeing and asked how the force progress in this area and help to build personal mental resilience.
ACO Stitt and Leanne Consett provided a brief overview of the information to be presented. As this was the initial monthly input, should COT require additional information that would be obtained for the February update.
The 5 areas covered as part of the data pack were –
* Workforce Planning
* Wellbeing
* Engagement * Recruitment
* Leadership
Kerry West advised COT around Police Officer recruitment and the schedule for 2025/26. A discussion took place around student officers and the number of students in each part of the training process.
There will be an intake for Student Detectives (DHEP) in March 2025 and the detective pathway is being monitored.
Leanne Patterson identified current workforce trends around sickness and flexible working.
The Say to Stay policy was discussed a pilot had been run and it was agreed the Force would use this tool going forward.
Communications are to be published around this.
DECISION – Say to Stay Policy. Supported to continue.
ACTION – SIT must fill all vacancies. How can this be achieved? ACC Clarke and ACC Moseley to progress.
ACTION – Confirmation of budget and headcount numbers to be reported back to COT on 29.01.25.
ITEM 8: COT Forward Planner
The forward planner was discussed and agreed.
ITEM 9: Urgent financial decisions and updates
Summary of Discussion:
None raised.
ITEM 10: Any other portfolio updates by exception
Summary of Discussion:
None raised.
ITEM 12: Chief Officer Team Commitments
Summary of Discussion:
The Chief Officer Team Commitments were reviewed for the next 2 weeks.
COT visibility across the force will be increased over the next 2 weeks.
ITEM 13: Any other business
Summary of Discussion:
Gold Command.
ACC Moseley requested a calendar of events be drawn up for the year of known GOLD requirements with the allocation of a Gold Commander be included to allow for COT planning.
FSU Uplift.
ACC Moseley briefed the COT on the current position and key risks were explained with options discussed. A decision paper will be prepared for the 12th February 2025. The forward Planner will be updated.
Gross Misconduct Hearings.
The allocation of GMH’s was discussed. A job description has been agreed along with a budgeted post.
DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING Date of next meeting: 29th January 2025 Time: 9:00am