Police reform – update on police reform payments

Report: 12
Date: 6 November 2003
By: Commissioner

Summary

This report provides an update on progress in relation to Special Priority Payments, Competence-Related Threshold payments and Bonus payments.

A. Recommendation

That members note the contents of this report.

B. Supporting information

1. This paper provides information on progress in relation to Special Priority Payments (SPP), Competence –Related Threshold payments (CRTP) and Bonus payments.

Special Priority Payments (SSP)

2. The first payments under the Scheme are due to be paid in December 2003. Detailed guidance for applicants and managers involved in the assessment process was published in June 2003. Applications from officers eligible to apply for a SPP were invited with effect from 22 September 2003. In order to ensure payment in December completed application forms must be with Determining Officers by 21 October 2003 and details notified to HR Directorate by 7 November 2003.

3. In order to ensure that the potential number of officers eligible for SPP did not exceed the percentage limit, OCUs/departments were asked to provide details of officers in eligible posts. These details were then compared to a recent central CARMS printout and any discrepancies were referred back to the originating OCU for clarification. As a result of this review of posts it was estimated that the number of officers eligible to apply would be in the region of 29%. In view of the agreement by the Home Office to increase the percentage limit on the number of officers who could apply, from 30% to 40%, Management Board agreed that further work should be undertaken to identify the scope to extend the current list of posts. It was agreed that the additional flexibility should be targeted primarily at posts within Territorial Policing; with particular priority being given to community based policing posts and safer schools officers. Existing business cases from other business groups, which had previously been refused, would also be considered. A range of options is to be presented to Management Board during the week commencing 3 November 2003. It is proposed to seek formal approval at the meeting of the Co-ordinating and Policing Committee (COP) on 17 November 2003.

4. The review of posts that will attract SPP in December 2004 is about to commence. A focus group, chaired by Assistant Commissioner Human Resources and comprising OCU commanders and personnel managers is to be held on 4 November 2003, to consider the processes to assist in identifying eligible posts and determining the amounts payable. The MPS Inspectorate has commenced a fast time review of the implementation of the SPP scheme for 2003, the findings of which will inform the method to be adopted for the 2004 review.

5. The current Police Negotiating Board (PNB), review of the SPP scheme is considering an Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), proposal to realign the assessment and payment period with the financial year and planning cycle. If agreed, this move would address the current anomaly whereby there is insufficient time to assess officers for the full period for which they are being paid.

6. It is anticipated that the timescales for approval of the 2004 scheme will be in accordance with those that applied this year. Therefore, details of the scheme will need to be agreed between Management Board and the MPA by 27 February 2004. The scheme should be finalised and published by 31 March 2004.

Competence-Related Threshold Payments (CRTP)

7. As at 30 September 2003, 77% of eligible officers have been successful in accessing payment this year. Internal Consultancy Group was tasked with analysing data in respect of eligible officers who applied for CRTP, as well as those who did not, in order to establish whether there is any apparent trend or disproportionality. The final results of their work is due shortly.

Bonus payments (police officers)

8. Since the scheme was implemented on 1 April 2003, a total of 27 bonus payments have been approved (details are attached at Appendix 1) and 4 have been rejected because they did not meet the criteria. There is no additional funding from the Home Office to cover the costs of the scheme. Costs are met from within existing local budgets up to a maximum of 0.2% of the total police pay budget. This amounts to approximately £1.5m, which equates to 30,000 bonus payments of £50 and 3000 of £500. The total amount spent on bonus payments since 1 April 2003, is £5,750, which represents only 0.38% of the total amount available.

9. The number of bonus payments made remains low despite reminders about the scheme being published on the Intranet. We will be looking at how schemes operate in other forces with a view to making adjustments to the MPS scheme if appropriate.

Bonus payments (police Staff)

10. The scheme was first introduced in 1991, since when a total of 1,776 members of staff have been awarded a bonus payment. The total paid in that time is £1,024,422 with an average award of £576. So far this calendar year (up to 30 September), 364 awards have been made, with an average of £397 per person.

C. Equality and diversity implications

Appropriate monitoring systems in respect of ethnicity, gender, disability and part/full time working are in place in respect of all three payment schemes. Internal Consultancy Group will be asked to conduct an analysis of data in respect of SPP applications in January 2004.

D. Financial implications

The cost implications of introducing CRTP and SPPs have been presented in earlier papers to the Human Resources Committee and these have not changed significantly since that time (i.e. £7.7m for CRTP and £5.8m for SPPs, for the period 1 April 2003 to 31 December 2003). There is no additional funding from the Home Office for the Bonus Payment scheme and costs will be met from within existing local budgets up to a maximum of 0.2% of the total police pay budget.

E. Background papers

None

F. Contact details

Report author: Michael Shurety, Director of HR Services, MPS.

For more information contact:

MPA general: 020 7202 0202
Media enquiries: 020 7202 0217/18

Appendix 1

Police bonus payments - 1 April to 30 September 2003

Key to Criteria

1. = Outstandingly unpleasant
2. = Outstandingly demanding
3. = Outstandingly important

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