Police Negotiating Board: Annual Report 2020/21

Part 1

Introduction

1.1 This is the twenty first Annual Report of the Independent Chair of the Police Negotiating Board (PNB) and the fifth to cover Scotland only. It relates to the period 1 August 2020 to 31 July 2021.

1.2 Ian McKay was appointed as the Independent Chair of the PNB on 17 August 2015 and the Scottish Government’s then Cabinet Secretary for Justice also appointed Mr McKay as Independent Chair of the Scottish Police Consultative Forum (SPCF). Mr McKay was re-appointed to these positions from 17 August 2019.

1.3 A summary of the membership of PNB is provided at Annex A and information about the number and attendance of meetings held in this reporting period is provided at Annex B.

What we do

1.4 The PNB provides the negotiating forum for the pay and conditions of service of police officers in Scotland. The PNB also provides a means of enabling the representatives of serving police officers, and of those engaged in the management and governance of Police Scotland, to bring their expertise to bear on practical issues that affect the conditions of service of police officers.

The main outcomes In 2020 – 2021

1.5 Section 2 reports on the progress towards a range of topics including: Pay 2021 claim and the continued impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. It is to be noted that due to the continued disruption of the Covid-19 pandemic PNB and SPCF meetings continued to be held virtually.

Main issues in the review period

2.1 As noted in the 2019-20 PNB Annual Report, the Staff Side had submitted a Pay 2021 claim in June 2020. Agreement was reached for both sides to commence preliminary discussions on the 2021 pay agreement in September 2020. As of 31 August 2021, no pay deal had been agreed.

2.2 In June 2021, agreement was by the SPCF to establish a short life working group to engage with Scottish Government officials around the Dame Elish Angiolini Review – Complaints, Investigations And Misconduct In Policing. This working group would seek the views of Police Scotland and relevant police associations in respect of this review. Meeting were agreed to take place in September and October 2021.

2.3 PNB noted the continued impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the impact on policing in Scotland.

Equalities working group (EWG)

2.6 Although the EWG did not virtually meet during this reporting year, correspondence was exchanged between the Sides. The main issue discussed was around Flexible Working.

Technical working group (TWG)

2.7 The TWG met on 6 occasions during the period covered by this report and has discussed a range of matters under its remit including:

• Police Officer Handbook
• Inspecting Rank Working Arrangements
• COP26 Allowances
• Double-lock Rest Day Compensation

2.8 During this reporting period, the TWG meetings have taken place without a formal chair at the agreement of both Sides due to a commitment to collaborative working by both Official and Staff Side representatives.

Conciliation and arbitration arrangements

2.9 Conciliation and arbitration arrangements were not used in the reporting period.