Police Negotiating Board: annual report 2021 to 2022

Part 1

Introduction

1.1 This is the 22nd 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 2021 to 31 July 2022.

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 2021 – 2022

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 were held in person and virtually.

Main issues in the review period

2.1 Agreement was reached in November 2021 on changes to pay and terms and conditions with effect from 1 April 2021. The agreement included a £700 increase on all pay points for all ranks and increases to a range of allowances were also agreed.

2.2 Agreement was also reached in November 2021 in respect of a non-consolidated payment of £250 for all officers serving within the Police Service of Scotland on 28 October 2021.

2.3 In June 2021, agreement was reached by the SPCF to establish a short life working group to engage with Scottish Government officials around Dame Elish Angiolini's Independent Review of Complaints Handling, Investigations and Misconduct Issues in Relation to Policing. This working group would seek the views of Police Scotland and relevant police associations in respect of this review. Meetings took place in September and October 2021 respectively and views were fed back to the Scottish Government.

2.4 Agreement was also reached for revised rates for allowances in respect of COP26.

2.5 In February 2022, it was noted that the Staff Side had submitted a Pay 2022 claim. Agreement was reached for both sides to commence preliminary discussions. As of 31 July 2022, no pay deal had been agreed.

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

Equalities working group (EWG)

2.6 In this reporting year, the general approach taken by the PNB is for there to be one main technical forum which is able to consider matters that have equality implications. This group is below.

Technical working group (TWG)

2.7 The TWG met on 3 occasions during the period covered by this report and discussed a range of matters under its remit including:

• COP26 allowances
• Inspectors working hours
• Unpaid leave (Pay 2021)
• Non-designated user
• Electric vehicle expenses
• Remote and rural policing
• PNB Police officer handbook

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.