Page 27 - WMPF Federation June-July2018-flip_Neat

Taking the Federation forward

he future of the Police Federation of
England and Wales (PFEW) is all about
Tbecoming a responsive organisation
for members, with democracy and
governance at its core, general secretary
Andy Fittes said in what was his last speech
at a Federation annual conference due to his
forthcoming retirement.
In the speech, which earned him a
standing ovation, he gave the Annual Value
Report which replaced the AGM. Describing a
year of managing positive change, he said
the aim was to improve processes so that
Federation representatives have more time
to spend with members, and there is more
money to spend on services for members.
Current electoral reform of the
Federation is helping to drive the
organisation forwards, he added, and he
welcomed the many new reps attending
conference for the first time.
The initial electoral focus, using a
number of positive actions, has been on
addressing inequalities in gender and BME
representation, but in response to a question
on LBGT and disabled representation, Andy Andy Fittes, retiring general secretary.
confirmed these too would be addressed.
He explained: “We have a legal obligation l Training was provided to more than 500 The Advisory Group report
to become more representative,” and added, people last year to help them carry out Jim McAuslin outlined the remit for the PFEW
“We have made a good start, but we need to representative work. Advisory Group as a ‘critical friend’ to look at
keep doing more.” He concluded that with new rules and the work of the PFEW and to offer advice.
The electoral change process will be regulations now in place, the spotlight is The idea of a ‘critical friend’ had first
completed in September with the selection shifting to Governance and how the Branch been suggested in the Normington report
of his own successor. Board Service Centre (BBSC) activities and Jim said that in many ways the role
Andy also highlighted the value of the develop. could be compared to that of non-executive
pay and conditions survey and the esteem it In an emotional finale, he thanked all directors on Boards.
is held in outside the organisation – with its those in Leatherhead and the branches who The six-strong Advisory Group members,
results last year helping to win the backing have worked for the Federation, often in drawn from a wide range of specialisms,
of the pay review body for a pay rise above voluntary capacities, and his family for their began their work in December to look at
one per cent. support. progress the Federation has made on issues
He also listed progress on a wide range The treasurer such as standards, health and wellness,
of issues: Tim Packham revealed the hard work of the equality and diversity, pay and conditions
l After much asking, the Police Pensions BBSC to help drive efficiencies in costs and and public trust.
Scheme Advisory Board now provides a processes means a predicted £9 million Giving the Federation credit for opening
pensions calculator and in some parts of budget deficit this year was on track now to itself up in such a way, he said they had
the country there is now better access to be much less - around £5 million - with next already ‘seen some areas to challenge, to add
clear pension statements although work year’s deficit likely to be cut further to to your thoughts’.
continues to provide consistency £1 million. For example, he warns elections are only
l The Through Life Research Project is Part of that reduction is due to greater one step on a long road to transparency as
helping to shape resourcing as it follows support to achieve value for money across all the Federation takes on what he described
police officers and tracks their business services – from recruitment to IT as the ‘huge agenda’ of change.
aspirations at every step of their career support. An expanded team of in-house All members of the Advisory Group, he
l Invaluable welfare work is being carried legal experts, with the skills to deal with said, care about the role of the Federation
out every day by representatives claims against police officers, means less and its future and were committing to
l A sustained and award-winning work is having to be outsourced. building a relationship based on trust in
communications programme has Tim said: “It’s about reduced costs and coming years.
handled more than 1,000 media better management… about getting quality Where will the Fed be in five years’ time?
enquiries in the year and made more service at a good price.” In answer to this question: Andy said: “I want
information easily available to members Looking ahead, reforms of the Claims to be invited back to see a more
l The Believe in Blue and Protect the Management System – a project which will representative organisation with the
Protectors campaign, the flagship Police replace systems at Leatherhead and across enthusiasm and the skills of the existing one!”
Bravery Awards keep the work of the branches with a single system - is expected Tim pledged it would have ‘financial
Federation in the public eye to be cost neutral in 18 to 24 months. stability’.
l Specialist support available to firearms There is also a commitment to provide Jim responded: “Bigger, have more
officers through work with the Police more training for all branch trustees and influence and will be attracting quality
Firearms Officers’ Association, and treasurers. people.”
www.westmidspolfed.com federation June/July 2018 27