Police Negotiating Board for Scotland meeting: February 2026

Attendees and apologies

Chair

• Lisa Blackett, Independent

Official Side

• David Algie, Official Side Secretariat
• Lynn Brown, Police Scotland 
• Alisdair Hay, Scottish Police Authority
• Elizabeth Hossack, Police Scotland
• Pauline Howie, Scottish Police Authority
• Jackie Kidd, Scottish Police Authority
• Ewen Logie, Police Scotland
• John MacLean, Deputy Official Side Secretary
• Sarah Messenger, Official Side Secretary
• Kerry Morgan, Scottish Government 
• Donna Turnbull, Scottish Government

Staff Side

• Stewart Carle, Association of Scottish Police Superintendents
• Iain Gray, Scottish Police Federation
• Rob Hay, Association of Scottish Police Superintendents
• David Kennedy, Staff Side Secretary
• James McLaren, Scottish Police Federation
• Emma-Louise Richardson, Scottish Police Federation
• Lorna Robertson, Scottish Police Federation

Secretariat

• Scott McNeil, Independent (note)

Items and actions

Welcome

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and noted apologies. Members then gave brief introductions.

Minutes from previous meeting on 30 September 2025 

Members approved the minutes of the previous meeting for publication. The Secretariat will inform the Sides once the minutes are published.

Pay agreement 2025-26 and 2026-27

The Chair thanked the Sides for quickly reaching agreement on PNBS circulars reflecting the additional 0.4% inflation guarantee as part of the 2025-26 pay agreement which ensured officers received this in their February pay. The Chair informed members that the pay circulars were published that morning on the Scottish Government website.

The Staff Side and Official Side recognised the efforts on all sides to deliver on the agreement and highlighted the benefit of a multi-year pay deal which has allowed the Sides to focus on other aspects of police officer pay and conditions. 

The Staff Side added that they intend to submit the 2027-28 pay claim before the end of the year with the aim reach agreement by 1 April 2027, noting that if the Sides are able to deliver on this timeline then will continue to allow further time to consider other terms and conditions.

Fraser of Allander Institute (FAI) report: Stage 2

The PNBS Chair and Staff Side and Official Side representatives continue to engage with FAI to ensure the Stage 2 report delivers on the requirements. The last meeting with FAI was in January. The Sides recognise the importance of this report in future negotiations and are focussed on ensuring the report delivers on objectives.  The Chair noted that once have further information will share this with members and will also arrange presentations of the report. The intent is that these will take place before the next PNBS meeting in June.

Technical Working Group (TWG)

TWG members provided an overview of the report shared with members detailing the significant work undertaken by the TWG over the previous year including:

• Agreement on and publication of 2024-25 pay circulars
• Agreement on and publication of 2025-26 and 2026-27 pay circulars
• Agreement on and publication of updated 2025-26 and 2026-27 pay circulars reflecting the inflation guarantee
• Agreement on enhancement to statutory neonatal care leave and pay
• Agreement on extension of two weeks parental bereavement leave to cover losses of up to 24 weeks pregnant
• Review and update of the PNBS handbook to help ensure consistent interpretation and application of police regulations

TWG members appreciated the efforts of all involved to work collectively and collaboratively on often complex matters with the goal of seeking clarity for officers and practitioners.

TWG meeting dates for 2026 have been confirmed with the intent that these will help inform future reports and updates to PNBS members.

Members welcomed the update from the TWG and were content to ratify the two recommendations presented which require PNBS circulars:

• Enhanced Maternity/Adoption Pay provision with options which allow officers to spread maternity/adoption payments
• Changes to Working Time Regulations which relate to carryover of leave, extending this from 15 to 18 months

The Chair thanks TWG members for the comprehensive update and for their commitment and progress on the topics highlighted.

Regulations and determinations update

The Scottish Government provided an update noting that pay and allowances determinations are currently out for consultation with the Sides. The Scottish Government are making progress on the backlog of determinations, which went to the Sides for consultation before Christmas and are now going through internal clearance processes with the aim to publish as soon as possible.

Officials noted that determinations which require legislative change will now not be finalised until after the Scottish elections, however work continues in the background to ensure prepared and can move quickly. Members welcomed the update and the progress made by the Scottish Government on the backlog.

Pensions update

Members acknowledged the update provided by the SPPA. The Chair suggested that there is a need to better understand the relationship between PNBS and SPPA and the purpose of this recurring agenda item, to determine how best to engage with the SPPA in the future. The Chair and Sides agreed to meet and discuss prior to the next PNBS meeting.

Any other business

The Staff Side raised that the special bank holiday in Scotland on 15 June has not yet been ratified. The Sides agreed to progress this in writing following the meeting.

The meeting marked the final PNBS meeting for a number of members:

• Sarah Messenger, Official Side Secretary is retiring having been the Employers/Official Side Secretary for over 20 years 
• David Algie, Official Side Secretariat is also moving on after 14 years supporting the Official Side
• James McLaren, Staff Side and Scottish Police Federation representative is retiring in March. Allen Shaw will be taking over from James.  
• Pauline Howie, Official Side Chair will no longer attend as SPA Board member responsibilities have changed. Alisdair Hay and Angela Leitch will represent the SPA Board in the future. 

The Chair and representatives of both Sides thanked everyone moving on for their service and wished them all the best in their future endeavours. Sarah Messenger was singled out by members for the vital role she has played in negotiations over the years and for her honesty, support, candour and commitment. 

Date of next meeting

The next PNBS meeting is scheduled for Wednesday 10 June 2026 in Atlantic Quay, Glasgow.