Police Negotiating Board for Scotland meeting: June 2025

Attendees and apologies

Chair

• Lisa Blackett, Independent

Official side

• David Algie, Official Side Secretariat
• Chris Brown, Scottish Police Authority
• Lynn Brown, Police Scotland
• Elizabeth Hossack, Police Scotland
• Pauline Howie, Scottish Police Authority
• Jackie Kydd, Scottish Police Authority
• Ewen Logie, Police Scotland
• John MacLean, Official Side Deputy Secretary
• Sarah Messenger, Official Side Secretary
• Katy Miller, Police Scotland
• Donna Turnbull, Scottish Government

Staff side

• Andrew Barker, Scottish Chief Police Officers Staff Association 
• Stewart Carle, Association of Scottish Police Superintendents
• Gordon Cumming, Scottish Police Federation
• Iain Gray, Scottish Police Federation
• Rob Hay, Association of Scottish Police Superintendents
• Brian Jones, Scottish Police Federation
• David Kennedy, Staff Side Secretary
• James McLaren, Scottish Police Federation
• Emma-Louise Richardson, Scottish Police Federation
• David Threadgold, Scottish Police Federation

Secretariat

Scott McNeil, Independent (note)

Items and actions

Welcome

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and members gave brief introductions.

Minutes from previous meeting on 02 May 2025 

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

Matters arising

No matters raised by members.

2025-26 pay claim

The Staff Side noted their disappointment that they have not yet received a pay offer, highlighting the time that has passed since they submitted the pay claim and recent offers made to public sector bodies. The Staff Side recognised the efforts of the Official Side and are committed to continuing to work constructively with the Official Side to reach agreement.

The Official Side acknowledged the points raised by the Staff Side and these will be considered when developing any proposal. The Official Side welcomed the regular, meaningful meetings with the Staff Side which will continue with the aim to reach agreement as soon as possible.

The Chair thanked the Sides for the update and was encouraged by the ongoing dialogue between the Sides. The Chair commended both Sides on their positive approach and for providing updates for publication on the PNBS website which they agreed to continue. 

PNBS process improvements

The Chair invited views on the revised PNBS guide shared with members in advance. Members agreed that the only change required was to add ‘optional’ to second stage conciliation with ACAS. The Secretariat will update the guide and arrange for publication. 

Members then discussed a point agreed at the previous meeting, that members should avoid communications which in any way prejudice negotiations. Members confirmed their support for this and agreed that it did not need added to the PNBS guide but should be the basis for all communications.

Fraser of Allander Institute (FAI) report: Stage 2

Staff Side and Official Side representatives have met to develop the scope of Stage 2 of the research which relates to police officer pay and benefits and will consider the unique nature of the officer role in society. The Sides and the Chair are next meeting with FAI on 15 July and will continue to feed into this joint work. The Chair acknowledged the significant work of the Side representatives to take this forward.

Technical Working Group (TWG)

The next meeting or the TWG will take place on 20 June at the SPF offices. The group have a full agenda and are looking forward to a constructive meeting. TWG members will provide a more detailed update at the next PNBS.

Regulations and determinations update

The Scottish Government continues to work on determinations to ensure they are updated to take account of PNB agreements up to 2023. Officials are also working to align all agreements and circulars with determinations.

Pensions update

Members acknowledged the update provided by the SPPA. Members who attend the SPPA Police Pension Board highlighted concerns about the performance of the SPPA which they have raised previously in letters to Scottish Ministers and to the Scottish Police Authority. They noted the impact the continued issues have had on the workforce and proposed a joint letter from the PNBS detailing their concerns.

The Sides agreed in principal to drafting a letter. The Official Side will consider this further within their organisations and discuss with the Staff Side before taking forward.

Any other business

No matters raised.

Date of next meeting

The next PNBS meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 30 September at Atlantic Quay, Glasgow. The PNBS Secretariat aims to issue invites for 2026 meetings before the end of June.