Police Negotiating Board for Scotland: annual report 2024

Review of the year

This is the second annual report of the of the Police Negotiating Board for Scotland. (PNBS). This report covers the period from 1 January to 31 December 2024.

PNBS in 2024 ~ by month

January

• PNBS Operations and Guide group meetings on 11 and 25 January
• Meeting of the PNBS Technical Working Group on 17 January

Februrary

• Meeting of the PNBS on 14 February
• Fiona McQueen took over from Jane Ryder as Official Side Chair

March

• Final meeting of PNBS Operations and Guide group on 5 March
• PNBS logo launched on 5 March
• Meeting of the PNBS Technical Working Group on 22 March
• Process for commissioning independent research into police officer pay and benefits began

April

• First PNBS Annual Report published on 17 April
• Meeting of the PNBS Technical Working Group on 22 April

May

• PNBS Operations Guide published
• Staff Side submit pay claim on 10 May of 5.7%

June

• Meeting of the PNBS Technical Working Group on 3 June
• The Police Service of Scotland (Amendment) Regulations 2024 laid in Parliament on 20 June
• Meeting of the PNBS on 25 June

July

• John MacLean appointed Interim Deputy Official Side Secretary
• Fraser of Allander Institute appointed to carry out independent research into police officer pay and benefits on 4 July

August

• Fraser of Allander Institute continue Stage 1 of the research into police officer pay and benefits, relating to wage growth

September

• Fraser of Allander Institute continue Stage 1 of the research into police officer pay and benefits, relating to wage growth

October

• The Police Service of Scotland (Amendment) Regulations 2024 came into force on 4 October
• Official Side made a formal offer of 4.75% in relation to the 2024 pay award on 18 October
• Staff Side rejected the 4.75% offer and made a new claim of 5.5% on 21 October
• Official Side confirmed 4.75% was the final offer on 28 October
• Staff Side registered a Failure to Agree in relation to pay negotiations on 29 October
• Stage 1 conciliation process in relation to pay negotiations commenced on 31 October
• Meeting of the PNBS on 31 October

November

• Stage 1 conciliation in relation to pay negotiations ongoing throughout the month, concluding on 28 November and moved to Stage 2 conciliation with Acas
• Fraser of Allander Institute continue Stage 1 of the research into police officer pay and benefits, relating to wage growth

December

• Stage 2 conciliation with Acas concluded without resolution on 17 December and the matter was referred to arbitration
• Fraser of Allander Institute continue Stage 1 of the research into police officer pay and benefits, relating to wage growth

PNBS in 2024 ~ in summary

Police officer pay 2024-25

During the reporting period, the sides did not reach agreement on officer pay for 2024-25. The Staff Side submitted a pay claim of 5.7% on 10 May. Following negotiations, the Official Side made a formal offer of 4.75% on 18 October. This offer was rejected by the Staff Side who submitted a revised claim of 5.5% on 21 October. After the Official Side confirmed that 4.75% was the final offer, the Staff Side registered a Failure to Agree on 29 October. This prompted the Stage 1 conciliation process, led by the PNBS Chair. The Chair met with the sides individually and collectively and acknowledges the considerable efforts and good will on both sides throughout the conciliation. As a resolution was not agreed, on 28 November, Stage 2 conciliation with the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas)^[1] was commenced. The PNBS Chair is not involved in the Acas conciliation and arbitration processes.

The conciliation with Acas concluded without resolution and on 17 December the matter was referred to Acas arbitration. Arbitration is when a third party makes a decision on a dispute to resolve it. It is delivered by a neutral person (an 'arbitrator') who is impartial and appointed by Acas. The arbitrator considers the positions from both sides of the dispute at a meeting ('hearing') and makes a decision based on the evidence presented which is binding for both sides.

The sides agreed the Terms of Reference for arbitration with a hearing scheduled to take place in January 2025. Both sides are committed to respecting and implementing the outcome of the arbitration decision and process.

Review/research into police officer pay and benefits

As part of the 2023/24 pay agreement, the Official and Staff sides agreed to commission an independent review/research into police officer pay and benefits. This is comprised of two elements, the first relating to wage growth including consideration of the benefits and risks of possible mechanisms to ensure appropriate wage growth within policing going forward from 2025-26. The second element relates to current pay and benefits and will fully consider the unique nature of the officer role in society.

The Fraser of Allander Institute were commissioned to progress both areas of research in July 2024. Stage 1, which relates to wage growth, is currently underway. The PNBS Chair, the SPF General Secretary, David Kennedy and Interim Deputy Official Side Secretary, John MacLean met with the team from FAI throughout the process. The findings will be presented in the first quarter of 2025 and will inform the 2025-26 pay negotiations.

PNBS Operations and Guide review group

The PNBS Operations and Guide review group was set up in December 2023 to review PNBS processes and procedures and explore how these could be improved. The group, which was chaired by the PNBS Chair with representation from each member organisation, met a further three times in the reporting period. Secretariat was provided by the Scottish Government and the Scottish Police Federation hosted the meetings.

The group agreed to take forward the following tasks:

• To review the purpose and remit of the PNBS
• To agree on a framework for PNBS meetings
• To support the development of the PNBS Guide to ensure it is understandable and accessible to the public whilst offering guidance to the members
• To consider ‘branding’ for the PNBS (i.e. logo) for all public facing documents, reports, website, etc

The group delivered outcomes on all objectives, with members highlighting the benefit of the face to face meetings in allowing full and frank discussions to take place in a positive, respectful, collaborative environment.

Purpose and remit of the PNBS

While the overall purpose is defined in the constitution, the group were able to explore further the different aspects of PNBS and give clarity on roles, responsibilities and how we can better deliver outcomes. These views were then incorporated into the PNBS guide and structure of PNBS meetings.

PNBS meetings

Members agreed to trial a new approach to PNBS meetings with the intent to be more effective, inclusive and efficient. This approach has been a success and continues to evolve with member feedback. Members also agreed to publish minutes of PNBS meetings to add further transparency and clarity for the public.

PNBS guide

Members agreed to develop a new guide to improve understanding of our purpose while providing greater clarity and structure to members and stakeholders. This resulted in a more accessible, effective and productive working document. The new PNBS guide was published on 13 May.

PNBS branding

Following agreement from PNBS members the new PNBS logo was launched on 5 March incorporating colours and styles associated with policing. It includes Gaelic and an adaptable logo to suit different formats. An accompanying colour palette and fonts for written materials were also developed during this time.

Technical Working Group (TWG)

The TWG is an opportunity for representatives of the sides to have discussions without prejudice on terms and conditions with the aim to reach agreeable solutions to take back to their sides for further discussion and approval. Although any agreement must be agreed by the full PNBS, the key discussions on terms and conditions generally take place at the TWG.

Since January 2024 the TWG have agreed to provide updates to the PNBS covering:

• Recommendations from the TWG for consideration and ratification at PNBS
• Decisions taken at TWG
• Work ongoing within TWG
• Areas requiring further dialogue within the sides following discussion at TWG
• Areas linked to the Scottish Police Consultative Forum (SPCF)
• Areas requiring further discussion within Police Scotland

The TWG met four times in the reporting period. These meetings took place on:

• 17 January 2024
• 22 March 2024
• 22 April 2024
• 3 June 2024

A meeting which was scheduled to take place on 7 October 2024 was postponed, with pay negotiations taking precedence.

During the period covered by this report, the TWG reached the following agreements:

Agreements reached in the reporting year

Agreement / Details

14 February 2024

To include further information within the PNBS Handbook to support clearer interpretation of the current regulatory position with regards to officers being detained on duty from a nightshift.

25 June 2024

The need for a PNBS circular that formally ratifies an agreement reached at PNB in 2020 to provide two weeks full pay if the officer suffers the death of a child under the age of 18 or suffers a stillbirth from 24 weeks of pregnancy.

25 June 2024

The extension of the time period that maternity/adoption support leave can be taken to 52 weeks after the birth (currently 56 days) for children born from 25 June 2024.

25 June 2024

The ability to now take maternity/adoption support leave in two separate blocks of 1 week (currently required to be taken in one block) for children born from 25 June 2024.

In due course, circulars will capture the technical elements which were discussed and agreed within the PNBS Technical Working Group and ratified at PNBS prior to implementation. In the meantime, the changes have been reflected in Police Scotland policies and procedures, and within updates to the PNBS Handbook, where appropriate.

Regulations and determinations

Scottish Ministers made a Scottish Statutory Instrument that came into force on 4 October 2024, the Police Service of Scotland (Amendment) Regulations 2024. These regulations updated the Police Service of Scotland Regulations 2013 with outstanding PNB/S agreements made since 2014.

Scottish Ministers are preparing draft determinations that will be issued for consultation with members with the aim of updating determinations in line with PNB and PNBS agreements.

PNBS meetings

Meetings of the PNBS in the reporting period were held on the following dates:

• 14 February 2024 – minute of meeting
• 25 June 2024 – minute of meeting
• 31 October 2024 – pending publication following approval at next meeting

We publish minutes of meetings once they are agreed at the subsequent meeting.

Freedom of information requests

PNBS received three requests for information under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA) in the reporting period. All requests were resolved within 20 working days.