Police Negotiating Board for Scotland: annual report 2024

Governance

Review of PNBS effectiveness

The Chair set up the Operations and Guide review group in December 2023 to explore how the PNBS could be more effective for members and stakeholders. As outlined earlier in the report, this led to significant changes for the PNBS including to the format of meetings; the development of a new PNBS guide; and a review of the purpose and remit of PNBS. To inform this work, the Chair carried out an anonymous survey with members on how we could improve. These changes have been welcomed by members with the new processes implemented part way through the reporting year. The Chair intends to carry our a review again in 2025, focussing on the process in relation to pay negotiations.

PNBS is sponsored by the Police Division within the Scottish Government. The Chair met with the Scottish Government sponsorship team regularly throughout the reporting year, providing an opportunity to share feedback both in terms of performance and on the functions of the PNBS itself.

With the Chair appointed by Scottish Ministers, the Chair will meet with the Cabinet Secretary on annual basis in the future, which will offer another layer of governance and an opportunity to review and improve PNBS effectiveness.

On the Official Side, John MacLean was appointed Interim Deputy Official Side Secretary in July. This appointment has been valauble for both the Official Side and PNBS as a whole as John has brought his knoweldge, insight and experience to the role and has established a strong working relationship with the Staff Side Secretary.

Operations

The PNBS will continue to reflect and review our operations to fulfil our purpose as a collaborative, effective and efficient public body.

The operational review and results allows for iterative change and improvements. In 2025, we will review the negotiation processes through reflective learning on this year and looking forward to next year.