SPEECHES


the tribunal’s judgment and said, “The judgment was a hammer blow to PFEW. There is no way of sugar coating the fact this was an extremely damaging judgement. There are no excuses. This was a monumental failure. And I am deeply sorry to those members who have been impacted by the decision not to challenge the Government’s change in pension policy. “We are initiating reviews to


understand what went wrong and where we could do better. “Job number one is to make sure police officers have the best possible terms and working conditions as they


continue to work relentlessly to provide safer communities. That’s our members’ agenda led by the National Secretary’s office in coordination with the branches. “Second, and also a key theme for this


year’s conference, is the work we do representing our members to the wider public. You have seen and heard about our local and national boards raising awareness for policing issues with MPs, in the press and media alike. This is our public agenda led by our National Chair’s office. “And the last piece of the jigsaw is my core area of responsibility which is the Federation agenda. This is about ensuring the Federation is in the best possible


FAIR FUNDING


National Treasurer outlines steps taken to improve governance and oversight to streamline processes


Presenting a report at Annual Conference 2023, National Treasurer Simon Kempton outlined year to date the organisation has spent more than £11 million on legal costs, its largest expenditure and achieved £1million of efficiency savings. “Over the last seven or eight years,


we have invested more money into legal costs, as more officers require more support from PFEW,” explained Mr Kempton. “We project an upward trend, but it is a difficult area to predict costs in. We are working hard to drive efficiency and maintain service levels for members. Every pound we save, is a pound more to support our members.” PFEW has achieved efficiency


savings by introducing a more streamlined auditing process, by engaging one of the big four audit companies, and is now using these funds to secure better working conditions for members. Mr Kempton accepted this does mean it takes longer, but the 2021 report will be published soon. On improving governance in 2023,


Mr Kempton explained the role of the Finance Committee, operating to ensure greater and fairer oversight to achieve consistency.


The Finance Committee is made up


of National Council members from each of the eight regions, a member of the National Board and a member of the finance team.


“Previously there were 43 different


ways of doing things,” he said. “This disparate approach made it harder for us. It is important we have fairness and consistency across all branches and with the National Board, with a level playfield to build trust and engagement and this is a position we have worked really hard to get to. “This means members can receive


the same core support, no matter which force they are from, but more importantly branches have the ability to use locally generated funds and reserves for projects important to members in those areas.” PFEW acknowledges value for money is paramount and would like to remind members that membership costs £24.31 per month which is claimable against income tax - the rebate makes the net cost of subscriptions £19.45 a month. On increases to subscription costs, Mr


Kempton underscored how the decisions made by predecessors on freezing subscriptions for nearly a decade meant


shape to support our reps and members.” A key announcement in Mr Krishna’s speech was the announcement that the Federation is commissioning an independent review, which will be a comprehensive, top-to-bottom review that will examine the statutory basis of the organisation, its purpose, rules, funding and governance. Mr Krishna closed the session by stressing how important the decisions that are made today by the Federation are and the impact they will have on its future. He also asked for the help of its membership in making the organisation fit for the future.


the rise was more significant – as opposed to being more gradual. As PFEW works towards future- proofing the organisation and making it more fit for purpose, Mr Kempton concluded: “We have got a duty to more than 140,000 officers out there today, and we have a duty towards the officers of the future, the ones that haven’t joined the service yet, to make sure there is a strong, relevant Federation looking out for them, because those future officers are going to need us.”


05 | POLICE | SPECIAL EDITION | 2023


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