Decision number: 018/2022
Author and Job Role: Kelvin Menon – Treasurer
Protective Marking: OFFICIAL
Executive Summary:
The Home Office is offering Forces a ring-fenced grant tied to the deliver of Uplift recruits for 2022/23. This is worth £1.7m provided that the target of a net increase of 104 Officers is achieved. If this is not the case, then the grant reduces down to zero if numbers fall below 75%
Background
In 2020 the Government made a pledge to recruit and additional 20,000 Police Officers over the next 3 years – 2022/23 marks the last year of this. Although the majority of the funding for the new recruits is within the core grant a proportion has been retained by Government to only be paid on successful delivery of the new officers.
In previous years there were no specific penalties for not delivery however in this the final year these have been spelt out in more detail. All of the grant is paid if 100% of officers are delivered but 10% is withheld is 95% to 99.99% is achieved with further reductions leading to no grant if 75% or less is achieved. This will be assessed, and the grant paid in June 2023 based on the number of officers as of the 31st of March 2023
The PCC discussed with the CC, and he was reasonably confident that the uplift target would be achieved although it was going to be far more difficult than in the previous years due to the tightening of the labour market.
Recommendation
It is RECOMMENDED that the PCC authorises the OPCC Treasurer to sign the agreement on behalf of the OPCC Surrey and return it to the Home Office.
Police and Crime Commissioner Approval
I approve the recommendation(s):
Signature: PCC Lisa Townsend (wet signed copy held in OPCC)
Date: 14/06/2022
All decisions must be added to the decision register.
Areas of consideration
Consultation
None
Financial implications
The cost implications could be significant if Uplift is not achieved – however if the agreement is not signed then no money will be received whatever the level of achievement
Legal
None
Risks
Risk of non-achievement but this has been discussed with the CC who is confident the numbers can be reached.
Equality and diversity
None from this grant but the Force has used Uplift as a way of increasing the diversity of its officers.
Risks to human rights
None