18 February 2016 – 967.2015-16 – Freedom of information – OPCC staffing and costs
Request
I write in connection with your request for information which was received by Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) for North Yorkshire on 14 January 2016. Please accept our apologies for the delay in providing you with a response. I note you seek access to the following information:
How many members of staff there are in the Office of the Police Crime Commissioner
- Paid for by the Police Crime Commissioner’s Office
- Paid for by North Yorkshire Police
- Paid for by a Third Party
- Please detail the reasons and the third party
Response
Extent and Result of Searches to Locate Information
To locate the information relevant to your request searches were conducted within North Yorkshire Police. I can confirm that the information you have requested is held by North Yorkshire Police.
Decision
I have today decided to disclose the located information to you.
As at the 14 January 2016 there were 7 permanent members of staff, excluding the Chief Executive Officer and the Police and Crime Commissioner’s (PCC) Chief Finance Officer, as these are statutory officers. As at the 17th February 2016, there are six members of staff within the private office.
More generally, the overall cost of the OPCC, including staffing, is over £100,000 per year lower than the Police Authority. Over the Commissioner’s term of office, that is due to amount to over £500,000 less.
Equally, on the approach to staffing, the Commissioner has restructured the office since taking over from the Police Authority. There used to be a Chief Executive, a Deputy Chief Executive, an Assistant Chief Executive and a Treasurer. There is instead significant focus on supporting and engaging with the public. For instance, there is now a full-time caseworker whose job it is to respond to enquiries from the public, as well as research officer who can take feedback from the public and make recommendations on improved service e.g. the Hate Crime Report.
Statutory roles have also been restructured, with the Commissioner’s Chief Executive, which is one of two statutory posts, also the Chief Executive Officer for North Yorkshire Police. Equally, the Chief Finance Officer, the other statutory role, is employed on a two-day per week basis whilst taking up the same role in Cleveland. These set-ups both save money and ensure the Commissioner is provided with the best support possible.
Information in relation to the OPCC staffing can be found on the PCC website and is available via the following link:
https://www.northyorkshire-pfcc.gov.uk/commissioner/office/team/
You can find information specifically regarding the reduced staffing costs between the Police Authority and Office of Police and Crime Commissioner here:
All staff are paid for by the Police Crime Commissioner’s Office and budget. Information in relation to annual salary costs is published on the PCC website and is available via the following link:
https://www.northyorkshire-pfcc.gov.uk/commissioner/finances/opcc-budget/
Please note that systems used for recording information are not generic, nor are the procedures used locally in capturing the data. It should be noted therefore that this force’s response to your questions should not be used for comparison purposes with any other responses you may receive.
Complaint Rights
Your attention is drawn to the attached sheet which details your right of complaint.
If you have any queries concerning this request, please contact me quoting the reference number above.