Lib Dems defend Police pay (York Liberal Democrats)

York Liberal Democrats <info@yorklibdems.org.uk>

Lib Dems defend Police pay

January 16, 2008 5:17 PM

Liberal Democrat Councillors in York are proposing a motion to be brought to Full Council on 24th January, calling for the Government to reverse its decision on police pay.

Last month, the Home Secretary Jacqui Smith refused to implement the recommendation of the Independent Police Arbitration Tribunal to award Police Officers a pay increase of 2.5%. She refused to backdate the pay award to September, which means the pay increase will be in two stages and in effect the increase will be just 1.9%.

The Liberal Democrats believe the proposals of the Independent Arbitration Panel should be implemented in full, and that if this does not happen the arbitration process is undermined.

The Liberal Democrats' motion notes that crime levels in York have fallen significantly in recent years thanks to the efforts of local Police Officers and the partnerships that have been developed with local communities. It calls upon the Government to be fair in its treatment of the police, and to reconsider its decision and agree to the independent recommendation on the pay increase to maintain police morale.

Cllr Keith Orrell, Liberal Democrat Councillor for Huntington and New Earswick, is proposing the motion. He said, "As the Liberal Democrat representative on the North Yorkshire Police Authority board, I am fully aware of the vital role the police play in York, and the valuable service they provide. It is clear that the action of the Home Secretary has undermined the relationship between police officers and the Government. The seriousness of the situation was shown when the North Yorkshire Chief Constable felt it was inappropriate to pass on the Home Secretary's Christmas Message to local officers. There is no point in going to arbitration if the results are not accepted.

"The Government's dispute over a 0.6 per cent difference is petty and needless, and the Liberal Democrats will be calling on Councillors to show their support for local police officers by calling on the Home Secretary to reverse her decision."