Conference / Speeches

General Secretary's Report 2006.

Chairman, Delegates, Fraternal Delegates and guests, welcome to Conference

My report for this year will be brief.

With the present improvements we have made to communications, it is no longer necessary to deliver lengthy reports.

All units are provided with up to date correspondence as and when necessary and I am assured that this information is delivered by the branch secretaries upon receipt, to all members.

Or is this the case?

By judging the contents of the correspondence for this Conference, I am not so sure.

As in previous years, there is a lot of repetition with a number of subjects that have either been dealt with and are now discharged or subjects that are ongoing, to which you have already been updated on.

However these issues will be discussed yet again.

Since our last Conference, the Executive Committee has been extremely busy in conducting the affairs of the Federation.

We have organised a Federation Friends Course, which I am pleased to report was very successful and following that, we have ran a Health and Safety Course for our representatives, which was also very successful.

We intend to progress a course, for Branch Chair and Secretary's, in the not too distant future.

As you are aware, we have an additional Delegate to represent Headquarters. but unfortunately no rep from TRG Group due to circumstances beyond our control. Hopefully, this will be rectified for next years Conference. Most if not all Departments now have a Delegate. This is what we set out to achieve.

I am pleased to report, that at last, we have signed up to the "European Working Time Directive"

We have also agreed policies for "Absence Management", "Health and Safety" and we are currently involved on a working group compiling a "Duty Rostering Manual" which should make life a lot easier for all. This when completed, will be computerised and will be the guidelines for all duty planners. It will be a vast improvement on the current "Pallisade System"

The contents will include, Annual Leave, Sickness, Overtime working, Trigger points Rest days, Part Time Working, etc. etc. All Ops Commanders will have clear guidelines to follow and any abuse of the system will not be tolerated without good reason.

I have met with the two Staff Officers from the HMI's Office, as you know we have an inspection this year. I took the opportunity, as usual, to remark on issues affecting our members, such as problems around certain departments and am assured that these issues will be addressed by the HMI. We look forward to improvements.

Our relationship with the Chief Constable and his Department remains good and I took Bob to Hospital earlier on in the year, for surgery to have his hands removed from the Chief's pockets.

As usual, I report, that the assistance of the Executive Committee has again been tremendous.

Branch Officials and Members have given and shown their support for the aims and objectives of this Federation, and with this support we shall continue to improve for the benefit of our Members.

Unfortunately, there are some factions that still attempt to impede our progress.

The Treasurer, will report, that we have a healthy budget and an increase of subscribing members. Long may this continue? I take this opportunity, in welcoming our latest recruits to the Force and to all who have joined the Federation, and also those who have re-joined.

Now, I know that you, we, collectively, or individually, are not everyone's cup of tea, but you must not let personalities cloud your rationale. It does not, and will not, make one iota of difference, to whoever sits in an official capacity, be it from a Section Rep, Branch Chair or Secretary, Delegate or Executive Member. You may never receive any thanks for your efforts and you may never please everyone, but you are appreciated, and your efforts are appreciated, so let's progress and continue to improve our organisation. We must move with the times. If anyone knowingly or wilfully attempts to undermine the work of any of these officials, we will take the appropriate action on their behalf.

Welfare is a prime consideration to this organisation and there are those amongst you to be congratulated for furnishing timely reports on visits to your members. Also obtaining from the Treasurer, "Comfort Grants" for our sick colleagues. Not an easy task in getting money from him.

I once caught him crying, and remarked that it was OK to show his feelings for his colleagues in their time of need, to which he replied, I'm not crying for them, it's the fact that I have to pay money out.

Health and Safety is another prime concern and I will not dwell on this, as your Health and Safety representative will report to Conference. I take this opportunity in thanking Terry for the time and effort he has made on your behalf.

Complaints and Misconduct.

I am pleased to report a significant improvement on last year. Fewer cases have gone through process; I believe the reason for this is that units have been instructed to address issues locally where possible. We welcome this approach. The Federation has a good working relationship with Professional Standards; this has been achieved by mutual trust.

Thank you all again for your support during the past Months.