032/2013 – Purchase of Dress Uniform – 9 April 2013

Executive Summary and recommendation:

Recent high profile events have highlighted an increased requirement for dress uniform for North Yorkshire Police officers.  The current provision of dress uniform is dated and includes a variety of styles.  When large numbers of dress uniform are required the current stock of items can  result in officers’ appearance being untidy and dishevelled.

There is an under spend of approximately £12,000 against the capital budget for equipment carriers for the new body armour, and it is requested that £3,500 of this is transferred to the uniform revenue budget to enable the purchase of additional dress uniform.  This will enable North Yorkshire Police officers attending formal events to represent the force in a consistently well dressed manner.

FINANCE SUMMARY

This request is for the transfer of £3,500 from the current capital budget for equipment carriers to the revenue budget for uniform to allow the purchase of additional dress uniform items.

Police and Crime Commissioners Decision: Approved

Signature:  

 Date:  9 April 2013

Part 1 – Unrestricted facts and advice to the COR

Introduction and background

Dress uniforms are stored centrally in NYP and issued to officers that attend formal events ‘on loan’.  The uniform comprises a tunic and trousers and once used, the items are returned to the central store and if necessary cleaned ready for re use.

The recent funerals of PC Bramma and PC Pattison resulted in dress uniforms being required for large numbers of officers.  The stock held by NYP was insufficient in number and also highlighted that the items held were dated and included a variety of styles across the male and female ranges.  As a result of this and to address the immediate requirement, NYP had to buy additional dress uniforms from WYP at a cost of £900 to ensure that the officers attending these events were all wearing the same style of uniform and represented the force in an appropriate manner.

Consequently in order to provide future resilience, costs were obtained for the purchase of tunics and trousers to compliment the recently acquired stock with the intention of these items being held in the central store.  Using historical information, the range of sizes and quantities of each item were calculated to ensure that in the majority of cases, future requirements will be met.  In the event that an item is not available in a particular size, regional partners will be called upon to provide assistance but this is expected to be an exception.

The cost of the proposed range of tunics and trousers from the current contracted uniform providers is £3,500.

Matters for consideration

It is requested that approval be granted to transfer £3,500 from the 2013/14 capital budget for equipment carriers to the uniform revenue budget so that an order can be placed for dress tunics and trousers to provide future resilience for the ongoing requirement of these items.

Other options considered, if any

N/A

Contribution to Police and Crime Plan outcomes

The provision of smart dress uniform supports the Police and Crime Plan Goal ‘Fit for the Future’.  Police officers will benefit from the investment in our people and will feel well equipped when required to represent the force at formal events.

Consultations carried out

Colleagues from Finance and Legal Services have provided advice and guidance.

Financial Implications/Value for money

The original budget for equipment carriers for the new body armour was based on prices that had been paid under a previous contract.  A new national contract has been agreed for this equipment and as a result of improved prices NYP has an under spend of approximately £12,000 against this budget.

Legal Implications

Having read this report and having considered such information as has been provided at the time of being asked to express this view, the Deputy Force Solicitor is satisfied that this report does not ask the COR to make a decision which would (or would be likely to) give rise to a contravention of the law if she is satisfied that Financial regulations permit moving funds from the capital to the revenue budget for these purposes.

Equality Implications

This request is for the transfer of funds from one budget to another.  The items proposed for purchase have been obtained previously and are not new or different, they are additional.  Therefore an Equality Impact Assessment is not required.

Public Access to information

The Police and Crime Commissioner wishes to be as open and transparent as possible about the decisions he/she takes or are taken in his/her name. All decisions taken by the Commissioner will be subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA).

As a general principle, the Commissioner expects to be able to publish all decisions taken and all matters taken into account and all advice received when reaching the decision. Part 1 of this Notice will detail all information which the Commissioner will disclose into the public domain. The decision and information in Part 1 will be made available on the NYPCC web site within 2 working days of approval.

Only where material is properly classified as restricted under the GPMS or if that material falls within the description at 2(2) of The Elected Local Policing Bodies (Specified Information) Order 2011 will the Commissioner not disclose decisions and/or information provided to enable that decision to be made. In these instances, Part 2 of the Form will be used to detail those matters considered to be restricted.  Information in Part 2 will not be published.

Originating Officer Declaration