DN 13/2019 Transform 2020

In July 2018, the Commissioner approved the appointment of PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PWC) as a strategic partner to assist North Yorkshire Police and North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service undertake a business transformation programme.

Due to the sensitive nature of these decisions, including changes for staff, it was determined that this Decision Notice would be published retrospectively. This is therefore a record of decisions that were taken during the implementation of the programme, called Transform 2020.  These were made collegiately with the Chief Constable and Chief Fire and Rescue Officer and other executive managers as appropriate, outside or within the Commissioner’s Executive Board as appropriate.

Date 29/11/2019

Background

The Police and Crime and Fire and Rescue plans for North Yorkshire set out clear visions for North Yorkshire Police and North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, which is to be synonymous with exemplary service in the round by 2021.  This vision is set in a context of changing demand, a challenging financial context, the ever increasing need to work more collaboratively with partners, and to do even more to keep the most vulnerable safe.

In 2017, both the Commissioner’s own assessments and Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) findings showed that some areas of enabling services in North Yorkshire Police (NYP), which support front-line operational services, were providing poor value for money. Furthermore, changes driven by national programmes and the changing nature of public demand and crime required a re-evaluation of the way services were being delivered. In addition, following the transfer of governance to the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (NYFRS) was found to be facing a significant financial shortfall over the next 4 years.

Transform 2020 was initially commissioned to effect change across North Yorkshire Police, but following the governance transfer, it was broadened to include North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service.  The first phase of the programme has four objectives:

1. To fundamentally re-align the operating model of enabling services and embed collaborative working at the core of NYP and NYFRS
2. Deliver £10million of recurring savings for NYP by end of the financial year 2020/2021 and identifying £2.5million recurring savings for NYFRS.
3. Transform business processes and systems to improve efficiency and the service provided to operational ‘clients’ by support services
4. Improve operational prevention activities and specific public-facing processes and systems

Transform 2020 is focused on designing and implementing enabling services that support front-line services in adapting in the face of growing demand, increases in public expectations and the need to embrace new technologies. The goal is to deliver more efficient, effective and sustainable enabling services by transforming ways of working and exploring opportunities for shared services across NYP and NYFRS and keep the people of North Yorkshire safe and feeling safe. Transform 2020 also takes into consideration the efficiency and effectiveness of specific elements the operational policing model, including the Force Control Room and looks at how a greater focus can be placed on prevention and early intervention and further embedding partnership working.

PWC were appointed to facilitate transformation and to provide an independent and informed perspective and specialist change management skills.  They have been working in partnership with NYP and NYFRS under an integrated governance structure, with a joint team of programme and project staff and with key stakeholders across all organisations. Fourteen priority areas for investigation across both organisations were identified as part of the contract, for which a series of business cases and review and recommendations documents have been approved, setting out a range of financial and non-financial benefits over a three-year period.  The total value of the contract with PWC across NYP and NYFRS is £1,468,023.

A two-phase transformation model was agreed initially, allowing for some proposed changes to staff structures needing minimal process reengineering or technical input to continue quickly, whilst others requiring more complex process changes and technical input would be carefully considered, evidenced and implemented over a longer period. A third phase was introduced in May 2019 to consider changes to criminal justice processes (the way the police investigate, prosecute and deal with offenders), the use of its vehicle fleet and its estate strategy.

Phase 1 delivered changes to the staffing structure and roles and responsibilities. These were standalone changes which were not dependent on other changes being made. Change proposals for enabling services in NYP and NYFRS in phase 1 went to a formal 60-day consultation period with UNISON and staff in February 2019. To minimise the impact on staff whose posts were at risk of redundancy phase 1 also included a voluntary redundancy (VR) scheme, which was open to all staff in teams affected by the T2020 proposals. This consultation period finished on April 23^rd and staff at risk of redundancy were informed of the outcome at the beginning of May.

Phase 2 delivers more transformational change, which is driven by process re-design and the introduction of new ways of working, in some cases enabled by changes in technology. Change proposals in phase 2 went to a second formal consultation with staff associations and employees in October 2019. This consultation period finished on November 29^th 2019.

Phase 3 seeks to improve the efficiency of criminal justice mechanisms, including investigative processes and how cases are prosecuted, and will also review the combined estate and vehicle fleet to ensure the most efficient and effective use of resources and infrastructure for both organisations across the county.

Decision Record

The Commissioner has approved the Transform 2020 programme and the commissioning of PWC as the strategic partner at a cost of £1,468,023.

Due to the sensitive nature of these decisions, including changes for staff, it was determined that this Decision Notice would be published retrospectively. Transform 2020 comprises the following decisions, determined collegiately with the Chief Constable and Chief Fire and Rescue Officer and other executive managers as appropriate, outside or within the Commissioner’s Executive Board as appropriate.

Julia Mulligan

Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for North Yorkshire

Statutory Officer Advice

Legal, Management and Equality Implications

The Commissioner’s CEO and Monitoring Officer has advised that he has found no legal implications for the PCC within this proposal and that it takes account of the duties under s. 1(6)–(8) of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011.

Financial and Commercial

The Commissioner’s Chief Finance Officer and S151 Officer has advised that the Service’s estimated savings are sound.