Removal/Relocation Expenses
Members will be concerned to read the article surrounding this issue within the Force Information Bulletin (issue 01/07) which advised that the Policy Forum of 28th November 2006 AGREED to cap refurbishment of soft furnishings expenses and stamp duty at £ 2500:00 (Two Thousand Five Hundred Pounds) each. This information has also been reproduced in the Removal Expenses Guidance document published on NOW.
The minute of that Policy Forum meeting suggests that the Joint Branch Board 'accepted' this position. THIS IS NOT THE CASE.
The matter was discussed at length at the Joint Branch Board AGM at which time it was made clear that the minute of the Policy Forum Meeting DID NOT accurately represent the Joint Branch Board's position and that this would be challenged, by the Joint Branch Board Secretary and Chairman, at the next meeting of the Policy Forum on the 8th March.
The minute of the Policy Forum from on that date more closely reflects the Joint Branch Board's position;
… that relocation expenses, if reasonable, should be paid by the Force.
The Chief Constable expressed the view that this statement did not conflict with the stated position (as presented in the FIB) and, that in any event, the FIB information was an 'indicative limit of expenditure' and any likely expenditure beyond that should be discussed with Area Commanders.
The Joint Branch Board advice in respect of transfers remains unchanged from that previously published.
- In advance of transfer all officers should make contact with their receiving Area Commander to discuss the anticipated costs with them.
For the avoidance of any doubt, the Joint Branch Board does not accept the capping of stamp duty and incidental removal expenses at £ 2500:00 each as reasonable.
Any officer who experiences any difficulty in respect of transfer costs or anticipated transfer costs should immediately contact the Federation Office.
Calum A Steele
JBB Secretary
