Redundancies

I understand that as a result of Government public spending cuts Cheshire Constabulary has recently undertaken a process of rationalisation and redundancy to reduce costs and to prepare for the implementation of shared services to achieve further cost savings going forward. As part of this process, I believe Cheshire Constabulary had redundancy schemes (voluntary and compulsory) and early retirement schemes.

With reference to these processes can you please provide the following information for the period 1st January 2011 to 5th August 2011;

1: The total number of compulsory redundancies

2: The total number of voluntary redundancies

3: The total number of early retirements

4: · The average settlement for compulsory redundancies broken down by officers and support / administration / office staff

5: · The average settlement for voluntary redundancies broken down by officers and support / administration / office staff

6: A)· The total number of employment agency staff employed as at 1st January 2011 B)and the number employed as at 5th August 2011

7: A)· The total number of consultants or personnel engaged on a self-employed basis as at 1st January 2011 B) and the total number employed as at 5th August 2011

8: · Detail the typical total cost differential for agency staff and consultants (expressed as either the average cost differnece in £s or expressed as a percentage of the equivalent permanent employee cost). Please distinguish by agency staff and consultants.

9: · What is the Constabulary’s policy with regard to re-employment of personnel, whether directly by Cheshire Constabulary or via an employment agency or via self-employment or consulting agreements, who leave Cheshire Constabulary as a result of;

: · Early Retirement?

: · Compulsory Redundancy?

: · Voluntary Redundancy?

10: · With regard to the re-employment of staff and / or officers who left the Constabulary under a redundancy or early retirement scheme in 2011, how many roles have subsequently been filled by such a ‘leaver’ returning to a role, regardless of their role before leaving, as either an employee of Cheshire Constabulary or via an employment agency or self-employed persons employed under a consulting role or invoicing Cheshire Constabulary for their services please break this information down into the following categories;

A): o Re-employed directly by Cheshire Constabulary

B): o Re-employed to work for Cheshire Constabulary through an employment agency

C): o Re-employed on a self-employed basis or under a consulting agreement

11: · How many vacancies have arisen since 1st January 2011, broken down into officer roles and support / administration / office staff?

In accordance with section 1(1) (b) of the Act our response is provided below;

Please note: I have numbered your questions for ease of reference.

Q 1. 6 compulsory redundancies

Q 2. 49 voluntary redundancies

Q 3. 0

Q 4. Police Officers can not be made redundant, 6 police staff made compulsory redundant all at management level. Average payment £12,878.

Q 5. Police Officers can not take voluntary redundancy, 50 police staff took voluntary redundant during this period, 14 at management level, 36 administrative staff. Average payment £15,063.

Q 6. A) 71

B) 84

Q 7. A) This information is not held

B) This information is not held

Q 8. This information is not held.

Q 9. There is now an employment policy stating that staff who have left on voluntary redundancy will not be re-engaged in any capacity for 12 months. Agreed at Collective Consultation on 23 August 2011.

Q 10.

A) 1 Temporary post to 30 September 2011

B) 3

C) 1 For 3 month period

Q 11. Vacancies that have arisen.

Police Officers 15

Police Staff 130 (the majority of these are vacancies as a result of the organisational restructure rather than due to natural wastage).