The Staffordshire Knot.
Staffordshire Branch No. 96. Web site. www.narpo-staffs.co.uk
Keeping the ties with former colleagues.
National Association of Retired Police Officers. www.narpo.org.uk
Chairman. Mr. Gerry Robinson, MBE. Tel. 01785 212394 or E-mail. gerryrobinson@narpo-staffs.co.uk.
Hon Secretary. Des Lockwood.
Hon. Treasurer. Mr. Reay Pearman. E Mail. Tel. 01782 625502. E Mail. bruce.pearman@btinternet.com
This is the 30th
Edition of YOUR very own NEWSLETTER – July 2010.
We
keep the font size of this Newsletter as large as possible to assist our members with failing
sight.
WELCOME
TO
We now have over 1921
members registered.
A warm NARPO welcome is extended to all new members named
below, who have joined us since
LIST
OF MEMBERS JOINED SINCE LAST STAFFS
|
Robert CUNNINGHAM |
Leek |
|
Northern |
|
David Patrick GARDNER |
|
David Roy WALL |
Northern |
|
Ian Henry MALPASS |
Northern |
Alan W PICKERING. |
|
|
Graham BIRD |
|
Terence BOND |
|
|
Leslie Gordon BINFIELD |
|
James THOMPSON |
Northern |
|
Robert Francis SIMMONS |
Leek |
Graham CLARKE |
Northern |
|
Ian HUTTON |
|
Paul POSTINGS |
Northern |
|
Stephen Roy JONES |
Northern |
Anthony Peter BLAGG |
|
|
John Stanley BARRETT |
|
Martin YATES. |
Wombourne. |
|
Eric BIRD |
|
|
|
Can we wish you all a long and healthy
retirement?
Remember – ‘you can’t buy time’ – enjoy as many holidays and
activities as you can afford!
PLEASE
www.narpo-staffs.co.uk This address should be in your favourites
list.
New
Photo Albums to view.
Webmaster
– Joe
Molloy. (
New E Mail address . joemolloy@narpo-staffs.co.uk Note
this new address.
-2-
Members Called to Higher Service since your last
Staffs Knot.
Your Branch Committee records with regret the deaths of the following members.
Our sympathy is extended to all the bereaved families.
|
Ret’d Ch/Supt. |
Andrew
MONTGOMERY |
|
13.04.2010 |
|
Ret’d ACC |
George Roy WOOLRIDGE |
Berks |
19.04.2010 |
|
Ret’d Insp. |
Henry Hughes
BRACE |
Northern |
26.04.2010 |
|
Ret’d Insp. |
Kenneth W
JONES |
|
30.04.2010 |
|
Ret’d D/Sgt |
Rex DINSDALE |
Northern |
01.05.2010 |
|
Ret’d Pc. |
Roy ASHLEY |
Northern |
10.05.2010 |
|
Ret;d D/Sgt |
Derek G
ROPER |
Northern |
13.05.2010 |
|
Ret;d |
Douglas
Francis BANKS |
Northern |
25.05.2010 |
|
Ret’d Pc. |
Keith
SHIRLEY |
|
25.05.2010 |
|
Ret’d Sgt.. |
Harry Edward
NEWBON |
|
06.06.2010 |
|
Ret;d Pc. |
Michael
CARROLL |
Leek |
10.06.2010 |
Your Branch Committee records with regret the deaths of the following members.
|
Mrs (Wife) |
Dawn TATTERS |
Northern |
22.03.2010 |
|
Mrs. (Widow) |
Evelyn Mary
HOLLINSHEAD |
Buxton |
13.04.2010 |
|
Mrs. (Widow) |
Gladys
Doreen WHITEHURST |
Northern |
20.04.2010 |
|
Mrs. (Widow) |
Marjorie
BAUMBER |
|
09.04.2010 |
|
Mrs. (Wife) |
Lillian
Olive BITHELL |
|
15.05.2010 |
|
Mrs (Wife) |
Betty
STANWORTH |
|
03.06.2010 |
VACANCY. The Stafford & Stone
Branch are
still looking for a volunteer to become their Sub
Branch Secretary.
The
new secretary will need to be computer literate to maintain and produce minutes
of their current three meetings a year and other incidental correspondence. He
/ She will liaise with the Sub Branch Chairman and Sub Branch Treasurer on all
matters of welfare for the Sub Branch current membership of approx.450
members.
Volunteers
should please contact
Your Sub Branch Secretary details.
|
|
Rosemary Poole. |
01283 567112 |
|
|
Ian Rawlins. |
01543 579920 |
|
LEEK. |
Bob Scrimgeour. |
01782 503755 |
|
|
Linda Hicken. |
01922 452572 |
|
NORTHERN. |
John Wowra. |
01782 256213 |
|
|
Nigel Cooper.(Acting Sec.) |
01785 660560 |
|
|
Joe Baker. |
01827 66582 |
|
|
Terry Barton. |
01902 495249 |
|
WOMBOURNE. |
Geoff Sproson. |
01902 844416 |
|
BRANCH Executive Committee
meetings. |
The Garden Room at Police HQ Stafford. |
|
-3-
Report
on our 59TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING.
Chairman’s Welcome Address.
At
He
extended his thanks to Mark Judson, Chairman Staffordshire Police Federation
for there support of NARPO. He also
thanked the Force Welfare Officer Mr. Rob Williams and Anita Ratcliffe, for
their sterling work on our behalf and for the generous donation of £1,000
towards the Reunion Lunch. He praised
the sub branch Chairmen and Secretaries and their Committee’s for all their
outstanding efforts on behalf of our members.
He thanked Joe Molloy for his valuable contribution in maintaining our
Website, which is the best in the country.
He also paid tribute to our Secretary Des Lockwood for his continued
outstanding work on our behalf in his Secretarial duties. He also thanked our Assistant Secretary and
Treasurer Mr. Reay Pearman for his outstanding contribution to the smooth
running of the Branch. Mike also
informed the meeting of the increased welfare matters and the importance of
each Sub Branch having a welfare officer.
He also thanked the members for attending this A.G.M.
Mike
also paid a tribute to our Vice Chairman Andrew Montgomery who sadly passed
away on
Silent
Tribute.
The
members present stood in silent tribute to departed colleagues and the Chairman
expressed the sympathy of those present to the bereaved families.
Apologies.
The
Secretary received apologies from the floor on behalf of other members not
present.
Address by President Chief
Constable Mr. Michael Cunningham.
Mr
Cunningham addressed the meeting by informing those present what is happening
within Staffordshire Police. He was
proud to be associated with Staffs Police and said the reason for Staffs Police
was a good service was down to those serving at present and those who had
served. He outlined the way forward for
Staffs Police which was neighbourhood Policing, strong Policing with every
officer spending at least two years in their roll before moving on with 85% of
their time being spent doing neighbourhood duties. He told us that tackling Anti-social
Behaviour was critical for a safe environment and also to reduce crime.
He
informed us that Police finance was a challenge and that there would be a
reduction in the number of Police personnel, restructure of divisions down to
four each having a Ch/Supt and management team but made a promise to protect
front line policing. He stated that he
would reduce the number of Ch/Superintendents and Superintendents.
He
then answered questions from the floor, which were mainly to do with finance.
Minutes of the Last
The
minutes of the last
Matters Arising.
There
were no matters arising from the minutes of the previous A.G.M.
Chairman’s Report.
Hon.
Sec. Des Lockwood in the absence of the Chairman Gerry Robinson read out a
report compiled by him for the benefit of those present. (See page 5.)
Secretary’s Report.
Hon Sec Des Lockwood addressed the
meeting by firstly mentioning the recent death of our Vice Chairman Mr. Andrew
Montgomery. Andrew had been an
outstanding member of Staffordshire NARPO making a vast contribution with his
knowledge and wisdom.
He outlined events, which had taken
place during the previous 14 months within Staffs NARPO including visits to
Flint House and the donation of £1,000.
He told us that Flint House continued to favour us with agreeing to enable
retired officers to attend and make use of their facilities for which we are
extremely grateful.
He outlined our welfare policy
regarding retired officers and efforts made to ensure that those who were in
need of our assistance received our support, not only by visits but with
transportation to and from appointments but with welfare gifts and event on one
occasion, being transported to a holiday destination.
He made mention of the extremely good
work carried out by all Sub Branch officials and members and thanked them
sincerely for their efforts which are appreciated all. He told us of the successful reunion lunch,
which took place in April 2010 which again was well attended.
He
informed us of his and the Treasurers visit to the House of Lords for a Parliamentary
Reception for NARPO and which was successful.
-4-
He
stated that the E-Mail club was stronger than ever with over 500 members
receiving e-mails on current matters including details of the deaths of
members.
He
made us aware of correspondence received by him since the last
Information
was given on the Memorial Seat now in place at the National Memorial Arboretum
at Alrewas and of the dedication of it which took place on the 12 the April
2010.
During
his report he gave thanks to all those throughout the county who supported our
organisation and to those who had worked so hard and
tirelessly to achieve the aims of Staffordshire NARPO. He also thanked the Staffs Police Federation,
Staffs Police Welfare Department and to the Chief Constable for their
continuing aid and support.
Financial statement / Audited Accounts.
The
Assist.Sec./Treasurer presented the Audited Accounts, which had been previously
approved by the Branch Committee. He
outlined certain matters on the balance sheet giving a breakdown of items
listed. It was proposed they be accepted
by Ron Hill and seconded by Glyn Thomas.
A show of hands approved the Accounts.
The approval of the Auditors being Ainleys was also agreed by the
membership.
Election of Officers.
Acting
Chairman Mike O’Leary informed members that it was in our rules that the Chief
Constable be appointed as our President and the other senior executives of
Deputy C.,C. Mr.Paxton, ACC Mr. Beale ACC Vacant be
our Vice Presidents. This was carried.
Acting
Chairman Mike O’Leary then informed the meeting of the nominations for the
executives post proposed by the Branch Committee on the 13th
February 2010 were as follows;-
Chairman. Gerry Robinson
Vice
Chairman. Des Lockwood.
Secretary. Des Lockwood.
Assist.
Sec / Treasure. Reay Pearman.
Branch
Committee to comprise all Secretaries, Chairmen of Sub Branches plus past
Chairmen and an independent representative from each Sub Branch.
All
of the above showed their willingness to stand and were approved en-block by
the meeting.
Address by Force Welfare Office.
Mr.
Rob Williams the Staffordshire Police Welfare Officer addressed the
meeting. He told us that the audited
accounts of the Benevolent fund for 2009 showed a value of £2.72 million. He mentioned that this was better than
expected and that the fund manager was congratulated on his efforts.
He
told us that as a result the fund was now in a strong financial position and
that the committee was considering whether a small payment could be made on the
death of a members spouse.
He
reminded us all of the importance of making a nomination for the death benefit
as it ensues a prompt payout from the fund being one less thing for the next of
kin to worry about.
He
then went on to update us on the Welfare Fund its assets having dropped
slightly to £86,000 but that the fund remained viable. He pointed out that new recruits of which
there are not many are now less likely to join the fund but that retired
officers are being given the chance to re-join.
Welfare fund has responded to requests for financial assistance and
grants totalling £5,600 had been made to 9 retired officers.
He
made mention of Flint House which 13 retired Officers had attended during 2009
and benefited from the excellent care it provides and that he would continue to
support any appropriate applications from retired officers.
Address by Federation Chairman Mark
Judson.
Mark
Judson addressed the meeting giving information of what was happening within
Staffordshire Police and meetings he had had with the Chief Constable Mr.
Michael Cunningham. He stressed that
times had changed and that they were awaiting to see
what the new government had planned for the Police Service. He mentioned that Staffordshire now had to
make financial savings of £24 million during the next three years resulting in
recruiting coming to a stop and that there would no doubt be redundancies of
police staff.
He
touched on the restructuring of divisions mentioned by the Chief Constable and
the fact that hard times were ahead.
Mark then finished off with his usual jokes which is always enjoyed by those
attending.
Address by Narpo
N.E.C Member Barry Evans MBE.
Barry gave the meeting an update on National matters making
mention of the close co-operation between regional branches. He mentioned the Regional Contact Welfare
course to be held on
Wednesday 6th October
at the PMAS Offices at Lichfield. He updated on recent matters discussed by the
NEC.
Any Other Business.
Lichfield Chairman Mr. Ron Hill gave thanks to all wives who
gave their support to the executive officers.
At
15 20pm Acting Chairman Mike O’Leary closed the meeting. The meeting was
followed by a
Minutes produced by:
- Des Lockwood. Hon. Sec.
-5-
It is an honour and privilege to present this, my fourth,
annual message to all our members.
The past year has as always been busy for your Sub Branch,
Branch and Executive Committee members ensuring that all the welfare needs of
our members are addressed.
Your Branch Executive Officers met with our new Chief
Constable, Michael Cunningham, (our President elect of Staffs NARPO) shortly
after he took office in September last year. He assured us that he would
maintain and continue the force links with Staffordshire NARPO as set in motion
by his distinguished predecessors. We wish him well in his new post and hope we
will be able to meet him and his wife at more of our social and official
occasions in the coming years.
The Welfare of our membership continues to be our main focus
and aim. To this end your Branch and Sub Branch
officers (whilst none of us consider ourselves professionals in this field)
take every opportunity to further our knowledge and skills and have access to
the necessary services to help and advise us. Three members of your local Sub
Branch will be taking the opportunity of attending a full day ‘Welfare Training
Course’ organised by No 3 Region of NARPO at the Lichfield HQ of PMAS on
Wednesday 6th October.
We need to know about members ‘in need’ to be able to help
and advise them. Please let your local
Sub Branch Secretary know if you do need help.
Your Branch and Sub Branch officials do from time to time
organise social events to which you are always welcome. Please take advantage of these occasions and
support them and keep in touch with your ex colleagues and friends. As Chairman, my wife Carole and I, try to
attend as many social events to which we are invited. We really appreciative
the efforts made to make us and everyone else so welcome.
I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to my
good friend and mentor, the late Andrew H. Montgomery, QPM, our former Branch
Secretary and latterly Vice-Chairman, and former Stafford Sub Branch Chairman.
Andrew was a very enthusiastic supporter of Staffordshire NARPO following his
retirement at the age of 60. He was
always the voice of reason and compromise and a genuinely honest and kind man,
who gave his everything to our Association.
He will be truly missed.
I have already informed your Branch
Committee of my intention to ‘stand down’ as your Chairman at the next
Can I extend my sincere thanks to my fellow executive
officers, our Branch Secretary Des Lockwood and Branch Treasurer Reay Pearman. Both have
given me excellent support and work hard to ensure that all the welfare needs
of our members are served.
I extend my thanks to all Branch and Sub Branch committee
members for their commitment to NARPO and their valuable social and welfare
work, on behalf of all our members and widows. Finally I would like to thank
you, for enrolling as members of our Staffordshire NARPO Branch and for your
valued support. Gerry
Robinson. Honorary Chairman.
Annual NARPO
Group Travel Scheme – Holiday Insurance.
Over 1800 members have so
far joined the new
New NARPO Funeral Plan Launched.
A ‘Dignity ‘ funeral plan can be taken out though Roland Smith Ltd, with very favourable terms offered to all NARPO members. CEO Nigel Smith himself has taken out such a plan. For more information call Roland Smith Ltd. on 01845 758 58 78. Or www rolandsmith.co.uk.
-6-
Meeting dates for your diary.
Burton Sub Branch. All meetings at 8.pm on Wednesdays at
Marstons Brewery Social Club, Shobnall Road, Burton on Trent.
Meeting
Wed. 13th October.
Lichfield Sub Branch. All meeting at 8.pm on Wednesdays at
Lichfield Rugby Club, Lichfield. ; 21st July; 15th September; 17th November; 19th
January 2011.
Tamworth Sub Branch - Meeting on Tuesdays at 7.30.pm. at Coton & Hopwas Social
Club, School Lane, Hopwas. 6th
July : 7th Sept : 2nd November.
West Bromwich Sub Branch. All Meetings at 8.pm at Royal Naval
Assciation Club, Bull Lane, West Bromwich. Monday 6th September : 6th December – Xmas Social.
Cannock Sub Branch.
All
meetings on Thursdays at 8.pm at Cannock Ex-Serviceman’s Club, Walsall Road,
Cannock. 4th November. (Social – Bangers
& Mash)
Stafford Sub Branch.
Meetings at 7.30.pm The White Eagle Polish Club, Riverway, Stafford. 12th October.
Leek Sub Branch.
Meeting
- Tuesday 6th July.
- Cheadle Cricket Club, Tean Road, Cheadle. 7.30.pm. Meeting - Tuesday 2nd November – The Swan Hotel, Leek.
7.30.pm.
Northern Sub Branch. New venue. The Tollgate Hotel,
Blurton.7.30.pm.
Thursday 7th
October.
Wombourne Sub Branch. Meetings on Tuesdays at Wombourne
Police Club at 7.30.pm.
5th October.
BRANCH REUNION
LUNCH 2011.
Staffordshire
County Showground. Saturday 9th April 2011. 12 noon for 1.pm.
BRANCH
Remember - We are here to help you in your hour
of need. We are not mind readers so if
you would like to talk to someone we are here to listen.
Latest information on the
recent Budget announcements follows overleaf……….
-7-
|
Hamilton
House, Mabledon Place, London WC1H 9BD. Telephone: 020 7380 4765 FAX: 020 7383 3454 |
To: Secretaries of Constituent Organisations 23rd
June 2010
EMERGENCY BUDGET 2010
Dear Colleague
The
Emergency Budget took place yesterday. Some of the major provisions are laid
out below.
Indexation of Public Service Pensions
From
April 2011, the indexation of public service pensions will be switched from the
retail prices index (
The
PSPC views this change of indexation as unacceptable. The Coalition Government
had stated that accrued rights would be protected. The PSPC expected that this
would include continued indexation, via the 1971 Pensions (Increase) Act, to
Basic state pension
As
expected, the Chancellor announced the restoration of the earnings link for the
basic state pension from April 2011, with a ‘triple guarantee’ that the basic
state pension is raised by the higher of earnings, prices or 2.5 per cent. The
‘prices’ element will be
Age-related personal allowances
While
there was an announcement that the basic personal allowance would be raised
from £6,475 to £7,475 in the 2011-12 tax year, there was no announced increase
in the age-related personal allowances.
-8-
Concessions linked to state pension age
The
Government has confirmed that the age at which these benefits can be claimed
(such as Winter Fuel Payments, free off-peak local bus travel, eye tests and
prescriptions) will rise in line with the female state pension age, which is
set to increase from 60 to 65 over the next decade.
Increase in state pension age
The
Government has announced a review of the implementation date for when the state
pension age will rise to 66. Under current arrangements, the state pension age
is set to rise to 66 between 2024 and 2026. The PSPC of course opposes an
increase in the state pension age.
Annuitisation of Savings
The
Government has confirmed that it will end the existing rules that create an
effective obligation to purchase an annuity by age 75 from April 2011.
Yours
sincerely
ANDREW MORRIS
General Secretary.
ASSOCIATIONS
REPRESENTED: Association of HM Inspectors of Schools OFSTED Section Committee •
Association of HM Inspectors of Schools (Scotland) • Association of Local
Authority Chief Executives • Association of Teachers and Lecturers •
Association of School and College Leaders • British Broadcasting Corporation
Pensioners Association ▪ Civil Service Pensioners' Alliance • Civil
Service Pensioners' Alliance (Scotland) ▪ Educational Institute of
Scotland • Forces Pension Society ▪ Foreign and Commonwealth Association
• National Association of Head Teachers ▪
National Association of Retired Firefighters • National Association of
Retired Police Officers • National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women
Teachers • National Union of Teachers • Overseas Service Pensioners'
Association • Prospect • Public and Commercial Services Union •
Retired
Police Officers' Association (Scotland) ▪ Retired Prison Governors Association
▪ Retired Teachers' Association
(Northern
Ireland) • Scottish Retired Teachers' Association • UNISON •
University and College Union
Editorial Notice.
Our
next issue is planned for early October 2010.
Please forward your articles for publication to Chairman Gerry Robinson
before 20th September 2010.