MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY 1st NOVEMBER 2011

The Chairman Peter Simms opened the meeting welcoming everyone present especially the Branch Chairman Mr Gerry Robinson MBE, Reay Pearman Branch Treasurer together with Joe Molloy, Webmaster for the County. He spoke about the new venue for the meeting and the increase in the number attending.

The Roll Call was made, there being twenty eight members present with eight members having given their apologies. The Silent tribute was to Mrs Jean Rushton and Mrs Pamela Johnson.

Minutes of the meeting held on the 5th July at Cheadle Cricket Club had been circulated and these were accepted as a true record by Arthur Bould and Michael Smith. There were no matters arising.

The County Chairman spoke about the Welfare and Benevolent Funds being in a healthy state and that officers and members were still being assisted with payouts if found to be in need. Then spoke about making donations to either fund in a will and said that it should be made certain as to which fund it was to be left too, as recent events had shown and went on to explain what had transpired. He told members that at Conference it was discussed about the importance of member’s welfare. He mentioned the Injury on duty awards yet again and the procedure for appealing. This was discussed amongst the members. Some members had had money paid to them which they were not entitled to and some Forces were claiming the money back but Staffs were not going to do this. The Staffordshire Knot would be sent for publishing at the end of November. He said that he would be running a NARPO holiday again, this time to the Isle of Man on the 11th May 2012. for five days with BB& Evening Meal. The Memorial Plaques of officers who had lost their lives during service had been recovered from the old Headquarters and erected at Weston Road. There is to be Dedication on the 11th November 2011. He thanked everyone present for their attendance.

The County Treasurer Reay Pearman gave a resume of the Funds held by the Branch. He told members that there were more retired Officers in the County than there is serving. He said that the Branch had been allocated an office in the Stafford Borough station but it was not ready for use. Talked about the Rules & Procedures which are to be looked at by a sub committee and brought up to date.

Dean Colley was unable to attend and the Chairman read out a report sent by e mail. He referred to a further review on the forces day to day business resulting in a pilot scheme being introduced. Majority of the change is down to finances. He asks members to go on the website and lobby MPs about Pay/ Pensions. If 100,000 sign up it will hopefully force a debate on he matter.

Rob Williams was unavailable so a copy of his report was attached to the minutes for reading. He reported that some thirteen officers had attended the Rehabilitation Centre this year so far. By August 2012 a further 25 rooms will have been added to the centre making 165 rooms available. Rob said that he would be retiring in nine months time. Glyn Dyer spoke about having recently attended a Welfare Course at Lichfield which he found interesting.

Bob Scrimgeour Sub Branch Secretary brought members up to date on the Welfare a several members. He told members about the 25th Anniversary of the death of John Taylor and that laying of flowers would take place at his memorial in Stoke on the 13th November 2011 at 4pm.

Next meeting will be at 7.30pm on Tuesday 6th MARCH 2012. at Leek Golf Club.

MINUTES OF LEEK SUB BRANCH MEETING ON THE 5th JULY 2011.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = == = = = = =
The meeting was opened by the Chairman Peter Simms welcoming The County Chairman Mr Gerry Robinson, Mr Reay Pearman the County Ass Secretary/Treasurer along with the County Welfare officer Mr Rob Williams. There were eighteen members present with four apologies.

There were members who had gone to a higher service, these being Mick Reynolds, Michael Thomas Bosworth, Mrs Ruth Jones and Mrs Hilda Whithouse.

The minutes of the 1st March 2011 were accepted as a true record having been proposed by Linda Hurst and seconded by Mick Smith. There were no matters arising.

The County Chairman told members it was nice to see them especially with two ladies being present. The last Branch Meeting to be held at the old Headquarters was in June. Our meetings would now take place at the Weston Road complex, the first being in October. There are four large blocks with a large amenity block with all facilities. The next Annual Conference will be held on the 15th September 2011. The rules on Membership are being revised so as to allow ex officers to nominate their wife of a second marriage. He said that Wakefield Headquarters was to be extended due to increase in membership. Spoke about another Welfare course being held at the P M A S Offices at Lichfield in October and we would send any member that was interested. All expenses would be met by Branch. The Injury on Duty awards are still being reviewed and spoke about. The Incapacity benefits are being paid to some members that were not entitled them. He told members to watch out for an article on Police Pensions in the NARPO NEWS. Des Lockwood and himself attended a Benevolent/Welfare meeting.

Rob Williams Force Welfare Officer said that the Welfare and Benevolent Fund are doing very nicely at present. He asked members to make sure that they have nominated to whom they wish benefit is payable too. He spoke about Flint House and told members that 17 retired officers visited their last year and so far we have sent 13 for rehabilitation. Last year in the Country altogether 2,950 officers and 440 retired officers attended the centre. More rooms are being added and should total 165 in due course. He told the meeting that he would be retiring in twelve months time.

Dean Colley the Force Fereation Officer had to cancel at last minute but sent an e mail to be read out which was done by the Secretary Bob Scrimgeour. Dean said that the Force was undergoing changes with Communities First Phase One & Two already implemented. Officers on response vehicles are now based at Leek to cover all the area into Cheadle on what he calls "Blue Light Run". Difficulties have been found were no vehicle was available at change over times. In Phase two, an outside Consultancy firm has been employed at tremendous cost to review the business process that the service undertakes on a daily basis and is expected to save around 7:1 ratio of savings.. A reduction in the number of officers over the next four years will be from 2100 down to 1750. The Federation continue to lobby Members of Parliament on issues of Pay, Conditions and Pensions. He said the Moorlands M P Karen Bradley has met with local officers and supports their position.

The County Assistant Secretary/Treasurer Reay Pearman gave a resume of the accounts.

The Sub Branch Secretary/Tresurer Bob Scrimgeour updated members on matter of Welfare.

Under any other business Glyn Dyer told members that as he had numerous units to spare on his phone, as agreed at our last meeting in March, had spoken to a number of members and they thought it was a nice jesture keeping in contact. A discussion took place and he was thanked for offering such a good service.

The next meeting of the Sub Branch will take place on Tuesday 1st November 2011 and it will be held at LEEK GOLF CLUB, Cheddleton Road, Leek, at 7.30pm. when it is hoped to have more members to attend.

Minutes of meeting held on Tuesday 1st March 2011. at The Swan Hotel, Leek ================================================================== Leek Sub Branch of NARPO held their Annual General Meeting at The Swan Hotel, Leek on the 1st March 2011. The meeting was opened by the Chairman Mr Peter Simms. He welcomed Mr Gerry Robinson MBE, County Secretary Mr Desmond Lockwood , Mr Joe Molloy the NARPO Webmaster for the Branch and Mr Dean Colley who had replaced Staffordshire Police Federation Branch Secretary Arthur Jackson, who had retired. Twenty three members signed the register and there were four apologies.Silent tribute was paid to, Mr Samuel Shipley,Mr Ray Willard and Mrs Helen-Somerville Palmer ( wife of Eric Palmer ) as well as those in the rest of the County who had gone to a higher service. The minutes of the AGM held on March lst last year were read by the members present and they were accepted as a true record. No matters arose. The election of Officers for the year 2011 to 2012 took place. Our present Chairman was re elected and Bob Scrimgeour was relected as Secretary/Treasurer. Also the committee was re elected enbloc. Minutes of the meeting held on the 2nd November 2010 were read by the members and accepted, there being no matters arising. Mr Gerry Robinson addressed the meeting telling them that had intended to resign at the Annual General Meeting but at the Branch Meeting prior to ours he had decided to stay on a bit longer. He spoke about the Leek Branch Lunch at the Rudyard Hotel saying how his wife and he had enjoyed it. He also thanked the Sub Branch Secretary for the presentation of the minutes. Thanking everyone for their attendance he said it was important to keep these meetings going and it was a pity more younger members were not attending. County Secretary Des Lockwood spoke about the NARPO Travel Insurance saying it was good value. There was an increase in the fee this year due mainly to the extra added VAT in January. A member present said that he had claimed recently and had no trouble in receiving a satifactory outcome. He told members that Cheshire Police were asking NARPO if they could make welfare visits to serving officers who were off duty due to sickness. He said Ralf Seville had been elected to attend this years Remberance Day parade. The Injury on Duty Pensions rose it head yet again. He said that he and the Gerry had had discussion with the Police Solictors over the matter. He told members that the next Branch AGM would be held at the Polish Club Stafford on Saturday 8th May 2011. Joe Molloy spoke about the Website with its Photo Gallery and asked for any ideas for the site. He spoke about the Good Trademan site were members could put their names forward as having done good job. If you wish to be included in circulation of e mails then contact Des Lockwood. The Federation officer introduced himself to the members telling them he had been in the Force since 1984. He spoke about the review going on and how the Force will be affected. Officers, pon reaching thirty years service will be forced to retire and that there was to be a reduction in the higher ranks. He mentioned Stations that were to be closed, officers pay being averaged out over their service and also discussed Police Boundries. The Secrtary/Treasurer Bob Scrimgeour spoke about the Lunchtime Reunion Dinner and said that there could have been more interest. The numbers were down on the attendance for the evening Dinner last year. On the welfare side he said that he had heard nothing from Linda Lea. Both Tony Ellis & Mick Smith continue to make good progress as can be seen by their presence tonight also Rose Mountford had had a Stroke and was making slow progress for recovery. Dennis Rimes is presently having problems with one of his feet due to his Diabetis. He presented the meeting with a Statement of Accounts for the last year. In any other business Glyn Dyer offered his services, to make contact with members to check on their well being. This was accepted. The next meeting was set for Tuesday 5th July at Cheadle Cricket Club and the meeting then closed.

Minutes of meeting held on Tuesday 6th July 2010. at Cheadle Cricket Club.
==================================================================

The meeting was opened by the Chairman Peter Simms who welcomed the County Chairman Mr Gerry Robinson, County Secretary Des Lockwood also the new Webmaster, Joe Molloy. He spoke about the loss of Andrew Montgomery who had given a lot of his time to the County and Stafford branches of NARPO. He also made mention about the lack of interest by new members who we could do with attending.
The Roll Call showed just sixteen members present with three apologies. Silent Tribute was paid to Andrew Montgomery and Michael Carroll.
The meeting was addressed by the County Chairman who spoke about the Staffordshire Knot, which brought issues to members attention. He spoke about the County AGM which had been held for the first time at the Polish Club, Stafford. The venue at the County Showground had become too expensive, although the reunion is still held there and had become quite popular. Gerry thanked Bob Burden for his services as Webmaster. He then mentioned the NARPO Travel Insurance and what a good deal it was.
County Secretary Des Lockwood told members that the Memorial Seat was in place at the Alrewas Arboretum and had been Dedicated. It was in the Garden of Remberance for Staffordshire Police Officers. He said it was worth the trip there to see all the memorials and the facities were very good. Told members that the Annual Conference was being held in September. Welfare Courses for the Chairmen and Secretaries to attend would be held at the PMAS offices in Lichfield. Discussed the amalgamation of Roland Smith and the PMAS.
Next up was the County Webmaster Joe Molloy who spoke about the NARPO Website and how to use it for ourselves. You can include TRADESPEOPLE who have given a good service for a reasonable cost. He also told members to keep the Secretary updated on any changes to their e-mail address.
Bob Scrimgeour the Secretary/Treasurer spoke about the welfare of members and the progress they were or not making. He said there was around seven hundred pounds in the Bank.
The meeting closed and members had refreshments and a catch up chat amongst themselves.

For Pictures of the Sub Branch Christmas meeting held 17th December 2004 CLICK HERE

For Pictures of the Sub Branch meeting held 9th November 2004 CLICK HERE

For Pictures of the Sub Branch meeting held 8th July 2004 CLICK HERE

Back to Leek Sub Branch News