Decision details

GMCA has introduced an Arrest and Custody Detention Scrutiny Panel in order to fulfil several of the recommendations made to the CA by the Baird Inquiry.

Expenses relating to the running of the Panel will serve the purpose of securing the participation of the Panel members by recuperating them for any costs they will incur by attending Panel meetings and events, which is essential given their voluntary participation and in the absence of an allowance.

Participation of Panel members will allow GMCA to fulfil six of the eight recommendations charged to it within the Baird Inquiry Report through the creation and running of the Scrutiny Panel

Funding of £5,000.00 to cover expenses relating to the running of the GM Independent Police Arrest and Custody Detention Scrutiny Panel in the calendar year 2025, covering up to eight meetings/events/engagements. Funding is to be provided from the Safer and Stronger Communities budget.

Estimated costs for the running of the Panel are broken down as follows:

Travel expenses

Panel members will be reimbursed for travel costs for attendance at any in-person Panel meetings, sessions or events. This includes up to six Panel meetings, December 2024 induction event and February 2025 custody suite visit. Panel members are anticipated to claim for fuel (to be paid at GMCA’s standard mileage rate), public transport, parking (if no on-site parking is available or is full) and private transport (should this be required due to accessibility needs/requirements). Exact costs of travel expense claims cannot be known as these will vary between each Panel member and each meeting, therefore a total amount of £3,000.00 has been projected for inclusion within the requested £5,000.00 total.

Catering

Refreshments including drinks and sandwiches will be on offer to Panel members at each Panel meeting due to the length of meetings and the timings that they are anticipated to take place (over lunch or in the evening) A total of £750.00 has been projected to cater for all Panel members in attendance at each meeting. Panel meetings will take place on Greater Manchester Police (GMP) premises, therefore catering will be provided by the services used by GMP. No further associated costs will be incurred.

Relevant Panel member participation costs

The Terms of Reference for the Scrutiny Panel set out that a policing subject matter expert should be included within its membership. GMCA successfully recruited to this role from the College of Policing, and so GMCA anticipates that their time and engagement may be billed. Projected billing costs by the College of Policing of £500.00 have been included within the total £5,000.00 requested.

Unforeseen running costs

The requested £5,000.00 total includes up to £750.00 spend on unforeseen running costs for the Panel. The Panel was launched in December 2024, however the first Panel meeting is yet to take place (scheduled for 05/03/2025) and therefore there may be additional costs identified in the running of the Panel once it commences. This may include costs such as for room hire/utilities, facilities/technical support, or additional spending on travel expenses, catering or Panel member participation costs.