Humberside and South Yorkshire police authorities announce HR role link-up

Humberside and South Yorkshire Police are to share an Assistant Chief Officer for Human Resources in a move designed to be a value for money solution that builds stronger regional collaboration.

The proposal for Humberside's current Assistant Chief Officer for Human Resources Ian Watson to share his time equally with South Yorkshire puts the two regional forces on the national stage in terms of developing creative solutions in Human Resources (HR) collaboration and was agreed at a meeting of South Yorkshire Police Authority members.

Mr Watson, who joined Humberside Police in February 2008 and has held posts in other police services as well as HR directorships in both the private sector and NHS, will devote half his time to supporting South Yorkshire Police on an interim basis of up to 18 months.

The link-up of resources and expertise supports the aim of both forces for greater regional working and providing value for money solutions at a time when police forces across the country are facing unprecedented funding cuts.

The policy of pooling employee talent across organisations is one that has already been implemented by two local authorities earlier this year. In September, Knowsley and Liverpool Councils revealed they had agreed to a temporary move to 'share' Knowsley's executive director of regeneration, economy and skills, Nick Kavanagh.

Charles Perryman, chair of South Yorkshire Police Authority and current Chair of the regional Joint Police Authorities Committee, said: "This appointment recognises the commitment to collaborative working that is evident across the Police Service and enables South Yorkshire Police to minimise costs while securing the desired expertise.

'A common HR agenda can ensure a reduction in duplication for both organisations and help each to exploit opportunities for shared services and solutions across individual force boundaries.

'The move is also welcome news on the back of measures prompted by the Government's recent Spending Review, because sharing resources means sharing costs. An alternative proposal to recruit a full-time post previously met with some concern from South Yorkshire Authority Members in light of the current financial situation so Ian's appointment will help us support planned budget reductions.

Christopher Matthews, Chair of Humberside Police Authority, said: "Following the comprehensive spending review all police authorities face the challenge of significantly reducing their spending. The arrangement between Humberside and South Yorkshire Police is an early, and very practical, example of how police forces can work together to make a start on achieving immediate savings in management costs.

"I am confident that the learning we gain from these arrangements will be of very real value when it comes to making other collaborative arrangements between the police forces in the Yorkshire and Humber Region."

Mr Watson will be accountable to both Police Authorities and their respective Chief Constables and will be tasked with accountability for the overall performance of HR delivery functions. He will remain Humberside's employee during the 18-month arrangement, which will be subject to continual review by all parties.

Mr Perryman stressed: "This is not a prelude to a formal merger, nor is there an intent through Ian's appointment to reduce the individual identity and corporate status of either South Yorkshire Police or Humberside Police. The focus is instead very much one of sharing and collaboration.'