Colleagues,

The Month of April was a busy month not only within the Force but Nationally. The Annual conference of the SPF was held at Peebles where 17 motions were debated.

Our guests included the Cabinet Secretary, Kenny MacAaskill, Colin McKerracher, President of ACPOS, Val McHoull and Carol Forfar from ASPS, Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary Paddy Tomkins, Bridget Campbell, Alastair Merrill, Gillian McDonald and Kathryn Watson from the Scottish Government Police and Community Safety Directorate, Gordon Meldrum, Director of the SCDEA, John Geates, Director of the Scottish Police College, David Higgins from Police Authorities Convenors Forum, and Nick Fyfe from the University of Dundee. The Chairmans address and response by the Cabinet Minister for Justice will be posted on this website shortly.

Within Force the JBB has been in discussion regarding the L&B 5 review requested by us. The review has been completed and some changes have been put forward by the Force Executive. Your locally elected representatives have just reported your views back to the Secretary and she has now responded to the Deputy Chief Constable ensuring that he is aware of the strength of feeling of the membership. As Chairman of the JBB I am acutely aware that any shift pattern impacts in different ways according to the personal circumstances of each of our members. In addition the efficiency of the Force and the Welfare of our members is our statutory duty. I can assure all members that before any agreement is entered into regarding a Force shift pattern that there will be further consultation.

As you can see there is a lot going on and I would encourage all of our members to express your thoughts and concerns to your representatives.

David Grady
Chairman JBB