West Yorkshire will become responsible for air operational assets belonging to forces and authorities across England and Wales, including employment of staff.
The Chair of West Yorkshire Police Authority, Councillor Mark Burns-Williamson OBE commented on the decision, saying “The information presented to us today convinced members of the merits of agreeing to West Yorkshire Police being put forward as the lead force for the National Police Air Service.
“We have been reassured that there will be no adverse impact upon the force or council tax payers in West Yorkshire. The funding, risks and liabilities for NPAS will be covered by a National Collaboration Agreement, which all participating forces and authorities will sign up to.
“Our approval today is subject to full costings being obtained and an assurance from the Chief Constable that all foreseeable risks are properly identified and mitigated, in discussions with the Home Office and others, so that there should be no adverse impact on West Yorkshire.
So really, all we have is another 'In Principle' sign up.
My current thoughts though concern the first paragraphs' 'employment of staff' statement.
Am I correct in thinking that West Yorks do not employ their own pilots? If that is correct, they will soon find themselves employing a shedful of pilots, non of whom are from their own (at present) ASU. What happens further down the line? Will there be a complete all pilot contract tender put out to private sector (£$£$) companies or have West Yorks now effectively been forced into employing pilots as their own Police Staff ? Not so much a financial burden for West Yorks, but an admin nightmare looms.
Have West Yorks looked into direct employment previously and if so, why didn't they go for it?
If in the near future NPAS decide to close down another base or 2, the pilots of which are employed by West Yorkshire, I wonder if they would replace some contracted pilots positions with their own staff. Blimey!
If not, a possible headline could be; "West Yorkshire Police make staff redundant while preserving private sector jobs".
Good for NPAS, it's all potentially in the hands of West Yorkshire now
:handwash smilie: