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November 29, 2008
RISING CASELOADS
Key trends in caseload statistics - latest figures
The number of offenders being supervised by the Probation Service under a court order increased by 2 per cent between 2006 and 2007, to reach 150,180 in December 2007. This represents an increase of 30 per cent from 1997. The number of offenders under pre or post-release supervision also increased between 19974 and 2007. Some 94,460 people were under such supervision in December 2007, representing an increase of 32 per cent on 1997 . The increase from 2006 to 2007 was 4 per cent.
The higher caseload under pre or post-release supervision is for a number of reasons. Firstly, there has been a continued growth in the number of offenders serving custodial sentences of 12 months or more (up 40 per cent between 1997 and 2007) and who therefore require supervision on release from custody. Secondly, new arrangements brought in by the Criminal Justice Act 2003 mean that offenders are now spending longer periods on licence after release from custody.
The prison population stood at 79,730 in June 2007, an increase of 2 per cent on June 2006 and a 30 per cent increase on June 1997. The male prison population experienced comparable increases over the same periods, however the female prison population increased at a much greater rate (up 60 per cent from 1997 to 2007).
http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/prisonandprobation.htm
Posted by Hampshire at 02:40 PM | Comments (0)
COMMUNITY PAYBACK
General Secretary of Napo writes:
Labelling Theory
"The latest wheeze from political overseers has been a proposal to role out across the NPS high visibility clothing for supervisees on unpaid work projects. The hand of Louise Casey is behind this which for most criminal justice professionals raises immediate concerns.
It should be unacceptable, of course, in a civilised society and Napo is opposing it strongly on a number of grounds. You can read our advice to members in the attachment.”
WHAT NEXT? PAYBACK ALABAMA STYLE?
Customers entering a supermarket in Alabama were given a stark reminder not to leave without paying - the sight of two shoplifters standing outside with signs reading "I am a thief. I stole from Wal-Mart".
A court ordered the pair to wear the signs for four hours each on two successive Saturdays.
Payback: an act of revenge (Wikipedia)
Posted by Hampshire at 08:26 AM | Comments (0)
November 28, 2008
DYSLEXIA - A PRACTICAL GUIDE
Informative and enlightening guidance on dyslexia.
Posted by Hampshire at 11:37 AM | Comments (0)
November 27, 2008
PROPOSED WORKLOADS AGREEMENT
Further to the discussions at the last Branch Meeting and the entry on this subject posted on 6th November, Napo members need to be crystal clear that no agreement has yet been reached. We have requested a further meeting with management to address a critical outstanding concern about the introduction of new tasks and time allowances. We hope to be able to reach agreement, but final agreement is not a foregone conclusion at this juncture.
One of the underlying principles of the workloads agreement is:
"Confirmation that if new tasks are to be assigned to individual members of staff, clear designation of the amount of time to be allocated to those tasks and clarity as to the demands which will be relinquished to accommodate those new tasks will be provided, in advance of their implementation."
Posted by Hampshire at 06:31 PM | Comments (0)
DISABILITY AND THE WORKPLACE
This research shows that disabled people and people with long-term illnesses are more likely to perceive themselves as subject to negative treatment at work.
25% of people with a disability or long-term illness said someone was continually checking up on them and their work when it was not necessary compared to 19.4% of people without a disability or long-term illness.
19.3% of people with a disability or long-term illness said they were pressured by someone else to work below their level of competence compared to 13.5% of people without a disability or long-term illness.
Bullying and humiliation:
22.5% of people with a disability or long-term illness said they had been the subject to persistent unfair criticism of their work and performance compared to 13.4% of people without a disability or long-term illness.
13.4% of people with a disability or long-term illness said they had been humiliated or ridiculed in connection with their work compared to 8.7% for people without a disability or long-term illness.
Violence:
11.6% of people with a disability or long-term illness said they had experienced actual physical violence at work compared to 5.5% of people without a disability or long-term illness.
8.8% of people with a disability or long-term illness said they sustained an injury in some way as a result of violence or aggression at work compared to 4.7% of people without a disability or long-term illness.
Posted by Hampshire at 06:25 PM | Comments (0)
November 24, 2008
NEW PAY SCALES (2008 - 09)
Posted by Hampshire at 09:33 AM | Comments (0)
November 23, 2008
BRANCH MEETING 21 NOVEMBER 2008
BRANCH MEETING MINUTES
IB Road, Portsmouth
Friday 21st November 2008
• Present & Apologies – In book. Note that meeting quorate.
• Matters of accuracy – Previous Minutes agreed.
Matters arising out of previous Minutes – Job Evaluation – previous concerns linked to HPA’s failure to acknowledge joint partnership requirement in JE process. Also their tendency to short circuit the process by using a pre-filled matrix. Encouragingly, HPA have now recognized that joint partnership is essential to the JE process and have agreed not to use a pre-filled matrix in the future. Union official whose travel costs were refused has lodged a grievance on this issue and national rep involved.
• All agreed to change order of Agenda to enable Health & Safety Rep to present his Report and leave meeting.
• Health & Safety Report: PW reported that corrosive substances still in place in various offices. Request that members note where these still present and report to PW.
PW reported that there are problems with Dickson House. Windows unstable and staff have been asked to seal the windows to ensure they do not fall out. This restricting fire exits and PW to explore this issue. PW noted that Hazard Reports are filtering through regarding work related stress issues. Members to continue to send copies to PW please.
• Matters arising/Chair’s Report
Workloads discussed. Member raised the DRR evaluation issue. Noted that Audit Report still not seen and despite recommendations made – no actions have been commenced thus no change to DRR workloads. Advised to request Report again under Freedom of Information Act procedures.
GC fed back on Workloads and Staff Care Agreement. Proposed new agreement on website for Members to access and comment on. Discussion regarding negotiations to date. Noted that SDR allocation will be 7 hours. Member queried the UPW assessment timing to be incorporated within the SDR allocation? Noted that a Standing Group will meet twice per year to discuss ongoing issues. Noted that new tasks must be weighted before they can be implemented in practice. Member queried mentoring tasks and weighting. It was noted that all tasks should be covered by the Policy but any problems once the tool agreed and implemented should be reported immediately to Napo Officers.
Policy now with Napo HQ for perusal and to go to Diversity Panel on 26/11/08; some outstanding local isues regarding 'new work' and weightings to be resolved prior to final agreement.
Pay Update discussed. Noted that pay deal has been agreed. Noted that HPA have plans to pay two thirds of backdated pay in November pay and one third in December pay.
ECU/Car parking Proposals discussed. Motion put to Branch.
“THE HAMPSHIRE PROBATION AREA (HPA) BOARD HAS PUT FORWARD A CONSULTATION PAPER ON ‘TRAVEL ALLOWANCES AND CAR PARKING’ AND THIS HAS BEEN CIRCULATED TO MEMBERS. THE PROPOSALS IF IMPLEMENTED WILL HAVE SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS FOR NAPO MEMBERS AND, IN THE VIEW OF THE BRANCH, ON THE RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION OF ALL STAFF. THIS BRANCH WISHES TO RESOLVE MATTERS BY NEGOTIATION BUT INSTRUCTS ITS REPRESENTATIVES TO SEEK NATIONAL ADVICE ON A RANGE OF MATTERS, INCUDING THE PROCESS OF BALLOTING FOR INDUSTRIAL ACTION.”
No speakers against the Proposal. Vote undertaken. Motion unanimously supported.
General discussion regarding HPA proposals followed.
Agreement that dispute should be registered at JNCC regarding NAPO’S assertion that HPA failing to honour current Agreement.
Branch officers instructed to only negotiate within the confines of the current agreement.
Noted that if private vehilcles not used for work purposes, this could have implications for practice and WMT weightings.
It was noted that should action such as withdrawal of own vehicles be taken in the near future this will require members to withdraw claims for ECU monthly and will have implications on time management. Also noted that WMT should reflect the disruption to practice and record effectively so members not disadvantaged by action.
Budget cuts discussion linked to this issue. Noted that there may be job losses in the future. Noted that Phil Wheatley and David Hansen in their speeches to Napo at AGM both recommended streamlining of the management culture in the Probation Service. They also cited an overuse of expensive consultancies in the Service that could be reigned in.
Noted that HPA CO has agreed to undertake a Management Review. This will be led by BC and is scheduled to report back by the 31/01/2009.
Noted that Brach Officers are still awaiting information regarding Board Members expenses. This information requested in March 2008 under Freedom of Information legislation and has not been provided to date. Complaint has now been made to the Information Commissioner.
Justice Week discussed. It was noted that Monday 8th – Friday 12th December is Justice Week. Activities discussed.
Wed 10/12/08 Members urged to attend Westminster Rally on Wednesday 10th December 2008 to lobby MPs and attend the Rally in the HoC. Travel will be required. All CJS unions will be present and many speakers confirmed. See Bulletins for information. Please contact TW to confirm intention to attend.
Thurs 11/12/08 Members urged to attend Regional Rally to take place in Southampton on Thursday 11th December 2008 at 6.30pm. Venue will be Southampton Guildhall Lecture Theatre and members of all CJS unions will be present. Speakers to be confirmed but will include a local MP, a Napo National Officer and Chairs of local CJS union branches. Please contact TW to confirm intention to attend.
Fri 12/12/08 Members urged to make appointments in their own constituencies with their local MPS. Model letter available (see Bulletins) to write to MPs or contact their constituency offices by phone to arrange appointments. If Members are unsure who their local MP is please go to the Napo website for further information. Please advise TW if you have an appointment scheduled to enable Napo HQ to collate the information.
It is essential that Members contribute to the fight to retain the Criminal Justice Services in their entirety. This is our future we are fighting for and every effort helps.
Women in Napo (WIN) discussed. Members advised that the WIN Conference to be hosted by Hampshire & the Isle of Wight in 2009. The theme is ‘Mayday – Celebration or SOS?’ and will focus on the achievements of women in the Probation Service as well as some of the ongoing issues that females face in society that can ultimately lead them into contact with the criminal justice services. Venue - Jurys Inn in Southampton. Date – Friday 1st May 2009. Speakers to be confirmed but high profile speakers anticipated. It is hoped that due to the nature of the conference the event will be deemed a professional event and female members will be able to attend as part of their continuing professional development. It is recommended that female members book this date into their diaries and members will be kept updated.
Union Social Event discussed. Possible options for annual social event given to members. Agreed that an annual trip to the Tolpuddle Martyr’s Festival should take place. Also agreed that an annual family day out is the preferred option for members and their families. TW to facilitate and update members.
Membership Report. TE reported 271 serving and retired Members. TE noted thanks to James Carpenter, Napo Chivalry Road for his help with membership/recruitment issues and best wishes for his future employment.
TE discussed Recruitment Week (21st November 2008 – 28th November 2008) and asked all Members to promote union membership during this week. TE has Membership packs and can answer any queries as required.
TE noted new recruitment materials available for Noticeboards and offices. Request that Members keep boards updated wherever possible.
NEC matters Neither NEC rep available to attend NEC on 27/11/08 thus TW to attend. No other issues.
Staffing/Local issues No issues.
AOB
FN –SC wished to pass on FN’s thanks to members for their messages of support and flowers during her period of ill health.
Edridge Fund - Edridge fund rep GK has temporarily withdrawn from the post due to personal issues. Please contact TW or GC if Edridge Fund advice or information required.
Also note that Edridge Fund Christmas Cards now available at £3.50 for 10. All proceeds go directly to Edridge Fund. Please contact TW if you wish to purchase a pack of cards.
Environment – Member raised issue of the environmental impact of providing members with paper copies of all documents at Branch Meetings. It was noted that it may be preferable to attach documents to a note on the website prior to Branch Meetings to enable members to read documents and then only print out if essential. However, it was also noted that some members will prefer to have documents at the meeting.
Agreed that note will be posted on the website prior to Branch Meetings with attachments and only a small number of paper copies will be available at the meeting.
Date of next meeting – Friday 16th January 2009 at 2pm at Town Quay, Southampton.
The following item was not discussed at Branch Meeting due to time constraints. However, this was discussed at Executive Meeting and the following noted for Member’s information:
Treasurer’s Report. Treasurer’s Report and copy of spreadsheet provided. Healthy balance. Conference and quarterly grants received.
Noted that Branch will be required to pay for Rally venue costs due to taking leading organizational role. However, FL to write to Regional Officer (DP) to request contributions from other areas and other unions.
Noted that as Branch hosting WIN conference next year there will be significant branch costs for accommodation and travel due to high number of Branch members attending. This matter has been raised with Napo HQ and grant requested to cover costs.
FL noted that Audit due soon and accounts to go to local auditors prior to national audit for checking. FL noted that this pre-check costs £150 annually and stated that she can access pre-checks free from her partner who is suitably qualified. Agreed.
Posted by Hampshire at 07:04 PM | Comments (0)
November 14, 2008
PROCESS AND PROFESSIONALISM
An article worth reading in the Guardian today: It's about the management of risk and the dependence on process at the expense of spending time in face to face work. Extract here from the article that is likely to resonate within probation work - it was also a point - effectiveness of time spent in front of computer screens - made by a member at the recent Napo AGM to Phil Wheatley, the head of NOMS.
"Panorama next Monday has surveyed children's departments across Britain. It reaches the grim conclusion that many social workers spend 60% of their time in front of computer screens, time that should be spent with families. Like policemen who sit in cars, it is the surest way to fail a service.
In every walk of life, the computer screen has become a professional comfort blanket. It distances carers from the sensibility of clients. It demotes the value of informal contact with colleagues. Provided the screen has been filled and the boxes ticked, officialdom regards itself as in the clear. Risk is eliminated not by personal application but by process."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/nov/14/baby-p-haringey-laming-report
Posted by Hampshire at 09:23 AM | Comments (0)
November 11, 2008
PAY BALLOT RESULT
THE NATIONAL VOTE - FOR: 2,025; AGAINST:246
Hampshire and the Isle of Wight voted: FOR: 69; AGAINST: 10
Posted by Hampshire at 03:50 PM | Comments (0)
November 10, 2008
BUDGET CUTS
On the 7th November Napo's general secretart wrote: "Probation areas have been receiving letters from the outgoing Director of Probation setting out likely budget cuts for the next 3 years. Cuts in the existing budget of £20 million, £50 million and £50 million in consecutive years from the current £914 million are a recipe for complete disaster."
In response, with all Napo branches, we are urgently seeking information from our chief officer about the financial situation we face in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. This situation is extremely serious and the impact, if these cuts are made, will be considerable.
Views from Napo HQ indicate:
“Details are now emerging from some Areas of the reality of the three year financial forecast for the Probation Service. It appears devastating.”
“The cumulative cut over the next three year period could be as high as 20%-25%. Areas are talking about massive job losses.”
Posted by Hampshire at 06:19 PM | Comments (0)
November 08, 2008
COMMUNITY SENTENCES
A summary here of some of the findings reached by the public accounts committee on the effectiveness and value of community sentences. There is a threat here of new funding formulas to move money around between probation areas. Note the disparity between the low use of alcohol requirements and the high incidence of alcohol-related crime. Do probation areas do them themselves any favours by raising the thresholds (OASys scores) to qualify for an ATR when such practices may actually put future funding at risk? It seems all targets carry a sting in their tails.
"Sentences served in the community offer the courts a credible alternative to custody, taking account of the offence committed, the risk posed by the offender and their needs.
Since their introduction under the Criminal Justice Act 2003, community orders have offered courts the ability to impose a range of 12 possible ‘requirements’, including accredited programmes (such as anger management courses or alcohol and drug rehabilitation),unpaid work in the community and supervision by the National Probation Service. There is little information available nationally on the effectiveness of community orders.
On the key measure of reconviction, figures from the Ministry of Justice (the Ministry) responsible for the National Offender Management Service and the National Probation Service, showed that for those sentenced to community orders, their actual reconviction rate was lower than those sentenced to custodial sentences for similar offences (3.6% below predicted rates as opposed to 3.1% below—a statistically significant difference).
The Ministry does not have basic information on the effectiveness of community orders, such as national data on whether offenders have completed their community orders, nor on why offenders have failed to complete them. The National Probation Service has set national standards for absences from, or breaches of, community orders, but these are applied inconsistently across the 42 local Probation Areas.
There are marked differences between Probation Areas in their interpretation of acceptable and unacceptable reasons for an offender being absent. Delays in starting programmes impact adversely on an offender’s ability to complete an order.
A key feature of the community order is that courts should be able to sentence offenders to requirements that address their underlying problems, such as alcohol or drug treatment programmes. However, sentencing options for courts are sometimes limited, as not all requirements are available in all local areas.
The use of requirements relating to alcohol or drug misuse is low. Despite alcohol misuse being shown to cause a quarter of offenders to commit offences, only 2% were given an alcohol treatment requirement.
The Ministry’s current method of funding Probation Areas is unsatisfactory and slow to respond to changes in demand from the courts.
There is a need for a more flexible system of allocating funding and moving resources between Areas in accordance with need."
Posted by Hampshire at 10:02 PM | Comments (0)
OLASS REPORT - PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE
The report notes that giving offenders the opportunity to improve their basic and vocational skills can enhance their prospects of getting a job and reduce re-offending.
It found that providing learning and skills to offenders is challenging, mainly because the needs of the criminal justice system take priority and offenders often have other issues, such as mental health problems or problems with substance abuse.
But it concluded that the new service, which set out to overcome many of the problems with providing offenders with training, has not succeeded.
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmpubacc.htm
Posted by Hampshire at 09:50 PM | Comments (0)
November 07, 2008
BRANCH MOTION - 21/11/08
“The Hampshire Probation Area (HPA) Board has put forward a consultation paper on ‘travel allowances and car parking’ and this has been circulated to members.
The proposals, if implemented, will have significant financial implications for Napo members and, in the view of this branch, on the recruitment and retention of all staff.
This branch wishes to resolve matters by negotiation but instructs its representatives to seek national advice on a range of matters, including the process of balloting for industrial action.”
Posted by Hampshire at 10:43 AM | Comments (0)
TRAVEL ALLOWANCES - PROSPECTIVE CUTS
The probation service nationally faces cuts to its budget of 70m. Areas should know their individual budgets by the end on this month. According to the latest issue of the national Napo News (November, Issue 204)
“The Probation job losses will be made by natural wastage and not by early retirement or redundancy. The paper [MoJ] concludes that there are no quick wins to be made in Probation…”
The view from NOMS is that cuts will not be allowed to impact upon front line delivery, suggesting that managerial and support functions will be the target of efficiency savings.
In his speech to the recent Napo AGM the minister for probation underpinned this view by saying: “Together, as I have said, we plan cut right back on our use of expensive consultants, temporary and contract staff, and improve our procurement processes so that we have more buying power to secure better deals. And together we must work hard to tighten our management overhead-which in probation has risen significantly in recent years. Probation needs good management and excellent leadership but we have to make sure that the costs of this are proportionate and not at the expense of front line delivery.”
“Frontline probation staff grew by 21 percent between 2002 and 2006. However, growth was concentrated among senior and management grades…” (Probation Resources, Staffing and Workloads, CCJS, April 2008)
In Hampshire we are facing cuts. The consultation paper on Travel Allowances and Parking, as the chief officer has stated, sets out radical proposals. At the top of the paper everyone will be aware of the impact of the cuts if projected in terms of jobs over the next three years – a total of 93. This worries members quite naturally, but how far it accurately sets out a possible scenario is unclear, as the wider financial landscape is changing almost daily. Today interest rates stand at 3%, the lowest level in over 50 years; and the rhetoric from NOM does not chime with the loss of front line jobs. The assumptions in Hampshire’s calculations are based on an interest rate of 3%, but in truth no one knows where they will be in the coming months. In the USA the rate is 1%. Inflation is falling as we head into a recession so that’s another reason for not fixating on projections of 93 job losses.
However, unless there is a last minute bail out the prospect is of cuts and they will have to be made somewhere. The only relatively detailed proposals we have thus far are those relating to travel costs. Now, if the worst scenario was followed in year one and everyone lost their ECU and parking, etc, that would ‘save’ about 0.5 million – but that would still mean further cuts next year of 1 million. Now we know the chief officer has referred to other budget areas for potential savings, such as property charges and IT, but, unlike the proposals for travel allowances, they have not been set out in any detail at all. We know it takes time do such work, but the sooner we get further details the better.
What HPA will rightly view as savings the recipients will view as cuts to their terms and conditions of employment.
Cuts are always about choices and it’s important, for the sake of fairness, to have the full picture and be confident that there has been an objective assessment in looking at all areas for potential savings.
The protection of front line services is not only important to members, but reflects the views of NOMS and the probation minister. It is important that we do all we can as a union to protect those services.
We would say that the front line services, in the main, run on four wheels. There is train, bus, taxi and cycle use – but we know the private motor car provided by members is still the major part of HPAs transport strategy. The removal of ECU and charging for parking does not mean that the car ceases to have a critical role in facilitating the delivery of front line services. There is an underlying assumption that staff will, in the main, bear the losses and switch to casual car user status. Where the current proposals are weak is in articulating an alternative transport strategy that does not depend on privately-owned four wheels. There is mention in the policy of alternatives, but they have not been costed in terms of cash or the extra travelling time that is likely to be incurred if members decide, in the event of cuts, that using their own vehicles is no longer financially viable. That seems like a serious omission, but it also implicitly confirms that front line delivery depends on drivers.
We will be seeking to obtain additional information from HPA to answer some of the questions raised. We want to ensure that members have the full picture when we discuss the proposals for travel allowances and car parking at our next branch meeting on Friday 21 November at IB Road – Please try and be there.
Posted by Hampshire at 09:26 AM | Comments (0)
November 06, 2008
NEW STAFF CARE AND WORKLOADS AGREEMENT
We have been involved in negotiations since last year on a new workload tool and related staff care agreement. The new policy and procedures are attached (there may be some minor changes to make). We hope to formally sign off on this in early December. The negotiations stand out as having been constructive. It is not a perfect agreement and neither party has got what it sought at the outset. It’s not the end of discussions on workloads, but the policy seeks to represent a model that is realistic about meeting operational demands and a model that is rooted in a concern for the care of staff. The model will evolve.
We are going to recommend that the membership accept this policy and it will be discussed at our next branch meeting on Friday 21st November at IB road, Portsmouth.
In our view it is an improvement on what went before. The previous approach to workloads was inconsistent and required a lot of monthly inputs from members. This new model has incorporated factors such as annual leave, training and allowances for non-casework activities as part of its basis assumptions, so it should prove to be more user-friendly.
This workload model is not comprehensive, but there is a commitment from the management side to do further work over the next twelve months to make it more inclusive. As it stands its main focus is on case management tasks.
A weakness in the area of workload management has been one of shared ownership and a lack of standard practice in addressing excessive workloads. Napo is clear that if the figures speak then everyone must listen and action must follow. We must see an end to members being in the Red without apparent relief in sight. The model is underpinned by clear principles and it is incumbent on all who are associated with the model to ensure these principles are upheld and followed. Napo will take up any case with vigour if there is evidence of non-compliance with the key aims of the policy – an end to excessive workloads. This is a fundamental duty of care concern. However, we hope it never comes to that and it shouldn’t if we all keep to the procedures of the policy.
Members will still have to input some information, but it will be minimal. Monthly returns are important and historically it has been a legitimate management complaint that staff do not consistently make the necessary inputs. We trust when the model is up and running, members ensure the necessary inputs - this will help increase confidence in the management of workloads.
The model allows for reasonable adjustments linked to disability.
It’s a lot to read and in view of its size we will not be printing off copies for distribution at the branch meeting, but please review it to inform any concerns or questions you may wish to raise.
We need to discuss this at the branch meeting and will, but members will be aware that the issue of threatened cuts to travel allowances is likely to dominate debate. So please also use email to raise concerns with either George Clarke or Richard Marshall.
Posted by Hampshire at 12:23 PM | Comments (0)
November 04, 2008
TRAVEL ALLOWANCES: START OF NEGOTIATIONS
We attended a meeting today with the chief officer and the HR director regarding travel allowances and car parking.
This was our first negotiation meeting.
Napo and Unison have been asked to put forward proposals. It was stated that no proposals would be acceptable to the management side unless, if adopted, they resulted in significant reductions to travel costs.
We would welcome views from members and the branch meeting on Friday 21 November that will take place at IB Road in Portsmouth will be crucial in this regard. We urge as many members to attend as possible. However, if you cannot please contact Tina Williams, George Clarke or Richard Marshall.
If the management proposals are implemented all members will have to pay for car parking at work; a significant number will lose the lump sum allowance starting next April and no staff will receive the allowance after 2012; for staff who work in offices that do not provide car parking they will become responsible for their own parking costs on those days when they do not use their car for work purposes.
We have asked management for information about how they intend to achieve budget reductions beyond travel allowances as they say changes to travel allowances alone will not be sufficient to reach a balanced budget.
We have also asked for more details about the Area’s plans with regard to transport arrangements if staff elect not to use their own vehicles.
A further meeting with management is planned for early December.
Posted by Hampshire at 03:11 PM | Comments (0)
November 03, 2008
TAX RELIEF ON NAPO SUBSCRIPTIONS
Are you claiming tax relief on your Napo subscription? If not, then please read on.
Because Napo is recognised by the Inland Revenue as a Professional Association, the amount you pay in subscriptions can be added to your tax allowance.
YOU CAN RECLAIM TAX PAID OVER THE PAST SIX YEARS WHICH IS LIKELY TO BE SEVERAL HUNDRED POUNDS.
Alison Bonner and James Carpenter in Napo’s Membership Section are always happy to help with the subscription element of tax refunds just ring 020 7223 4887 or email membership@napo.org.uk. .
Posted by Hampshire at 08:21 PM | Comments (0)