Your Joint Branch Board
Executive Officers of the Joint Branch Board include:
The Chairman; the Secretary; the Deputy Secretary and the Treasurer.
The officers work together as a leadership team and facilitate the democratic function of the Joint Branch Board. All are full time-positions and are based in premises at Bishopgarth Training School.
Chairman
The JBB Chairman is elected by the Joint Branch Board. Functions performed by the Chairman include:
- Acting as a spokesperson for the West Yorkshire Joint Branch Board and developing a media/communications strategy;
- Guiding the Joint Branch Board;
- Ensuring that the Joint Branch Board adheres to its Rules;
- Chairing Joint Branch Board meetings, Joint Executive Committee meetings, and special and annual meetings;
- Keeping the board focused on issues relevant to the Joint Branch Board;
- Assisting Federation Representatives with issues;
- Acting as one of the signing officers for cheques and other documents, such as contracts and applications for funding;
- Attending at the Force JNCC meetings;
- Attending national/regional meetings as required;
- Dealing with providers of services to members;
- The chairman also deals with, and presents at pension appeals;
Vice- Chairman
The JBB Vice-Chairman is elected by the Joint Branch Board and assists the Chairman. In the absence of the Chairman, the Vice-Chairman performs the duties and exercises the powers of the Chairman, such as presiding over Joint Branch Board meetings. Functions performed by the Vice-Chairman include:
- Acting in the absence of the Chairman;
- serving on the Joint Executive Committee;
- learning the duties of the Chairman and remaining informed of key issues;
and
- Acting as a signing officer for cheques or other documents.
- (The current Vice-Chairman also represents all the sergeants from number 2 region on the Joint Central Committee of the Police Federation);
Secretary
The JBB Secretary is elected by the Joint Branch Board and takes minutes, tracks decisions made by the Board and Executive Committee, and maintains a register of all elected representatives. The Secretary is also be responsible for the Joint Branch Board’s correspondence. Functions performed by the Secretary include:
Serving on the Executive Committee;
Maintaining a copy of the Joint Branch Board’s Rules and the Board's policy statements;
Maintaining lists of officers, Board members, committees, and the general membership;
Conducting a number of tasks with respect to meetings:
Notifying Board members of meetings;
Keeping a record of Board attendance;
Ensuring that a quorum exists at Board meetings;
Bringing the official minute book to meetings and keeping accurate minutes of the meetings;
Recording all motions and decisions of meetings;
Signing Board minutes to attest to their accuracy;
Maintaining copies of minutes and distributing them to Board members;
Ensuring that members are notified of general meetings;
Assisting Federation Representatives with issues;
Negotiating with the Force on Policy and Welfare issues;
Attending at the Force JNCC meeting; and
Attending national/regional meetings as required.
Deputy Secretary
The JBB Deputy Secretary is elected by the Joint Branch Board and assists the Secretary. In the absence of the Secretary, the Deputy Secretary performs the duties and exercises the powers of the Secretary, such as taking minutes. Functions performed by the Deputy Secretary include:
Acting in the absence of the Secretary;
Serving on the Joint Executive Committee;
Assisting in the duties of the Secretary and remaining informed of key issues;
Assisting Federation Representatives with issues;
Negotiating with the Force on Policy and Welfare issues; and
Acting as a signing officer for cheques or other documents.
Treasurer
The JBB Treasurer is also elected by the Joint Branch Board and holds ultimate responsibility for maintaining the books and recording the day-to-day financial transactions of the Joint Branch Board. The Treasurer is responsible for reporting the financial matters of the Joint Branch Board to the Board. He or she should report periodically to the Board and annually to the general membership. The Treasurer should maintain the records personally . The Treasurer, with the Board’s accountants prepares financial statements required by the Joint Branch Board. Functions performed by the Treasurer include: Serving on the Executive Committee;
Regularly reporting the financial state of the Joint Branch Board and maintaining files of financial reports;
Acting as a signing officer, with another officer or with the senior staff member, for cheques and other documents;
Ensuring that all necessary financial reports, tax reports, and audits are filed;
Preparing and monitoring the overall budget of the Joint Branch Board.
Training Coordinator for the Joint Branch Board
Health and Safety advisor for the Joint Branch Board
(In addition, each Separate Board, i.e. CBB, SBB, IBB, has its own Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary and Deputy Secretary who are members of the Joint Executive Committee elected by its own members.)
Other full-time office holders
Discipline Leader
The Discipline Leader is elected by the Joint Branch Board and maintains responsibility for discipline matters. Functions performed by the Discipline Leader include:
Liaising with Professional Standards Department on issues involving discipline matters;
Liaising with the Force on issues involving discipline policies;
Assisting Federation Representatives with discipline issues;
Representing officers at discipline hearings as necessary;
Maintaining a current on-call list for the Discipline Team representatives;
Maintaining an overview of Regulation 9 Notices;
Involvement in discipline training issues locally and nationally.
Equalities Leader
The Equalities Leader is elected by the Joint Branch Board and has responsibility for equality matters. Functions performed by the Equalities Leader include:
Liaising with the Diversity Unit on issues involving equality matters;
Liaising with the Force on issues involving equality/diversity policies;
Arranging and facilitating JBB Equality Sub-committee meetings;
Representing and supporting officers on equality matters as necessary;
Maintaining a register of all equality/diversity issues raised;
Attending diversity working groups and meetings;
Maintaining an overview of diversity issues;
And involvement in equality training issues.
Constable’s Reserve Position
The Constable’s Reserve Position is currently held by a female officer in line with Legislation. The Reserve Position is elected by all members of the Force every three years. Functions performed by the Reserve Constable include:
Representation of female officers at Force and local level;
Liaison with the Equalities Leader on gender issues; and attending meetings as required.
Local Federation Representatives
Local Federation Representatives are elected every three years (or, when a vacancy arises) by the officers in the division or department in which they are posted. Normally, each division has one representative in each of the federated ranks, i.e. constable, sergeant and inspector. Some specialist departments, e.g. CID and Traffic have one representative at each rank that covers the whole Force area. Functions performed by Federation Representatives include:
Representing officers in issues of welfare, discipline and other local matters;
Raising divisional Health and Safety issues;
Providing information and guidance on current regulations and policies;
Attending Divisional JNCC meeting;
Attending both Separate Board and JBB meetings; and
Liaising with the Executive on any other matters that may be of consequence to more than their individual divisions.
If you would like any more information about the work of the Police Federation then do not hesitate to contact us; details are at the bottom of this page.
Author - Tony Oldroyd
Deputy Secretary
JBB