5 Resources
50. We have previously argued that the proposed budget
for the College means that it seems unlikely to be able to sustain
its operations without payment for membership, or some other alternative
source of funding.[64]
The Government shares this view, believing that the College "should
be less reliant on central government for the majority of its
income in the future" and that it will need to seek new opportunities
to raise income and take steps to reduce its costs.[65]
51. In its written evidence to the Committee, the
College set out its funding and budgets for the financial years
2013/14 to 2015/16. Total grant-in-aid income will fall from £51.2
million in 2013/14 to £45.0 million in 2015/16, while overall
spending is projected to remain relatively flat. The shortfall
will be made up by other income sources.Table
1: College of Policing Budget
| 2013/14
£m
| 2014/15
£m
| 2015/16
£m
|
Staffing Costs |
40.6
| 44.7
| 47.2
|
Travel & Subsistence
| 3.5 | 3.3
| 3.2 |
Consultancy |
0.5 | 0.4
| 0.4 |
Estate Costs |
17.9 | 14.9
| 12.1 |
IT Costs | 1.7
| 3.0 | 2.4
|
Depreciation |
2.2 | 2.1
| 2.7 |
Grants | 3.5
| 0.7 | 0.7
|
Other Costs |
4.0 | 5.4
| 4.5 |
Total Expenditure
| 73.9 | 74.5
| 73.2 |
Funded by:
|
Income/Recovery
| 22.7 | 26.9
| 28.2 |
Grant In Aid |
51.2 | 47.5
| 45.0 |
Notes: Both 2014/15 and 2015/16 exclude Fast Track
Direct Entry. Although this was originally included as a budgetary
delegation from Home Office in 2014/15, the Home Office is rethinking
this treatment and is likely to move to a position in which it
retains the budget within the Home Office and reimburses the College
for expenditure undertaken.
No firm indication has yet been received from
Home Office regarding funding levels for 2015/16. The table shows
an estimate of what the position might look like with a reduction
of Grant in Aid of circa 5%.
The 2015/16 estimate reflects reduced IT costs
following the 2014/15 IT refresh; Reduced Estate costs following
Bramshill, Harrogate and Wyboston moves; and an increase in depreciation
costs resulting from capital spend on Atlas, smaller IT projects
and Estate work required to achieve increased leverage from a
reduced Estate.
Source: College of Policing evidence
52. Our witnesses all highlighted the College's funding
in their evidence.[66]
Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe thought that the College of Policing would
struggle with its resources, remarking that he "[didn't]
envy them the task in the scale of it and the resourcing they
have".[67] Professor
Dame Shirley Pearce told us that the College's funding would be
reduced, like every other public body, for the foreseeable future.
However, she said she was "satisfied that in the near future
we can manage with the resources that we have" and explained
that the College was also looking to supplement their income through
commercial activities.[68]
Independence
53. The arrangements for resourcing and funding of
the College are a major factor in it establishing itself as an
independent body. In our Leadership and standards in the police
report, we concluded that the College, which is at the moment
a company limited by guarantee, should be granted a Royal Charter
"so that policing is put on the same footing as the other
great professions".[69]
The College is working to establish its credentials as an independent
body, to develop its voice in public debate and reduce its dependence
on grant-in-aid from the government. However, in order to seek
chartered status it needs to raise more than 50% of its income
from sources other than grant-in-aid. Currently, grant-in-aid
amounts to approximately 70% of income. In its response to our
report, the College stated that is was developing a business plan
and commercial strategy that would enable it to achieve the degree
of financial independence required to attain chartered status.[70]
54. Alex Marshall told the Committee that, although
the College was making progress towards this objective, but, until
that happened, the Home Secretary would inevitably have some involvement
in the operation of the College, as an arm's-length body. However,
he pointed to examples of the College's independence, such as
the absence of any Home Office representation on the Board or
on the Professional Committee.[71]
Additional income from international
training
55. One area where the College of Policing could
benefit from an additional revenue stream is through training
overseas police forces. On several overseas visits during this
Parliamentto Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Colombia
and Kenyawe have noted the involvement of the British police
in training local forces, close working relationships with the
Serious Organised Crime Agency, and the international recognition
of British Policing as a world-class brand.[72]
The Government thinks that the College should "seek to broaden
business opportunities in both new and existing markets in the
UK and overseas" which might include delivering training
internationally; however, this should take into account the human
rights records of the countries involved. This would also enhance
the positive national and international reputation already enjoyed
by the College.[73] The
College has started to expand into this area, working, Alex Marshall
told us, with "a long list of countries".[74]
The College also maintains a pool of associates consisting of
retired and serving Police Officers with appropriate skills and
experience, who provide this training on a contractual basis.[75]
Membership fees
56. Opinion is divided on the desirability of the
College charging a membership fee.[76]
The Government, in its response to our earlier report, referred
to the practice of professional bodies that are financed through
membership fees, but emphasised that this should be a matter for
the College Board to decide.[77]
The College responded that there were no plans to charge compulsory
membership fees, but that all forms of membership, including voluntary
subscriptions, would be explored.[78]
The College has since announced that, for the next three years,
basic membership will be free of charge. The Police Federation
was firmly opposed to compulsory membership fees and Sir Hugh
Orde thought that members would need to see the value of subscribing
before they were willing to pay.[79]
57. The College has told us that, when its membership
service is launched in April 2015, standard membership will be
free of charge. This will provide police officers with access
to services that are required to fulfil their professional role
within policing. A consultation is currently underway about the
services that might be included as part of an optional premium
membership. This might include mentoring, news feeds, careers
advice, member discounts and advanced professional development
beyond the core curriculum.[80]
58. Dame Shirley said that it was reasonable to charge
people for services that benefit them for their personal career
development, and other member services that are not central to
their delivering their role. Alex Marshall added that "many
people in policing are willing to pay for other servicesfor
example, if they are going for a promotion, they might go to a
private company that provides services around thatand we
will make a premium package available for people who want to pay".[81]
59. We welcome the work that the College of Policing
has undertaken to generate income other than from taxpayers' money.
During our visits overseas, we have met former UK police officers
who provide training to international forces. The brand of British
policing is regarded as the best in the world, and we welcome
the work the College have done internationally to promote British
policing and enhance this reputation. However, their projected
budget suggests that growth in income generation is going to slow.
If the College wants to attain chartered status and become independent
it must do more to find additional sources of income.
60. One additional source of income will be the
premium membership package. We agree with the position taken by
the College in distinguishing between services that should be
free and those that should be charged for. It is right that where
police officers require a service to fulfil their role, they should
not be charged for this. However, if it is a service that will
benefit their personal career development, then a charge is reasonable.
We further welcome the fact that standard membership will be provided
at no cost to police officers for a minimum of three years and
for as long as it is possible to do so.
64 Home Affairs Committee, Third Report of Session
2013-14, Leadership and standards in the police, HC 67-I, Paras
19-21 Back
65
Government response to Leadership and standards in the police,
Cm 8759, Pp 3-4 Back
66
Qq 38-39 and 96 Back
67
Home Affairs Committee, Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000,
HC 711, Oral evidence, 11 November 2014, Qq 231-233 Back
68
Qq 175-178 Back
69
Home Affairs Committee, Third Report of Session 2013-14, Leadership and standards in the police,
HC 67-I, Para 127 Back
70
Home Affairs Committee, Second Special Report of Session 2013-14,
Leadership and standards in the police: College of Policing Response to the Committee's Third Report of Session 2013-14,
HC 770, p 10 Back
71
Qq 133-134 Back
72
Home Affairs Committee, Third Report of Session 2013-14, Leadership and standards in the police,
HC 67-I, Paras 19-21 Back
73
Government response to Leadership and standards in the police,
Cm 8759, Pp 3-4 Back
74
Qq 175-178. Specifically, the College works in: all EU and EEA
states through CEPOL (the European Police College); Afghanistan;
Australia; Bahrain; Bermuda; Bosnia; Brunei Darussalam; China;
Ecuador; Germany; Ghana; India; Indonesia; Kenya; Kuwait; Kyrgyzstan;
Libya; Malaysia; Mexico; Netherlands; New Zealand; Norway; Oman;
Qatar; Rwanda; Saudi Arabia; Serbia; Sierra Leone; Somalia; St.
Kitts and Nevis; Sweden; Tanzania; Thailand; Trinidad; Uganda;
United States; United Arab Emirates: Abu Dhabi; United Arab Emirates:
Dubai. Back
75
Home Affairs Committee, Second Special Report of Session 2013-14,
Leadership and standards in the police: College of Policing Response to the Committee's Third Report of Session 2013-14,
HC 770, P 2 Back
76
Home Affairs Committee, Third Report of Session 2013-14, Leadership and standards in the police,
HC 67-I, Para 16 Back
77
Government response to Leadership and standards in the police,
Cm 8759, Pp 3-4 Back
78
Home Affairs Committee, Second Special Report of Session 2013-14,
Leadership and standards in the police: College of Policing Response to the Committee's Third Report of Session 2013-14,
HC 770, Pp 2-3 Back
79
Qq 53 and 110-112 Back
80
College of Policing written evidence Back
81
Qq 175-178 Back
|