Am grateful for the following observations:-
Mark Drakeford opened proceedings with a well informed passionate speech setting out the case for devolving probation in Wales to the Assembly. Talked about the ethics of public service, locality, professionalism, social justice. Music to the ears of all present, not least to Napo Cymru members, who it seems thank the heavens for a First Minister who not only understands the stance of a probation officer, but used to be one. As he said, there is a healthy quota of Welsh Government ministers with Probation CV's, and every development in probation is debated vigorously in the assembly. Eat your heart out England it would seem.
Also speaking at AGM for the first time, Shadow Justice Minister Richard Burgon MP had obviously digested the excellent review of probation by Lord Ramsbotham and is sounding much more up to speed with things. Obviously not in power, he did nevertheless get a standing ovation for saying under a Labour Administration probation would leave HMPPS and become an independent body.
Lots of motions, all passed unanimously, the theme being pay, training and workloads. At least two motions talked about SFOs and the need to take workloads into account
Budget in deficit again for the year reported. This can only continue for as long as the reserves match potential redundancy payouts and we are 'liquid'. Good news is an apparently steady rise in membership. There is an emergency motion re a decision to pay a grant to five schools to promote unionism. Some feel this is possibly a vanity project by Katie and Ian.
Biggest tetchy moment of the day though was in the afternoon Professional Session with Chief Inspector Justin Russell, Amy Rees and Mike Nellis. Mike challenged both Napo and Amy/MoJ to show some genuine forward visionary thinking. Amy Rees repeatedly using the phrase “The Unified Model” and very, very angry members speaking from the floor rejecting this and demanding full reunification. She won't listen of course, but it was a real stand-off. The Grayling technique of repeating the same thing in the hope it would stick just wasn’t working.
Of course everyone is claiming the modest part-reunification as their own work, from Napo to Amy. For some the MoJ approach to the TR “repairs” bring to mind:-
'As a Dog Returns to His Vomit, so a Fool Repeats His Folly'
Proverbs 26:11
Thank you Mike Drayford and Jim Brown
ReplyDeleteI get a little puzzled when I read about the reunification of probation and the devolution of probation in the same paragraph.
ReplyDeleteI think probation operates best when it can function with autonomy within a localised model. Different regions will obviously have very different problems and access to resources available, but I worry about total devolution.
Someone has recently noted the eagerness PCCs are expressing to have more control over CJ issues in their particular regions, and I'm not at all sure that would be a good thing if it ever came about. Devolving services will surely mean very different models of services being delivered on a regional basis, and under the control of who?
I'm minded of the USA, and how different states have very different approaches to CJ issues. Could devolution create the same differences between regions in the UK?
I favour a reunifide probation service that has autonomy to operate on a localised level, use local facilities, local resources and partnerships, but I struggle with devolution of services.
As an aside, I note that the government are busy creating another expensive disaster with its ideological headlong rush to digitise courts.
https://www-theregister-co-uk.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.theregister.co.uk/AMP/2019/10/11/ministry_of_justice_urged_to_slow_down_court_reforms_even_further/?amp_js_v=a2&_gsa=1&usqp=mq331AQCKAE%3D#aoh=15708740330607&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&_tf=From%20%251%24s&share=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theregister.co.uk%2F2019%2F10%2F11%2Fministry_of_justice_urged_to_slow_down_court_reforms_even_further%2F
'Getafix
Read like Napo on skids row while redundancy costs will the general secretary 250k better off for winding up the union by his complete failures.
ReplyDeletehttps://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/836551/hmpps-finance-manual.pdf
ReplyDeleteA bit of reading whilst filling in time at napo agm