Chairman outlines concerns to MPs at Tory Conference

ESSEX Police Federation Chairman, Steve Taylor, yesterday attended the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester to meet face-to-face with Essex’ local MP’s and discuss the concerns of officers, particularly in regard to the police officer pay award.

“I discussed the 1% pay rise and informed the MPs I met that the 1% “bonus” they have offered is unconsolidated, which highlights the question of where the money comes from, the choices which individual forces are going to have to make, and in particular what this means for Essex.

“I told them of the strength of feeling, and the depth of feeling, that the membership have when confronted with this pay award which, when you listen to the way it’s been portrayed, is disingenuous at best.

“Ultimately, the additional 1% which the Government claims to have broken the pay cap to award us, it’s not acceptable that that comes from existing funds. That’s like the Prime Minister taking me out for a pint, for a job well done, and expecting me to pick up the bill. That’s not fair.

“To call it a bonus, as I say, is disingenuous, and it is deeply disappointing.

“For me, I hoped to arm the MPs with the knowledge of how Essex feels as a force, so that when they take on the ministers in the corridors, in the networks of power, into which they’re plugged in and to which we have no access they can share this. So that no one can misinterpret the disappointment that our members and I have over the way this pay award has been dealt with.

“After my meetings with MPs James Cleverly (pictured with Steve), Bernard Jenkin and Mark Francois, I feel I have done just that.

“Despite the journey to Manchester being a long way, the effort was worth it, if not only to underscore to those three MPs I saw just how disappointed our members are.

“From the MPs I spoke to, I felt sympathy and understanding. I felt they understood what I was saying, and making the right noises.

“The MPs were behind the funding picture for the force, and I am confident that the messages I gave them will be relayed in conversations at Parliament.”