DPF Briefing
March 2001
The Restructuring Project
Tom Cullen, National Vice Chairman reports on the current position regarding the Restructuring Project.
The joint DPF/BSI (Business Solutions Limited) Working Group which was set up in November 2000 under the chairmanship of the National Vice Chairman, Mr Tom Cullen, to review the organisational structure of the DPF is making steady progress. To date BSI has undertaken the following:
- Reviewed previous work.
- Had meetings with Force Management, the Membership and Federation Representatives.
- Explored reaction to the current thinking at Regional Delegate’s Conferences.
In considering the future changes to the structure, the Working Group has agreed that for the membership the structure must maintain, or improve the following activities.
- Support for members on discipline matters.
- Support for members on personal welfare issues.
- Support on health and safety.
- Effective liaison between the DPF and Force Management.
- The ability of members to influence the activities of the DPF.
- Improve communication between Head Office, the Regions and members.
It has also been agreed that the building blocks for this new structure should be:
- An effective network of Branch Representatives.
- Regional groups.
- Management Committee.
- Simple/consistent chain of command and communication between the Branch Representative, Regions and Management Committee.
- Recognition of SSG needs.
- The need for an annual account to members through Conference.
- Review and refine the current format of Annual Conference.
- Effective Head Office team with clear roles, responsibilities and improved IT facilities.
Also under consideration as part of this change is the need for Branch Committees. The current thinking is that Branch Committees need only exist where local members require one, with a Branch Representative being sufficient at most stations. Regional Committees will focus more support to Branches.
The project is now moving towards the completion phase where roles and responsibilities will be defined and the number of personnel in each area clarified. In doing this the amount of facility time and the costs involved will have to be considered.
We will keep you informed as the project develops and recommendations are finalised.
