Chief constable's employment contract

The request was successful.

Dear Durham Police and Crime Commissioner ("PCC"),

It was announced, publicly, in November, 2016 that the PCC had agreed a five year contract with the incumbent chief constable, Mike Barton (please see below weblink).

https://www.durham-pcc.gov.uk/Document-L...

On Monday 11th March, 2019 the chief constable announced his retirement from the police service. Less than half way through that contract.

https://durham.police.uk/news-and-events...

In an article recently published, and which has received wide attention, particularly within policing circles, the truth behind the sudden, unexpected announcement is sought. The reason advanced: 'to spend more time in my greenhouse and with my grandchildren' is, on any independent view, scarcely credible.

http://neilwilby.com/2019/03/15/barton-b...

Accordingly, please disclose the following information:

1. The date (in 2019) upon which the chief constable first discussed his retirement with the PCC and/or his chief executive.

2. All correspondence, meeting notes, briefing notes between the PCC, and/or his chief executive, and/or his personal assistant that relates either to Mr Barton's contract renewal in 2016, or his retirement in 2019.

3. A copy of the contract agreed between the PCC and the chief constable in 2016.

4. The date upon which the new chief executive to the PCC was appointed.

5. A copy of the advertisement for the post.

6. The number of candidates who applied for the post.

7. The number of candidates interviewed.

Yours faithfully,

Neil Wilby
Investigative journalist

Twitter: @Neil_Wilby
Web: neilwilby.com

General Enquiries PCVC,

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General Enquiries PCVC,

Good afternoon,

Thank you for your enquiry. Please accept this email as acknowledgement of your request; you will receive a response within 20 working days of receipt of your email.

Please could you clarify whether Questions 5-7 relate the post of Chief Executive?

Kind Regards,

The Office of Durham Police, Crime and Victims’ Commissioner
Listening, Enabling, Delivering… because communities matter.

Twitter @DurhamPCC
Tel: 0191 375 2001

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Dear General Enquiries PCVC,

Yes, Questions 5 to 7 do relate to the chief executive.

May I also, most respectfully, remind the Commissioner that section 10 of the Freedom of Information Act requires a public authority to respond PROMPTLY. The 20 working day limit is a backstop, not a target date.

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/200...

The request has been specifically framed so that the disclosures do not present anything other than a very light burden on the PCC’s office.

Yours sincerely,

Neil Wilby
Investigative journalist

Twitter: @Neil_Wilby
Web: neilwilby.com

Dear General Enquiries PCVC,

Whilst this does not impact on the disclosure requested and your finalisation, for the benefit of fellow What Do They Know readers and users there is a correction necessary to the background narrative.

What was agreed in November, 2016, between the PCC and the chief constable appears to have been a three year extension to a pre-existing contract. The expiry date of the revised contract is February, 20121.

https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/1...

Yours sincerely,

Neil Wilby
Investigative journalist

Twitter: @Neil_Wilby
Web: neilwilby.com

General Enquiries PCVC,

1 Attachment

  • Attachment

    Durham PCVC Chief Executive Candidate Information Pack August 2018.doc....pdf

    833K Download View as HTML

Dear Mr Wilby,

Please see below information that you have requested from the Office of the Durham Police, Crime and Victims’ Commissioner under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

1. The date (in 2019) upon which the chief constable first discussed his retirement with the PCC and/or his chief executive.
A. This was discussed informally at the end of 2018, then formally on 4th March 2019 and the Chief’s retirement letter was given for publication on 11th March 2019.

2. All correspondence, meeting notes, briefing notes between the PCC, and/or his chief executive, and/or his personal assistant that relates either to Mr Barton's contract renewal in 2016, or his retirement in 2019.
A. N/A – No correspondence of this nature exists

3. A copy of the contract agreed between the PCC and the chief constable in 2016.
A. The contract agreement is available to view on the Durham PCVC website, please see below link:
https://www.durham-pcc.gov.uk/Document-L...

4. The date upon which the new chief executive to the PCC was appointed.
A. The appointment of the Chief Executive was confirmed by the Police and Crime Panel on 22nd October 2018.

5. A copy of the advertisement for the post
A. Please see attached recruitment pack.

6. The number of candidates who applied for the post.
A. Recruitment was carried out by an external recruitment company therefore the PCVC does not hold this information.

7. The number of candidates interviewed.
A. There were 4 candidates interviewed for the post of Chief Executive.

Kind Regards,

The Office of the Durham Police, Crime and Victims’ Commissioner

Tel: 0191 375 2001
Twitter: @DurhamPCC
Facebook: PCC.Durham

The Office of the Durham Police, Crime and Victims’ Commissioner
Police Headquarters
Aykley Heads
Durham
DH1 5TT

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