Lincolnshire Police has defended its policy for forms of compassionate and emergency leave, amid Police Federation accusations time off for workers is being denied.
A report by the Police Federation, the staff association body for officers across the country, found that just one of 43 forces in England and Wales met the Federation’s standards for entitlement to Time Off for Dependants (TOfD) and Parental Bereavement Leave.
TOfD is time away from work granted by employers to deal with emergencies involving a dependant, whether that be a spouse, partner, child, parent or someone else who depends on you for care. It derives from the Employment Rights Act 1996.
It is generally unpaid outside the police force, but officers are entitled to paid Time Off for Dependants as per nationally agreed standards in the Police Staff Council handbook.
This handbook says it is “normally” but not always restricted to one or two days in duration, and has no limit to the number of occasions it can be taken.
However, the Police Federation are accusing forces nationwide of “misleading” officers and “denying them their entitlements” to TOfD and Parental Bereavement Leave by merging the two together rather than them both being separate leave scenarios.
This is something that Lincolnshire Police has denied, stating that it conducted a review into the local policy with the Lincolnshire Police Federation and was “satisfied” with the findings.
| Photo: Steve Smailes
Helen Stamp, Chair of the Lincolnshire Police Federation, said: “Following publication of this report, we, along with the force, have reviewed the policy and are satisfied that the needs of our members are catered for.
“Each member will be dealt with on a case by case basis. To my knowledge we have not had a case where this has been raised by a member as a breach of regulations.”
Lincolnshire Police told The Lincolnite that the report was noted and they are content that, following an internal review alongside the local Police Federation, they meet requirements with the following circumstances:
Offering five days of paid special leave for all officers and staff for those unexpected incidents which may constitute as an emergency to individuals. This is a reasonable amount of leave which aligns with the principles of Annex T and enables discretion to be applied on a case by case basis subject to the circumstances each individual may be faced with.
Offer up to 18 weeks’ unpaid parental leave which is outlined clearly in a separate policy document for all officers and staff.
Offer two weeks’ parental bereavement leave at full pay for any officer or staff member who sadly is faced with this circumstance. This is outlined in a separate procedure document.
Lincolnshire Police’s TOfD policy, according to the Police Federation’s report, uses the word “emergency”, which is not in the nationally agreed Annex T regulations, as well as “stating or implying” that this is in fact discretionary leave.
It goes on to accuse Lincolnshire Police of “incorrectly limiting the amount of leave, or paid leave, that can be taken”, but the county force met the Federation standards by mentioning TOfD’s covering of death of a dependant, as well as clearly outlining the five reasons an officer can be entitled to it.
The force responded to a Freedom of Information request from the Police Federation by saying it “reserves the right to refuse special leave in circumstances where the maximum entitlement has been taken, or where granting such leave would have a negative impact on force operations and service delivery”.
The government website states that you are allowed “a reasonable amount of time off” to manage a TOfD situation, but no set amount of time is given due to the varied nature of these requests – though this is dependant on your employers.
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Drummond Road (at the junction with Lumley Road) in Skegness undergoing further investigations.
The route between Lumley Road and Sandbeck Avenue will remain closed due to a sinkhole that has appeared. A diversion is in place via Beresford Avenue.
Investigation works have been carried out on Monday 15 August and after initial exploration into the cause it appears that shifting sandy ground at low level may have moved, causing the issue.
Drought conditions may have been a contributing factor in the area with the substrate material drying out and being prone to movement.
| Photo: The Lincolnite
On-site crews are currently digging out the affected area. The site will be inspected again on Tuesday (August 16) to check for further issues.
If no more are found then a 3m square will be excavated and then infilled with stone before re-surfacing the road can take place. Once this plan is in place a schedule for the work will be announced.
Lincoln’s annual LGBTQ+ celebration is almost upon us once again, and here are all the relevant details you’ll need for this weekend’s Lincoln Pride 2022 event.
Pride is a celebration of inclusivity and representation within the LGBTQ+ community, offering live music and other activities for a fully immersive experience that leaves pre-judgements at the door.
COVID-19 cancelled the 2020 and 2021 Pride events in Lincoln, so anticipation is high for the return to the city this year, as members of the community and allies alike prepare to paint the town in rainbow colours.
It will take place on Saturday, August 20 at Lincoln’s Tentercroft Street Car Park, an open space which organisers say is ideal for the range of activities that will be on display throughout the day.
As a result of Pride, the car park will be closed to the general public from Friday, August 19 at 7am, to Sunday, August 21 at midnight – and access to the site’s surrounding spaces willingly be granted to the relevant businesses.
Lincoln Pride 2022 is again free to attend, but special tickets are available to grant unique privileges at the event, including meet and greets, front row spots and access to VIP areas.
These tickets vary from £20 to £55 and can be purchased from the Lincoln Pride website.
Here is a rundown of all you need to know ahead of this year’s Lincoln Pride:
Line-up
Alex Party and Booty Luv are ready to rock the house at Lincoln Pride 2022. | Photos: Lincoln Pride’s Facebook Page
Each year at the Pride festival, there are a host of popular names from the entertainment world that front the bill to put on a show for the crowds. In previous years the likes of Tulisa, 5ive and B*Wtiched have been the star attraction.
This year, The Scene Queens, British dance group Booty Luv and international act Alex Party are set to perform on the main stage, which is being headlined by poster HRVY – who has amassed millions of followers during his singing career despite only being 23 years old.
HRVY will be joined by the UK’s leading Dua Lipa tribute act, Rachel Fuller, along with Cheddar Gorgeous, Victoria Scone and Scarlett Harlett.
Parade
Scenes from the 2017 Lincoln Pride. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
A returning activity for Lincoln Pride 2022 is the parade walk through the High Street, heading towards the main venue of Tentercroft Street Car Park.
The parade begins at 11.30am at Saltergate, near the Lincoln city square, and will be absolutely free to join for the general public.
Passers-by are encouraged to first watch the parade to see sponsors, supporters and partners of the event, before joining in themselves with homemade banners, signs and flags – donned in the rainbow colours that are now synonymous with Pride.
Activities
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Situated in the open space of Tentercroft Street car park, there is ample room for plenty of inclusive activities throughout Pride this year.
A series of food vendors will be on-site offering a range of tasty snacks and meals, a section of the area has been dedicated to a Pride-based market with stalls, and there’s even a bus bar selling VK drinks!
Afterparty
The Scene on Newland in Lincoln. | Photo: Ellis Karran for The Lincolnite
An official afterparty has been planned for the conclusion of Lincoln Pride 2022, with venues Scene and Level (formerly Moka) joining forces for one incredible party.
The Scene will be open from 8pm to 7am, while Level stays open until 3am, and it will cost £18 for re-entry wristbands to both venues. You can catch acts like The Cheeky Girls (yes, genuinely) at the Lincoln Pride Takeover, and tickets are available from The Scene website.
Travel disruption
Lincoln train station closed its doors on Wednesday, July 27 due to “industrial action” from workers. | Photo: Ellis Karran for The Lincolnite
The event has been met with difficulty in terms of travelling to Lincoln on the day, following the announcement of another rail strike on the day of the event – leaving Lincoln with no train services throughout Saturday, August 20.
Organisers are encouraging people to either arrive a day early or find an alternative mode of transports, such as a bus, with Lincoln’s Central Bus Station just a six minute walk from the start location of the parade.
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