Circular NJC/03/07 - Continual professional development scheme

Employers’ Secretary, Sarah Messenger
Local Government House, Smith Square,
London, SW1P 3HZ
Telephone 020 7187 7335
e-mail: [email protected]

Employees’ Secretary, Matt Wrack
Bradley House, 68 Coombe Rd
Kingston upon Thames KT2 7AE
Telephone 020 8541 1765

To: Chief Fire Officers
Chief Executives/Clerks to Fire Authorities
Chairs of Fire Authorities
Directors of Human Resources
Members of the National Joint Council

7 February 2007

Circular NJC/03/07

Dear Sir/Madam

Continual professional development scheme

1. At yesterday’s meeting of the National Joint Council agreement was reached on the introduction of a Continual Professional Development Scheme, subject to acceptance by the regulators of the respective pension schemes that Continual Professional Development payments shall be pensionable.
2. Whilst such confirmation (which has been sought as a matter of urgency) is awaited, and given the short timescale for implementation, authorities are encouraged to plan for a positive response. However, the transitional payments referred to in circular NJC/10/06 should not be actioned until such time as that confirmation has been received.
3. It may be of benefit to both parties locally to consider agreeing a later implementation date, but that would be a matter for local negotiation.
4. A copy of the final scheme, including the level of payments, is attached (Appendix A) together with the guidance note for applicants (Appendix B) and application form (Appendix C).
5. In addition, to ensure that all employees receive a pay increase on promotion where they otherwise may not as a result of the loss of a CPD payment, the NJC agreed that a minimum increase of £300 per annum shall apply in such circumstances. This principle will also apply in cases of temporary promotion and acting up.

Yours faithfully

Sarah Messenger
Matt Wrack
Joint Secretaries