WMP Brass Band (FOI ref: 1763A/25)

Request

Please provide answers to the following questions concerning the West Midlands Police Brass Band:

1 - Does the Force provide any direct or indirect funding for the band's operations? If so, please provide a breakdown of the types of funding (e.g., equipment, uniforms, rehearsal space, etc.) for the most recent financial year.

2 - Are all members of the band officially classed as volunteers by the Force? If not, what is the employment status of those who are not?

3 - Are engagements and performances by the band provided free of charge, or is a fee charged to the event organiser?

4 - Are travel expenses paid for band members for all duties and engagements? If so, please provide the relevant policy on travel expense reimbursement for band members.

5 - Are there any plans for a review or change to the policies outlined in questions 1-4 within the next 12 months?

Response

1 - Does the Force provide any direct or indirect funding for the band's operations? If so, please provide a breakdown of the types of funding (e.g., equipment, uniforms, rehearsal space, etc.) for the most recent financial year.

The force provides the band an annual budget of £3000. The band provides performances at various force functions which include:

• Regular awards ceremonies – up to 12 per year.
• Annual Excellence Awards.
• Force Carol Service.
• Other force events as required, which include open days and similar.
• National events, such as the ordination of the national police chaplain.
• Charity events, often police-themed such as “Care of Police Survivors”.

The annual budget allows the band to carry out essential spending that any brass band might require, such as:

• Expenses payments to supplemental musicians to assist the band with rehearsals and performances.
• Purchase of equipment such as music stands, mutes and musical instruments.
• Repairs and servicing of band items.
• Sheet music.
• Modest refreshments for members, for example tea and coffee supplies for rehearsals and meetings.

In terms of what might be considered indirect funding, the force also provides:

• Rehearsal space in a multi-use gymnasium that is also used for fitness tests, personal safety training and the like. 
• Supporting services such as marketing, but no specific additional people are engaged in this work. 
• Uniforms.

2 - Are all members of the band officially classed as volunteers by the Force? If not, what is the employment status of those who are not?

The force does not have any specific employees or postings within its paid establishment committed entirely to the band. 

Members of the band are made up of a mixture of:

• Serving police officers, police specials and police staff.
• Volunteers, some of whom are retired officers, specials and staff.

3 - Are engagements and performances by the band provided free of charge, or is a fee charged to the event organiser?

Most of the band’s performances are provided free of charge, as described in the answer to question 1. In addition to these, the band is sometimes paid a fee for a performance, such as those for commercial organisations or local authorities where a budget with fixed fees has been established as part of a programme of entertainment. 

4 - Are travel expenses paid for band members for all duties and engagements? If so, please provide the relevant policy on travel expense reimbursement for band members.

The band does not pay travel expenses to volunteer band members. Band members who are force personnel (not volunteers) are able to make a claim for travel for brass band performances, using attached A-6 Allowances - Travel policy and Advisory fuel rates - GOV.UK

5 - Are there any plans for a review or change to the policies outlined in questions 1-4 within the next 12 months?

No information held.