members in May 2013 identified that eight NPM members used secondees in fulfilling their NPM mandate. It should be noted that the powers and scope of some NPM members are much broader than their OPCAT functions, and so they may employ secondees for work that is not related to their NPM activities. 5. At the same time as ensuring that their staff are fully independent, OPCAT also requires that the NPM ensures that its staff hold sufficient technical expertise, capabilities and professional knowledge to fulfil their mandate (SPT Guidelines para.20). 6. The NPM business meeting in October 2013 agreed the broad outline of a response to the UN Committee against Torture, and that the steering group should draft a response reflecting members’ comments and circulate that for agreement. This was done and the NPM letter sent to the UN Committee against Torture in March 2014 (Annex B). Based on this agreed position, which also received broad support from those attending the NPM 'Five years on' conference in April 2014, the steering group agreed at its meeting in May 2014 that the guidance below should be recommended to the June 2014 business meeting for adoption. The guidance 7. Noting the recommendation of the UN Committee against Torture and the unique composition of the UK NPM, NPM members have agreed to work progressively towards a reduction in their reliance on seconded staff for NPM work. Until this is achieved, and in the cases where it is ultimately not 74 possible, NPM members will implement procedures to avoid conflicts of interest as a safeguard to preserve the independence of the NPM. To achieve this, they will work to establish a clearer delineation of staff assigned to NPM work, particularly among members whose work extends beyond the NPM mandate. 8. This guidance applies to all NPM members and guides their practice in relation to seconded staff, preventing conflicts of interest, and safeguarding the independence of personnel. Its provisions should be incorporated as appropriate into staff handbooks and other internal policies. 9. NPM members will aim to clearly identify which of their staff are involved in NPM work, and will consider locating them within a separate unit or department (SPT Guidelines para.32). The identification of NPM staff will encompass a broad understanding of how the NPM mandate is fulfilled, to include both frontline and support staff. 10. The NPM as a whole commits to reducing its reliance on seconded staff for NPM activities, and to tracking and accounting for progress over time. 11. The hiring of any new secondees for NPM work will be avoided where possible, unless the knowledge and expertise the individual brings to the NPM member cannot be found elsewhere. Where this is the case, all recruitment processes will be open, transparent and inclusive, and in accordance with published criteria (SPT Guidelines para. 16).