Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies from Members of the Panel

None.

None.

Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on 18 March 2021 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

None.

The report is attached.

The Police and Crime Commissioner presented his report to the Panel which provided an update on his activities since the last report on 18 March 2021. The report focussed on the PCC’s return to office following elections in May 2021, recruitment for the new Chief Constable, establishment numbers, crime rates, performance accountability, an update on the Evolve change programme, workstreams that the Office for the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) had been engaged in since the last report (including finances, commissioned services and grants, volunteers scheme, police complaint reforms, road safety), collaboration activity (including Blue Light Commercial Limited, Warwickshire Bluelight Joint Advisory Collaboration Board, Local Criminal Justice Board and Warwickshire Strategic Road Safety Partnership), and engagement activity.

In response to a question from Councillor Dave Humphreys regarding establishment numbers, the PCC noted that the transformation to a standalone force was a significant challenge and a large proportion of the budget was allocated to payroll and associated payments. The bulk of new officers were funded by the council taxpayer rather than central government and he believed that residents would not accept a higher level of precept to increase officer numbers further, but this would be a topic for future consultation.

Responding to a question from the Chair regarding Police Officer Establishment (graph 1), the PCC explained that the spike in the graph that could be seen in June 2021 related to an intake of officers and the subsequent standstill related to the budgeted number of officers for the period being 1048 and the force being requested not to overspend on pay through further recruitment.  The pay budget from 1 April would increase to a figure that would see the establishment rise to 1100.  The control of officer numbers was not an exact science, primarily due to some individuals deciding to leave the force. 

Councillor Jenny Fradgley asked about loss of expertise as suggested by the report at page 30 in relation to Stop & Search.  The PCC responded that whilst he did not have exact figures, approximately 40% of response officers had less than three years’ service and a drain on experience was expected as officers with long service left and new ones joined.  However, the comments in the report were related directly to Stop & Search and were not related to the general picture.

In response to a question from Councillor John Holland regarding speeding enforcement, the PCC noted that the Chief Constable had increased the roads team and they were supported by good kit including vehicles, expenditure of £0.5m on education for learners and pre-learners, and Warwickshire’s villages were being encouraged to set up their own speed watch teams. However, he noted that speed enforcement would not fully address the problem of road safety and he suggested that the Panel also lobby County Councillors Redford and Crump who were portfolio holders with responsibilities in this subject.  He also noted a national campaign to ensure emergency services were statutory beneficiaries of Section 106 planning obligations and the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL).

In  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

To confirm the continued establishment of the Planning and Performance Working Group and the Budget Working Group and confirm their membership.  A minimum of three members is advised for each Group.

The Panel were asked to consider the continuance of the Panel’s existing working groups, the working groups’ terms of reference and the appointments to the two working groups. 

Resolved:

1.     The Panel confirmed the continuation of the Planning and Performance

Working Group and the Budget Working Group.

2.     The Panel confirmed the terms of reference of the two working groups as set out in the appendices to the report.

3.     That the appointments to the Working Groups be as follows:-

a)    Budget Working Group: Councillors Christopher Kettle, Derek Poole, Jenny Fradgley and John Holland

b)    Planning & Performance Working Group: Mr Andy Davis, Mr Andrew Davies, Councillors Dave Humphreys, Barbara Brown, Clare Golby and Christopher Kettle

4.     That Councillor Christopher Kettle be appointed Chair of the Budget Working Group and that Mr Andy Davis be appointed Chair of the Planning & Performance Working Group.

To consider and review the Panel’s work programme.

Reflecting on the discussions that had taken place earlier in the meeting, Members requested changes to the work programme as follows:-

1. 20mph speed limits around schools to be brought forward to 23 September 2021 and the scope be broadened to speed limits and general road safety.  The PCC expressed the view that the Panel should also meet with the County Council on this topic and Councillor Clare Golby noted work on this topic was being undertaken by Overview and Scrutiny at Warwickshire County Council which may be of interest to the Panel.  The Chair asked Panel Members to consider how their wider role as elected representatives could influence this issue.   
2. Gypsy, Roma & Travellers would be considered at the meeting on 18 November 2021.
3. The PCC reported that the new Chief Constable would be happy to attend on 18 November 2021.
4. The Planning and Performance Working Group would consider the Panel’s approach to organised crime and County Lines. 
5. With regard to the proposed climate action plan, the point was made that the stated 2050 target for carbon reduction was not aligned to new government targets (enshrined in law in April 2021) to have 78% carbon reduction by 2035.

To note the arrangements for future meetings. All Police and Crime Panel meetings start at 10.30 am, unless specified otherwise. Venues to be advised:

23 September 2021

18 November 2021

3 February 2022

7 April 2022

Future meeting dates were noted. Members noted that venues were yet to be confirmed but reiterated the objective to engage with the communities across the County. Members considered that a change to the start time of meetings would better support arrangements to hold the meetings outside Warwick and agreed future meetings would commence at 2.00pm, subject to review.

At the discretion of the Chair, items may be raised which are considered urgent (please notify Democratic Services in advance of the meeting).

None.

To consider passing the following resolution: ‘That members of the public be excluded from the meeting for the items mentioned below on the grounds that their presence would involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of Part 1 of the Local Government Act 1972’.

Resolved

That members of the public be excluded from the meeting for the items mentioned below on the grounds that their presence would involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 and 7 of Schedule 12A of Part 1 of the Local Government Act 1972’.

The Panel adjourned for 10 minutes at this point in the meeting.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 18 March 2021.

Resolved: That the exempt minutes of the meeting held on 18 March 2021 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To consider any complaints received and considered regarding the conduct of the Police and Crime Commissioner.

None.

Earlier in the meeting, Councillor Clare Golby had asked for further information regarding the standalone ICT function for Warwickshire Police that was included in the Evolve change programme.  Due to the commercially sensitive nature of the topic, the response was given in exempt session.