To receive any apologies from Members of the Panel

Apologies were received from Councillor Clare Golby and Councillor Dave Humphreys. Councillor Sue Markham and Councillor Adrian Warwick were present as substitutes. Apologies were also received from Councillor John Holland.

Members are required to register their disclosable pecuniary interests within 28 days of their election of appointment to the Council. ?Any changes to matters registered or new matters that require to be registered must be notified to the Monitoring Officer as soon as practicable after they arise.

A member attending a meeting where a matter arises in which they have a disclosable pecuniary interest must (unless ?they have a dispensation):

•        Declare the interest if ?they have not already registered it

•        Not participate in any discussion or vote

•        Leave the meeting room until the matter has been dealt with

•        Give written notice of any unregistered interest to the Monitoring Officer within 28 days of the meeting

Non-pecuniary interests relevant to the agenda should be declared at the commencement of the meeting.

The public reports referred to are available on the Warwickshire Web https://democracy.warwickshire.gov.uk/uuCoverPage.aspx?bcr=1

There were none.

Councillor Bryn Turner of Beaudesert & Henley in Arden Joint Parish Council was welcomed to the meeting and invited to put his question to the Police and Crime Commissioner.

Councillor Turner referred to the findings of the recently published Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) report into child sexual exploitation and organised networks. The report had concluded that “this investigation has revealed extensive failures by local authorities and police forces to keep pace with the pernicious and changing problem of sexual exploitation of children by networks.” He stated that an assessment of services in Warwickshire had formed part of the case study work for the report; where there were causes for concern, an effective response was required.

Councillor Turner asked that the Commissioner work with Warwickshire Police to implement a more proactive strategy to address sexual exploitation of children by organised networks, as exemplified by Avon & Somerset Police’s ‘Operation Topaz’.

The Commissioner thanked Councillor Turner for his observations and underlined the importance of enacting a robust strategy to counter child sexual exploitation (CSE). He highlighted that the case study work undertaken by IICSA had examined approaches to CSE by both Warwickshire County Council and Warwickshire Police. He stated that the report had also shown examples of good practice in Warwickshire.

The Commissioner stated that there was an opportunity to learn from good practice being undertaken elsewhere, such as in Avon and Somerset. It would be necessary to work closely with Social Services in Warwickshire. He highlighted the effectiveness of the Warwickshire Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) which was focused on detecting and countering CSE.

Richard Long (Head of Policy and Partnership, OPCC) underlined the importance of enacting a robust strategy to address CSE. He stated that, at its core, CSE was a societal issue. To intervene effectively, a holistic, partnership approach was required across public sector organisations with an understanding of respective roles and responsibilities. He highlighted the importance of the role of Warwickshire Police to identify and safeguard victims of CSE and bring perpetrators to justice.

Richard Long stated that the Commissioner and his Office welcomed the findings of the IICSA as well as the work of Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) which sought to identify good practice and areas where improvements could be made. It was clear that improvements, locally and nationally, were required in the multi-agency response to CSE as outlined in the recent report. He advised that the Commissioner had a responsibility to hold the Chief Constable to account and had actively used this power with a focus specifically on issues relating to CSE. The Force accepted that more work was required, including problem profiling; recording and analysis of networks involved in perpetrating CSE; recording of disruption tactics, when used; and improvements to the operation of the risk assessment process.

Richard Long emphasised that the IICSE report had also focused on good practices within Warwickshire, including training aimed at eradicating victim blaming; a progressive approach to assessing risks; the adoption of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4(4)

The Report is attached.

The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) presented his report which provided an update on key activities since the Panel meeting in November 2021. The report included an overview of national issues, including initiatives emerging from the Home Office Police and Crime Commissioner Review, and the recently published State of Policing Report 2021.

The Commissioner provided an outline of the key priorities emerging from the recently introduced National Policing Measures, stating that the Police and Crime Plan 2021-25 enabled a focus on these areas. He provided an overview of the implications of the recent amendment to the Specified Information Order 2011 which placed a duty on PCCs to publish information on their contribution to achieving improvements against key priorities. He suggested that this could be a useful resource for the Panel and others.

The Commissioner reported that the Chief Constable had recently appointed a Deputy Chief Constable, Alex Franklin-Smith.

The Commissioner advised that the Evolve Programme was reaching its conclusion. The Programme had been established to support the transition of Warwickshire Police to a standalone Force following termination of the Strategic Alliance. He reported that Warwickshire Police had largely achieved this objective; a small number of legacy software applications would continue to be hosted by West Mercia Police until the end of June 2022.

The Commissioner reported that migration of Warwickshire Police’s Operations Communication Centre from Leek Wootton to a refurbished facility at Stuart Ross House had been completed successfully without significant interruption to services. However, rates of COVID-19 had recently surged, affecting around 25% of control handlers. He reported that the upgraded facility had been well-received by staff; it would contribute to better contact with the public and improved outcomes. He invited the Panel to visit Stuart Ross House.

The Commissioner reported that the Evolve Programme would be succeeded by the ‘Empower’ Programme, with a focus on the three workstreams of People, Place, and Technology to drive continuous improvement. It would enable a means to deliver on the Force’s ‘Fit for the Future’ Strategy and the ambitions of the Police and Crime Plan.

The Commissioner reported that plans were in place to achieve a Force establishment figure of 1100 officers before the end of the year. This would be supported by recruitment of 55 officers appointed through the national Uplift Programme.

The Commissioner announced that he had selected a Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner; a confirmation hearing would be scheduled in April 2022 to enable the Panel to review the appointment.

The Commissioner reported a meeting had recently been held to finalise arrangements for the Grants Scheme. He advised that the allocation of funding towards small grants had been increased by £60,000 which would support initiatives across Warwickshire and contribute towards delivery of priorities outlined within the Police and Crime Plan. He advised that attention would be given to allocations to Commissioned Services, including contracts for larger organisations due for renewal in 2023.

In response to the Chair, the Commissioner expressed his support for the government’s intention to grant greater  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.

The Report is attached.

Mr John Anderson (Chair of Warwickshire Joint Audit and Standards Committee) introduced the Joint Audit and Standards Committee (JASC) Annual Report 2021. He advised that the report set out the work of the Committee for the year ended 31 December 2021, including how the Committee has met its Terms of Reference and demonstrated compliance with the Home Office Financial Code of Practice and relevant Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) guidance. The report provided the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) and Chief Constable with a measure of assurance on the adequacy of governance arrangements.

John Anderson advised that the report outlined key areas of focus for 2022, enabling the JASC to discharge its responsibilities and oversee the ongoing effectiveness of governance, risk management and internal control arrangements. The Terms of Reference would be updated accordingly.

The report provided an outline of measures to monitor delivery of the Evolve Programme. John Anderson stated that the transition of services had been accomplished within a short timescale with a positive outcome. The JASC would continue to monitor the Empower Programme.

John Anderson advised that the CIPFA Financial Capability and Resilience report had awarded Warwickshire Police a rating of three stars, consistent with other forces. This was a commendable achievement as, at the time of the CIPFA report, a standalone Finance Department for Warwickshire Police had only recently been established.

John Anderson highlighted that, since writing the report, the external audit timetable had been revised to accommodate pressures on the External Auditor. It was a challenging time for the external audit sector, particularly in recruiting appropriately skilled personnel. He advised that external audit fees had increased by 20%; however, other police forces had experienced an increase of up to 80%.

In response to Councillor Davison, John Anderson advised that analysis of key strategic risks was supported by risk registers supplied by the Force and PCC. Strategic risk registers drew upon the Police and Crime Plan, providing an overview of measures proposed to mitigate risks.

In response to Councillor Kettle, John Anderson advised that JASC monitored recommendations emerging from CIPFA, the external auditor, internal audit processes and others. It sought to evaluate the effectiveness of the response of Warwickshire Police and the Commissioner. He advised that good progress had been made, as indicated by the clear report issued by the External Auditor, as well as a significant decrease in the number of outstanding recommendations from Internal Audit over the course of 2021.

The Chair thanked John Anderson, stating that alignment between the Panel and JASC supported ongoing effective scrutiny.

John Anderson stated that JASC attendance of Panel meetings had proved to be informative and insightful.

Resolved:

That the Police and Crime Panel notes the Joint Audit and Standards Committee Annual Report 2021.

An update on the work of the TFG following the meeting held on 22 March 2022. The Report is attached.

The Chair introduced the report which provided an update on the work of the Task and Finish Group. He thanked the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) for their support of the Task and Finish Review, stating that high-quality resources had been provided. He advised that the findings of the Review would be utilised to inform the development of the Panel’s Work Programme for 2022/23.

The Chair stated that the material considered by the Group demonstrated the complexity of the Panel’s role to scrutinise effective and efficient delivery of the Police and Crime Plan.

The Police and Crime Commissioner indicated his support for continued development of a Performance Dashboard to monitor delivery of the Police and Crime Plan. He emphasised that, as the role of PCC expanded, the Framework would need to adjust and adapt accordingly. For example, a greater emphasis on criminal justice outcomes would need to be accommodated within a flexible performance framework.

Councillor Davison highlighted that development of the initiative depended upon collaboration with the OPCC. He suggested that the Panel’s resolution be revised to reflect this. He emphasised that the Performance Dashboard required flexibility; it may need to be refined over a longer period to arrive at the most effective means of representing performance.

Andy Davis, Chair of the Planning and Performance Working Group, expressed support for the revised resolution. He stated that the Working Group would seek to develop an approach that recognised the nuances of measuring performance, including the proposed national changes to the role of the PCC.

Polly Reed (Chief Executive, OPCC) stated that the Planning and Performance Working Group would provide an effective forum to develop proposals.

Andy Davis proposed that the Panel resolve “that the initiative to develop a Performance Dashboard for monitoring of delivery of the Police and Crime Plan 2021 – 25 be progressed by the Planning and Performance Working Group in collaboration with the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner”.

Councillor Kettle seconded the motion which was unanimously supported by those present.

Resolved:

That the Panel:

     1.          Notes the progress made by the Performance Framework (Police and Crime Plan 2021 – 2025) Task and Finish Group.

     2.          Agrees that the initiative to develop a Performance Dashboard for monitoring of delivery of the Police and Crime Plan 2021 – 25 be progressed by the Planning and Performance Working Group in collaboration with the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.

To consider and review the Panel’s Work Programme.

The Chair highlighted the diversity of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s oversight of policing and crime. To be most effective, the Panel had resolved to focus on six key areas in 2022/23:

·       Budget Setting, Public Engagement and Consultation – the Chair thanked the Commissioner for his offer to engage with the Panel to support promotion of the public consultation for the 2023/24 budget and precept. He stated that there was an opportunity to consider issues affecting the tax base to ensure that proposals take account of latest information.

·       Needs Based Commissioning – the Chair suggested that the Budget Working Group examine Needs Based Commissioning to develop an understanding of the effectiveness of funding allocations by the PCC. This would encompass joint commissioning with partners.

·       Performance Framework – providing a means for the Planning and Performance Working Group to progress performance monitoring initiatives with a focus on effectiveness and efficiency as well as outcome rates. The Chair commented that this could help to inform prevention strategies such as interventions to address Child Sexual Exploitation.

·       Equality, Diversityand Inclusion – to ensure that the organisational makeup is inclusive and fit for purpose.

·       Domestic Abuse and Domestic Violence – to enable the Panel to take a detailed overview of strategies in place to respond to a complex area of crime. The Panel would seek to develop its understanding of partnership arrangements, ensuring that commissioned services contributed to improved circumstances for victims. 

·       Areas of Community Concern – to enable scope to consider issues consistently raised by residents that may require input by the Panel. For example, 20mph speed limits around schools.

The Commissioner stated that he was content with the Panel’s proposals. However, he emphasised that the Panel was strategic in nature; it would not be appropriate to consider single local issues.

The Chair provided assurance that the Panel would not seek to raise specific single issues, instead it would focus on the objective of raising public confidence in policing by providing a means to consider the strategic implications of residents’ concerns, taking an holistic view.

A discussion item to consider whether to progress plans to hold future Panel meetings at venues across constituent authorities.

The Chair introduced this item, stating that the Panel had previously resolved to hold its meetings ‘on the road’ to encourage public participation and improved local engagement. The initiative had shown limited success. He suggested that the Panel continue to consider opportunities to make meetings publicly accessible whilst holding future meetings at Shire Hall, Warwick.

In response to the Chair, members expressed support for future meetings to be held in Shire Hall.

To note the arrangements for future meetings:

23 June 2022 (14:00, venue to be advised)

22 September 2022 (14:00, venue to be advised)

17 November 2022 (14:00, venue to be advised)

6 February 2023 (14:00, Shire Hall, Warwick)

6 April 2023 (14:00, venue to be advised)

Future meeting dates were noted.

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

There were 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 7 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972’.

As there were no complaints to consider, there was no requirement to enter confidential session.

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

There were none.

The meeting rose at 15:56.