Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies from members of the Panel.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor David Humphreys. Councillor Margaret Bell was present as a substitute.

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 was none.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 22 November 2023.

Councillor Jarvis highlighted that page 3 of the minutes included the statement that “in respect of police officer numbers, the Commissioner advised that the latest figures showed that the Force now had 1,127 officers”, whereas the Commissioner’s Budget proposals provided for a total of 1,125 officers. He asked if the figure provided at the previous meeting was accurate.

The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) advised that this information was accurate, stating that the total number of officers fluctuated according to the number of officers leaving or joining the Force each month. The current number of officers was 1,122.

Councillor Poole highlighted discussion of funding arrangements for Community Safety Partnerships (CSPs) at the previous meeting. Commentary on page 7 of the minutes stated that “a revised arrangement … was under consideration which would allocate funding more equitably”. He proposed that an item be added to the Panel’s Work Programme to examine funding plans for CSPs in more detail. He suggested that this be given attention at the meeting in June 2024. The Chair expressed support for this proposal which was agreed.

It was resolved that the minutes of the meeting held on 22 November 2023 be confirmed as an accurate record and signed by the Chair.  

There was none.

The Chair highlighted that the Panel had received several expressions of concern relating to the activities of the Warwickshire Hunt which followed on from public speaking on this matter at previous meetings. It continued to be an area of concern to the Panel.

To consider the Police and Crime Commissioner’s proposed precept for 2024/25 and make a report to the Commissioner on the proposals by 8 February 2024.

The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) presented his proposed Budget for Warwickshire Police, including a proposed increase of £13.00 (4.7%) in the local policing precept for an average Band D property (and equivalent percentage increase for other bands) for the 2024/25 financial year.

The Commissioner stated that detailed attention had been given to formulating a budget which provided the Chief Constable with the resources needed to protect Warwickshire communities whilst demonstrating an awareness of what was affordable for residents. He emphasised that the Budget came against a backdrop of rising costs of living. However, there were signs of economic improvement. Inflation had slightly eased but remained high. This meant that costs continued to increase; funding which had been adequate to cover costs and deliver improvements in the current financial year would not meet projected future costs. Whilst there had been some increase in funding from central government, this alone would not bridge the gap. Therefore, following consultation with the Chief Constable, savings of approximately £1.2m had been identified for the 2024/25 financial year, alongside ongoing savings for successive years. 

The Commissioner provided details of the public consultation on the Budget. In Autumn 2023, a range of engagement activities had been used to capture a broad consensus view of Warwickshire residents. Activities encompassed online surveys, face-to-face events, and analysis of data to develop an understanding of public concerns and priorities. These had found that the principal areas of concern for residents were anti-social behaviour (ASB), burglary, acquisitive crime, and organised crime. Warwickshire Police had also commissioned a telephone survey which had identified similar concerns.

The Commissioner advised that the consultation had found that most residents supported an increase in funding and would prioritise this over any cuts to public services. Some responses had called for improved government funding for policing. There had also been some concerns about the impact on residents of any increase to the precept. However, national research showed that there was majority support for increased funding for public services, even if it meant increased taxation. 

The Commissioner outlined the benefits of his proposed Budget, including:

·       Recruitment of an additional 10 police officers in 2024/25.

·       Enhanced visibility of policing enabled by town centre officers in the main towns of each borough and district.

·       Strengthened capacity for specialist investigation teams to address the harms caused by child abuse, trafficking, and exploitation.

·       Increased investment in infrastructure, including estates, vehicles, and uniforms to provide an improved working environment for officers and staff in support of organisational objectives.

·       Further improvements to call-handling processes with a focus on managing demand for 101 non-emergency calls.

·       Ringfenced funding of £1m to address ASB ‘hotspots’ across Warwickshire.

·       The allocation of £2.8m to commissioning of victim support services, including enhanced services for victims of sexual violence and domestic abuse.

·       Investment of £375,000 to deliver a Domestic Abuse Perpetrator programme to prevent harm and reduce reoffending.

·       New contracts for substance misuse support services targeted at those within or on the fringes of the criminal justice system with the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

To consider and review the Panel’s Work Programme.

It was resolved to add an item to the Work Programme to examine future funding arrangements for Community Safety Partnerships in more detail at the meeting in June 2024.

To note the arrangements for future meetings.

Meetings will start at 2pm, unless specified otherwise. The following meetings are scheduled to be held at Shire Hall, Warwick:

·       7 March 2024

·       20 June 2024

·       26 September 2024

·       21 November 2024

·       3 February 2025

·       13 March 2025

The Panel noted the dates of future meetings.

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

There was 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.”

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 was none.