Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and outlined the agenda for the meeting.

The Chair referred to one of the reports on the agenda, Recruitment of Independent Person, advising that he wished to clarify the process, following a number of claims made by interested parties, particularly on social media.

Andy Davis explained that the recruitment process was carried out by a sub-group of the Warwickshire Police and Crime Panel and not by the Leader of the Council.  He reiterated that at no time was he interviewed or appointed by any individual related to any person present at the meeting.  He concluded that he had completed two terms as Independent Member on the Panel and was stepping down as per LGA guidance and to pursue other interests.

To receive any apologies from members of the Panel.

Apologies were received from Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Councillor Tim Jenkins.

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.

The minutes of the Police and Crime Panel held on 20 January 2025 were not finalised at the time of publication of the agenda.  These will be circulated separately prior to the meeting.

The minutes of the Police and Crime Panel meeting held on 20 January 2025 were agreed and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

The Chair asked if it would be possible for the item on the Independent Review Action Plan could be brought forward to the March 2025 meeting.  In response, the Chief Executive of the OPCC, Polly Reed, advised that the Force had been asked to submit their initial report on progress in April, therefore the June 2025 meeting would be the first opportunity to share any update with the Panel.

There was none.

To consider the Police and Crime Commissioner’s proposed precept for 2025/26 and make a report to the Commissioner on the proposals by 8 February 2025.

The 2025/26 Budget report was introduced by the Commissioner, Philip Seccombe who, building on the information contained in the papers, outlined the key points.

He explained that his report requested support for a £14.00 increase (4.83%) to the Council Tax rate for a Band D property, which equated to approximately 27p per week.  He gave assurance that the proposal took steps to maintain all existing services and deliver improvements.  The Commissioner advised that his office had listened to residents and gave an overview of the communications undertaken, resulting in a second survey taking place throughout December and January.  The survey had demonstrated that 60% of residents were in favour of the maximum increase, with over half of that number being willing to pay more.

The Panel were advised that the government funding settlement was provided on the basis that PCC’s would apply the maximum uplift in the precept.  Warwickshire remained one of the areas in receipt of the lowest level of grant per head of the population and the Commissioner accepted that this resulted in the burden falling increasingly on the council tax payer.  In addition, he highlighted the need to find savings of £2.2 million, £1.2 million of which had already been found.  This would result in the Chief Constable needing to find an additional £1 million worth of savings, a prospect that he felt was attainable if challenging.

The Commissioner was confident that the measures outlined in the report would not impact on services in Warwickshire and the OPCC had demonstrated good financial management.

The Panel noted the provision of additional Home Office Neighbourhood Policing Grant, which had been notified on Friday 31 January, after publication of the budget papers.  The increase in grant had been doubled totalling almost £1.4 million for Warwickshire, and the suggestion was that the additional amount would be held in reserves until further information relating to the terms and conditions of the grant had been received.  The Commissioner committed to reporting back to the Panel to advise how the additional money would be spent.  He hoped this would provide a number of benefits to services including an increase in officer numbers, enhancing police visibility and engagement and enabling fast and efficient responses to calls.

The Commissioner highlighted those areas of concern for policing including the escalation of business and retail crime.  Other key areas of support included the ability to continue with targeted patrols to tackle anti-social behaviour, maintaining specialist units such as support for domestic abuse victims, rape victims and those affected by burglary, vehicle crime and theft.  However, all of these support services would be at risk without adequate funding.

The Commissioner concluded by encouraging the Panel to support the recommendations in the report.

Councillor Sinnott welcomed the commitment to strengthen police officer numbers, noting that Warwickshire remained in the lower quartile of officers per 100 residents.  He raised a concern relating to savings, acknowledging that whilst £1.2 million of savings had already been identified there was a need to find  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

A report recommending a process for the appointment of a new independent co-opted member along with agreement to commence a recruitment exercise.

The Panel received a report requesting approval to commence the recruitment process for a new Independent Member to the Police and Crime Panel.  Legislation required that the Police and Crime Panel (“the Panel”) membership include two independent (non-councillor) co-opted members.

The term of office of one of the current independent members, Mr Andy Davis, was due to expire on 17 March 2025 and he had indicated his intention to step down after a tenure of two four-year terms.

In order to carry out the process detailed in the report, the Panel were asked to appoint three members to a sub-group which would shortlist applications, carry out interviews and recommend a suitable candidate to the Panel for approval.

It was agreed that Councillors Claire Edwards, Jenny Fradgley and Jim Sinnott would be appointed to the Sub-Group.

Members noted the approximate timeline detailed in the report and acknowledged that this may be impacted slightly on any Local Government reorganisation decision or County elections in the future.

The Chair hoped that the recruitment process would generate a lot of interest as he had found his time on the Panel to be informative and very interesting.

Resolved that the Warwickshire Police and Crime Panel

1)    notes that the Chair of the Panel, Mr Andy Davis, intends to step down as a serving member of the Panel when his current term of office comes to an end;

2)    agrees to commence a recruitment exercise for a new co-opted independent member of the Warwickshire Police and Crime Panel; and

3)    appoints a cross-party selection panel to oversee the recruitment process for a new independent co-opted member, and confirms membership as Councillors Claire Edwards, Jenny Fradgley and Jim Sinnott.

To consider and review the Panel’s Work Programme.

The Panel received the work programme detailing the reports due for consideration at future meetings.

It had been agreed earlier in the meeting that and update on the Delivery Plan following the Independent Review would be received in at the June 2025 meeting.

The Chair proposed adding an item on Devolution at an appropriate point in the future.  Details in the Devolution White Paper indicated that there would be changes to policing, however, a decision on local government reform was expected in the next week.

Councillor Fradgley raised the matter of Community Speed Watch, asking if this could be added to the work programme to ensure it did not get lost.  The Commissioner advised that he had asked the Force to update him on policy and how it works and hoped an officer would attend a future Holding to Account meeting.  This would be reported back to the Panel.

To note the arrangements for future meetings to be held in Committee Room 2 at Shire Hall, Warwick:

(Reserve date – Wednesday 19 February 2025 – 2pm)

Thursday 13 March 2025 – 2pm

Thursday 19 June 2025 – 2pm

Thursday 25 September 2025 – 2pm

Thursday 20 November 2025 – 2pm

Monday 2 February 2026 – 2pm

Thursday 23 April 2026 – 2pm

The dates of future Panel meetings 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).

The Chair raised the appointment of a Panel member to the Planning and Performance Working Group, asking for a volunteer to fill the existing vacancy.  Councillor Claire Edwards put herself forwards and was advised that the Support Officer would be in contact with future meeting dates and availability requests.

Resolved that Councillor Claire Edwards be appointed to the Planning and Performance Working Group.

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 of Schedule 12A of Part 1 of the Local Government Act 1972.

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

The Chief Executive of the OPCC confirmed that there were no complaints to be reported at this time.