Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies from Members of the Panel

Apologies were received from Councillors Barbara Brown and Ian Davison and Mr Andy Davis.

None.

To consider the minutes of the meetings held on 11 and 24 June 2021.

The Police and Crime Commissioner requested an amendment to the minutes in respect of the second paragraph on page 12 of the agenda pack, to clarify that the bulk of new officers were funded by the council taxpayer.  Upon the Chair’s request for clarification that 40% of the force had less than three years’ service, the Commissioner advised that this was 40% of response officers. 

Subject to the amendments above, the minutes were approved as a true and accurate record of the meeting.

There were no matters arising.

None.

The report is attached.

The Police and Crime Commissioner presented this comprehensive report, particularly drawing attention to the outline objectives for his new Police and Crime Plan and the Annual Report for 2020-21.

Referring to paragraph 2.1 of the report, relating to Part 2 of the Home Office’s review of the role of PCCs, the Chair expressed the Panel’s interest in receiving a briefing on any changes to the relationship between the PCC and Chief Constable. The Commissioner noted that the intentions were to strengthen trusted relationships rather than alter duties.  He noted that he had completed his response to the consultation and agreed to share his comments with the Panel.

The Chair noted the Panel’s responsibilities with regard to review of the Police and Crime Plan, outlined at paragraph 2.2 of the report, and asked if the Commissioner had a timetable for publication. The Commissioner noted that work on the draft was ongoing and would encompass residents’ comments and his manifesto commitments. The draft was subject to consultation with various parties, including the Panel and it was his intention to bring the final draft to the November meeting.  The Commissioner noted that the format was high level strategic rather than a detailed action plan, and work would be undertaken separately to develop specifics around delivery. He provided clarification around the illustrative diagram of the development of the Plan, in that the Commissioner owned and produced the Plan, not the Chief Constable or Police and Crime Panel.

In terms of the content of the Plan, the Panel made a number of observations and recommendations as follows:-

• Noting the objective to deliver visible & effective policing, Councillor Christopher Kettle asked whether there would be a focus to ensure SNT Teams were fully resourced on a long term basis.  The Commissioner advised that local policing had been enhanced and noted the belief of the previous and current Chief Constable that the SNT were the backbone of local policing and there was no intention to downgrade, reduce or change the nature of SNTs in Warwickshire.   He went on to accept that it would be preferable if Officers had a longer tenure in SNTs but Officers were more likely than PCSOs to go on to further training and other posts, resulting in some churn. He commented that there were a great number of non-uniformed Police Officers driving unmarked cars and there was therefore a significant number of Officers who were not visible as such to Warwickshire residents.

·       The text boxes for objectives two and four were missing some text in the version of the draft presented to Members and some clarity on key terms was requested.  The Commissioner explained that “effective policing” referred to policing to the high standard residents expect and effective enforcement of the law, engaging and reducing crime and reoffending; “innovative” referred to new ways and better ways of doing things and “fighting crime” referred to the disruption of serious crime gangs (eg sheep slaughtering incidents which were believed to have been carried out by them).  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

The Report is attached for consideration and comment by the Panel.

It was agreed that consideration of the Annual Report should be deferred until the next meeting to allow for inclusion of comments relating to performance measures for the Commissioner.

The activities of the Working Groups were outlined in the report attached to the agenda.  In the absence of Mr Andy Davis, who chaired the Planning and Performance Working Group, Deborah Moseley, Senior Democratic Services Officer outlined the work of the Group and the recommendations for the work programme that were detailed in the report.

Councillor Christopher Kettle outlined the monitoring undertaken by the Budget Working Group and commended Sara Ansell, Treasurer at the OPCC, for her recent illuminating and helpful report.  The report had precisely encapsulated key financial issues with a helpful commentary.  He extended his thanks for the quality of this recent report.

The Panel accepted the recommendations for the work programme. 

To consider and review the Panel’s work programme.

The work programme was noted. 

To note the arrangements for future meetings.

Police and Crime Panel meetings start at 2.00pm, unless specified otherwise. Venues to be advised, unless stated.

November 2021 (date and venue to be agreed)

27 January 2022 (10.30am)

7 April 2022 (Venue: North Warwickshire Borough Council)

It was noted that, due to a clashing national event, the Commissioner had requested a change to the date of the next meeting in November and an agreed new date would be circulated in due course.

The remaining 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).

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

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 24 June 2021.

The exempt minutes of the meeting held on 18 March 2021 were confirmed as a true and accurate record and signed by the Chair.

Arising from the minutes, the Commissioner was invited to provide a general update in terms of the Evolve programme. 

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

None.