Agenda item

The draft Warwickshire Police and Crime Plan 2021-25 (Appendix A) is attached. As the document is in draft form, it does not yet include introductory messages from the Commissioner and Chief Constable.  The design and content will be updated following consideration by the Panel.

The Police and Crime Commissioner presented his draft Police and Crime Plan to the Panel, stating that it would be embellished with images and graphics prior to being formally launched. He stated that the Plan reflected the commitments presented to the electorate prior to his re-election in May 2021. Engagement with the public had informed development of the Plan; the results of public consultations undertaken by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC), Warwickshire Police, and others had been analysed to provide an evidence base.

The Commissioner advised that five priorities were set out within the Plan. A summary had been provided under each priority indicating areas of focus and key performance indicators. These measures would support the ‘holding to account’ of Warwickshire Police and other partners.

The Commissioner reported that an outline had been included demonstrating how the Plan would work in combination with other national and local priorities, including the Strategic Policing Requirement, and Policing Vision 2025.

The Commissioner stated that the Plan included a commitment to equality and diversity. He advised that, at present, police officer numbers did not fully reflect County demographics. However, collectively, the workforce of Warwickshire Police was representative of the diversity of communities living and working in Warwickshire.

The Commissioner stated that the Plan included measures to track delivery of priorities by Warwickshire Police, including key questions to gauge overall success; National Crime and Policing Measures; and details of regular meetings held with the Chief Constable and others.

The Commissioner reported that a balanced budget had been prepared in support of the Plan. Reserve funding had been set at a level that provided adequate security to cover unforeseen circumstances. The Panel would explore this area in more detail at its meeting in January 2022.

The Chair thanked the Commissioner for a comprehensive draft Plan which took account of the Panel’s observations over recent meetings. He supported the inclusion of the ‘what success will look like’ criteria.

Andrew Davies stated that it was a well-structured Plan. He sought clarification of the survey results referred to on page 7 of the document, stating that 50% of participants had provided an equivocal response to the question posed.

Neil Tipton (Head of Media and Communications, OPCC) advised that a professional market research company had been commissioned to undertake the survey, ensuring that it would reach a representative sample of residents, geographically and demographically.

In respect of the results of the survey, the Commissioner stated that 78% of participants had either provided strong agreement to having confidence in Warwickshire Police, or ‘tended to agree’ that they had confidence. This was an encouraging response, though he would continue to strive for improvement in this area. He accepted Andrew Davies’ observation that ‘tending to agree’ was not an affirmative position; however, the survey response compared favourably with similar consultations undertaken elsewhere.

The Chair noted that 50% of participants had indicated a strong level of confidence in Warwickshire Police, adding that the Panel was pleased that the Commissioner had set a strategic priority to address shortages in levels of public confidence.

Councillor Golby highlighted the commitment within the Plan to “ensure that misogyny has no place within the police, criminal justice agencies or wider society as a whole.” She sought clarification, including how the Commissioner proposed to address this issue.

The Commissioner stated that misogyny was a societal problem, and like any organisation, the Police Force was reflective of broader trends. He underlined the importance of ensuring fairness in the workplace, stating that measures such as an effective whistleblowing scheme would help to address the issue.

Chief Constable Debbie Tedds underlined the importance of including a commitment to address misogyny within the Plan. This would support holding to account of measures to safeguard standards of conduct within the Force. She stated that high standards were in place; however, it was vital to maintain vigilance.

Andy Davis stated that it was promising that the Plan included criteria to measure success within the five priority areas. However, improved clarity would support longer-term scrutiny of the effectiveness of the Plan. He stated that the Planning and Performance Working Group had responsibility to monitor delivery of the Plan. As Chair of the Working Group, he suggested that scrutiny would be supported by development of a common understanding of performance indicators with input from the OPCC.

In support of this objective, Andy Davis moved that:

The Panel establishes a task and finish group to assist the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner in developing a Performance Framework which will be informed by a RAG (Red, Amber, and Green) assessment of the current Plan as it reaches the end of its lifespan and an analysis to shape relevant targets and measures against the proposed measures of success within the new Plan, ensuring that these are relevant, and an outcome of work undertaken by the Commissioner. The findings of the task and finish group will be reported to the Panel at the meeting on 27 January 2022.

The Chair was supportive of the motion, stating that it provided a means to examine strategic priorities to develop a detailed delivery plan with a focus on areas of priority. The Commissioner’s view was sought.

The Commissioner emphasised that it was his responsibility to hold Warwickshire Police to account. However, he supported the initiative, commenting that it could help to generate new ideas and provide improved scope for critical challenge by the Panel. He offered the support of his Office to develop proposals.

The motion was seconded by Councillor Poole. A vote was held, and the motion was unanimously supported.

In response to Councillor Kettle, the Commissioner advised that the Evolve Programme was on track. He was confident that the new ICT system would be delivered on schedule and operational from March 2022.

Councillor Davision stated that it was a well-formed Plan with positive aspirations. However, a developed strategy to address the climate emergency was required, setting out how carbon reduction could be achieved across different areas of policing. A timescale for completion of this work was also required.

The Commissioner advised that detailed work was on-going in this area, including an Estates Review to report before Christmas 2021. The Force would examine scope to install solar panels, insulate buildings, and replace inefficient boilers. Attention would be given to the sustainability of fleet vehicles. He stated that an assessment of baseline emissions was required before detailed targets could be established.

In response to Councillor Davison, the Commissioner advised that his commitment to “support the formulation of a new county wide strategy to co-ordinate activity across all relevant agencies” to address violence against women and girls, was enabled by means of a Warwickshire Board which examined this issue in detail. The Board encompassed Warwickshire Police, WCC, local partners and other agencies; he would take a proactive role in development of a strategy.

Polly Reed (Chief Executive, OPCC) advised that a timeline for the strategy was being developed, a working group had been convened and an update would be provided to the Panel in the next few months.

In response to Councillor Golby, the Commissioner advised that he chaired the Warwickshire Road Safety Partnership which brought together representatives of the Police, Highway Authority, National Highways, and others. The approach taken by Partnership had proved to be effective. He stated that road safety was main priority.

In response to Councillor Golby, the Commissioner advised that the Warwickshire Blue Light Collaboration Joint Advisory Board enabled a focus on mental health matters, including a triage scheme which allowed mental health professionals to work with emergency services to provide support where necessary. A similar initiative provided a means for mental health nurses to provide specialist support within custody suites. He stated that borough and district councils had made good progress to address homelessness; a new facility would soon open in Stratford-upon-Avon. He would seek to ensure that homelessness was properly supported by all partners.

It was resolved that the Panel would formally set out its observations on the draft Police and Crime Plan in a letter to the Commissioner.