Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from:

Robin Townsend – Associate Director, Wiltshire Council and Chris Henwood – Independent member, Wiltshire Police and Crime Panel.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 3 September 2015.

Decision:

·       The minutes of the meeting held on 3 September 2015 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

There were no declarations of interest.

·       Police and Crime Panel composition

·       Tone from the Top report and recommendations for Police and Crime Panels

Political make up of Wiltshire Council -The Chairman advised that due to a recent change in the political make up of Wiltshire Council members the panel would gain a conservative member and lose a liberal democrat member.

Tone from the Top – The Chairman advised that Emily Higson would be preparing a summary of the recommendations, an informal meeting could then be arranged for the panel to discuss these recommendations and the Panel’s performance generally.

The Panel welcomes contributions from members of the public.

Statements

If you wish to make a statement at this meeting on any item on this agenda, please register to do so at least 10 minutes prior to the meeting. Speakers are permitted to speak for up to 3 minutes on any agenda item. Please contact the officer named on the first page of the agenda for any further clarification.

Questions

Members of the public are able to ask questions in relation to the responsibilities and functions of the Panel at each meeting. Those wishing to ask questions are required to give notice of any such questions in writing to the Head of Democratic Services at Wiltshire Council no later than 5.00 pm on 3 clear wkg days before meeting. Please contact the officer named on the first page of the agenda for further advice. Questions may be asked without notice if the Chairman decides that the matter is urgent.

There was none.

A summary of the impacts of the CSR on police funding from Clive Barker – Chief Finance Officer, Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.

Clive Barker – Chief Finance Officer, Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner gave a brief summary of the impacts of the CSR on police funding.

Points made included:

·       That Wiltshire Police were one of the lowest funded forces in the country, which meant that it was vital that its funds were spent effectively.

·       That the CSR was better for Wiltshire than expected but there were concerns over possible top sliced cuts in the future.

·       Issues with National Insurance contributions meant that Wiltshire Police would have to pay higher contributions which would impact on its budget.

The Chairman thanked Clive Barker for his summary.

To provide the panel with quarterly performance data (OPCC).

The Commissioner introduced a report setting out his quarterly performance data – Quarter Two 2015-16 (1 April to 30 September 2015).

Points made included:

·       Encouraging victims to report crime.

·       More partnership working with Wiltshire Council and Swindon Borough Council.

·       A force that was effective and value for money.

·       That Wiltshire Police were looking at a major step change to the way that crime was recorded.

The report was reviewed in detail.

1.Prevent Crime and ASB

·       Recorded crime within England and Wales increased by 4.5%. 34 forces are recording more crime than the previous year.

·       Recorded crime within Wiltshire had increased by 2.4%. This equates to 768 crimes with a total of 33,397 recorded.

2.Protect the most vulnerable in society

·       That around four instances per month were occurring of people with mental health issues having to be housed in police custody (cells) for their own safety.

·       Excellent work being carried out at the Multi Agency Service Hub (MASH).

3.Put victims and witnesses at the heart of everything we do

·       That the resolution rate at the end of the second quarter was 21.8 per cent. This remains significantly below the average of our peer group.

·       That the force was looking to increase the number of victims supported by the Horizon project.

·       That of the trials listed during the second quarter 2015/16 49 per cent were cracked or ineffective. This was frustrating, with too many trials scheduled and not enough time to conduct them.

Concerns were again raised over the future of Chippeham magistrates court, the Chairman requested that the Commissioner adds the Wiltshire Police and Crime Panel’s concerns when making any representations on this issue.

4.Secure, high quality, efficient and trusted services

·       That the volume of complaints recorded remains relatively stable and within expected levels.

·       Wiltshire Police was one of six forces within the MSF group that had seen a fall in the number of complaint cases recorded when compared to the previous year.

·       In early September 2015 there were in excess of 300 complaint cases still showing as either ‘live’, ‘sub judice’ or ‘in appeal process’. Professional Standards Department (PSD) investigating officers were tasked to concentrate on the oldest cases to clear the backlog. By mid-October the volume of cases that were ‘live’, ‘sub judice’ or ‘in appeal process’ was reduced to 158 cases.

Wiltshire & Swindon Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) Risk Register 2015-16

The Risk Register was noted.

The Chairman thanked the Commissioner for his report.

The report was noted, the Chairman made the point that the new report format was working well.

It was agreed that Kieran Kilgallen would pull together a report which would summarise any Wiltshire Police racial complaints/incidents.

To receive an update on the Strategic Alliance between Wiltshire and Avon and Somerset Police constabularies.

Kieran Kilgallen gave an update on the Strategic Alliance between Wiltshire and Avon and Somerset Police constabularies.

Points made included:

·       That Avon & Somerset Police were recruiting for a new Chief Constable and that Angus Macpherson would be sitting on the recruitment panel for this appointment.

·       That the Avon & Somerset and Wiltshire forces were now looking at which business cases should be brought forward in the process.

The Chairman made the point that the Wiltshire Police and Crime Panel were keen to initiate involvement with Avon & Somerset and be involved in future discussions, it was agreed that Kieran Kilgallen would discuss this with Avon & Somerset.

The Chairman thanked Kieran Kilgallen for his update.

PCC Commissioning Strategy Task Group

It was agreed that a task group would be formed to support the

Commissioner in the development of a commissioning strategy, by:

·       acting as a ‘critical friend’

·       providing an external perspective

·       ensuring the Strategy supports the objectives of the Police and Crime

           Plan

The membership was agreed as:

·       Cllr Andrew Bennett

·       Cllr Richard Britton

·       Cindy Creasy

Call Centre Task Group

There was a short discussion, it was felt that a task group could perhaps look at any potential for local authority involvement in dealing with some 101 calls etc.

It was agreed further discussion would be needed.

To receive an update from Kieran Kilgallen - Chief Executive, Office of the

Police and Crime Commissioner.

Kieran Kilgallen advised:

·       That the pilot would be evaluated during February 2016, and would then be rolled out county wide from June 2016 onwards.

·       That the benefits were that recorded incidents could now go through the police system in a more timely manner, cutting down officer involvement and wasted time and resources.

·       Scope for PCSOs to get more involved in the day to day police work, although specialist staff were still a very much a part of the incident process.

It was agreed that Kieran Kilgallen would give a further up date at the March 2016 meeting.

The Chairman thanked Kieran Kilgallen for his update.

To receive the report of the Police and Crime Commissioner.

The report was noted.

That the Portishead firing range was now operational.

The Chairman invited the panel members to visit the Devizes call centre.

To note the forward work plan.

The Forward Work Plan was noted.

To note the future meeting dates below:

·       Wednesday 13 January 2016 – Monkton Park, Chippenham

·       Thursday 4 February 2016 – County Hall, Trowbridge

·       Thursday 3 March 2016 – Corn Exchange, Devizes

The next meeting of the Police and Crime Panel will be on Wednesday 13 January 2016 at Monkton Park, Chippenham.