Agenda and minutes

Cllr Junab Ali was elected PCP Chairman.

Cllr Ross Henning was elected PCP Vice-Chairman.

Apologies were received from Mamie Beasant - Co-Opted Independent Member.

There were no declarations of interest.

Kieran Kilgallen – Chief Executive, OPCC

Kieran Kilgallen – Chief Executive, OPCC advised that legislation stated that after a two-month period, beginning on the day after polling day lapsed a vacancy for a new Police and Crime Commissioner would arise. Therefore, preparations would now begin to hold an election on 19 August 2021.

It was noted that a vacancy would arise on 12 July 2021 and that the panel must appoint someone to be the acting Police and Crime Commissioner from the OPCC staff. In the meanwhile, work would continue as normal in the OPCC office.

That a meeting had been held with the outgoing Police and Crime Commissioner – Angus Macpherson and the outgoing Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner – Jerry Herbert where it was agreed to delegate the ongoing OPCC business to officers so that business could continue until the new Police and Crime Commissionerwas elected on the 19 August 2021, with an extension of financial limits from 100k to 250k. 

That there would be no changes to operational policing during this period.

The Chairman advised that due to the on-going PCC issues, the panel would need patience as it carried out its duties over the next few months.

The Chairman thanked Kieran Kilgallen for his update.

Perry Holmes – Director Legal and Governance, Wiltshire Council

Perry Holmes – Director Legal and Governance, Wiltshire Council advised that

following the result of the election of the Police and Crime Commissioner on Thursday 6 May 2021, Cllr Jonathon Seed was declared as the Police & Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire. The election was administered in accordance with all relevant legislation and regulations. Cllr Seed had now publicly indicated that he would not take up that office.

The legislation stated that after a two-month period, beginning on the day after polling day lapsed, a vacancy would arise. Therefore an election would be held within 35 days, and preparations were now being carried out to hold an election on Thursday 19 August 2021.

Given that we were now following a legal process and as Wiltshire Police had asked Thames Valley Police to conduct an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the 2021 Wiltshire and Swindon Police and Crime Commissioner election, it would be inappropriate for to provide any further comment at this time.

It was agreed that a vacancy would arise on 12 July 2021 and that the panel must appoint someone to be the acting Police and Crime Commissioner from the OPCC staff.

Decision

·         That the Wiltshire Police and Crime Panel appointed Kieran Kilgallen – Chief Executive, Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner as the acting Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner from the 11 July 2021, until the election on the 19 August 2021

The Chairman thanked Perry Holmes for his update.

Kieran Kilgallen – Chief Executive, OPCC

Kieran Kilgallen – Chief Executive, OPCC presented the report for data reported for Quarter 4 - Performance Overview which was contained in the agenda pack.

 Points made included:

Priority One: prevent crime and keep people safe

Crime Volume

·         Volume of Crime for Wiltshire was reporting the second lowest nationally and the same within our most similar group (MSG)

·         50.8 crimes were reported for every 1000 residents in the county of Wiltshire ,significantly below the MSG average of 63.9

·         Average reported national decrease was 12.7%; South West Region average reduction of 12.7%; MSG average reduction of 9.1%. Just one force nationally reported an increase within the same time period

·         Wiltshire Police reported a 15.9% reduction in the volume of crime for the 12 months to March-21 compared to the previous 12 months, 3.2% above the average national increase

·         Wiltshire’s crime volume was demonstrating a long term decreasing trend with significant reductions in the following crime groups; Shoplifting and community based offences such as theft offences, residential burglary, burglary business and community, criminal damage, vehicle offences, bicycle theft and theft from a person. In terms of increase Wiltshire had experienced recent increases in public order offences and stalking and harassment albeit the volume of the increases remains low

Crime Recording Compliance

·         For the end of Quarter 4 2020-21 our Crime recording compliance had reached 96.4% and had seen a significant increasing trend over the last 12 months

·         The improvement of our crime recording compliance had been a 2-3 year journey and the hard work and dedication to this area was now showing within the monthly figures

·         That there would be a steady rise in crime as the county progressed out of the lockdown

·         An increases in domestic violence and online crime – a symptom of lockdown sadly

Cllr Abdul Amin highlighted the Safer Streets Funding initiative - Panel members were encouraged to apply for Safer Streets Funding, which was available through the Community Safety Partnership

Mental health issues – Salisbury lacking custody suite and mental health beds – Kieran Kilgallen advised that sadly the Bluebell suite in Devizes was always well used, sometimes with out of area admissions, and that call handlers were mental health trained now to help with the triaging process.

Priority Two: protect the most vulnerable in society

Noted – nothing to add

Priority Three: put victims, witnesses and communities at the heart of everything we do

·         The outcome rate for Domestic Abuse for the 12 months to Apr-20 is 13.6%. The long term trend is one of reduction, however when looking at the most recent 12 months the outcome rate has been stable. The last 12 months outcome rate has been between 13.5% and 14.3% and is just -0.8% points down year on year

·         For the rolling 12 months to April-21 victim satisfaction with the whole experience is 78.1% and showing a stable trend

·         Satisfaction with being kept informed for the rolling12 months to April-21 is 67.2% and over the last year we have remained above average.

Priority  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

Kieran Kilgallen – Chief Executive, OPCC

Kieran Kilgallen – Chief Executive, OPCC outlined the report.

The risk register was aligned to the lifespan of the Police and Crime Plan (2017-2021) and had been reviewed in May 2021. The format for the PCC risk register had been updated with a review of all risk events, mitigation and scoring. This included new risks post the PCC election of May 2021.

The Police and Crime Panel noted the content of the report and the risk register.

Kieran Kilgallen – Chief Executive, OPCC

It was agreed that with a largely new panel make up and a newly elected Commissioner come August 2021, that the PCP Chairman and Vice-Chairman would meet with Kieran Kilgallen and the OPCC team to discuss the direction of the forward work plan.