Agenda and minutes

Election of the Chairman

·         To elect a Chairman for the forthcoming year.

Election of the Vice Chairman

·         To elect a Vice Chairman for the forthcoming year.

Resolved:

To elect Councillor Richard Britton as Chairman for the forthcoming year.

To elect Councillor Junab Ali as Vice-Chairman for the forthcoming year.

Apologies were received from Councillor John Smale, who was substituted by Councillor Peter Evans.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 2 March 2017.

Resolved:

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 2 March 2017.

Note: As the Chairman had to leave the meeting before it concluded, the minutes were signed after the meeting by the Vice-Chairman.

There were no declarations of interest.

·         Welcome to the new members of the panel.

·         Update on the formation of a National Association of PCPs.

·         Reminder of the National Police and Crime Panel Conference in November.

Through the Chair it was stated following the last annual conference of Police Commissioners there had been the suggestion of creating a national association of Police and Crime Panels as well. The Chairman would keep the Panel updated as to any progression.

There would be an LGA workshop on 12 July 2017 in Faringdon principally related to scrutiny of fire services, but which would also be relevant to Police and Crime Panels.

On behalf of the Panel the Chairman also acknowledged the well-deserved award of an MBE to the Police and Crime Commissioner in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for his many years of public service.

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 were no statements or questions submitted relevant to the Panel’s remit.

Written report from the OPCC.

All Police and Crime Commissioners are required to produce an annual report on performance against a Police and Crime Plan, including financial information. The report would be a public facing document, and the Panel have a duty to comment upon it prior to publication.

Angus MacPherson, Police and Crime Commissioner, presented the draft annual report, highlighting key achievements, challenges, delivery of aims and a financial overview. He emphasised that performance monitoring was constant, and that despite evolving threats Wiltshire was one of only seven police forces which had received a rating of ‘good’ in all areas of business assessed by the Police Effectiveness, Efficiency and Legitimacy (PEEL) programme from Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC). Other details noted in the report was recorded crime being up 11%, with domestic burglary a majority priority which was receiving additional resource. He also commented upon recent terrorist acts, and commended the Chief Constable for his leadership, and all the staff for their work on the frontline to protect the people of Wiltshire.

The Panel discussed the draft report and sought additional detail from the Commissioner. In response to queries it was stated there had been a trend in falling anti-social behaviour, though this was to some degree likely to be due to recategorization of some offences as violence without injury crime, of which there had been an increase. As noted in the report, however, there had been genuine increases in some specific crime types.

The 10,000 who had signed up to community messaging from the police was discussed, with comments on how this could be expanded working with partners such as the fire service and local councils, and it was felt the Panel should write to both local authorities to encourage cooperation to improve the system’s reach, as well as avoid duplication of effort.

It was noted that considerable savings had been made, and that although they had performed well in the circumstances, Wiltshire remained one of the lowest funded forces in the country. Details of lobbying efforts to central government for a funding formula that reflected in a fairer way the increased costs arising from rurality and other issues that impacted the cost of policing in Wiltshire were noted, although it was stated the funding formula was unlikely to be reviewed in the short term. However the Panel requested a public letter be sent to the new policing minister on the subject.

Other topics discussed included increased involvement of the commissioner with the Criminal Justice Board, recruitment and retention of Special Constables, in particular signposting volunteers to other areas they could assist if they were unable to progress to be a Special, police morale, high retirement rates, emphasising the scrutiny function of the Panel and detailing how the Chief Constable was held to account by the Commissioner.

Suggestions were also made on layout and presentation of the draft annual report, including listing the partners worked with and display of performance data.

Resolved:

For the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

To receive quarterly performance data from the OPCC as follows:-

·         Performance Report

·         Risk Register

·         Budget Monitoring Statement

·         Complaints

Performance

The Police and Crime Commissioner presented a report on performance information for the fourth quarter 2016-17, being 1 January-31 March 2017, before receiving questions from the Panel.

It was noted that domestic burglary rate had increased, and while it was the case as detailed in the report that the rate had risen from a very low base, there was concern from some members that the focus on that historic low base meant the significant increase was being seen in the wrong context, as the intent would be ensure it stayed low. There were also questions on how racially motivated crimes were noted and recorded.

It was also felt that including headline figures of more than just the preceding quarter would be useful for comparative purposes, in order to identify any trends rather than what might seem as anomalous quarterly increases.

Risk

The risk register was also presented. Details were sought on unsuccessful attempts to collaborate with other police services such as Avon and Somerset, and how much specific risk should be listed as a result. There were also questions on the delayed implementation of a new communications system, which was impacted by national issues relating to coverage from the contractor.

In response to queries it was confirmed that projects were reviewed more frequently than once a quarter to monitor progress, even though the register itself was only updated quarterly.

Complaints

The Panel also received a report from Professor Allan Johns on the monitoring of professional standards, including complaint appeals for the past year. It was stated Wiltshire was not out of line with national figures in seeing a high number of complaints, the vast majority of which received local resolutions, and it was not felt there were concerns at the efficiency and effectiveness of the processes. It was also noted that discussions were underway with the commissioner’s office on undertaking a review with regard to compliance in respect of the recording of complaints, and the Panel requested details at its next meeting should a review take place, which the Panel felt it should.

Details were sought on the number of appeals being upheld, the obligation of officers and staff to report wrongdoing, recording of complaints, source of complaints and other matters as noted in the report.

Resolved:

To note the updates as detailed.

Written report from the OPCC.

A report was received on actions taken to balance the 2017-18 budget and early planning for the 2018-19 budget. Following a 1.9% rise in the police precept, 1.3% reduction in central funding and growth pressures on the budget, a total of £2.280m of savings needed to be identified.

Details of the savings for 2017-18 as well as savings achieved in previous years were provided, with reductions coming through operations support, managing vacancies, pensions savings and forensics. It was noted over £2m have been saved since 2011 through improved collaborations such as the Tri-Service and Firearm training facility, and that legal agreements determined how much each collaborator saved as a result. The largest amount of savings overall, and another £0.336m for 2017-18, was from General Expenditure, which included general training, travel, equipment sets and other associated expenditures.

Details were also provided on forecast savings for 2018-19 of £2.4m, with focuses on further moves toward community focused PCSOs and Local Crime Investigators, as well as additional collaboration. The Panel were informed it was anticipated the plan would lead to a balanced budget.

Resolved:

To note the update.

Verbal update on scope and structure from the OPCC.

The meeting was informed a review on the Community Policing model was ongoing and a report would be published in July 2017, which would enable further adjustments if appropriate once the model could be evaluated. Key questions would include how well the model had been embedded, if it was effective at improving customer experience, community and staff wellbeing and the public perception. Staff had been surveyed and there had been hundreds of public responses to a consultation on the model.

The Panel discussed the Community Policing model, noting that it was important that implementation had been consistent, and that areas where this had not been achieved would need early identification to address. It was also commented that more written updates from the community teams would be of assistance to local democratic bodies and the public.

To note the update.

The Chairman left the meeting at 1300. Councillor Junab Ali in the Chair.

A short film.

A brief update was received on the Restorative Justice programme (insert video link), with referrals into the service, designed to rehabilitate offenders through engagement and reconciliation with victims and the community.

Verbal update from the OPCC.

An update was provided on the recruitment of Special Constables, with 68 who had completed the training and over 200 candidates attending the initial experience day, testing fitness levels and other issues. Specials would be allocated to community policing teams.

The Panel noted that the main priority was retainment, not merely recruitment, and it was stated feedback from Northampton Police had been of attrition rates of 40%.

In response to concerns about regular constables and Police Federation acceptance of Specials, it was stated there had been an increase in support, as staffing levels required their assistance. The Panel also highlighted the importance of signposting candidates to other areas they could volunteer or assist, should they not be able to be appointed as a Special Constable.

Details were also sought on whether there was a split between the main urban and rural areas of Wiltshire in terms of candidates.

Resolved:

To note the update

Two questions had been submitted, which would be circulated with the minutes.

To note the forward work plan.

The forward plan not having been included with the agenda, it would be circulated after the meeting.

To note the future meeting dates below:

·         Thursday 7 September 2017 – County Hall, Trowbridge

·         Wednesday 7 December 2017 – Swindon Borough Council Offices

The next meeting of the Police and Crime Panel will be on 14 September 2017.

Future meeting dates were: 7 December 2017.