Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Cllr Ross Henning – Wiltshire Council and Anna Richardson – Co-opted Independent member

There were no declarations of interest.

The chairman explained that he intended to consider the results of the PCC’s consultation on the precept before the precept paper itself.

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 no public participation

The Commissioner outlined the report on the consultation process which sought to provide the Police and Crime Panel (PCP) with a summary of the PCC’spublic consultation and the public’s view on the proposed £15 a year, per household, increase in the policing precept on a band D property.

Points made included:

·         The public consultation on the policing precept began at 11am on Tuesday 5 January 2021 and closed on Tuesday 2 February.

·         The consultation strategy was built on experience in recent years and the increased public awareness. This year, the priority had been to direct all consultation responses through a short and simple survey. The survey consulted on views on the proposed increase, priorities and age/location of those taking part.

·         A range of channels were used to raise awareness and encourage completion and feedback, including; high-profile media campaign launching the precept proposal, social media awareness campaign, video setting out the proposal, community messaging, engagement with local media and press statements, PCC and D/PCC virtual engagement with local communities at area boards and parish councils in January. 

·         Despite the response rate being down on last year, the Commissioner was pleased with the response from the public and the comments received. In total, 1526 responses to the consultation were received.

The PCP were concerned re the low response rate and hoped that the OPCC would look into how the response rate particularly amongst young people could be improved for future consultations.

Clive Barker - Chief Finance Officer outlined the Proposed Precept for 2021-22 report.

Points made included:

·         That in January 2021 the PCP were presented a report that identified the initial thinking on the 2021-22 budget and the draft MTFS (Medium Term Financial Strategy). 

·         The paper identified that whilst overall funding levels had been announced no specific information had been received, this remained the case.

·         During January more information had been released on the Local Council Tax support grant and the Local Tax Income Guarantee for 2020-21.  Information on these was included in the paper however there remained great uncertainty surrounding their implementation.

Central Grant

·         That as detailed in the January paper the grant for Wiltshire had risen by £3.383m to £72.944m (excluding Pensions Specific Grant).  This was Wiltshire’s portion of the £415m provided by the government to fund nationally an additional 6,000 officers.  No funding had been provided to finance any inflation or growth pressures.

Local Funding Grants

·         That Local funding was the sum of the precept plus collection funds.

·         With the pandemic and higher unemployment the cost of local support had increased.  This and a reduction in payments, which in the long term may be collectable, had led to deficits being forecasted. 

·         To assist precepting authorities the government had proposed two financial support schemes.

The OPCC advised that the savings contained in the report were achievable.

Cllr Abdul Amin raised concerns that the precept continued to be raised year on year and that many residents living in his ward in Swindon could not afford the increases.

The Commissioner advised  ...  view the full minutes text for item 123.

To note the 2021 Forward Work Plan

The 2021 Forward Work Plan was noted

To note the future meeting dates below:

·         Thursday 18 March 2021 - 10am

·         Thursday 10 June 2021 – 10am

·         Thursday 9 September 2021 – 10am

·         Thursday 9 December 2021 – 10am

The next meeting of the Police and Crime Panel will be on Thursday 18 March 2021 at 10am

Future meeting dates were:

·         Thursday 10 June 2021 – 10am

·         Thursday 9 September 2021 – 10am

·         Thursday 9 December 2021 – 10am