Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the first formal meeting of the Wiltshire Police and Crime Panel. At the Chairman’s request everyone introduced themselves.

Apologies were received from Cllr Brian Dalton.

Cllr Dalton was substituted by Cllr Stephen Petty.

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 Tuesday 27 November 2012. 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.

To welcome Angus McPherson as the new Police and Crime Commissioner.

i.                 Introductions

ii.                Opening comments by the Commissioner

iii.              Draft PCC / PCP protocol for consideration

iv.              Discussion of draft proposal regarding information-sharing agreements as seen within protocol

v.               Co-ordinating our respective workplans

vi.              Any other business with the Commissioner

The new Commissioner, Angus Macpherson introduced himself and expressed his wish for a long and fruitful relationship with the Panel. He referred the Panel to his pre-election paper which would form the basis for his plan and confirmed that he saw his role as not just about policing but running through the whole justice system.

He detailed his initial focus, taking into account he was only three working days in the role, as being:-

·       Recruitment of a Chief Constable

·       Setting up a robust complaints process, to include the recruitment of an independent person

·       Consultations, including key partners, discussing public consultation and the statutory requirement for consultation with victims

·       Attending Area Boards and localities – how to achieve this

He explained that his website had been up and running almost immediately after his election thanks to the work of his office and on which his diary would be available to view, and he would also have a facebook page.

In response to questions he confirmed that at present there was no Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, however expressions of interest had been received from a number of bodies wishing to represent them. He would bring a paper back to the Panel summarising the proposal for the complaints process and he confirmed his commitment to the voluntary sector.

Draft PCC / PCP Protocol

The Commissioner raised his concern over the draft protocol going beyond the statutory understanding of the relationship and explained as it was a document for the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner he felt that officers should finalise the content.

A suggestion from Kieran Kilgallen, Chief Executive of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner proposed that the document be split into two sections, one for the legislation and the other for the qualitative process.

Decision

The Panel agreed that officers should redraft the protocol and that it should differentiate between the statutory processes and the relationship issues with the revised draft being available for the next Panel meeting.

Workplans

The Commissioner confirmed that his office was now in possession of key dates and asked that officers review these and re-circulate the forward workplan.

The Panel discussed whether there was a need to rotate venues throughout the area.

Decision

The Panel agreed:-

·       That officers review and align the workplans of the PCC and the PCP.

·       To keep with the current schedule of venues as seen in the agenda and review at a later meeting.

Any other business with the Commissioner

The Commissioner asked the Panel to consider holding the confirmatory hearing for the Chief Constable as soon as possible after notification of the proposed appointment to avoid candidates applying elsewhere

It was proposed that officers working on dates for the hearing to be within 5 days of the interview date

Decision

The Panel agreed for officers to schedule the confirmatory hearing within 5 days of the interview date.

John Quinton, Head of Democratic Services at Wiltshire Council introduced the item and explained that changes had been made to accommodate new regulations that had come into force and the confirmation of the fourth Swindon Borough Council member.

Clarity was sought on who appointed the Chairman in section 1 of the Rules of Procedure on and it was recommended the words “by the panel” be inserted in paragraphs 1.1 and 1.2.

It was recommended that paragraph 3.5 of the Panel Arrangements be amended to include the words “at least”.

Decision

The Panel approved the Panel Arrangements and Rules of Procedure subject to the amendments below:-

·       In the Panel Arrangements, paragraph 3.5 be amended to read:

“The Panel shall also include at least two independent members co-opted by the Panel.”

·       In the Rules of Procedure, paragraph 1.1 be amended to read:

“The chairman of the Police and Crime Panel will be appointed by the panel in June of each year or at the first meeting of the panel following the annual appointment of members to the panel by constituent councils. The chairman will be drawn from the councillors sitting on the panel.”

·       In the Rules of Procedure, paragraph 1.2 be amended to read:

“The vice-chairman will be appointed by the panel in June of each year or at the first meeting of the panel following the annual appointment of members to the constituent councils and will be drawn from amongst the councillors sitting on the panel.”

To agree a process for handling complaints against the Police and Crime Commissioner.

To note the forward work plan.

It was noted that the draft Police and Crime Plan should be added to the January items.

The Panel noted the report.

To agree the future meeting dates below:

All meetings are scheduled to start at 10.00 am and finish by or before 1.00 pm.

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The next meeting of the Police and Crime Panel will be on 4 January 2013 at the Wessex Room, Devizes Corn Exchange.

Future meeting dates are to be circulated as soon as possible after agreement.

The Chairman thanked everyone for attending.