Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from:

Amanda Newbery

Cllr Teresa Page

Dr Carlton Brand

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 26 November 2013.

Decision:

The minutes of the meeting held on 26 November 2013 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

There were no declarations of interest.

There were no Chairman’s announcements.

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 Thursday 9 January 2014. 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 questions asked or statements given.

The PCC’s diary report was noted.

The Commissioner was questioned on what projects in the second tranche of his Innovation Fund awards were worthy worthy of consideration of mainstream funding, as mentioned in his report on 26 November. He explained there were 2-3 projects around domestic violence/abuse which potentially could be commissioned using money he had been given for commissioning services for victims.

Regarding his reference on 14 November he confirmed that his grant would be topsliced in order to fund the Policing Minister’s innovation fund. He would have the opportunity to bid for it. The first round of successful applicants was being announced today, 15 January.

The Caen Hill Countryside Centre farm project was supported by the PCC’s fund and topped up by funds from the Police Property Act disposal, particularly lost property. The fund had to be distributed to charity, and was administered by The Community Foundation for Wiltshire and Swindon.

Regional solutions were being sought for in-house services, and the Commissioner highlighted that a multi-regional collaboration around forensics had been signed.

When asked if he had any plans to visit the Swan Advocacy the Commissioner confirmed he would be pleased to do so.

Report by Angus Macpherson, Police and Crime Commissioner

To receive a paper on the medium term financial strategy and budget information.

The Commissioner gave a detailed presentation on his draft budget settlement.

He drew attention to the net expenditure on policing per head of population in Wiltshire being the lowest in the region and the 3^rd lowest in the country.

His plan themes were partnership, pro-activity and prevention, and his intention was to maintain the spend on prevention. Grant allocation would be more specific in the coming financial year with investment in ancillary services, watch schemes and victim and witness support. Neighbourhood Justice Panels were being rolled out throughout Wiltshire.

Strategic partnerships with both Wiltshire and Swindon provided savings of £2.5 million. Regional solutions had been found for major crime, such as armed policing and dogs, all of which were based in the county.

Whilst recognising that no increase would be welcome he noted that the funding shortfall would reduce by £2.3 million over three years with an increase of £3.15 on band D properties, and would help to protect frontline policing in neighbourhoods where the public want it.

Recruitment campaigns would happen on a regular and planned basis with 2 intakes of officers and 1 of PCSO’s. £1.5 million of reserves would be used to smooth the process.

The public is being consulted as widely as possible through parish and town councils, the farming community, chambers of commerce and Area Boards / Locality meetings.

In response to questions the Commissioner explained that the precept had to viewed from a stand alone point of view and would probably not be reconsidered in the event of a rise in council tax. He noted the unacceptable cost of a referendum, and explained that it would be about maintaining a base level of income, raised locally to be spent locally.

To date, in the first week of the consultation he had received approximately 60 responses with a mixed review. The government grant received was fixed and not affected by a rise in the number of houses.

He was confident that back office processes were operational in the face of redundancies, but drew attention to the risk associated with the need to find £12 million savings.

The Chairman drew attention to the £740,000 additional income generated by a £3.15 increase, noting that in reality the amount of new money compared with a zero percent increase was £330,000 once the figures allowed for the removal of the freeze grant. The Commissioner noted the point and agreed to make clear that he was not taking the freeze grant.

Clarification was sought on the figures in the draft budget settlement being slightly different to the figures contained in the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS). The MTFS was a living strategy document which informed the budget process, and the latest information was contained in the Draft Budget Settlement paper. The Panel welcomed the estimate figures being as close as they could be to the latest information.

Attention was drawn to the increase in regional activity and it was confirmed that a list of police specific areas that could  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38.

Report by Kieran Kilgallen, Chief Executive - OPCC

Kieran Kilgallen, Chief Executive – OPCC introduced the report which detailed the preparation for the transition of responsibility for aspects of victim services commissioning from the Ministry of Justice to Police and Crime Commissioners, due in October 2014 and April 2015.

South West PCCs have set out shared principles they are working to in developing a regionally based collective approach.

Commissioning and tender processes would ensure that local services are in place to meet victims’ needs. Wiltshire Police were engaged in developing a proposal for an in-house initial victim referral mechanism, and the tender winner would work closely with the OPCC to develop a tailored system.

In response to questions he confirmed there would be no gap in service, and although there was no mandate to commission there were conditions on funding. The PCC wanted to commission once, rather than give money to others to commission services.

Resolved:

The Panel noted the report.

Report by Simon Evans, Programme Manager, Centre for Justice Innovation.

The Commissioner welcomed this item, explaining that restorative justice was specifically funded and an important part of his plan.

He introduced Simon Evans, Programme Manager – Centre for Justice Innovation who showed a DVD.

Simon noted the successful trial of Neighbourhood Justice Panels (NJP’s) in Swindon and announced that these would be rolled out throughout Wiltshire with Panels ready in Chippenham, Corsham, Trowbridge, Salisbury and Devizes.

The Commissioner gave examples of how their range could be increased, including minor thefts / shoplifting, minor assaults (Section 47 or under), criminal damage and public orders offences.

There was a greater recognition of restorative justice power and the needs of victims within the system. This was reflected in sentencing with magistrates deferring sentences whilst restorative justice possibilities were explored.

The Panel raised concern around the NJP being biased to the perpetrator,  however Simon confirmed this was a misconception of restorative justice and 85% of victims had found it ‘demystified’ the offender and was a useful process.

Simon explained that as it was a referral system it was completely separate from the child welfare system already in place. In a 12 month period there had been approximately 50 NJP’s held with 85% successfully completed with a signed six month contract. Those not completed were referred back to the officer. NJP’s could be used with anti-social behaviour, and benefit communities as they can see something is being done, although it was important to ensure it was the appropriate course of action.

Kieran Kilgallen explained that an independent panel would be set up to dip sample cases and Cllr Ford confirmed that NJP’s were being scrutinised by Swindon Borough Council.

Future developments included restorative justice in education and Hampshire’s work on Youth Justice Panels was noted.

The Panel thanked Simon for his presentation. The Commissioner confirmed that restorative justice would be part of his annual report.

Resolved:

The Panel noted the report.

To receive an update on the 2^nd tranche Innovation Fund decisions. (report to follow)

Attention was drawn to the report contained in agenda supplement (1) which gave a summary of the second round of funding from the Commissioner’s Innovation Fund.

The panel noted the wide variety of projects and asked the Commissioner how projects were reporting back as this could impact on future commissioning. Projects that had not yet provided an update would be contacted in the coming month, and feedback would be provided to the Panel as part of the next performance report, due at 6 March meeting.

Cllr Amin thanked the Commissioner for funding a youth café in his community which had opened part-time and was well used.

Resolved:

1.     The Panel noted the report

2.     That the update on projects be brought as part of the quarterly performance data, next due at the panel meeting on 6 March

To note the forward work plan.

Resolved:

To note the forward work plan.

To note the future meeting dates below:

6 February 2014, 10am at Kennet Room - County Hall, Trowbridge BA14 8JN

6 March 2014, 2pm at Council Chamber - Council Offices, Monkton Park, Chippenham, SN15 1ER

11 June 2014, 2pm at Wessex Room, Corn Exchange, Market Place, Devizes SN10 1HS

4 September 2014, 2pm at Alamein Suite - City Hall, Malthouse Lane, Salisbury, SP2 7TU

19 November 2014, 10am at Committee Room VI, Civic Office Swindon.

Resolved:

That the following dates were noted:

6 February 2014, 10am at Kennet Room - County Hall, Trowbridge BA14 8JN

6 March 2014, 2pm at Council Chamber - Council Offices, Monkton Park, Chippenham, SN15 1ER

11 June 2014, 2pm at Wessex Room, Corn Exchange, Market Place, Devizes SN10 1HS

4 September 2014, 2pm at Alamein Suite - City Hall, Malthouse Lane, Salisbury, SP2 7TU

19 November 2014, 10am at Committee Room VI, Civic Office Swindon.