Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Anna Richardson, Cllr Nick Murry and Cllr John Smale.

It was agreed that all the panel members had an interest – as council tax payers.

This should not however bar them from debating and voting on the Commissioner’s proposals.

That the panel members should remember that they were at the meeting to listen to the Commissioner’s proposals, and not to approve the precept.

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 5.00pm on Friday 10 January 2020. 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.

Clive Barker to present the PCC’s Draft Budget Settlement for 2020/21, including the MediumTerm Financial Strategy.

To include initial statement on proposals for the policing element of the Council Tax precept for 2020-21.

The Commissioner introduced his draft budget settlement 2020-21 and outlined how he was consulting on two options:

·       Option A – To increase council tax by £12 per annum (5.8%)

·       Option B – To increase council tax by £8.25 per annum (4%)

He reported that:

The paper had been written with more uncertainty than the normal draft budget paper.

With the general election occurring in December 2019 the OPCC had not received a provisional grant settlement from the government nor any indication on precept capping rules.  This meant rather than definitive options the Commissioner had to prepare scenarios reflecting the range of budgetary possibilities.  It was not clear whether the funds available would allow the Commissioner to invest in policing or require him to make savings.

The MTFS forecasts the estimated financial position over the next 4 years and

the impact this had on the Commissioner’s ability to commission services. With the lack of funding certainty and the multiple scenarios being considered it meant financial planning beyond 2020-21 was more uncertain than usual.

It was acknowledged that decisions made today would impact on the Commissioner’s finances over the medium and long term. 

The Commissioner advised that the current precept consultation was having a better response than previous precept consultations, and that the OPCC were working hard to gauge where responses were coming from.

Clive Barker, Chief Financial Officer, explained the detail of the budget proposals and the Medium Term Financial Strategy and answered questions.

The chairman thanked Clive Barker for a comprehensive and professional paper and presentation.

The Chairman felt that the meeting had been a frustrating one, due to the uncertainty surrounding the draft budget paper.

Decision

·   That the Wiltshire Police and Crime Panel noted the report.

The Chairman thanked the Commissioner for his report.

To note the forward work plan.

The Forward Work Plan was noted.

To note the future meeting dates below:

·       Thursday 6 February – County Hall, Trowbridge

·       Thursday 19 March – Monkton Park, Chippenham

·       Thursday 4 June – City Hall, Salisbury

·       Thursday 3 September – Corn Exchange, Devizes

·       Thursday 10 December – Swindon Borough Council Offices

Future meeting dates were:

·       Thursday 6 February – County Hall

·       Thursday 19 March – Monkton Park, Chippenham

·       Thursday 4 June – City Hall, Salisbury

·       Thursday 3 September – Corn Exchange, Devizes

·       Thursday 10 December – Swindon Borough Council Offices