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 officer listed on this agenda 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.
Minutes:
Two questions from Mr Paul Howlett had been emailed to the OPCC.
Question 1
I note that the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) 2022-23 to 2025-26 concludes, "It is expected that the Chief Constable will improve the efficiency in how he delivers policing. Depending on the funding provided there is likely to be a budgetary gap, it is expected that the Chief Constable will continue to identify ways in which he can close these gaps.”
I am concerned that there is a limit to the efficiency savings that can be achieved by the Chief Constable with the risk that eventually local policing will be detrimentally impacted.
This is a burden that the Chief Constable shares with the PCC as his responsibilities includes, amongst others, "Sets the police budget and decides how much people will pay towards policing from their council tax, as well as priorities for resources, linked to their plan.”
The current draft "Wiltshire and Swindon Police and Crime Plan 2022-2025” describes options for modernising the police estate & yet gives no indication how any of them will be funded. It seems that further increases in the police precept will be necessary to fund estate improvements. This is at a time when household costs are predicted to increase with a rise in the cost of living, which is a cause for concern.
In the absence of any additional central funding, what assurances can the PCC give that improvements in the police estate will not be funded through placing an undue financial burden on the people of Wiltshire as well as any reduction in the availability of local policing.
Answer:
There is an expectation that Chief Constables and PCCs deliver an efficient and effective service. We are continually reviewing how we deliver services ensuring we are optimising advances in technology and removing duplication. With the new centrally funded officers there is now a requirement for officer numbers to be maintained hence reducing the concern that local policing will be detrimentally impacted.
The MTFS describes a requirement to invest in the police estate. It specifically deals with how this will be funded noting that reserves, capital receipts and capital grants will not be sufficient to deliver fit for purpose premises. The plan is to deliver major developments by borrowing taking advantage of the current low interest rates and spreading the impact over 30 years, hence the public receiving the benefits of these assets pay for them over this period. The capital financing strategy (part of the MTFS) explains how this will be achieved in a sustainable method without placing undue pressure in one year hence limiting any impact on local policing.
Question 2
I understand that currently less than 1 in 10 domestic burglaries are detected, which if true is appalling. The effective investigation of crime and the management of offenders are key to community confidence in policing as well as achieving value for money. Will the PCC consider including in future performance data regarding detection rates within publicly available crime statistics.
Answer:
Investigative standards across all crime is a priority I have identified in my plan. The level of outcomes achieved by police are a key measures for the overall effectiveness of investigations and delivering this priority for my plan. Outcome rates information already forms part of the performance measures of the current police and crime plan and I will continue to hold the Chief Constable accountably for improving this. In addition to burglary I want to see improvements in outcomes for all types of crime. My draft police and crime plan highlights many areas where I want to see improvements in bring offenders to justice in particular in relation to rape, sexual offences, and violent crime.
Cllr Zoe Clewer representing Redlynch Parish Council was in attendance and asked two questions.
Question 1
Have you consulted with officers and back office staff re the plan?
Answer:
Yes, both formally and informally, visiting police stations etc, and giving briefings to police staff.
Question 2
Cannabis – would like to see more action being taken re cannabis use.
Answer:
That Police would respond to all reports of illegal acts – drug related.