To receive an update from the Council’s representative on matters considered at the last meeting. 

24.1           Members received an update from Councillor R E Garnham, the Council’s representative on the Gloucestershire Police and Crime Panel, on matters discussed at the last meeting of the Panel held on 18 July 2016.

24.2           Councillor Garnham advised that, as it was the first meeting since the Police and Crime Commissioner’s re-election, the Agenda had been fairly light.  The meeting had begun with the election of a Chair and Vice-Chair and the status quo remained with County Councillor Roger Wilson appointed as Chair and County Councillor Barry Kirby appointed as Vice-Chair. 

24.3           It was noted that, at eight pages long, the Chief Executive’s report was a considerable improvement on the information that had been provided a year ago.  As well as covering local Gloucestershire matters, such as Police estates, complaints and Freedom of Information requests, the report had touched upon the Policing and Crime Bill which aimed to “finish the job of police reform” and “enable fire and police services to work more closely together and develop the role of our elected and accountable Police and Crime Commissioners”. The Commissioner had stated previously that he had no wish to take over the running of the Fire Service but it was pointed out that Brandon Lewis MP had now been appointed as the new Government Police and Fire Minister; the post was previously just annotated Police Minister.  Developing the role of the Commissioner could include taking responsibility for Criminal Justice, including Youth Justice, and the Crown Prosecution Service in Gloucestershire, all of which, as the Commissioner had pointed out, could double the workload.  The Commissioner’s Office had also established a Commissioner’s Forum with representatives from, amongst others, the media, business, further education and the voluntary sector, to act as critical friends.  The panel was 25 strong and there had been a discussion over the role of the Forum and that of the Police and Crime Panel with assurance being provided that the two bodies were different.

24.4           Members were reminded that it was a statutory duty of the Police and Crime Panel to receive the Commissioner’s Police and Crime Plan and make comment or recommendation.  An early draft of the 2017-21 Plan had been presented and the Commissioner had explained that his priorities remained the same as his first term of office: access and accountability; older but not overlooked; young people becoming adults; safer days and nights; safe and social driving; and safe cyber.  In addition, the Commissioner gave his commitment to developing Neighbourhood Policing, protecting rural policing, spending £1M per year on the Commissioner’s Fund and improving data sharing between public bodies.  The need to carry out “a review of the Constabulary’s crime reduction function” had also been highlighted.  The draft report had led to a further discussion that, without knowing expected outcomes and having some statistics, the Panel could not know if the Commissioner was adhering to his Plan and therefore were impeded in their responsibility to hold him to account.  It was agreed that a workforce planning meeting would be held in late August between the Police and Crime Panel and the Commissioner’s Office to discuss this matter further to see if a more helpful approach could be found.  Members noted that the next meeting of the Police and Crime Panel was on 9 September 2016 by which time the Police and Crime Plan should be finalised.

24.5           A Member raised concern that he had been unable to find details for the co-ordinator of the Neighbourhood Watch and he questioned whether there was such a position in Gloucestershire.  The Deputy Chief Executive indicated that, whilst there was nobody employed directly, Gloucestershire Constabulary provided support to help communities run their own Neighbourhood Watch initiatives.  Councillor Garnham indicated that the Police and Crime Commissioner had stated how much he valued Neighbourhood Watch and he suggested that the Member could write to Richard Bradley at the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office about any particular issues.

24.6           A Member questioned whether there were any reserves earmarked to cover the vacancy created by the military not having a police officer and Councillor Garnham undertook to find out and report back following the meeting.

24.7           The Chair thanked the Council’s representative for his presentation and indicated that the update would be circulated to Members via email following the meeting.  It was

RESOLVED          That the feedback from the last meeting of the Gloucestershire Police and Crime Panel be NOTED.