Agenda item

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

76.1           Members received an update from Councillor Rob Garnham, the Council’s representative on the Gloucestershire Police and Crime Panel, on matters discussed at the last meeting of the Panel held on 3 February 2017.

76.2           Councillor Garnham advised that the main focus of the meeting was the setting of the Police precept, however, it had begun with the confirmation that the Chief Constable, Suzette Davenport, was retiring after four years with the force.  The Police and Crime Commissioner would therefore be starting the process for recruiting a new Chief Constable; it was noted that the Police and Crime Commissioner’s manifesto stated that Gloucestershire would have its own Chief Constable so sharing with another area would not be possible.

76.3           Councillor Garnham advised that a comprehensive report had been provided by the Chief Executive giving information on crime statistics, collaboration and complaints.  It was of particular note that, in November 2016, Avon and Somerset Constabulary had contacted Gloucestershire Constabulary to state that it would not be proceeding with any further service transformation collaboration on the basis that the current programme was not sufficiently broad enough to achieve the financial savings it required.  Collaboration would still continue on major crime investigations, specialist operations and the firearms training centre.  With regard to emergency services collaboration, and the potential for Police and Crime Commissioners to take over the running of the Fire Service, the Gloucestershire Police and Crime Commissioner had attended a meeting with the County Council where he had been informed that there was nothing to discuss as the County Council was happy with the current arrangements.  The Police and Crime Commissioner had highlighted that the government had written to all Police and Crime Commissioners stating that they must lead this agenda – not the Fire Service or County Councils – and, therefore, this issue would be revisited.  In the government’s view, simply stating that the status quo was the preferred choice was not sufficient justification.  Members were informed that the Police and Crime Commissioner’s office had shared its delivery plans for 2017; these were the oversight plans that would be adhered to in order to deliver the Commissioner’s six strategic priorities.  It was stressed that more detailed plans were discussed with each of the six leads who would be making presentations to the Police and Crime Panel in due course. 

76.4           Councillor Garnham reiterated that the Police and Crime Panel meeting in February was required to scrutinise the Police and Crime Commissioner’s proposed budget which it was able to accept without comment; make comments upon; or, ask the Police and Crime Commissioner to reconsider.  It was noted that the government had imposed tight constraints this year and Police and Crime Commissioners had been told that the direct resource funding, including precept, would be protected at flat cash levels assuming that precept income was increased to the maximum, within the referendum limit.  In effect, this meant that the Police precept proposed had to be 1.99%; the Chief Constable supported this proposal which was unanimously approved by the Police and Crime Panel.  Members were advised that this effectively meant a grant reduction of 1.4% because of additional grant reallocations by the Home Office.  During the period 2018/19 to 2020/21, the Police and Crime Commissioner would still have to make savings of £6.4M and it was noted that the required revenue budget for the Commissioner’s office was £106.5M.  The Police and Crime Commissioner had stated that he still aimed to maintain or increase the number of Police Officers; to double the size of the Special Constabulary; and to have a “re-imagining” of neighbourhood policing, including rural policing.  He indicated that there were currently 1,060 Police Officers, which was expected to rise to 1,095 by the end of March 2019, and 124 Special Constables, which it was intended would increase to 300 by 2019.  It was noted that the next meeting of the Police and Crime Panel was due to be held on 14 March 2017.

76.5           A Member questioned whether additional funding had been allocated for the extra Police Officers and confirmation was provided that would be the case; overall there would be 35 new Officers above the current level.  Another Member asked whether there had been any indication as to where the £6.4M savings would be made, particularly given the plans to increase staff levels.  Councillor Garnham advised that there would be cuts, the majority of which were likely to be in relation to back office processes, vehicles etc.  It was noted that there were reserves of £20M and a £5M “rainy day” fund.  The Police and Crime Panel recognised that savings had to be made but it would be difficult, as was the case across the country. 

76.6           A Member queried whether the Police and Crime Panel would play a role in the recruitment of the new Chief Constable and was advised that the Panel would be required to confirm the appointment.  In response to a query regarding rural policing, Members were advised that there had been an acknowledgement that neighbouring policing was not working as well as it should be and it was accepted that changes were needed; unfortunately there were no longer enough resources for Police Officers to attend meetings and report crime statistics as they had done in the past, and, although this information was available elsewhere, this did not negate the need for a police presence in rural areas.  A Member sought clarification as to whether Rural Watch was still in operation as he had not received any updates for 18 months or more.  Two other Members of the Committee confirmed that they did receive emails and telephone calls and Councillor Garnham undertook to remind the Police and Crime Commissioner of Rural Watch when considering neighbourhood policing.

76.7           A Member indicated that he had previously raised a query regarding the replacement of the military Police Officer.  Councillor Garnham had taken this up on his behalf and he was pleased to report that the Police had subsequently contacted the military and the old military building was now being used as a base for Police Officers - effectively operating a local policing point within the Borough.

76.8           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.