Agenda item

The Board considered a report of the Chief Executive on the introduction of Police and Crime Commissioners and a Police and Crime Panel.

          The Board was advised that the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 introduced a new regime for policing and community safety in England.  From November 2012, Police Authorities would be replaced by a Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC).  In addition, a new Police and Crime Panel (Panel) would be established to scrutinise the activities of the PCC.  The introduction of the PCC and the Panel would change the relationship with the Council and the Community Safety Partnerships and other partners in crime reduction, crime detection and the criminal justice system.

          The report informed Members of the preparations underway for the transition from the Police Authority to a PCC.  It was noted that a Transition Group had been established, David Parr had been nominated and accepted as the Police Area Returning Officer (PARO) for the Cheshire Police Force area and Warrington Borough Council had been nominated as the host authority for the Police and Crime Panel.  In addition, the report provided details of the Election arrangements taking place in November 2012, the powers and scrutiny role of the Panel, Partnership and Commissioning arrangements and the preparations already underway for the PCC and the Panel in Halton.

The Chairman also reported that he and the Vice Chair had recently met with the Police Constable and he had indicated that he would like to attend a future meeting of the Board.  He added that the Chief Constable had recognised the uniqueness of Halton and would like to continue the working relationship with the Council after the Police Commissioner had been recruited.  In addition, he reported that the Police Crime Panel would only scrutinise the Police Commissioner and there would be no public access to the meetings. 

The Board noted that there would be a 5 year Crime Plan which would be developed by the Chief Constable and the Police Crime Commissioner. 

It was agreed that the helpful guidance notes for Members information, listed in section 3.1 of the report be circulated to all Members of the Board.

It was reported that the funding streams set out on Page 120 of the report paragraph 7.3 would be going to the Police Commission from 2013/14 and it would be spent at their discretion. 

The Board noted that to date there had been no indications of candidates for the Police Commissioner role.  However, it was also noted that nominations could be received as late as 19 days before the elections.

The Board noted that it was imperative that the Welcome Pack was established and ready for the new Police Crime Commissioner so that they would be aware of the following:-

·       The current operating arrangement in Halton;

·       The community safety architecture in Halton;

·       The key players and partners involved directly and indirectly in crime and community safety in Halton; and

·       The current crime and community safety priorities for Halton based on the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment, research and data.

The Board noted the importance of adequate representation on the Police Crime Panel.

          RESOLVED: That the report and comments raised be noted.