Meeting documents

To receive a presentation from Francis Habgood - Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police

The Chairman welcomed and introduced Francis Habgood, Chief Constable and Yvette Hitch, Chiltern & South Bucks Local Police Area Commander.

 

The Chief Constable attended the meeting to provide a presentation to members on the current performance and strategic objectives of the Thames Valley Police; while providing members with the opportunity to raise questions on the work of the Police.

 

The Chief Constable provided a detailed and informative presentation which outlined the following key areas:-

 

·       PEEL Programme - which was an annual assessment of police effectiveness, efficiency and legitimacy, drawing together evidence from force inspections so that the public can judge the performance of their forces and policing as a whole.  The first assessment was published on 27 November 2014.  The programme had reported that:

o   Effectiveness was good - with low overall crime levels, a good understanding of local priorities and managed the need for extra staff in frontline role and specialist teams

o   Efficiency was good - on track to achieve required savings of £58.9m over the spending review period and to meet its further financial challenge in 2015/16

o   Legitimacy - the force acted to achieve fairness and legitimacy, was committed to embracing the Code of Ethics and the chief officer team provided strong leadership

·       Police Delivery Plan Strategic Objectives 2015/16

o   Cut crimes that are of most concern to the community

o   Increase the visible presence of the police

o   Protect communities from the most serious harm

o   Improve communication and use of technology to build community confidence and cut crime

o   Increase the professionalism and capability of the police force

o   Reduce costs and protect the frontline

 

Members appreciated the content of the presentation and were given the opportunity to raise questions with the Chief Constable.

 

Councillor Don Phillips asked:  “Your predecessor misread a substantial element of the population - and the Press - when, in her new role, she proposed that domestic (and other?) burglaries might no longer justify a police visit.  Surely TVP do not intend to subscribe to such a policy, which would be violently unpopular with our Council tax- payers.  Perhaps it might be prudent to actually ask them where they would pitch Police priorities?”

 

The Chief Constable responded that the reporting of this issue had been unhelpful but had also stimulated debate over funding of policing and priorities.  Members were assured that the priorities of local communities were understood and this included the attendance of the police to domestic burglaries

 

Councillor Peter Jones asked:  “Please advise how many a) fatalities and b) serious injury accidents there have been in the past ten years on the A413 i) between Wendover by-pass and Link Road, Great Missenden, and ii) between Link Road, Great Missenden and Gore Hill, Amersham?”

 

The Chief Constable advised that he was able to provide a breakdown of figures year on year in relation to the number of fatalities and serious injuries on roads across the District, which he would arrange to be forwarded to Chiltern District Council.

 

“How much extra money has the Chief Constable budgeted for TVP policing the construction of HS2?”

 

The Chief Constable confirmed that currently no money had been set aside for funding HS2 and this was to be a co-ordinated approach and as time progressed there would be a need to consider an operational budget and once the police exceeded 1% of £3.8m then a Government Grant was to be sought.

 

Councillor Davida Allen: “Can you please give us some information about the recent incidents of pet and livestock thefts in the area?”

 

The Chief Constable reported on the recent figures for incidents in respect of pet and livestock thefts and added that residents were encouraged to report such issues.

 

Councillor Caroline Rouse asked: “What proportion of your officers' time would you say is spent doing work which is not strictly police work; and which other services or agencies do you believe should be doing this work to enable your officers to focus on police responsibilities?”

 

The Chief Constable responded that there was an element of time spent on indirectly crime related issues which although was not necessarily police work it was an area of responsibility that was supported through joint working with other agencies and partners.  It was noted that other emergency services did have the power of entry into premises eg. ambulance service but did not always have necessary equipment to gain access and therefore working with partners was required.  The most effective support was always sought to achieve efficiencies.

 

Councillor Isobel Darby asked:  “What is the likely budget settlement for TVP, and what are the implications on local policing if there is a negative budget settlement?”

 

The Chief Constable reported that the budget settlement was likely to be a negative settlement and as an indication if the funding was reduced to 40% then policing was to look very different and if reduced to 25% then a transitional changed to the service would be required.  It was noted that the Home Office were consulting on a funding formula, which was how the money was allocated to forces and pending the result of this it could have a significant impact on Thames Valley.

 

Councillor Peter Hudson asked:  “In light of the high profile prosecutions in Aylesbury, how can Councils help to support Police actions in areas such as child sexual exploitation and the Prevent Strategy?”

 

The Chief Constable responded that all authorities have a role to play in ensuring that safeguarding of residents is maintained and that all frontline staff understand identifying the signs of potential child exploitation. It was added that Chiltern area did not have a big issue with exploitation but officers should still remain vigilant.

 

Councillor Nick Rose asked:  “What is the added value of the Police and Crime Commissioner?”

 

The Chief Constable explained that as with other public bodies there was a need for someone to hold the police force and the Chief Constable to account.  The role of the Police and Crime Commissioner was that of a strategic role whereas the Chief Constable and senior officers were very much in the role of operational responsibility.

 

The Chairman thanked the Chief Constable for his informative presentation.

 

To present the Leofwine Shield to Linda Smith, Chairman of Chalfont St Peter Parish Council on behalf of Chalfont St Peter village. The Shield is awarded annually to the Town or Parish Council in Chiltern District achieving the highest mark in the Best Kept Village Competition. Chalfont St Peter is the 2015 winner.

The Chairman was pleased to present the Leofwine Shield to Councillor L Smith, representing Chalfont St Peter Parish Council, in recognition of Chalfont St Peter’s achievement of obtaining the highest marks in Chiltern District in the Best Kept Village Competition.  Councillor L Smith thanked the Council for the award.

 

To approve as a correct record and to sign the Minutes of the meeting of Council held on 14 July 2015.

The Minutes of the meeting of Council held on 14 July 2015 were approved as a correct record.

 

To receive any announcements from the Chairman, Cabinet Leader or the Head of Paid Service.

(a)       Chairman’s Engagements

 

A list of Engagements carried out by the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Council between 15 July and 8 September 2015 had been circulated.

 

(b)       Chairman’s Announcements

 

The Chairman had no announcements to make.

 

(c) Announcements from the Leader of the Cabinet

 

The Leader of the Cabinet made one announcement in respect of the recent refugee crisis and reported that at this stage the Council were maintaining a record of people offering assistance and were to continue to work with local partners should refugees be welcomed into the area and current services would not be diminished.  Members were advised to report any offers of assistance to the Head of Healthy Communities.  Councillor Peter Jones informed members that in relation to this issue he was to present a petition to Council at the appropriate item on the agenda.

 

(d) Announcements from the Head of Paid Service

 

The Chief Executive had no announcements to make.

 

To receive a report from the Acting Chief Executive

The Chief Executive presented a report to Council, which outlined the recommendation from the Appointments Panel to appoint Anita Cacchioli as Interim Director of Services. Having noted that in accordance with the Council’s  standing orders Cabinet Members had been given the opportunity to object and that no objections were received and that a similar recommendation was being made to the Full Council at South Bucks District Council, it was

 

RESOLVED:

 

That Anita Cacchioli be appointed as shared Interim Director of Services commencing on a date to be agreed by the Chief Executive.

 

Members considered the recommendations arising from the shared services review of Business Support Service. 

 

It was moved by Councillor Darby seconded by Councillor Stannard and

 

RESOLVED:

 

i)    That the case for a Business Support joint service was proven and that both Councils should proceed to establish a Business Support joint service;

 

ii)   That subject to consultation with staff and a formal agreement between the Councils, the services of staff in Chiltern District Council’s Business Support service be put at the disposal of South Bucks District Council under Section 113 of the Local Government Act 1972 so they can work across the two local authority areas; and

 

iii)  That the Chief Executive in consultation with the Cabinet Leader and the Head of Legal and Democratic Services be authorised to finalise the terms of any legal documentation required to give effect to recommendation 2 above.

 

To receive and consider the recommendations of the Cabinet for the meeting held on Tuesday 25 August 2015, and to receive questions and answers on any of those minutes and recommendations in accordance with Rule 8 of the Procedural Rules (if any)

There were no Cabinet Recommendations for consideration.

 

To receive and consider reports from the Cabinet Leader, Cabinet Members or Chairman of a Committee and receive questions and answers on any of those reports in accordance with Rule 9.1 of the Procedural Rules.

a) Councillor Nick Rose - HS2

 

Councillor Rose reported that the provisional decision made by the Select Committee had been to reject the long tunnel but with partial tunnel.  There was still a high level of concern over the detrimental impact on the Chiltern District.  Members were advised that Chiltern District Council, Aylesbury Vale District Council and Bucks County Council had decided to change the HS2 QC to Mark Lowe for the next petitioning round commencing in October.

 

To receive questions and answers of the Cabinet Leader, Cabinet Members or Chairman of a Committee (if any) in accordance with Rule 9.2 of the Council Procedure Rules.

To receive questions without notice from any Member of the Council to the Cabinet Leader, Cabinet Members or Chairman of a Committee (if any) in accordance with Rule 9.1 of the Council Procedure Rules.

 

Councillor Peter Jones submitted a question to Council in respect of the impact of noise in the community as a result of Temporary Event Notices.  Councillor L Walsh, Vice Chairman of Licensing & Regulation Committee advised that a report would be submitted to a future meeting of the Committee for consideration.

 

To receive petitions and/or deputations (if any) from members of the public including provisions allowing members to ask questions of clarification at the discretion of the Chairman and restrictions on deputations covering the same subject or by the same speakers.

Councillor Peter Jones submitted a petition organised by Mr Alan Booth and signed by 273 people, asking the Council to 

 

“Welcome 50 refugee families to Chesham and its surrounding villages and help them to find a safe place to stay where they can stop running from the living hell of war.”

 

The petition was received by the Chairman and passed to the Chief Executive for action in accordance with the Council’s Petitions Scheme.

 

To receive reports about and receive questions and answers relating to any joint arrangements or external organisations.

No Motions had been received.