Meeting documents

Venue: Diamond Room, Aylesbury Vale District Council, The Gateway, Gatehouse Road, Aylesbury Bucks HP19 8FF

Contact: Clare Gray (01895) 837529 

Items
Note No. Item

41.

Election of Chairman

Minutes:

RESOLVED

 

That Mr T Egleton be elected Chairman of the Thames Valley Police and Crime Panel for the ensuing year.

42.

Appointment of Vice-Chairman

Minutes:

RESOLVED

 

That Mr K Mallon be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Thames Valley Police and Crime Panel for the ensuing year.

43.

Changes in Membership

Minutes:

The following changes in Membership were reported:-

 

Cllr Tony Ilott replaced Cllr George Reynolds representing Cherwell District Council

Cllr Sandy Lovatt replaced Cllr Chris McCarthy representing Vale of White Horse District Council

Cllr Derek Sharp replaced Cllr Jesse Grey representing Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Cllr Paul Sohal replaced Cllr Sabia Hussain representing Slough Borough Council

Cllr Barrie Patman replaced Cllr Bob Pitts representing Wokingham Borough Council

44.

Declarations of Interest

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

45.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 179 KB

To agree the Minutes of the Meeting held on 11 March 2016

Minutes:

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 11 March 2016 were agreed as a correct record subject to the following changes:-

 

Julia Adey gave her apologies for the meeting

 

Minute 33 – Domestic Violence

Cllr Dee Sinclair asked for an amendment to the minutes regarding funding for and benefits of perpetrator programmes. The recommendation related to whether there should be a Thames Valley Perpetrator Programme Co-ordinator and Cllr Sinclair emphasised the need to break the cycle of reoffending in Domestic Abuse cases so offender programmes should be given equal consideration in funding bids.

11.05am

46.

Public Question Time

Anyone who works or lives in the Thames Valley can ask a question at meetings of the Police and Crime Panel, at which a 20 minute session will be designated for hearing from the public.

 

If you’d like to participate, please read the Public Question Time Scheme and submit your questions by email to contact@thamesvalleypcp.org.uk at least three working days in advance of the meeting.

 

http://www.southbucks.gov.uk/article/5242/Public-questions-at-Panel-meetings

Minutes:

There were no public questions.

11.25am

47.

Themed Item - Community Safety Partnerships and Neighbourhood Policing pdf icon PDF 253 KB

Phil Dart Director for Communities, Health and Adult Social Care and Richard Webb Head of Trading Standards and Community Safety Manager will be attending for this item.

 

The aim of this item is to look at the relationship of Community Safety Partnerships with the Panel and to specifically look at one area of CSP’s which is Neighbourhood Policing. 

 

Also attached is an update from the OPCC on the Neighbourhood Policing Review.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The aim of this item was to look at the relationship of Community Safety Partnerships with the Panel and to specifically look at one area of CSP’s which is Neighbourhood Policing. The Chairman welcomed three external witnesses to the meeting:-

 

Phil Dart Director for Communities Buckinghamshire County Council (BCC)

Richard Webb Head of Trading Standards and Community Safety Oxfordshire County Council Fire and Rescue Service (OCC)

Garry Tallett Community Safety Partnership Manager Slough Borough Council

 

Phil Dart, Director of Communities BCC provided Members with an update:-

 

·         Community Safety Partnerships were introduced in the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 to be made up of ‘responsible authorities’ and some who sit as a result of local agreement.  The Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 made no significant amendments to the role and remit of CSPs, however it meant changes to their working context as funding for crime and disorder reduction would be funnelled through the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC).

·         Buckinghamshire benefits from a clear partnership structure with long standing governance arrangements that complement the two-tier (County and District) authority environment. There is a Safer & Stronger Bucks Partnership Board, a Safer and Stronger Bucks Co-ordinating Group, three District Community Safety Partnerships and some thematic groups covering key priority areas. The Community Safety Partnership contains a number of statutory partners, and there is a commitment between them all to continue to work together to achieve better outcomes for the community.

·         At a County level, there are roles that seek to ensure that there is a co-ordinated and complete response to the issues across the County where that is appropriate. There is also responsibility to deal with the issues that have been identified across the County with the statutory partners and also to provide support and add value to the resource and experience of partners in local District areas.

·         The Safer and Stronger Bucks Partnership Board and the Community Safety Partnerships in Bucks continue to work together with colleagues from across Thames Valley to ensure that the Community Safety Partnership priorities are understood and help to shape the future Police and Crime Plan which the Police and Crime Commissioner will produce.

·         A protocol has been produced to help define the distinct roles, responsibilities and governance arrangements for each of the Strategic Boards and Partnerships and how they work together to safeguard and promote the welfare of people living in Buckinghamshire.

·         He was confident that that emerging themes in crime were covered by the strategic landscape and that the current Police and Crime Plan generally reflected priorities in the Thames Valley.

 

Richard Webb Head of Trading Standards and Community Safety OCC provided Members with an update:-

 

·         The Oxfordshire Safer Communities Partnership elected-Member-led Board and Business Group are central to the framework of the partnership. The role of the Board is to identify and agree strategic community safety priorities that partners will address across Oxfordshire. This is a statutory function. Members of the Oxfordshire Safer Communities Partnership Board include strategic-level representatives of groups with a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 47.

12.25pm

48.

Post Election outline of PCC manifesto and challenges for the future

Minutes:

The PCC, Anthony Stansfeld, was congratulated by the Panel for being re-elected following the elections in May. In his election statement he commented that his priorities were to:-

 

·         Reduce crime and drive up detection rates

·         Maintain the balance between urban and rural policing

·         Ensure that the Police budget is targeted effectively

·         Protect vulnerable people

·         Ensure that the police act firmly and fairly, using good judgement to deal with the public politely, gaining their respect and acting with integrity.

 

The PCC reported that in his previous term he was pleased that he had achieved his objectives by reducing burglary, reducing rural crime and prioritising Child Sexual Exploitation, Domestic Abuse, Fraud and Cyber Crime. He particularly mentioned the work that had been undertaken on Preventing Female Genital Mutilation and that there was now a legal requirement for the NHS and Schools to report this crime. However this was still widely un-reported and no cases had been recorded in the Thames Valley.

 

The PCC reported that there were challenges ahead with budgetary pressures on police and partner organisations resulting in services being cut. There were also challenges with increasing population, immigration, housing issues and increasing budgets required to support the vulnerable.

 

The Force in the past few years has had to make huge budget cuts and there was also a concern about any possible changes to the national police formula grant. However, the tax payer’s alliance had congratulated the OPCC on being one of the offices with the lowest cost per head of population even though it had increasing responsibilities being added with Government changes such as Victims Commissioning. There was also the new Policing and Crime Bill which was looking at giving the PCC responsibility for the Fire and Rescue Service, police complaints and also more responsibility in relation to the Local Criminal Justice System. He was also considering whether to make any changes to his office as the Thames Valley was a large area and he was thinking about having local offices in certain areas to help representation at partners’ meetings as he was also being given increasing responsibility at a national level. He was currently considering having a full time Deputy PCC.

 

During discussion the following questions were asked:-

 

·         Cllr Iain McCracken made reference to the Fire Service and the Memorandum of Understanding that had been signed the purpose of which is to commit each fire and rescue service to look at collaboration within the Thames Valley as a first option, to reduce cost, improve quality and improve resilience. He also referred to the Emergency Services Mobile Communication Project and asked the PCC whether a number of masts would need to be erected across the Thames Valley. The PCC referred to the legislation going through Parliament which was looking at combining Fire Services under the remit of the PCC. Legislation also referred to Ambulance Services however there were fewer similarities with this Service so this would take longer to look into. The Chief Constable reported on ESMCP which was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48.

12.35pm

49.

General Issues pdf icon PDF 127 KB

To note and ask questions on the general issues report.

Minutes:

The general issues report was discussed and the following questions were raised:-

 

·         Cllr Margaret Burke reported that dog theft had increased by 46% in Milton Keynes. She asked for a written answer on figures across the Thames Valley and how this was being addressed. The PCC reported that dog fighting was a serious issue including the setting up of Puppy Farms, one of which had been passed at the Planning Committee of his local Council. Cllr Burke also asked for information on the incidence of breast ironing, which was sometimes linked with Female Genital Mutilation. The PCC reported that he had spoken to the Chief Constable about this but no cases had been reported. However, he would not be surprised if there were some cases in the Thames Valley. This was an issue that could be raised at the Preventing CSE Sub-Committee.

Action: Agenda item for Preventing CSE Sub-Committee

·         Cllr Kieron Mallon asked the PCC whether he had any concerns that the Force being not yet prepared in relation to the HMIC report on Honour Based Abuse. The PCC commented that there was low reporting in this area as well. The Chief Constable reported that the Force had already addressed a lot of concerns raised, assigned responsibility to a Chief Officer, developed an Action Plan and raised awareness with partners. There would be a further inspection later on in the year by HMIC. Cllr Kieron Mallon reported that it would be good for Panel Members to raise awareness of this crime similar to the action they took with Female Genital Mutilation.

Action: Panel Members

·         Cllr Dee Sinclair asked about the impact of legislation in relation to legal highs. The Chief Constable reported that they had previously targeted suppliers of legal highs rather than users. Previously it was an education issue now the law could be enforced.

·         Cllr Dee Sinclair then expressed concern about safeguarding in relation to language schools and Home Stay Students. There was no formal licensing of language schools and the Oxford Forum she had recently attended wanted to put pressure on Government to make changes. The PCC commented that he had previously expressed concern about the fact that there was no legal framework and he asked to see a copy of the letter that had been written to the MP from the Forum. This was an issue that could be discussed further at the Preventing CSE Sub Committee.

Action: Letter to be discussed at Preventing CSE Sub Committee

·         Cllr Dee Sinclair referred to the upcoming EU Referendum and the impact on policing. The PCC expressed concern about border control and the need for good security. In relation to border control he commented that about 20 different agencies were involved and there needed to be better co-ordination. He also expressed concern about serious organised crime and links abroad.

12.50pm

50.

PCP Annual Report pdf icon PDF 1 MB

To adopt and publish the draft PCP Annual Report.

Minutes:

Members received the draft Annual Report of the Panel.

 

RESOLVED

That the draft Annual Report be circulated and published.

13.00pm

51.

Verbal update on proposed changes to national funding formula

Minutes:

The PCC informed Members that he had received anecdotal information that the review of the national funding formula for policing would probably not be completed and implemented for another two years.

13.10pm

52.

Annual Review of Police and Crime Panel Rules of Procedure, Panel Membership and Police and Crime Panel Budget pdf icon PDF 115 KB

To review the Rules of Procedure and Panel Membership and approve the Panel budget.

Minutes:

Members received a report on the review of the Rules of Procedure, changes in Panel Membership and the Panel budget.

 

No amendments have been received by the Panel Secretariat to the rules of procedure. Cllr Paul Sohal raised the issue of having nominated deputies. A number of Members commented that they did not want to have nominated deputies because they were not as accountable and that one of the strengths of the Panel was continuity of membership and bringing knowledge and skills to the Panel. Cllr Kieron Mallon referred to the previous item on Community Safety Partnerships and referred to the need to have the right links and membership between the two Groups. Cllr Barrie Patman referred to the Government guidance on the set up of the Panel and the expertise and knowledge required to sit on the Panel. Members agreed that that there should be no change.

 

In terms of membership Members agreed that the existing Sub-Committees and Working Group should continue as agreed with the same Chairman:-

 

Cllr Iain McCracken – Chairman of Preventing Child Sexual Exploitation Sub-Committee

Cllr Kieron Mallon – Vice Chairman

 

Cllr Emily Culverhouse – Chairman of Complaints Handling Sub Committee

Curtis James Marshall – Vice Chairman

 

Cllr Iain McCracken – Chairman of Budget Task and Finish Group

 

Members were asked to write to the Chairman if they wanted to be part of/no longer wanted to be part of the Groups above.

 

RESOLVED

That the Panel budget be agreed and that the Sub Committees and Task and Finish Groups should continue with no changes to their Terms of Reference for the following year.

 

 

13.20pm

53.

Work Programme pdf icon PDF 95 KB

To consider a request (using the Scrutiny Topic Selection Criteria) to add an item on the Work Programme in relation to speed cameras.

 

For Panel Members to put forward items for the Work Programme including ideas for themed meetings.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Work Programme was noted.

 

Panel Members considered whether to include the scrutiny of the PCC’s approach to publishing a road safety speed camera scheme deployment strategy in its Work Programme. A report was submitted and considered as part of the Panel agenda including the previous topic scoring criteria and a copy of the letter to the Chairman dated 14 March 2016.

 

In discussing whether the item should be included in the Work Programme the PCC was questioned about his approach. In answering he responded that his priority was that the Force deploy speed cameras in appropriate places where there is a clear identified risk of traffic accidents, as opposed to deploying cameras in low-risk areas where the public may perceived the objective as being simply to generate revenue income from fines rather than to reduce the number of accidents. He also commented that he was in active discussions with the Chief Constable on day-to-day deployment decisions re mobile cameras but he is not promoting the need for the Force to develop a Deployment Strategy per se, just the application of common sense by relevant responsible senior officers to deployment decisions.

 

The Chief Constable also commented that there is data on the Force’s website which shows information on collisions and casualties in speed camera areas. The figures for 2015 had not yet been published. The process for speed camera enforcement was strictly adhered to so that there was balanced enforcement.

http://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/rdsafe/rdsafe-roadpol/rdsafe-roadpol-speedenforcement/rdsafe-roadpol-speedenforcement-cameras.htm

 

Members were also informed that fines arising from convictions for speeding offences were collected by Government and that the Force received income from speed awareness courses which was reinvested into road safety initiatives and the Safe Drive Stay Alive Campaign.

 

Panel Members were happy with the response from the PCC and the Chief Constable and a proposal was put that the issue would not be added to the Work Programme which was agreed.

 

RESOLVED

That the request on adding an item to the Work Programme on whether the Chief Constable should have a Deployment Strategy for speed cameras be not agreed.

13.30pm

54.

Date and Time of Next Meeting

9 September 2016 at 11am at Aylesbury Vale District Council

Minutes:

9 September at 11am at Aylesbury Vale District Council