Meeting documents

Cllr McCarthy declared a personal interest as a Member of Vale of White Horse District Council. Cllr Webster declared an interest as a Member of the Royal Berkshire Fire Authority.

Following notification from the Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner of his intention to vary the responsibilities of the Deputy PCC and the original terms and conditions of his appointment (to increase the hours of work from a part time post to a full time post (37 hours)) with effect from 21 May 2018, the Thames Valley Police and Crime Panel will hold a confirmation hearing, in accordance with Schedule 1 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011.

Following notification from the Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner of his intention to vary the responsibilities of the Deputy PCC and the original terms and conditions of his appointment (to increase the hours of work from a part time post to a full time post (37 hours) with effect from 21 May 2018, the Panel held a confirmation hearing, in accordance with Schedule 1 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011.

The PCC informed the Panel that he proposed to vary the responsibilities of the Deputy PCC and to increase his hours of work to undertake the following functions:-

·         Support the PCC in the function of his duties

·         Attend meetings and events to represent the PCC

·         To establish liaison  with local authorities in the Thames Valley (the formal meetings and informal contacts) such as attendance at Health and Wellbeing Boards

·         To act as liaison with other external partners

·         To represent and lead, on behalf of the PCC, on collaborative initiatives with emergency services in general and fire services in particular in the Thames Valley

·         To lead on the commissioning of victims and witness services

·         To oversee the allocation and monitoring of the community safety fund grants

·         To oversee complaints handling arrangements and performance of Thames Valley Police and the Office of the PCC.

·         Other specific projects as required by the PCC.

The PCC reported that he had a very efficient office but in order to cover all his duties effectively because of the size of the Thames Valley, he required a full time Deputy PCC. Other Force areas of a similar size had full time deputies. He had considered the proposal to have three Associate PCC’s but there was an issue with this because of having to employ them on contracts. The remuneration he was proposing was £65,000 even though the Deputy PCC part-time salary equates to a full time salary of £75,000.

The Panel questioned the PCC and Deputy PCC as follows:-

Do you intend remaining a Leader of your Council and do you have any other public roles which will impact on you being a full time Deputy? If you remain a Councillor how will you deal with any conflicts of interest ?  (Cllr Webster)

The Deputy PCC reported that he had been a Leader for seven years and when he was part-time he believed that he could balance the two roles efficiently and effectively. However, as the role was now expanding he would step down as Leader if he took on the full time role and he has informed his Group. He will still stand as a Councillor and he did not expect any conflicts in this role, however if he did he would follow the code of conduct. He believed that he had managed any conflicts of interest in the past 15 months in the right manner.

Why did you change your thoughts about how you would staff your Office and move away from the idea of having three Associates, which other areas  ...  view the full minutes text for item 167.

To resolve that the press and public be excluded from the meeting during the next item of business, as it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the public were present during that item there would be disclosure to them of exempt information within Paragraph 3 of Part 1 Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, being information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding the information).

While there may be a public interest in disclosing this information, namely openness in the deliberations of the Panel in determining its recommendation regarding the proposed appointment, it is felt that, on balance, this is outweighed by other factors in favour of maintaining the exemption, namely enabling a full discussion regarding the merit of the proposed appointment.

Resolved that the press and public be excluded from the meeting during the next item of business, as it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the public were present during that item there would be disclosure to them of exempt information within Paragraph 3 of Part 1 Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, being information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding the information).

While there may be a public interest in disclosing this information, namely openness in the deliberations of the Panel in determining its recommendation regarding the proposed appointment, it is felt that, on balance, this is outweighed by other factors in favour of maintaining the exemption, namely enabling a full discussion regarding the merit of the proposed appointment.

Cllr Egleton then asked the Panel for their views on the recommendation and commented that generally the Panel had supported the need for a full time Deputy because of the size of the Thames Valley and the additional responsibilities for the PCC. Curtis James Marshall referred to the original proposal of having three political assistants. Cllr Egleton commented that the Panel would have supported three political assistants but that the OPCC had decided not to pursue this option because of contractual issues and therefore the best option was a full time Deputy. Cllr Mallon commented that he would have supported having three political assistants and felt that this was more suitable geographically for the size of the Thames Valley. Cllr Hayes commented that he thought that the suitability of the candidate should also be discussed because of the change in terms and conditions. Cllr Patman stated that the OPCC were just following legislation and this is how the process had been set up by Government. The PCC had decided to personally appoint Mr Barber and the Panel were in support of a full time Deputy. Cllr McCarthy reported that Mr Barber had excellent experience as a Leader of a District Council and had grown into the role over the past 15 months but still expressed concern that the three political assistants would be a better option.

Cllr Webster proposed the recommendation which was seconded by Cllr Mallon. Cllr Hayes asked that the recommendation be split into three parts and requested that a recorded vote be taken. Members agreed to this request.

RESOLVED that:-

The Panel endorsed the PCC’s proposed variation to Mr Matthew Barber’s role, responsibilities and terms and conditions, and thereby:

a)      Increase the contracted hours of work of the post from 22.2 to 37 hours per week (i.e. to make the DPCC post a full time appointment)

b)      Increase the annual salary of the post from £45,000 to £65,000 p.a.

c)       Increase the holiday entitlement of the post from 133.2 hrs p.a. (18 days p.a. equivalent ) to 222 hrs p.a. (30 days p.a. equivalent)

With effect from 21 May 2018.

For each part of the resolution 8 Members voted in favour and 4 against the resolution as follows :-

For the resolution

Cllr Adey, Cllr Bendyshe-Brown, Cllr Egleton, Julia Girling, Cllr Mallon, Cllr McCarthy, Cllr Barrie Patman, Cllr Webster

Against the resolution

Cllr Hayes, Mr Marshall, Cllr Page and Cllr Mann