Meeting documents

https://www.choosemypcc.org.uk/candidates/thames-valley/anthony-stansfeld/

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 a Communication Programme for the three emergency services – this would provide a network with extensive coverage, high resilience, appropriate security and public safety functionality. There was a National Reference Group that considered Force issues and the Programme Board were confident about the delivery of this Project. The main contract had been awarded in December 2015. The Chief Constable reported that not all masts would be needed but coverage would be better on 4G network. Cllr Iain McCracken asked what Plan B would be if they missed the implementation timetable of September 2017? The Chief Constable reported that there was some flexibility around these dates.

·         Cllr Angela Macpherson referred to the huge pressures with housing growth for example Aylesbury Vale was expected to have a population increase of 20,000. She asked how the Force was linking in with Local Plans to ensure that appropriate resources are being deployed for neighbourhood policing. The PCC reported that it was critical that distribution of resources was equitable and extra funding would be available through the precept with additional housing. The Chief Constable reported that the police would help support new housing estates with neighbourhood teams and would engage at an early planning stage. They could also make bids through the Community Infrastructure Levy. The Chief Constable would ask the Local Area Commander to contact Cllr Angela Macpherson to ensure that they had engagement with the Local Plan.

Action: Chief Constable

·         Cllr Paul Sohal asked about the proposal to have localised offices and whether there would be one in Slough. The PCC commented that he would like to have a local office in Slough, particularly to have closer contact with the Council and the Trust on safeguarding issues.

The PCC was thanked for his report.