Issue - meetings

To receive a presentation on the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act and its effects on the Scrutiny Function from the Deputy Chief Executive of the Police Authority.

The Committee received a presentation from the Deputy Chief Executive of the Police Authority on the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act and its effects on the Scrutiny Function.

The presentation explained that Police Authorities were to be abolished and replaced with elected Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs); elections were set to be held on 15 November 2012. PCCs would have statutory duties to maintain an efficient and effective police force, hold the Chief Constable to account, scrutinise police performance and monitor complaints. There would also be Police and Crime Panels comprised of representative from the four Borough Councils in Cheshire whose role it would be to scrutinise the PCC only and not the constabulary as a whole. The role of local authorities’ scrutiny functions was unclear at the time and guidance was being sought from the Home Office. It was also unclear at the time which funding streams would be transferred from local authorities to PCCs.

Questions were asked and the following information arose.

·         The Committee was keen to receive more information on the changes being brought about by the act and requested that the Deputy Chief Executive of the Police Authority return to the Committee when more clear information was available.     

·         Members of the Committee questioned the ability of one person in the role of a PCC to carry out the work currently done by Police Authorities. Police Authorities currently had a number of people working very hard to carry out their work and one person would struggle to carry out the work load.            

·         It would be important in the future for PCCs to develop strong relationships with local authorities to ensure quality safer communities delivery. The strength of the relationship between PCCs and local authorities could depend on the person who was elected as PCC.    

·         Members felt that there should be a job description and person specification for the role of PCC. Members also felt that anyone who put themselves forward should be vetted to ensure they are trustworthy with classified information. The Committee was told that there was no person specification or job description but they may be produced once PCCs salaries were agreed. People could not stand for election if they had a criminal record although the Government had decided that potential candidates would not be vetted.           

·         It was suggested that most of the candidates for election in each area would come from the main political parties. Some Members expressed concerns about the potential of politicisation of the Police by having elected PCCs.  

RESOLVED:

(a)  That the Deputy Chief Executive of the Police Authority be thanked for attending and the presentation be noted.       

(b)  That the Deputy Chief Executive of the Police Authority be invited to return to the Committee in March 2012 to provide more information about the role of Scrutiny and the funding streams that PCCs will receive.