Issue - meetings

To receive a presentation on the arrangements for PCC’s and Crime Panels under the Police Reform Act 2011.

Ms A Collins, Engagement Manager for Cheshire Police Authority gave a verbal update on Police and Crime Commissioners.  She informed the Committee that:

·         The Police Authority had now completed due diligence and there were currently two prospective candidates for Commissioner. To stand for election, a £5000 deposit and 100 signatures must be submitted by 19 October 2012, candidates must own a property or live in the area. Amongst other disqualifications they cannot be an MP or member of the Police Authority and must not have been convicted of an imprisonable offence.

·         A Transition Board and Partnership and Commissioning Sub Group had been established which was working to prepare for when the Commissioner has a funding pot to commission services.

·         Priorities for the four areas were currently being mapped, welcome packs with local information for candidates needed to be produced.

·         A Commissioning Officer had been appointed to map funding streams for Community Safety.

·         Events had taken place to establish a route for the voluntary sector to express their priorities.

·         Communication with the public would commence by the Home Office once the Olympics had finished.

·         Complications with the purdah period needed to be addresses.

·         Arrangements for the transfer of staff were being addressed

·         David Parr, Chief Executive, Halton Borough Council would be the returning Officer for the election.

·         Warrington Borough Council would be establishing the Police and Crime Panel to hold the Commissioner to account, the Panel would comprise of 10 Councillors and 2 Co opted members.

·         The Police Authority would cease to exist on 22 November 2012.

It was noted that funding is currently received from partners, the police and central government, under the new arrangements funding would go to the Commissioner who would then decide where to commission services from. The Community Safety Partnership would need to promote its work to ensure it continued to receive funding. Members agreed to receive a report of the Community Safety Partnership on the work it is undertaking to secure funding.

Members agreed that the authority should be briefing candidates on the work of the Council and that a report should be submitted to a future meeting of the Committee on the impact the new arrangements would have on Cheshire East Council.

RESOLVED

1.    That the presentation be noted.

2.    That the Committee receive a report of the Community Safety Partnership on the work it is undertaking to secure funding.

3.    That the Committee receive a report on the impact the new arrangements would have on Cheshire East Council