Issue - meetings

To receive a presentation by B Magan, Warrington Borough Council on the work and role of the Police and Crime Panel

Brain Magan, Democratic Services Officer from Warrington Borough Council, presented an overview of the Cheshire Police and Crime Panel (PCP). As Warrington was the host authority for the PCP Brain was responsible for organisation the meetings of the PCP. Brain provided a fact sheet with 101 facts about the Cheshire PCP and a presentation on its role and relationship with the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) and other organisations and committees.

During the presentation questions were asked and the following points arose.

·         Other than through the ballot box the PCC was held to account by the PCP – the Panel acted in the same as a scrutiny committee.

·         The Panel was a statutory consultee on the police and crime plan. The Panel was also responsible for reviewing proposed precepts, reviewing the annual report and investigating non-criminal complaints about the PCC.

·         The Panel should work in partnership with relevant bodies that deal with police and crime matters locally (e.g. scrutiny committees and community safety partnerships).

·         Cheshire East Council had three representatives on the Panel; it was suggested that the reps should consult their fellow councillors to gather intelligence and concerns to use at the Panel or pass down information from the Panel to local members.

·         PCP and scrutiny committees should identify issues of mutual interest and concern and select the best forum to investigate those issues to avoid duplication.

·         The Chairman of the Committee was a member of the PCP and as such was a link between the two that could help to avoid duplication and promote synergy where the two could work together on local issues.

·         Those responsible for reducing crime and disorder should also consider developing links with other sectors such as health. Co-commissioning between PCC and Director of Public Health may help to reduce offending through early intervention and better health and wellbeing outcomes for vulnerable people. This could also apply to Health & Wellbeing Scrutiny and Community Safety Scrutiny.

RESOLVED:

1.    That Brain Magan be thanked for attending the meeting.

2.    That the presentation and fact sheet be noted.