Agenda and minutes

Members are reminded that, in accordance with governance procedure rule at Part 3 paragraph 2.6, Panel Members, or their constituent authority, may nominate substitute members of the Panel in the event that the appointed representative(s) is/are unable to attend the meeting.  Advance notice of substitution should be given to the host authority wherever possible.  Members are encouraged wherever possible to secure the attendance of a substitute if they are unable to be present.

Apologies were received from Cllr Mike Jones (Cheshire West and Chester), Cllr Bob Hignett (Warrington) and Mrs Gemma Shepherd - Etchells. 

Members are reminded of their responsibility to declare any disclosable pecuniary or non-pecuniary interest which they have in any item of business on the agenda no later than when the item is reached.

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive questions from members of the public. A total period of 15 minutes will be allocated for members of the public to speak at Panel meetings. Each member of the public shall be limited to a period of up to 5 minutes speaking. At the Chair’s discretion the period made available for questions and statements may be extended.

In order that an appropriate answer to the questions can be given, the deadline for indicating a wish to speak or for submission of questions is 3 clear working days before a meeting of the Panel. The Chair has the discretion to waive the 3-day rule for issues deemed to be urgent.

In response to questions or statements the Panel may choose to agree to either provide an agreed verbal response, that will be minuted or to provide a written reply to a questioners chosen address.

Those wishing to ask a question or make a statement should register by email to: martin.r.smith@cheshireeast.gov.ukor send the question or statement by post to:

Cheshire Police and Crime Panel

Democratic Services and Governance

c/o Municipal Buildings

Earle Street

Crewe

CW1 2BJ

A list of those speaking or asking questions at a meeting of the Panel will be drawn up by the Panel’s Secretariat in order of receipt. Copies of questions and statements will be circulated to all Panel members in advance of the meeting and will be made available to the public attending the meeting. Copies will also be available on the Police and Crime Panel’s page of the Cheshire East Council website.

Nobody may submit more than one question or make more than one statement at the same meeting, but a supplementary question, related to the subject raised in the question /statement, will be permitted for clarification at the discretion of the Chair.

Those speaking or asking questions will not be permitted to address any issue that is the subject of a current or proposed complaint by them against the Police and Crime Commissioner. They are also advised that reference to an issue that could become the subject of a future complaint by them could prejudice the Panel’s consideration of that complaint.

The Panel will not accept a question or statement if:

There is insufficient detail to enable a proper response to be provided.

It is not about a matter for which the Police and Crime Panel has responsibility.

It is potentially defamatory, frivolous or offensive against named individuals.

It is substantially the same question which has been put at a meeting of the Police and Crime Panel in the last six months.

It requires the disclosure of confidential or exempt information.

No members of the public wished to speak at the meeting.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 6 February 2026.

RESOLVED

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 6^th February 2026 be approved.

Referencing the resignation of Miss Yasmin Somai, the Chair noted that the Secretariat would be bringing a report to the Panel’s AGM in June outlining membership for the 2026/27 municipal year, along with options relating to the place on the Panel vacated by Miss Somani.

To consider the report on the proposed meeting dates and venues for the municipal year 2026 – 27.

The Panel reviewed the proposed timetable for meetings during the 2026/27 municipal year, noting a minor typographical error in the supporting paperwork. Dates for meetings, all of which would take place at Ellesmere Port Library (unless there were practical or logistical reasons why they should be held elsewhere) were confirmed as:

10.00am, 5^th June 2026 (AGM)

10.00am, 17^th July 2026

10.00am, 18^th September 2026

10.00am, 20^th November 2026

10.00am, 5^th February 2027

10.00am, 12^th March 2027

A reserve date of 19^th February 2027 was set, should a second Panel meeting be necessary to approve the Commissioner’s precept.

To consider the Panel’s work programme.

The Panel reviewed its work programme for the forthcoming municipal year, noting that a series of informal meetings with the Police and Crime Commissioner had yet to be agreed.

The Chair welcomed the Commissioner to the meeting, following which he briefly updated the Panel on a number of issues.

To consider the Commissioner’s Year End Performance Report.

In advance of the meeting the Commissioner had submitted a detailed 20-page document to the Panel which provided a comprehensive update on his activities, along with progress and outcomes delivered against the priorities set out in the Police and Crime Plan 2024–28. The report had been included in the Panel’s published papers for the meeting.

The Commissioner noted that the Panel had requested the information contained in the performance report when it had approved his precept in February 2025.

Panel members asked the Commissioner a range of questions relating to issues identified in the report.

Three questions had been submitted to the Commissioner in advance of the meeting.

Panel members asked the Commissioner a number of questions, including the three that had been submitted in advance of the meeting and included in the Panel’s papers. The Commissioner noted that in his view elements of the question on neighbourhood policing and the allocation of PCSOs that had been submitted in advance, related to technical policing matters over which he had no direct responsibility, as a consequence he circulated a written response on this issue provided for him by the Constabulary. 

Details of questions asked of the Commissioner and his responses provided at the meeting can be found on the Police and Crime Panel page of the Cheshire East Council website. The text of the response provided by the Constabulary on the issue of neighbourhood policing can also be found on the website.