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 Rob Bissett (Cheshire West and Chester Council), Cllr Wendy Maisey OBE (Warrington Council) and Mr Evan Morris MBE.

Mr John Dwyer; Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire had advised the Panel, in advance of the meeting, that due to illness he would be unable to attend.

To appoint a Chair for the 2022/23 Municipal Year.

RESOLVED:

That Mr Evan Morris MBE be elected as Chair of the Panel for the 2022/23 Municipal year.

To appoint a Deputy Chair for the 2022/23 municipal year.

RESOLVED:

That Cllr Rob Bissett be elected as Deputy Chair of the Panel for the 2022/23 Municipal year.

In the absence of Mr Morris and Cllr Bissett, Cllr Norman Plumpton Walsh chaired the remainder of the meeting.

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.

With reference to agenda item 14, Cllr Gina Lewis indicated that she was a member of the Cheshire Fire and Rescue Authority.

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 4 February 2022.

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 4 February 2022 be approved.

To note the nominations made by the four Cheshire Local Authorities to the Police and Crime Panel.

To appoint members of the Panel’s Complaints Management Sub Committee for the 2022/23 Municipal Year, including the appointment of a Chair and Deputy Chair.

The Panel noted the nominations made by the constituent Councils for the 2022/23 Municipal year. They also noted the need to appoint members to the Complaints Management Sub Committee; especially to the positions of Chair and Deputy Chair, who had key roles to play in the Panel’s Complaints Management system. Mrs Sally Hardwick agreed to continue in her role as Chair of the Sub Committee until her term of office expired, and the Panel agreed this.  Cllr Keith Millar was appointed as Deputy Chair. The Secretariat were asked to liaise with Panel members after the meeting to agree the remaining membership.

Councillors Keith Millar (Cheshire West and Chester) and Wendy Maisey (Warrington) were welcomed to the Panel by fellow Panel members; it was noted that Cllr Maisey’s absence was due to her only having been appointed to the Panel earlier in the week. The Panel thanked Councillors Ken Critchley and Martyn Delaney for the work that they had done as Panel members and wished them well for the future

RESOLVED

That Mrs Sally Hardwick be appointed as Chair of the Complaints Management Sub Committee (until her term of office expired) and Cllr Keith Millar, Deputy Chair of the Sub Committee.

To confirm the programme of meetings for the 2022/23 Municipal Year.

The Panel noted the future programme of meetings, recognising that the pre-election period for the elections due to be held in May 2023 could impact on the timing of the meeting planned for March 2023.

To consider how to fill the position of independent co-opted member when their term of office comes to an end.

The Panel had three independent co-opted members, each of whom were appointed for a three-year term. Mrs Sally Hardwick’s term of office was due to expire on 30^th September 2022, she indicated that she would not be seeking reappointment. Panel members recognised the very significant contribution that Mrs Hardwick had made to the Panel over a number of years.

RESOLVED

That a proportionate Recruitment Panel consisting of four members be appointed to lead the recruitment process and make recommendations to the Panel over the membership of an independent co-opted member. Membership of the Recruitment Panel would be agreed after the meeting.

To review and adopt the Rules of Procedure for the 2022/23 Municipal Year.  

RESOLVED:

(i)         The Panel adopt the Rules of Procedure, as published, for the 2022/23 Municipal year.

(ii)        The Head of Democratic Services and Governance be given authority to make changes to the Rules of Procedure during the year to give effect to the wishes of the Panel.

To approve the budget for the 2022/23 Municipal Year.

Mrs Sally Hardwick raised concerns that the level of Home Office Grant for 2022/23 was unknown.

REsolved:

That the Panel’s budget for 2022/23 be approved.        

To consider the work programme.

Panel members noted the programme of informal meetings with the Commissioner over the forthcoming year. Members expressed a preference for meetings to be hybrid in nature, allowing those not able to attend in person to join the meeting electronically. The Secretariat were asked to follow this up with the Commissioner’s Office.

To receive, note and inform any future scrutiny or work programme item.

Panel members noted that it appeared that the Commissioner was only planning to hold two formal scrutiny meetings with the Chief Constable each year. Cllr Paul Findlow raised concerns over the way in which the information relating to scrutiny was presented on the Commissioner’s website. He also suggested that the Panel should give consideration as to how the information contained in the Commissioner’s Scrutiny reports was used.

The papers were noted.

Concern was expressed by a number of Panel members that in the absence of the Commissioner, the Deputy Commissioner was not in attendance at the meeting. The Secretariat were asked to seek clarification over the role of the Deputy Commissioner.

To receive a verbal update from Mr Evan Morris MBE on:

·           Home Secretary’s announcement on Part 2 of the Police and Crime Commissioner Review

·            Home Office consultation on reforming the Fire and Rescue Service

The Panel noted an extract from Hansard relating to Part 2 of the Home Secretary’s review of Police and Crime Commissioners. It was noted that the Home Secretary planned to consult on changes to the Policing Protocol Order.

The Panel briefly discussed the Government White Paper “Reforming Our Fire and Rescue Service”, concluding that it would be appropriate to hold an additional Panel meeting to consider the issue. The Secretariat were asked to canvass for dates for a meeting, to be held to tie in with the closing date for the Government’s consultation exercise.

Due to the Commissioner’s absence this item was deferred.

Due to the Commissioner’s absence this item was deferred.