Minutes:
Mrs Sally Hardwick, noting that the issue had been discussed earlier in the meeting (Item 6 discussed before the Commissioner was in attendance) asked the Commissioner for the cost of supporting the Youth Commission. The Commissioner indicated that the cost was about £20,000 a year. He noted that he had never appointed a Youth Ambassador, as his predecessor had, but that the cost of the Youth Commission was about two thirds the cost of the former Youth Ambassador. Those serving on the Youth Commission did so as volunteers and their work had directly led to policy changes. He indicated that the cost, effectiveness and membership of the Youth Commission was reviewed on an annual basis. The Commissioner thanked Mrs Hardwck for attending a meeting of the Commission.
Mr Bob Fousert referring to problems with the provision of forensic services, asked the Commissioner a number of questions, including where the money to support Key Forensic Services (KFS) had come from and how much this has cost the Cheshire Constabulary.
The Commissioner indicated that there had been considerable discussion on these issues at a national level. He informed the Panel that he had signed off expenditure where a specific service has been commissioned by the Police in Cheshire. He indicted that he was not prepared to use public money to support a failing private sector company. He noted that in his view the national policy that had led to the abolition of the Forensic Science Service had been misguided. He had no issue with the competency of the staff who had been providing the service, the majority of whom appeared to have transferred to a new company who would provide a service in future. He was confident that a good quality service would be provided and that the previous failures had resulted from poor management and strategic leadership.
Mr Evan Morris asked if the Commissioner was considering reviewing the provision of a helicopter for the Police in Cheshire. The Commissioner responded by saying that Cheshire was part of the National Police Air Service, and paid for the service received based on the number of hours the aircraft was used. The Police service in Cheshire did not own its own aircraft. He had been keen to take part in a pilot exercise with the Fire and rescue Service over the use of a drone, but felt that such a machine could not replace access to an aircraft, although work was ongoing to see if more use could be made of drones.
Councillor Andrew Dawson sought clarification over the appointment of Miss Clare Hodgson to the post of Head of Finance. He noted that the Panel had conducted a Confirmation Hearing earlier in the year where they had recommend her appointment, but indicated that as she had no background working for a Police and Crime Commissioner, training and induction should be provided. The Commissioner responded by indicating that the appointment had been confirmed, she had yet to take up appointment, but would do so shortly. Training and a detailed induction would be provided.
Mr Bob Fousert asked the Commissioner about the timing of a Cheshire Constabulary Facebook posting relating to how the public could make a complaint about the Service and the timing of an attempted suicide by an Officer outside Police Headquarters. The Commissioner said that he saw no link between the two events, seeing it as important for the public to know that they could make complaints about the Police. He felt it inappropriate to comment in a public forum on the attempted suicide of an Officer. The Commissioner noted that whilst complaints were received, so too were compliments.
Mr Bob Fousert noted that the Commissioner was becoming more involved with the Fire and Rescue Service and asked if he intended to merge the two roles. The Commissioner responded by saying that whilst collaboration was important, he had been elected as a Police and Crime Commissioner and saw no immediate benefits in governance arrangements being merged. He had yet to hear a Government Minister justify such changes.
The Chairman thanked the Commissioner for attending the meeting.