Agenda and minutes

No declarations of interest were made at the meeting.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the Panel meetings held on the 21 June 2021 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

No decisions had been made since the last meeting.

Questions to the Commissioner are invited from members of the public who live or work in Staffordshire.  Notice of questions must be received by no later than three clear working days before the Panel meeting.  More information on where and how to submit a question can be found at https://bit.ly/34arVDw

No questions were received for this meeting

The Commissioner updated the Panel on the progress made in developing his Police and Crime Plan and the Fire and Rescue Plan.  He emphasised that there would be wide consultation with both partners and other bodies and that he was particularly interested in hearing from the public.  Consultation would be with as many people from all areas of the community as possible.   

The Panel thanked Mr Adams for his presentation and after a number of questions the following information was noted:

·       Hard to reach groups such as BME groups would be encouraged to comment on the plan.  It was hoped that every part of the community would be reached.

·       A variety of methods of consultation would be used from social media to paper copies of the plan in libraries and public buildings. 

·       Those who don’t have access to technology would still have a chance to respond.

·       The plan would be subject to review if government direction changed.  This was a particular issue should the current national review of the PFCC role make recommendations for the role of Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs), to changed or expanded.

·       The plan would be reviewed annually, and progress monitored via this Panel.

·       Parish and District Councils would be consulted, and all Councillors had already been emailed directly with contact information for both the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner.

·       The Police and Crime Plan would compliment the Police Force Plan and the Fire Service Plan and would aligned the two.  The Commissioner stated that he may be asking for improvements in performance which may not be considered a priority for either service.  Consultation would take place between services, but the priority would always be on Staffordshire residents.

RESOLVED: That the Commissioners Police and Crime Plan be considered at the next meeting of the Panel on 25 October 2021

The Commissioner had temporarily halted the public performance meetings with the Acting Chief Constable during the selection and interview period for the permanent Chief Constable.  He explained that in holding the Chief Constable and Chief Fire Officer to account, the Commissioner would concentrate on the delivery of the Police and Crime Plan and the Fire and Rescue Plan; Statutory requirements; public satisfaction; recruitment and national indicator comparison.

It was intended to reintroduce the performance meetings on a quarterly basis for the Police Force and Biannually for Fire and Rescue Services.

Knife crime was part of the national indicators and was outlined in the report.  Work was taking place with partners around serious crime, anti-terrorism/drug related crime/county lines to ensure that priorities were being targeted.  There were good working relationships with all neighbouring forces including Derbyshire and Cheshire and similar statistical neighbours to ensure information was shared and lessons learnt.

The Commissioner informed the Panel that Police response and contact times would remain a priority and a separate piece of work was being undertaken to look at improving figures.

Following a question on road safety funding, Helen Fisher explained that there was a small budget for road safety schemes but there were plans to strengthen the partnership and put the community at the heart of activities by strengthening Community Speed Watch groups.  Reducing accidents, including catching and removing criminals driving stolen cars or driving without insurance was also a priority.  Extending the support provided and sharing equipment may enable improvements without the need for increased funding or more speed cameras. The Commissioner emphasised that road safety was a top priority for the public and would not be ignored.  Further information on this review would be supplied to members at a later date.  The possible reintroduction of powers for PCSO’s to issue parking fines was discussed especially near to schools.  It was explained that this was an operational matter, but the Commissioner would discuss this with the new Chief Constable.

A question was asked on a scheme carried out by Medway Police Force covering the issue of safer schools and reducing offending.  The Commissioner explained that he was not familiar with the project but agreed that better results were found by keeping people out of the judicial/penal pathway.  The way that reoffending was tackled would be considered by the Panel as part of the Police and Crime delivery update.

The Panel supported the priorities outlined by the Commissioner and felt that they were the ones that the public raise with them on a regular basis.  Contact was a priority, however the pandemic was still a concern and the numbers contacting the force following the lifting of lockdown measures was a significant increase on previous years.  Particular increases had been seen in missing persons, suicides, and mental health concerns. 

Officer recruitment was progressing well.  Different skills were required for different geographical areas and services and a more diverse workforce would help to support this.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

The Panel received the performance report for the Fire and Rescue Service.  It was noted that the plan was for 2020-2024 but would be reviewed annually to meet the changing needs of the service.

The additional work carried out by the service during the pandemic was discussed, particularly the work carried out with the Local Resilience Partners and the NHS mobile vaccination unit.   The effects of Covid on staff members had been felt, particularly with the loss of a team member.  The effect of long Covid on lung capacity was a national issue which would be monitored.

The Commissioner expressed concern that during the national discussions on Fire Officer pay, the four Commissioners who cover Police and Fire Services had not been invited to comment, but they had been for Police pay discussions.  However, the local relationship with unions was considered to be positive and strong.

The safety of transient people and the work undertaken with landlords of Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMO) was explored.  It was explained that the fire service gave advice and guidance to the private sector and it was also a recommendation from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.

Following a question on the approach taken on checking the quality of work undertaken by the service, it was explained that the HMI were due to start an inspection and the Commission would pay particular attention to quality monitoring and risks.

Response times in some circumstances was not ideal.  A hybrid of full and part time station/work force provision was needed and this need to be risk based and in the right location.  This would be considered at a future meeting.

RESOLVED –

a)    That the report be noted.

b)    That the Panel write to both the Fire and Rescue Service and the Police Force to thank them for all their work throughout the pandemic.

To consider the verbal report of the Police Fire and Crime Commissioner.

The Commissioner reported that the selection process for both the Chief Constable and the Chief Fire Officer had been completed and the Commissioner was now in a position to refer his preferred candidates to the Panel for consideration at a confirmation hearing.  The Chairman reported that a provisional date had been set for 12 October to consider the appointments

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Members of the Panel questioned/sought the views of the Commissioner on the following issues and received the responses indicated:

RESOLVED – That the responses be noted.

The next meeting of the Panel would be held on 25 October 2021.  The Chairman and Commissioner would work together to allocate items discussed earlier in the meeting to an appropriate meeting.

RESOLVED – That the dates future meetings be noted.