Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest on this occasion.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 29 January 2018 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

http://www.staffordshire-pcc.gov.uk/decisions/

No decisions have been published by the Commissioner since the last Panel meeting.

No decisions had been published since the last Panel meeting.

Members of the Public living or working within the constituent authorities have the opportunity to put questions to the PCC.

Questions must have been submitted three clear working days prior to the Panel meeting.  A questioner may submit up to two questions per Panel meeting.  (All questions should be submitted to julie.plant@staffordshire.gov.uk or helen.phillips@staffordshire.gov.uk, alternatively you can contact either officer by telephone on 01785 276135 or 01785 276143)

There were no questions from members of the public on this occasion.

The Police and Crime Commissioner referred to the Home Secretary’s announcement on 26 March 2018 that, after consideration of the Independent (CIPFA) assessment of his Business Case, she had approved the transfer to him of Governance responsibility for the Fire and Rescue Service in Staffordshire.  Under this Model the Commissioner would become the Fire Authority as a separate legal entity.

Reporting on the implementation of the decision, the Commissioner referred to the Home Office intention to have in place the necessary Statutory Instrument and two Transfer Orders (for Assets, Property and Liabilities and for Staffing) by 1 June 2018.

In preparation for the change a Project Plan had been developed the delivery of which was being overseen by a Transition Board chaired by the Commissioner. A number of work streams had been identified with Corporate Governance arrangements being a priority in readiness for 1 June. Other work streams include: Finance, Assets and Liabilities, Contracts and Human Resources.

The Commissioner referred to the joint working taking place between his Office, the Police and representatives of the Fire and Rescue Authority/Service, commenting on the positive approach being adopted by all.

For the Commissioner personally, the priority was to embark on a communication/engagement exercise with those working for the Fire and Rescue Service/Authority, to build on key reassurance messages already issued. In terms of developing collaborative working arrangements, the Chief Constable and Chief Fire Officer were leading on delivery of the opportunities identified in his Business Case and exploration of further opportunities for the future.

Referring to the transfer of Fire and Rescue Authority Assets to him, the Commissioner reported on his wish to maximise the use of Fire Station premises possibly by dual Fire and Police use.  On Budgets, the Commissioner explained that each service would continue to raise it’s own individual Precept and  have independent accounts.  There would be scope to pool funds. It was his intention to add value to both services and to maximise savings in order to enhance services,  The Prevention agenda was an area where the Fire and Rescue Service was a key contributor.

In terms of the impact of the changes on the Panel,  members were aware of the need to ensure that they had  a level of knowledge and experience in the roles and responsibilities of the Fire and Rescue Service.  To assist, The Local Government Association would be delivering training on 27 June 2018, and advice was being sought from the Essex Police, Fire  and Crime Panel as the first Panel to have Fire added to their remit.

RESOLVED:  That the report be noted and progress reports be submitted to each future Panel meeting.

The Panel received its quarterly update on the delivery of the Commissioner’s Strategy. In presenting the update the Commissioner commented on the significant changes in the type of crime committed in recent years (eg Cyber Crime) and increased public confidence in reporting crime (eg. Domestic Violence).  The resulting demands on policing had necessitated the major redesign of services with Forensic Services highlighted as one of the most affected areas. 

The Commissioner reported his wish to focus on Early Intervention and commented on the effects of budget reductions by other agencies on cross agency working and information sharing.  He was reviewing the extent to which his budgets could be used to compensate for any funding shortfalls, arguing that reduced funding by agencies to address issues such as drug and alcohol abuse was having an adverse effect on the community and resulting in Police intervention.

The Panel discussed various projects and initiatives being pursued by the Commissioner. The effectiveness of the SPACE scheme, sponsored by the OPCC, in reducing Youth Anti Social Behaviour was highlighted with the Commissioner commenting on other, year round schemes for youth engagement which were enjoying similar success.

On Cyber Crime, the Commissioner referred to the importance of educating the public on the risks associated with the use of technology such as Social Media which made them vulnerable to crime, which, due to the global nature of the internet, was challenging to deal with.

The Commissioner presented his update on delivery of the ‘Managing Offenders’ priority reporting that his recent review of the Managing Offenders Partnership had found it to be effective.  He commented on the work of various community based initiatives such as those based at key football clubs in the County. Resources were being allocated to working with offenders in prisons in order to address re-offending.

An update was given on the delivery of the Managing Offenders Action Plan, the majority of which was dependent on, and proved the value of, Partnership working across agencies. It was noted that the Ministry of Justice had re-commenced publication of national crime statistics but with re-offending statistics more suitably based on a 2 year period rather than the 6 month period previously adopted.

Members questioned the current review of policing services under which officers would be based at one of three main hubs throughout the County. Concerns were expressed at the effect on response time which this apparent removal of locally based officers  might have.  The Commissioner explained the operational arrangements for the deployment of officers from the hubs and gave his assurances that he would monitor the effectiveness of the changes.

RESOLVED: That the updates on the delivery of the Safer, Fairer, United Communities Strategy be noted.

The Secretary referred to the Panel’s previous interest in the formation of a National Association of Police (Fire) and Crime Panels and reported that an Association was being formally established as a Special Interest Group under the auspices of the Local Government Association.

She detailed the membership arrangements, Terms of Reference, membership cost and resourcing of the Association as agreed at a recent meeting of representatives of approximately 20 Panels.  The formation of an Association had been pursued as it provided a means of information sharing, networking and joint working with other Panels and gave a united voice in discussions with other organisations including the Home Office and the National Association of Police and Crime Commissioners.

RESOLVED: That approval be given to the Staffordshire Panel’s membership of the National Association of Police (Fire) and Crime Panels at an initial annual subscription fee of £500.  The Panel to be represented at Association meetings by it’s Chairman.

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

The Secretary submitted details of the work programme for future Panel meetings and it was noted that the impending transfer to the Commissioner of Governance responsibility for Fire and Rescue Services in Staffordshire would widen the remit and workload of the Panel.

RESOLVED: That the current work programme and need to review its content in the near future be noted.