Agenda item

The PCC explained that all the responses received in the second round of consultation to the draft Safer West Mercia Plan had been included in the agenda. He appreciated that the comments would benefit from being put in some form of context and agreed that he would re-issue the comments (Appendix A) with the addition of an extra column stating what had been done with the comments and grouped by tier authority.

An appendix to the plan showed the dashboard style of report that was being moved towards which would help the panel hold the PCC to account. The PCC believed his plan was needed as early as possible to ensure everyone could move in the right direction.

The Panel took the opportunity to ask a range of questions and raise points of clarification on the Plan. Panel members:

·         were concerned that the language used in a strategic document was not always the most accessible way to consult with the public; however they noted the response that the PCC had endeavored to use as much plain language as possible,

·         were pleased that the plan included the aim of more practical outcomes and improvements rather than promising 'increases' which did not improve things for the community,

·         wished the PCC to encourage the public to report crimes and be able to feel confident that such reports would result in action from the police,

·         were interested in seeing how the Victim Board developed and hoped it would be able to provide tailored support for victims as was intended,

·         sought reassurance that the plan would be delivering value for money and noted that the PCC felt that although there was not always an outcome from investment, if an outcome was expected, that the outcome should actually be delivered,

·         suggested that action against hate crime should be more prominent in the plan, and noted that the PCC supported having a police service which represented the community it served and would encourage people to report such crimes and not accept them as a part of life,

·         were concerned about the actions being taken to combat drink driving and speeding and noted the response that the PCC would work with partners to achieve the most effective programmes,

·         wished to see an improvement in 101 response times and use of information, and would expect to see that improvement reflected in future performance reports to the Panel,

·         queried what was happening to achieve fairer funding, and were pleased that the PCC would continue to ask ministers when that would be implemented, and

·         were pleased that that the PCC was introducing an outcome based approach to commissioning.

The Panel supported the Plan and the ambitions of the PCC to support victims and communities to build a safer West Mercia and would closely scrutinise the work of the PCC during the life of the plan.

RESOLVED that the Police and Crime Panel:

a)      Would submit their comments on the draft Safer West Mercia Plan in accordance with the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act;

b)      Noted the development of the draft Assurance Programme, and

c)       Would await an updated list of consultation responses which would include details of what action and account had been taken of those responses.