Agendas, Meetings and Minutes - Agenda and minutes

Agenda and minutes

Media

Items
No. Item

Available papers

The Members had before them:

 

A.    The agenda papers (previously circulated)

 

B.    The Minutes of the previous meeting of the Panel.

Additional documents:

103.

Welcome and Introductions (Agenda item 1)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Vice-Chairman, Mr B Wilcox, was in the Chair.  He warmly welcomed all in attendance to the meeting.

104.

Named Substitutes (Agenda item 2)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Cllr Adam Rae (Malvern Hills) for Cllr David Hughes and Cllr Ron Davis (Wychavon) for Cllr Ron Davis.

105.

Apologies and Declarations of Interest (Agenda item 3)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Apologies were received from Cllr Keith Roberts (Shropshire), Cllr Rae Evans (Telford and Wrekin), Cllr Keith Austin (Telford and Wrekin), Cllr Margaret Sherrey (Bromsgrove), Cllr David Hughes (Malvern Hills) and Cllr Paul Middlebrough (Wychavon).

106.

Public Participation (Agenda item 4)

Members of the public within to take part (asking a question or making a statement) should notify the Head of Legal and Democratic Services in writing or by e.mail indicating both the nature and content of their proposed participation no later than 9.00a.m on the working day before the meeting (in this case Tuesday, 3 February 2015).  Enquiries can be made through the telephone number / email address listed below.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

None.

107.

Confirmation of minutes of the West Mercia Police and Crime Panel held on 9 December 2014 (Agenda item 5) pdf icon PDF 153 KB

To confirm the minutes of the Panel meeting held on 9 December 2014.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The minutes of the Panel meeting held on 9 December 2014 were agreed as a true record.

108.

Consideration of the Proposed Precept (Agenda item 6) pdf icon PDF 238 KB

To review the precept which the West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner is proposing to issue for the 2015/2016 financial year.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Commissioner, in presenting his proposed precept increase of 1.99% highlighted the following points to the Panel:

 

·         Effective partnership working across organisations and secoral interests was essential not least due to the financial pressures of the public sector

·         In considering the prosed level of the precept, the Commissioner recognised that whilst reserves were good he was taking a long term view, taking into account of future budget pressures.  There was a need to ensure a good policing service whilst looking to the future delivery of service and taking account of changes in policing (e.g cyber-crime).  Whilst crime and harm had reduced in the West Mercia area it was important not to complacent, especially as demand for policing evolved. 

·         A particular focus was the prevention of crime.  There was much concern about the numbers of prisoners and the re-offending rate of 63%.  By reducing re-offending and preventing crime the wider community would benefit.  An initiative to establish a non-profit making company within West Mercia prisons, which would produce goods for purchase by the public had been agreed, and it was hoped that such an initiative would be a flagship for West Mercia's approach to strengthen the prevention agenda.

The Deputy Commissioner highlighted within a presentation Commissioner's vision for crime reduction including: the key players in crime reduction, what works to reduce crime, the growing and changing demands of policing (including child sexual exploitation, cyber-crime, mental health and modern slavery).  By focussing on crime prevention through education, early intervention and rehabilitation, the outcomes expected included reducing harm and crime within communities, reducing demand on policing and reducing the number of victims.  The Commissioner was to be an enabler of the partnership working needed to work closely with prison leavers, troubled families and excluded pupils by sharing resources and information (such as assessments) and ensuring compatibility of IT.  A scoping exercise would be carried out across the region's schools and colleges to assess what education was being provided about various aspects relating to crime and policing.

 

The Commissioner sought the Panel's support to the increase in the precept of 1.99% which would be focussed on prevention and reducing offending.

The Commissioner's finance officers provided the Panel with an overview of the detail contained in the reports.

 

In discussion the following principal points were raised:

 

·         The comments of the task and finish group were shared, which included; it was noted that the West Mercia Commissioner focus on prevention and rehabilitation was not replicated Warwickshire; it was hoped that the creation of businesses within West Mercia's prisons would be supported financially by the Home Office; what would be the impact on the Government's desire to establish overarching IT networks for the police forces?; there was a need to ensure a stronger focus on capital funding and mitigate against slippage of projects; the level of reserves were strong, therefore how scientific was the rationale to propose a 1.99% increase in the precept?; whilst the recruitment and training of 250 police officers was to be welcomed,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 108.

109.

West Mercia Police and Crime Plan Activity and Performance (Agenda item 7) pdf icon PDF 327 KB

To provide the Panel with an update on progress in delivering the Police and Crime Plan for West Mercia 1 April 2013 – 31 March 2017.  This report covers the time period 1 October - 31 January 2015 (unless otherwise stated).

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Panel considered a report which provided an update on progress in delivering the Police and Crime Plan for West Mercia 1 April 2013 – 31 March 2017 which covered the time period 1 October - 31 January 2015.

 

In discussion the following principal points were raised:

 

·         It was noticeable that, within the comparator group, West Mercia was second to bottom on several indices including assault with/without injury, rape, and domestic burglary.  In response it was stated that the current situation, as portrayed, was for a host of reasons, not least due to the integrity of the data as recorded by the police, and the confidence in victims reporting crimes to the police.  It was important not to be complacent and the public were encouraged to report all crimes, including business and rural crimes.  The Chief Constable stated that he was not satisfied with the West Mercia Force's position within the most similar group category, and whilst he was not prepared to chase a numerical target, he was confident in the integrity and accuracy of the recorded data.  It was suggested that the Panel received an update of the situation in a future meeting.

·         Responding to a question about response times, the Chief Constable stated that this was a meaningful target which had a direct correlation with recruitment.  Control Room call pick up time was now improving, and in times of high call levels, calls could be tripped into neighbouring forces as all had a common platform

·         It was noticeable that the number of special constables within the Force had dropped.  In response the Chief Constable stated that special constables were an intrinsic part of the force and were valued for their wealth of experience.  A report on the special constabulary had been completed and an update would be provided at a future meeting

·         In responding to a query about the increase rates of re-offending in Herefordshire (specifically), it was stated that whilst the rate of re-offending was increasing, the Force was getting better at catching the perpetrators.  The success of the new Community Rehabilitation Companies was key to delivering reductions in re-offending rates.

RESOLVED that the Panel noted the content of the update report and that the following items be considered at a future Panel meeting: (a) Report on the Special Constabulary; (b) Update report on Crime Recording / Most Similar Group.

 

110.

Dates of Future Meetings (Agenda item 8)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chairman acknowledged the work of the Panel members and noted that several would be candidates in local elections.  On behalf of the Panel the Chairman specifically thanked Cllr Paul Middlebrough (Chairman of the Panel) and it was agreed that a letter of thanks be sent to him from the Panel for his Chairmanship since the start of the shadow Panel arrangements.  It was also noted that Sian Clark, who had provided the Panel with support since its inception, would be leaving Worcestershire County Council.  Support for the Panel would be provided by Suzanne O'Leary from mid March 2015.