Agenda item

The Chairman explained to the Panel that the purpose of this item was to enable members of the Police and Crime Panel (PCP) to consider the Police and Crime Commissioner’s (PCC) proposed appointment of a Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner (DPCC). In doing so, the panel were required to satisfy itself that the preferred candidate selected by the PCC had the competence to undertake the role.

The Chairman referred the Panel to the agenda papers which explained that by virtue of section 18 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (the Act) the Police and Crime Commissioner for West Mercia may appoint a person to be the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for the West Mercia area. Under the Act the PCC must notify the PCP of the preferred candidate for appointment as DPCC. Schedule 1 of the Act states that the PCC must provide the following information:

a) The name of the person whom the PCC is proposing to appoint;

b) The criteria used to assess the suitability of the candidate and how the candidate satisfies these criteria; and

c) The terms and conditions under which the candidate is to be appointed.

The agenda papers included the following:

i) Details of the recruitment, application and interview process;

ii) The Job profile and person specification, which set out the criteria used for assessment;

iii) The interview questions used in those assessments;

iv) The CV of the preferred candidate.

v) Proposed terms and conditions for the DPCC position.

The Chairman invited the PCC to introduce the report to the Panel. The PCC drew attention to the issues of transparency and openness and the importance of due process, public advertisement and a recruitment process that involved independent assessment.

The PCC took the Panel through the recruitment process which resulted in 3 candidates being put forward for selection by the PCC. The PCC stated he accepted that some people may conclude nepotism as a result of his preferred candidate being a fellow Wyre Forest Councillor. The PCC stated that he found this view short sighted as the recruitment process had been transparent and that he had not been involved in the final shortlisting process.

The PCC explained that he was a political animal and was therefore likely to get a Deputy that was of a similar ilk, the PCC stated that he was absolutely confident that he had fulfilled his election commitment to provide a clear and open process and provide a candidate that was the best fit to support him as Commissioner. He therefore wish to commend Tracey Onslow to the Panel as his preferred candidate for Deputy Police and crime Commissioner.

The Chairman outlined to the Panel the options that were before them:

1.    They could confirm the appointment without qualification;

2.    They could confirm the appointment with qualification; or

3.    They could refuse to confirm the appointment and send the decision back to the PCC who would have the final say

The Chairman invited Colonel Tony Ward to address the Panel as he had been the Panel's representative on the shortlisting group during the DPCC recruitment process.

Colonel Ward explained how he had been involved in the selection process, adding that there had been a split between male and female candidates and that the 3 candidates that they had put forward to the PCC were all capable of fulfilling the role of DPCC. He added that he felt the process had been very open and very competitive.

The Chair invited questions from the Panel to Colonel Ward and the PCC, during which the following matters were raised:

·         The DPCC role would be part-time, as the PCC felt that he as PCC was ultimately responsible for the role, as well as ensuring that he got as wide a list of candidates as possible who may have other roles to perform.

·         The salary for the DPCC role would be based on £40,000 per annum and 4 days a week.

·         The sifting process to get to the shortlist involved a table top exercise performed by the PCC and the Chief Executive of the Office of the PCC (OPCC). This involved dismissing candidates who were not deemed serious candidates as well as removing candidates who did not reside in West Mercia. This created a longlist of 6 candidates.

·         In response to questioning on whether or not West Mercia was adequately represented as the preferred candidate was a fellow Wyre Forest Councillor the PCC stated that he and his Deputy, as well as his ambassadors would ensure the region was represented entirely.

·         The PCC explained that the purpose of sitting in and observing the interview process at the longlisting stage was to get an additional opportunity to assess candidates, adding that he played no part in questioning and assessment at this stage. Colonel Tony Ward confirmed that the PCC made no comment and asked no questions of candidates at this stage of the process.

·         The PCC refuted claims that he had sifted applicants to see who he knew and were within his network.

·         In response to questions about the preferred candidates work history and experience and relevance to criminal justice or policing Colonel Tony Ward explained that none of the 6 candidates had such experience. The Chief Executive of the OPCC drew the Panels attention to the job specification and requirements contained within the agenda papers.

The Chairman invited the Panel to put questions to the preferred candidate for DPCC, during which the following matters were raised:

·         In response to a question on Police visibility the DPCC would seek to assist the PCC in increasing Police visibility within the Communities of West Mercia by assessing what assurance was given to the Community and what visibility actually meant and then liaising with the PCC to ensure that this would be covered by the Police and Crime Plan.

·         The DPCC would look to act as a link between the Communities of West Mercia and the PCC.

·         The DPCC stated that she had no pre-conceived ideas in relation to Policing that a candidate with a Criminal Justice or Policing background may have, that she had worked with large Public Sector environments where financial management and step change in service delivery would stand her in good stead.

·         The DPCC wanted the role as she enjoyed the challenge of working for the Community and looking to bring about change.

·         In response to the demands of the role and her other existing roles as a Cabinet Member at Wyre Forest, Business Woman and Caseworker for a Member of Parliament how would she be able to fulfil the demands of the role, the DPCC confirmed that she would be leaving her role as Caseworker at the MPs office in order to fulfil the role.

·         In response to a question about her values the DPCC stated she was open and honest and would seek to both support and challenge the PCC. She stated that she was hard working and excited by the challenge the role offered.

·         Councillor Middlesbrough put on record how open and transparent he had found the process for recruiting a DPCC.

Councillor Middlesbrough moved that Tracey Onslow be confirmed as the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner without qualification, this was seconded by Councillor Miller.

The Chairman put the motion to the vote and it was carried with 10 votes in favour, 2 against and 2 abstentions.

RESOLVED: That Tracey Onslow is confirmed as the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for West Mercia without qualification.