Agenda item

Following a suggestion by the Chairman the Panel agreed that item 3 be taken as the first item of business.

It was reported that following the County Council elections on the 2^nd May the political balance of the Panel had been recalculated adopting the previously agreed model for achieving the political proportionality requirements.  Options for the revised balance of the Panel on this basis were presented to the Panel.

It was noted that each constituent authority had been consulted on the revised balance of the Panel and asked to appoint a member to the Panel, with the intention of up to three local Authorities appointing an additional member on the previously agreed basis to achieve political proportionality.  Appointments made by the constituent local authorities resulted in the political balance of the Panel being 9 Labour, 7 Conservative, 1Lib Dem and 1 Independent Member. The Panel recognised that guidance made it clear that the best Panel arrangements were those which were determined locally and by agreement by each constituent local authority. The Panel were asked to agree to the balance of the Panel on the basis of the appointments made by each individual local authority, to reflect the leadership of each authority, together with the three additional appointments, as now reported, to satisfy political balance requirements. 

It was also proposed that in the interests of openness and transparency the hosting of the Panel should rotate between the County Council and the two unitary authorities, with a nominated senior officer from the relevant host authority acting as the Secretary to the Panel. There was general agreement that meetings of the Panel should continue to rotate between the three authorities. 

The current Terms of Reference and Arrangements for the Panel were noted. The Operational Procedure was also discussed and there was general agreement that the Panel should adopt the County Councils Standing Orders insofar as they relate to the rules of debate at Committees. 

With regard to public participation at future meetings the Chairman suggested that in the interest of openness and transparency the public should be allowed to submit questions in writing to the Panel. It was also noted that any public participation should be in relation to the strategic concerns of the Panel and not connected with new or ongoing complaints which would be dealt with via a separate process.

Resolved:

1.  That the constitution of the Police and Crime Panel for Lancashire, on the basis of appointments made by each local authority, be noted and agreed as 18 Elected Members on the basis of 9 Labour, 7 Conservative, 1 Liberal Democrat and 1 Independent Member, reflecting the political leadership of each authority and three additional appointments, as now reported, to satisfy political balance requirements.

2.  That the following appointment members from each constituent
authority be noted:

  The Secretary to inform each constituent authority of the change to the political balance of the Panel. 

3.  That, with effect from the next meeting, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council will act as host authority for the Panel with a senior officer from that authority acting as the Secretary to the Panel.  The position of host authority to rotate between Blackpool Borough Council, Lancashire County Council and Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council in subsequent years with each respective host authority appointing a senior officer to act as the Secretary, who will assume all responsibilities delegated to the current Secretary to the Panel.

4.  That the current Terms of Reference and Arrangements for the Panel as set out in the Minute Book, are noted.

5.  That the current Operational Procedure is amended as indicated below and a copy of the revised document circulated to all members of the Panel and set out in the Minute Book.

i)  That the County Councils Standing Orders regarding the rules of
debate at Committees be adopted in relation to future meetings of the Panel.

ii)  That the public be allowed to submit questions to the Panel and that the Chairman and Secretary agree the basis for public participation at future meetings of the Panel.