Agenda item

Operational changes within the Lancashire Constabulary boundary

 

The Chief Constable is to advise the Panel regarding the above.

Minutes:

The Chief Constable gave a presentation to the Panel on the proposed operational changes to Lancashire Constabulary, a copy of which is set out in the Minute Book.

 

It was reported that in 2014 the Constabulary would undergo a significant structural change in order to be able to continue to provide a high quality service within an increasingly demanding climate. The Chief Constable referred to comments made previously by the Commissioner in relation to the 7 year forecast budget, the savings which had already been secured and those which would need to be identified in the future and reassured the Panel that the relationship between the Police and partner organisations would not be diminished as a result of the proposed changes.

 

The Panel was informed that since April 2009 around 500 Police Officers and 200 other staff had been lost and that those who remained were increasingly being expected to take on additional duties and change working patterns which had led to an emphasis on wellbeing services to support staff.

 

Currently there were around 70 reviews across the whole of the service which would look at processes, identify any areas where efficiency could be improved and build capacity so that the Constabulary would be able to maximise the use of its reduced resources in the future.

 

It was noted that previously funding for Police and Crime Support Officers (PCSOs) had been ring fenced though that was no longer the case and discussions were under way with the PCC about the future use of such officers. The Chief Constable also reported that a new scheme would create 450 cadets aged between 13 and 18 and there were also plans to look at making more use of volunteers and increase the number of Special Constables to around 650 which would assist in providing the visible frontline policing which many of the public wanted.

 

With regard to performance the Chief Constable informed the meeting that in the future the emphasis would move away from the outcomes and the volume of crimes towards targeted outcomes over 3 years, as set out in the Police and Crime Plan.

 

Proposed changes to the structure of the Constabulary were discussed and the Chief Constable reported that the number of Assistant Chief Constables would be reduced from 3 to 2 and Chief Superintendents from 10 to 5. The current 6 police divisions would also be merged into 3 larger Divisions with some of the support services no longer being based centrally and relocated within each Division.

 

In response to a query the Chief Constable informed the meeting that a number of stakeholders had been consulted regarding the proposed changes and whilst there were understandably some concerns there was also and understanding and acceptance of the realism of the economic situation which the Constabulary, like many other organisations, would face in the future.

 

It was noted that no decision had been taken to date as to the location of the headquarters for each of the 3 new Divisions and the Chief Constable  reassured members of the Panel that there were no plans to close any existing Police Stations as a result of the changes.

 

With regard to the future of PCSOs it was reported that whilst there had been changes to the funding of such posts it was considered that they still played an important role in maintaining the neighbourhood policing approach. It was noted there were 60 vacancies resulting from PCSOs applying to become Police Officers and a further 14 vacancies where previous arrangements to match fund PCSOs had been discontinued. The Chief Constable reported that it was felt that the 74 vacancies could be absorbed within current resources and the remaining 395 PCSOs would continue to provide a valuable service.

The Commissioner that that from his road shows it was clear that the public viewed the PCSOs as a key part of visible frontline neighbourhood policing.

 

Resolved:

 

1.  That the presentation by the Chief Constable be noted.

 

2  That a copy of the presentation be circulated to all members of the Panel for information.

 

 

 

Supporting documents: