Agenda item

The Commissioner presented a report which summarised the formal decisions and key activities undertaken between the 22^nd November 2012 and 14^th January 2013.

He reported that the small team who had previously managed the business of the Police Authority had transferred to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and that since the election in November he had reviewed what support was needed to enable him to fulfil his wider role and deliver his priorities. As a result a Deputy Commissioner had been appointed, which the Panel had approved at the previous meeting.

The Commissioner also reported that he had agreed with the Chief Constable to appoint a joint Audit Committee on an interim basis and had seconded an Assistant Chief Executive from the Probation Service and appointed three Assistant Commissioners on an interim basis. 

The Commissioner informed the Panel that with the range of skills, knowledge and expertise that his new team provided he would be able to deliver on the priorities and pledges which he had made.

In considering the report the following points were raised by members of the Panel.

·  Further information was requested regarding the additional contributions from revenue which the Commissioner had agreed in order to fund particular items in the 2012/13 capital programme which had been identified during the course of the year. In response the Commissioner reported that additional contributions had been made in relation to the following items.

£18,000 – Desktop Replacement for the central ticket office
£202,000 – Miscellaneous minor works including Wyre Operating Centre (£37,000), Morecambe Police Station conversion of custody/canteen area (£15,000) and Moor Farm car park and garages (150,000)
£430,000 - vehicle replacement programme
£30,000  – purchase of counter terrorism equipment  

·  Clarification was sought in relation to the costs of the restructured Commissioners support team and how this would be met from within existing budgets.

The Commissioner reported that the total budget available for both the staff and members of the previous Police Authority had been £788,000 per annum and whilst the final costs of the new arrangements were still being evaluated he anticipated that the cost of all new posts would be met from within the existing budget and would not add any further pressure on the Police and Crime budget. 

It was also noted that the Assistant Chief Executive and three Assistant Commissioners who had been appointed on an interim basis would all be accountable to the Chief Executive within the Office of the PCC. 

·  In response to a query regarding engagement with the public the Commissioner reported that since the election in November he had met with a number of Leaders of local authorities across the County and Community Safety/Criminal Justice partners. He added that a number of initiatives were being pursued in order to identify public priorities and he intended to continue to consult widely with local communities. 

It was also noted that greater emphasis was being placed on casework as the Office of the PCC had received 300 contacts since November, which represented a significant increase on that received by the previous Police Authority.

·  With regard to some of the decisions set out in the report it was suggested that the inclusion of additional information, including specific costs would be of assistance to the Panel. The Commissioner noted the suggestion and confirmed that future updates on decisions would include more detailed information.

·  Reference was made to the sale of police properties, including former rural police stations, would have generated capital receipts and further information regarding this was requested. In response the Commissioner undertook to provide details to the members of the Panel in the future.

·  The intention to allocate funding for community safety activity to the three top tier authorities at the same level as in 2012/13 was noted. It was reported that previously the Police Authority had made funding generated from second homes in certain Districts available to the respective Community Safety Partnership though this had subsequently been withdrawn. In response to a query as to whether such funding would be reinstated Ms Kitto, Chief Finance Officer from the Office of the PCC, informed the meeting that discussions were still underway which would continue to inform the development of the final budget. 

·  It was recognised that there were a number of uncertainties in relation to new grants and existing funding streams and the Panel noted that the Police and Crime budget was based on the information which was currently available and would be refined as clarification was received from the Home Office.

With regard to the earlier request for more detailed information the Secretary suggested that Officers, together with the Chair, discuss the matter further with a view to establishing the nature and level of information which the Panel would wish to see in the future.

The Chair congratulated the Commissioner and his staff on the work which had been done to date.

Resolved:

1.  That the report be noted.

2.  That arrangements be made for the Chair to meet with Officers from the Secretariat and the Office of the PCC in order to discuss the nature and level of information which the Panel would wish to see included in future reports.