Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from:

• Councillor Phillip Lashbrook, Test Valley Borough Council
• Councillor James Radley, Hart District Council

To enable Members to declare to the meeting any disclosable pecuniary interest they may have in any matter on the agenda for the meeting, where that interest is not already entered in their appointing authority’s register of interests, and any other pecuniary or personal interests in any such matter that Members may wish to consider disclosing.

Members were able to disclose to the meeting any disclosable pecuniary interest they may have in any matter on the agenda for the meeting, where that interest is not already entered in their appointing authority’s register of interests, and any other pecuniary or non-pecuniary interests in any such matter that Members may wish to disclose.

No declarations were made.

To elect a Chairman of the Panel for 2019/20.

The process of electing a Chair, which was set out in the Panel Arrangements was explained and it was noted that appointment would be for a period of one year, until the annual meeting in 2020.

Cllr David Stewart was nominated by Independent Member Bob Purkiss and seconded by Cllr Stagg and as the sole nominee duly elected.

Councillor David Stewart in the Chair.

To elect a Vice Chairman of the Panel for 2019/20.

The Chair called for nominations for the position of Vice Chair of the Panel, an appointment which would be for one year, until the annual meeting in 2020.

Cllr Jan Warwick was nominated by Cllr Clarke and seconded by Cllr Griffiths and as the sole nominee duly elected.

To confirm the minutes from the previous meeting.

The Minutes from the 5 April 2019 meeting were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To receive any questions or deputations in line with Rule 31 and 31A of the Panel’s Rules of Procedure.

No questions or deputations were received by the Panel on this occasion.

To hear any announcements the Chairman may have for this meeting.

The Chairman welcomed returning Members as well as Councillors Hunt, Lashbrook, Oppenheimer and Pepper, who had recently been appointed to the Panel. The Chairman also thanked those Members whose term had ended for their contributions to the work of the Panel. The Chairman reaffirmed the Panel’s statutory duty to support and scrutinise the Commissioner in his strategic role and responsibilities, and noted that this would form the basis of an upcoming induction and refresher event for Panel Members.

Noting the presentation on the progress against the Panel’s current proactive scrutiny, at item 13 of the agenda, the Chairman offered his thanks to those organisations who had contributed to the scrutiny to date. The Chairman appreciated that the organisations responding had given considerable time to provide detailed responses to the Panel’s call for evidence, and that their views would significantly enhance the outcomes of the Panel’s work.

The Chairman announced that he had recently discussed with the Commissioner the investigation into deaths at Gosport War Memorial Hospital. The Chairman expressed assurance as a result of the Commissioner’s positive response and through the actions taken by the Commissioner and his team in respect of this matter. 

The Chairman invited Members to bring forth questions for the Commissioners consideration, through which:

·         Members requested an update from the Commissioner in respect of the progress against the police officer recruitment funded through the increase in the policing precept for 2019/20. It was heard that the Panel had recently reached out to the Commissioner and his team to request figures relating to the officer strength and establishment. Members expressed that there had been some delay in this information being shared, however the Chairman of the Finance working group had written to the Acting Chief Executive ahead of the Panel meeting and had received a full and prompt response.

·         The Commissioner was asked to provide an update on efforts to tackle serious violence and knife crime

·         It was noted that the Police authority had undertaken an in-depth enquiry into the deaths at Gosport War Memorial, and the Commissioner was asked whether the details of this enquiry had been made available to those undertaking the latest investigation.

To hear any announcements the Commissioner may have for the Panel.

The Chair invited announcements from the Commissioner who explained that, whilst he hadn’t brought forth any announcements for this meeting he would be happy to address questions raised by Members under item 7 of the agenda. The Commissioner also extended his welcome to the Members who had recently joined the Panel.

The Commissioner assured Members that the new investigation into deaths at Gosport War Memorial included the sharing of all historical data. The Commissioner expressed that the level of support for this investigation at a  national level had been good and had ensured that appropriate priority was given to the review, whilst minimising the impact on current policing priorities. Members heard that all costs for the review would come through Hampshire Constabulary and that national government had covered 85% of the initial costs of the first bill. The Commissioner assured Members that he was maintaining a dialogue with the Home Office to ensure that they were aware of the cost implications of the investigation. The Commissioner reminded Members that the review was an operational policing matter and that both himself and the Chief Constable had supported the decision for the investigation to be undertaken by an independent force.

The Commissioner stated the following figures in respect of previous, current and anticipated staffing for Hampshire Constabulary:

Police Officers

January 2019 – 2032 establishment,1925 strength

June 2019 – 2055 establishment, 2011 strength

January 2020 - 2055 establishment, 2092 strength

Police Community Support Officer (PSCOs)

January 2019 – 339 establishment, 259 strength

June 2019 – 241 establishment, 236 strength

January 2020 - 236 establishment, 194 strength

The Commissioner expressed that he felt these figures were representative of data presented to the Panel in January 2019, as part of Panel’s consideration of the  proposed policing precept. At that time the Chief Constable had made an operational decision to increase the number of Police Constables and therefore reduce the number of PSCO's, based on the changing crime landscape and a need for increased availability of full warranted powers. The Commissioner was clear that the value of the PSCO’s and how they contribute to safer communities was well appreciated. The Commissioner further explained that the Chief Constable’s intention was to release PSCOs time, by increasing the number of officers available, to enable them to enhance their work and impact within the communities of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight (IOW).

The Commissioner affirmed his commitment that the additional funds raised through the increase to the precept should wholly and fully be spent on local safety, and as part of that increasing officers on the ground. Members heard that the Commissioner had recently written to the Chief Constable who had confirmed that the Constabulary were on track to recruit and complete the initial training of the anticipated 210 new police officers by the end of December 2019.

The Commissioner presented a short video following recent police officer recruits  through their training. 

In response to a question from Members it was heard that the Commissioner had challenged the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 227.

To receive a quarterly update from the Police and Crime Commissioner detailing delivery against his Police and Crime Plan.

Members received a presentation setting out an update on delivery against the

Police and Crime Plan 2016-2021. Members heard:

·         The Commissioner had recently provided additional funding to the Chief Constable to support Hampshire Scientific Services to meet the now required standards. Funding was also granted to Hampshire Search and Rescue, enabling them to add value to frontline policing through better equipping volunteers, and to CountryWatch for technology to enhance safety in rural communities.

·         Enhancements had been made to the Commissioner’s procurement strategy to demonstrate commercial best practice and allow the Estates Programme to deliver best value and service.

·         Community Remedy had been revised and extended to ensure it could be effective and properly targeted.

·         The Commissioner had provided an underwriting guarantee for the Police ICT programme. Recognising that this was a risk approach, the Commissioner determined the benefit of allowing the opportunity for better value and savings in contractual and procurement opportunities outweighed any potential risk.

·         Hampshire Constabulary were one of the first forces to adopt the use of electric powered vehicles. The savings generated from the use of electric vehicles had enabled the purchase of additional front-line specialist operational vehicles.

In response to questions, the Panel heard:

·         SafetyNet was provided by the Commissioner and his team were seeking to enhance the benefits for the end users by inputting core source data and adding health data from a nationally available data set. Whilst Community Partnerships were now being asked to contribute £2,000 per annum per partnership to access the system, the Commissioner expressed that he would be happy to discuss and negotiate this with any partner who felt they couldn’t afford it. A free service was also being provided by the Commissioner’s office to organisations unable to afford a fee.

·         The Commissioner was aware that in some areas the police had not been using the system effectively due to demands on their time. Members heard that the Commissioner had challenged this with the Chief Constable and her view was that the force must support SafetyNet and use it effectively, as the Police contribution to the system was essential.

·         The Commissioner’s team would review the information available on their website in respect of complaints, following concerns raised by Members as to the visibility of such information.

·         In response to comments about a recent article in the Southern Daily Echo, the Commissioner explained a refresher had been provided to the first response teams regarding effective communication with members of the public making such reports. Whilst being clear that this was an operational matter the Commissioner suggested it was likely he would raise it with the Chief Constable at the next COMPASS meeting.

·         A recent Safer Together event, hosted by the Commissioner in Portsmouth, had allowed him to meet with people who may not otherwise seek opportunity for their voice to be heard. As part of the event members of the public could vote for projects, with the winner receiving a £500 grant. 

·         The fleet management team would be monitoring the use of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 228.

To consider a report setting out how Hampshire Police and Crime Panel (PCP) is meeting the balanced appointment objective in its Membership for the 2019/20 municipal year.

Members received a report from the Democratic Services Officer to the Panel setting out how the Police and Crime Panel was meeting the balanced appointment objective in its Membership for the 2019/20 municipal year.  It was noted, by the Chairman, that the report demonstrated that the balanced appointment objective was being met in respect of the political proportionality of the Panel’s Membership

RESOLVED:

That the Panel notes its Membership for the 2019/20 municipal year, as laid out in Table 2 of the report.

That the Panel notes the Panel Membership was, at the time of the meeting, politically proportionate for the purpose of the balanced appointment objective, as laid out in Table 3 of the report.

To consider a report setting out the required membership of the Panel’s working groups and sub-committee.

Members received a report from the scrutiny officer to the Panel setting out the required membership of the Panel’s working groups for consideration and appointment.

RESOLVED

That the Panel agree the final membership of the Complaints Sub-committee, Finance Working Group, Plan Working Group and Proactive Scrutiny Task and Finish Group for the 2019/20 municipal year, as follows:

Complaints Sub-Committee:

Cllr Lisa Griffiths

Cllr Ken Muschamp

Bob Purkiss

Cllr Frank Rust

Cllr Jan Warwick

Finance Working Group:

Michael Coombes

Cllr Gary Hughes

Cllr Brian Laming

Cllr Martin Pepper

Vacancy

Plan Working Group:

Cllr Simon Bound

Cllr Steve Clarke

Cllr Frank Rust

Cllr Dave Shields

Cllr Lee Hunt

Proactive Scrutiny Task and Finish Group:

Cllr Simon Bound

Cllr Steve Clarke

Michael Coombes

Cllr James Radley

Cllr Dave Stewart

Cllr Jan Warwick

To consider a report setting out the activities of the delegated officer and the Complaints Sub-Committee in relation to complaints made against the Police and Crime Commissioner during the last municipal year.

Members received a report from the scrutiny officer to the Panel detailing the activities of the Complaints Sub-Committee over the last 12 calendar months. It was noted, by the Chairman, that complaints activity in the last year had been broadly in-line with the previous 12 months.

RESOLVED:

That the annual complaints report is noted.

To receive a verbal update on the work of the Panel’s working groups during the last quarter. To include receiving a presentation from the Proactive Scrutiny task and finish group, outlining progress against the process agreed for the Panel’s proactive scrutiny looking at how the PCC is enabling effective and efficient operational policing for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

The Chairman of the Panel’s Plan working group and Finance working group were invited to present an update on the activities of the working groups in the last quarter. Members heard:

·         At their most recent meeting the Plan working group had, on behalf of the Panel, scrutinised information presented by the OPCC regarding progress against delivery of the Police and Crime Plan. Councillor Bound noted that, as they enter the final year of the Commissioner’s current term, the number of active projects being undertaken by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) had reduced as efforts were concentrated on projects which could be delivered within the time and resources available.

·         Michael Coombes explained that the Finance working group had not met in the last quarter, however that he had written to the Acting Chief Executive of the OPCC, asking a number of questions regarding the financial position and progress against the recruitment of police officers and had received a prompt and comprehensive response.

The Chairman then gave a presentation, on behalf of the Proactive Scrutiny Task and Finish Group, outlining progress against the process agreed for the Panel’s proactive scrutiny looking at how the Commissioner is enabling effective and efficient operational policing for Hampshire and IOW.

To consider a report setting out the proposed future work programme for the Panel.

Members received a report from the Democratic Support Officer to the Panel which setting out the proposed work programme for the Panel.

The Chairman noted that he intended to add the following items to the Panel’s work programme, for consideration at future meetings:

•           Police and Crime Commissioner – Contact Management Platform

RESOLVED:

That the work programme is agreed.