Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from:

• Councillor Tonia Craig, Eastleigh Borough Council
• Councillor Phillip Lashbrook, Test Valley Borough 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 2020/21.

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 2021.

Cllr David Stewart was nominated by Cllr Stagg and seconded by Cllr McKinney as the sole nominee duly elected.

Councillor David Stewart in the Chair.

To elect a Vice Chairman of the Panel for 2020/21.

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 2021.

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

To confirm the minutes from the previous meeting.

The Minutes from the 7 February 2020 meeting were confirmed as a correct record.

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 the Commissioner and his team and noted that Michael Lane had remained in office as Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), following the postponement of elections to 2021, as a result of the outbreak of Covid-19. The Chairman further acknowledged the recent news of £565,000 funding secured by the PCC from the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) to support to victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight during the pandemic.

The Chairman noted the passing of Cllr Frank Rust at the end of March. Cllr Rust served on the Panel from October 2016, until his death, sitting on both the Complaints Sub-Committee and Plan Working Group and taking a lead on diversity and inclusion on behalf of the Panel. The Chairman advised Members that he had written to offer condolences on behalf of the Panel.

The Chairman thanked Members of the Panel for their ongoing role, since the last meeting, in engaging with the PCC and his team on numerous matters of importance including the new timeframe for PCC elections, diversity and inclusion in operational policing, the Commissioner’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic and the complaints reforms. The Chairman noted that several meetings had been held virtually between Members of the Panel and the Commissioner’s team allowing the Panel to continue their work in supporting and scrutinising the PCC during this time. The Chairman also offered his thanks to the Commissioner and his staff for efforts taken to ensure the Panel and its supporting officers were kept well informed and engaged during this period.

To consider a report setting out the proposed extension to the term of appointment of the two independent co-opted members of the Hampshire Police and Crime Panel and the appointment of a local authority co-opted member.

The Panel received a report from the Democratic Support Officer to the Panel, setting out the proposed extension to the term of appointment of the two independent co-opted members of the Hampshire Police and Crime Panel and the appointment of a local authority co-opted member.

RESOLVED:

That the Panel notes its Membership for the 2020/21 municipal year, as laid out in Table 2 of the report.

That the Panel notes the Panel Membership is, at the time of the meeting, politically proportionate for the purpose of the balanced appointment objective as outlined in Table 3.

That the terms of appointment for Michael Coombes and Bob Purkiss, as Independent Co-opted Members to the Hampshire Police and Crime Panel, are extended until the first meeting of the Panel in the 2021/22 municipal year.

That Councillor Tony Jones is appointed to the Hampshire Police and Crime Panel, as a Local Authority Co-opted Member representing the Labour Group.

The Chair paused the meeting for a 5 minute comfort break, suspending the meeting from 10:15 to 10:20.

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

The Chair invited announcements from the Commissioner.

The Commissioner acknowledged the passing of Cllr Frank Rust, recalling his commitment to public service.

The Panel heard that the emergency services had jointly issued core messaging and public safety advice on the lead into a relaxation of lockdown restrictions, implemented during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Commissioner commented upon the pace of change required and the need to keep communities safe during the pandemic.

The Commissioner explained that moving forward his Police and Crime Plan would not only focus on the key safer messages, but enhancing that messaging with a view to creating a more just society. Members heard that the Commissioner had been engaging with community leaders to hear what else could be done to support delivery of this element of the Police and Crime Plan and to enable the Constabulary to better represent all those who they serve across the diverse communities of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. It was highlighted to Members that the importance of supporting vibrant and inclusive communities was shared publicly through the recent COMPASS meeting with the Chief Constable.

The Commissioner acknowledged the Chairman’s comments regarding sharing of information with the Panel during the period since the last meeting, and committed to continue to work alongside the Panel to share key information over the coming months.

The Panel heard that the Commissioner had successfully secured grant funding from the Ministry of Justice totalling £624k. The Commissioner explained that grants rounds and contract renewals had proceeded as usual and in addition the Commissioner had launched a quick grants round, inviting applicants to submit funding requests of up to £500 to support the response to the Covid-19 pandemic, which had resulted in financial support to approximately 60 projects. Further to this, it was heard that, the Commissioner planned a second round of funding focussing on bids to reduce crime. Additionally funding had been released up front by the PCC to expand the taser capacity within Hampshire Constabulary, which the Chief Constable had highlighted as an unfunded need.

Members heard that the planned uplift in recruitment for Hampshire Constabulary was progressing as expected. Feedback on the approach taken by the Constabulary in enforcing lockdown requirements had been positive, with public comments showing support for the sensitive way in which officers had handled concerns.

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

Members received a presentation setting out an update on development of and  delivery against the Police and Crime Plan. Members heard:

·         Resultant from the extension to his term as PCC, the Commissioner had refreshed his Police and Crime Plan delivery to 2022. The revised plan was published online and titled “Building a bridge to our safer futures” reflecting the Commissioners commitment to creating a more just and inclusive society.

·         Four clear priorities remained core to the extended plan, with an extension to the fourth priority to focus on delivery of a just society and continued inclusion of reducing offending and the criminal justice elements of the Commissioner’s role.

·         The Commissioner and his team, in delivering victim priorities, had focussed on supporting partners to provide services to victims through the Covid-19 pandemic and supporting local community initiatives, including the use of volunteers.

·         Increased isolation, driven by the lockdown measures implemented to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic had raised concerns nationally about a potential increase in domestic abuse. Across the Hampshire policing area significant efforts had been made to raise awareness of support service available to victims and a commitment from policing that reports of abuse would be prioritised accordingly.

·         The Commissioner had instructed his team to identify new partners to support delivery of the diversity elements of the plan, and had already seen engagement from those who had previously not demonstrated an interest in working with the PCC in this area.

·         During the pandemic there had been a significant increase in digital engagement with policing, with low level crime increasingly being reported online and reducing traffic to 101. The PCC had also recently recruited a new member of staff to meet the demand on delivery of the cyber ambassadors programme.

·         Engagement with the community was key. The Commissioner was keen that learnings from positive policing engagement through the pandemic would be taken forward for the future.

·         The Commissioner also recognised 11,000 plus hours had been dedicated by volunteers of the special constabulary and their contributions had made a significant impact in keeping residents safe during the pandemic. Going forward the Commissioner was keen to look at how volunteers could be engaged throughout the policing service for the benefit of local communities.

·         Hampshire Constabulary were a leading force nationally in the use of, and positive outcomes from, out of court disposals.

In response to questions, the Panel heard:

·         The £500k funding made available by the Commissioner to support the Covid-19 response was earmarked to be drawn from reserves to deliver immediate action as needed, with an expectation that some of the monies required would be recoverable through central government funding.

·         A decision to spend £680K for estate needs to support officers recruited through the uplift was as anticipated, with a further £450K required for the estate management programme. In part this was resultant from a re-valuation of the estate, following the outbreak of Covid-19, and necessary adjustments to the contributions anticipated from the future sale of unoccupied elements of the estate. Additionally costs  ...  view the full minutes text for item 270.

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

Members received a report from the Democratic Support 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, Police and Crime Plan working group and Finance working group for the 2020/21 municipal year.

To consider Membership of the National Association of Police, Fire and Crime Panels in 2020/21.

Members received a report from the Democratic Support Officer to the Panel inviting members to consider Membership of the National Association of Police, Fire and Crime Panels.

RESOLVED:

That the Panel agrees to join the National Association of Police, Fire and Crime Panels (NAPFCP).

That the Panel’s ongoing Membership of the Association is reviewed annually, with a report from the Panel’s supporting officers highlighting any benefits and costs realised.

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 Democratic Support 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 had decreased in comparison with the previous year, with one complaint recorded during the last 12 months.

RESOLVED:

That the annual complaints report is noted.

To receive a report from the Chairman detailing the Panel’s Annual Report for the 2019/20 year.

The Chairman introduced the Panel’s draft annual report for the 2019/20 municipal year.

RESOLVED:

That the Panel receive and agree the draft annual report.

That, following the meeting and addition of a foreword from the Chairman, the final report be published.

To consider a paper monitoring the Police and Crime Panel’s budget for 2020/21, in advance of agreeing the proposed budget for 2021/22.

Members received a report from the finance officer to the Panel which monitored the budget for 2019/20, in advance of agreeing the proposed budget for 2021/22.

Members heard that the Panel had maximised the use of the budget and that the projected spend for 2020/21 and proposed budget for 2021/22 reflected this position.

It was also noted that Portsmouth City Council had been appointed to provide legal support to the Panel, following a successful bid to the tender.

RESOLVED:

That the Panel:

·         Note the final financial position for 2019/20

·         Note the current performance against the budget for this financial year.

·         Agree the proposed budget for the panel for 2021/22, subject to confirmation of the Government grant for 2021/22.

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 setting out the proposed work programme for the Panel.

The Chairman noted that the meeting in March 2021 had been noted in the report as 2020 and that this would be corrected.

The Chairman noted that he intended to add the following item to the Panel’s work programme, for consideration at the next meeting and that the Chief Constable would be invited to the meeting share her comments.

•           Police and Crime Commissioner – Covid-19 Pandemic

RESOLVED:

That the work programme is agreed.