Agenda item

Following notification from the Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner of his intention to appoint the preferred candidate, Andy Lowe, to the role of Chief Financial Officer, for the Hampshire Police and Crime Panel to hold a Confirmation Hearing in accordance with Schedule 1 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011.

Following notification from the Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire (hereafter referred to as ‘the Commissioner’), Mr. Michael Lane, to the Hampshire Police and Crime Panel (hereafter referred to as ‘the Panel’) of his intention to appoint a preferred candidate, Mr Andy Lowe, to the role of Chief Finance Officer, the Panel held a Confirmation Hearing in accordance with Schedule 1 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011.

Members received a report (See Item 4 in the Minute Book)

setting out the powers of the Panel and the process to be followed in the Confirmation Hearing, as per the agreed ‘Confirmation Hearing protocol’. The Panel noted the information provided by the Commissioner relating to the appointment of the Chief Finance Officer which included:

·      The name of the preferred candidate

·      A statement/report for PCC stating why the preferred candidate meets criteria of role;

·      The terms and conditions of the appointment.

The Commissioner gave a short overview of the process followed to select his preferred candidate, Mr Lowe. He informed the Panel that this had been a different selection process, as this post was covered by the shared services agreement in place between Hampshire County Council, Hampshire Constabulary, and Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service (as well as Oxfordshire County Council).  The post was being recruited to as Ms Carolyn Williamson, the current Chief Finance Officer, had taken up a national position with the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy.

The post was in place to provide the Commissioner with strategic financial advice, and the previous Chief Finance Officer had set a high bar of performance. The Commissioner already had a strong working relationship with the preferred candidate, Mr Lowe, as he currently acted as a Deputy Chief Finance Officer in Ms Williamson’s absence. The Commissioner had seen evidence of his ability to engage and advise senior colleagues and politicians, as well as a clear understanding of the environment of policing and finance. The Commissioner noted that the role required someone in post who could challenge and ensure that this was applied to the appropriate spending of public finances, which were all skills that Mr Lowe possessed. The Commissioner commended Mr Lowe to the Panel.

The preferred candidate thanked the Panel for inviting him to the Confirmation Hearing, noting his excitement at the opportunity to operate at the Chief Finance Officer level. The candidate provide a brief overview of his working history, including senior finance roles in Southampton and Hampshire, and involvement in NHS and local government finance, with a history of supporting and advising senior leadership. In 2016, Mr Lowe had become involved in police finance with a view to providing continuity of involvement and understanding through the shared services agreement, deputising for the previous Chief Finance Officer where required. Mr Lowe had a good working relationship with Ms Williamson, and this would continue through their Hampshire County Council roles.

The Chief Finance Officer role would take up two to three days of Mr Lowe’s working week (with the remainder taken up by his other role as Head of Pensions, Investment and Borrowing at Hampshire County Council).

The Panel then asked questions of the candidate which related to his professional competence and personal independence, the answers to which enabled Members to evaluate Mr Lowe’s suitability for the role.

At the end of questioning, the Chairman thanked the candidate and provided an opportunity to clarify any responses given.