Agenda item

Following notification from the Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner of her intention to appoint the preferred candidate, Mr Terry Norton, to the role of Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner, 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 Commissioner to the Panel of her intention to appoint a preferred candidate, Mr Terry Norton, to the role of Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner (DPCC), the Panel held a Confirmation Hearing in accordance with Schedule 1 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011.

Members received a report 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 Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner, which included:

·         The name of the preferred candidate and CV;

·         A statement/report from the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) stating why the preferred candidate met the criteria of role;

·         The terms and conditions of appointment;

The Commissioner expressed her pleasure in presenting the preferred candidate, and welcomed the input of and feedback from the Panel through the confirmation hearing process.

Following the recommendations of the Home Office’s Police and Crime Commissioner Review, the Commissioner explained how her role and responsibilities would grow moving forward, and noted the review had laid out a clear expectation that all PCC’s should appoint a DPCC by the next term.

Accordingly, before seeking to appoint a new DPCC the Commissioner had reviewed the role profile, with the support of the Chief Executive, to ensure it was fully inclusive of the scope of responsibilities to be held by the DPCC. Members heard this would include a significant volume of outward looking public work, and therefore the Commissioner had sought a candidate who could communicate effectively with the public, both in person and through social media, and provide feedback to the office and who could portray the Commissioner’s vision and aspirations of the Police and Crime Plan. If successful the candidate would need to make judgement on case work and respond appropriately on behalf of the Commissioner.

Members heard that the Commissioner and the candidate had worked together successfully in the past, had a strong foundation of trust and that the Commissioner felt the candidate demonstrated high moral integrity. Further the Commissioner felt the candidate would add to the vision of the Police and Crime Plan, bringing an additional depth of understanding in supporting children and young people and youth crime prevention, with experience of working in a large urban senior school.

Following a question from the Panel, the Commissioner confirmed that the candidate, if successful, would remain in his role of City Councillor until the end of his term in May 2023. Consideration had been given to how he would meet the commitments of the DPCC role in this time, and Members heard that the main focus of his remaining term as a City Councillor would be dedicated to case work. Members heard that the candidate had expressed his full commitment to the DPCC role, noting that many local councillors worked full time whilst maintaining their responsibilities as a local councillor. The Commissioner further noted that the DPCC, whilst a political appointment, was an employee and subject to the same performance review process as any other member of staff, as well as having access to the same training and support.

The candidate was invited by the Chairman to introduce himself, providing an overview of his past experience relevant to the role.

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 Norton’s suitability for the role.

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