Agenda item

To receive an update from the Commissioner following changes to the office arrangements for the Police and Crime Commissioner.

Members received a presentation from the Commissioner, outlining recent changes to her office arrangements.

The Commissioner noted the information contained within the presentation had been shared with the Plan Working Group in advance of the meeting,  and thanked Members of the working group for their feedback.

Members heard that:

·         Through the restructure, the Commissioner had sought to drive best value for public money, deliver efficiencies and improving effectiveness.

·         The Commissioner felt confident that the office now had the appropriate staffing to fulfil their statutory duties and deliver the objectives outlined within the Police and Crime Plan.

·         As a result of the restructure and relocation of the office it was anticipated that savings of £704,000 per annum would be achieved, which would be reinvested into meeting demand for operational policing.

·         Redundancy costs had totalled £558,000, with an anticipated payback period of 14 months.

·         Six previous senior leadership posts had been reduced to three, with each new senior manager leading a specific business area. The Commissioner further explained that Hampshire County Council’s Policy and Rewards Team had reviewed all new role profiles to ensure that they would offer appropriate value for money.

In response to Members questions it was heard that:

·         The new structure went live from 1 June 2022, although the office were awaiting the arrival of three new members of staff to complete the new structure. The Commissioner expressed that she had been extremely pleased with high quality of new individuals who had joined and that they had already demonstrated effectiveness in delivery.

·         The new Head of Communications was producing a new Communications strategy which would consider how to engage with all residents, including those without access to the internet/social media. The Commissioner expressed that she would be happy to share this with the Panel when available.

·         Inflationary pressures were being closely monitored. Whilst inflationary pressures had been built into the budget, rising oil costs could exceed the amount budgeted for, particularly given the amount of fuel needed by the Constabulary’s fleet. It was heard that neighbourhood teams had started to roll out electric vehicles and there was a focus upon making the Constabulary as green as possible through the utilisation of push bikes, walking foot patrols and renewable energy where appropriate. The Commissioner further explained that roads policing couldn’t use electric vehicles, at present, as they needed to be active on the roads all day and were unable to stop to recharge. Due to the weight of vehicles it was also impractical for armed response to use electric vehicles.

·         An allowance for 3.5% pay raise in policing salaries had been built into the budget, which Members heard was the highest level allowed for by PCCs nationally within their budgets. The actual amount to be awarded was unknown, but it was hoped that the Home Office may provide a strong indication before the summer recess.

·         The Commissioner committed to bringing a report on inflationary pressures to the appropriate working group of the Panel in the autumn.

RESOLVED:

That the update on the Commissioner’s office arrangements is noted.