Agenda item

Following notification from the Police and Crime Commissioner of her intention to appoint the preferred candidate, Mr Scott Chilton, to the role of Chief Constable of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, for the Panel to hold a Confirmation Hearing in accordance with Schedule 8 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 Scott Chilton, to the role of Chief Constable of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, the Panel held a Confirmation Hearing in accordance with Schedule 8 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 Chief Constable, which included:

·         Name of the preferred candidate

·         Report from the PCC stating why the preferred candidate meets the requirements of role

·         Terms and conditions of appointment.

·         Independent Members Report

The Commissioner expressed her pleasure in presenting the preferred candidate, who had spent 28 years of his policing career working within Hampshire and Isle of Wight before joining Dorset Police as Chief Constable, and welcomed feedback from the Panel through the confirmation hearing process.

The Commissioner acknowledged the input of partners from across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight in the selection process, including Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service and Hampshire County Council.  Following a robust selection process the Commissioner felt confident she had proposed a candidate who would deliver a strong and effective local policing service for the residents of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

The candidate was invited by the Chairman to introduce himself, explaining why he was the best candidate to lead Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary.

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 Chilton’s suitability for the role.

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

The press and public were excluded from the meeting during the following item of business, as it was likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the public were present during that item there would be disclosure to them of exempt information within Paragraph 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, being information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding the information) and, further, that in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information. While there may have been a public interest in disclosing this information, namely openness in the deliberations of the Panel in determining its recommendation regarding the proposed appointment, it was felt that, on balance, this was outweighed by other factors in favour of maintaining the exemption, namely enabling a full discussion regarding the merits of the proposed appointment.