PCPs – TO 2015 AND BEYOND

Mike ChardPolicy Officer

Katie BentonScrutiny Officer

'You have reached your destination’: scrutiny's role on the road to better places

10 June 2014

Overview…National context of Police and Crime Panels: upcoming

general election and the future of PCCs

Local context of Police and Crime Panels: sharing the burden

of work

Facilitated session on successes and challenges of policing

scrutiny post-reform, including a review of the Home Affairs SC

recommendations

Facilitated session on proactive scrutiny

Feel free to ask questions throughout!

National Context…Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011

Police and Crime CommissionersPolice and Crime Panels

Government policy to ‘hold police forces to account’ and ‘strengthen the bond between the police and the public’

Elections held 22 November 2012, PCCs in post until May 2016

Looking to 2015…Less than a year to go

Party Conferences October 2014Now seen as four-party race

Is Police and Crime a topic at the fore of the public’s mind?

Pro-PCCs: Conservatives and Liberal DemocratsAnti-PCCs: Labour and UKIPLikely that PCCs will serve out their term until May

2016, so important that PCPs ensure statutory functions remain fulfilled

Local Context…Hampshire Police and Crime Panel

20 MembersPCC: Independent Simon HayesMain Successes: complaints, confirmation hearings, enthusiastic

Panel, improving relationshipMain Challenges: access to timely and detailed information,

public engagement, complaints

Thames Valley Police and Crime Panel20 membersPCC: Anthony Stansfeld (Conservative)Main Successes: High quality engaged independent co-

optees, PCP conference, rapporteur reportsMain Challenges: access to performance information,

geography, strategic vs. local

Successes and ChallengesCfPS report – Police and

crime panels: the first year

Home Affairs Select Committee interim findings

Facilitated SessionActivity One•Ten minute discussion on the first two years that Panels have existed. Identify:

- one challenge on your table that you haven’t been able to overcome and potential resolution (what is the obstacle?)

- one area where a Panel has had real success locally (how did you do it?)

•Use flipcharts to record discussions – will write these up post-conference and share learning.•Ten minutes to share with the room key thoughts from each table, and to open up to the floor to alternative resolutions to challenges.

Proactive Scrutiny- Hampshire model: afternoon sessions following

formal meeting, scrutiny review model- Thames Valley model: two task and finish

groups per year, themed meetings- Are some issues re this:

- Are Panels overstepping the line? (HASC evidence)

- How engaged are the public and partners?

- Should Panels stick only to statutory elements?

- How else can Members fulfil their ‘support’ role?

Facilitated SessionActivity Two•Twenty minute discussion on proactive scrutiny. •Key Question: What has worked in your area – either through PCPs or in your authorities generally – that can be applied to this area of Police and Crime Panel scrutiny and support?

• How can PCPs increase visibility? • Should PCPs engage with public and partners?

•Use flipcharts to record discussions – will write these up post-conference and share learning.