Agenda and draft minutes

AGM, followed by DPCC Confirmation Hearing, Surrey Police and Crime Panel - Thursday, 20 June 2024 10.30 am

Venue: Woodhatch Place, Reigate, Surrey

Contact: Jake Chambers, Scrutiny Officer 

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Items
No. Item

15/24

ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN

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    The Panel is asked to elect a Chairman for the year 2024/25.

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    Witnesses:

    Jake Chambers, Scrutiny Officer

     

    Key points raised during the discussion:

     

    1. The Scrutiny Officer outlined that one nomination for Chairman was received in advance of the meeting, with Cllr John Robini proposed by Mr Martin Stilwell and seconded by Cllr Barry Cheyne. ­No other nominations were received and Cllr John Robini was elected as Chairman by general assent.

     

    1. The Chairman welcomed attendees to the annual Police and Crime Panel meeting and explained that apologies were received from the Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey (“the Commissioner”; “the PCC”). As a result, agenda item seven would not be discussed.

     

    1. The Chairman noted that the council was in a pre-election period, and reminded the Panel that members should refrain from endorsing or referencing any candidates or political party standing for election, any controversial political campaigns or any policies related to the election.

     

     

16/24

ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIRMAN

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    The Panel is asked to elect a Vice-Chairman for the year 2024/25.

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    Key points raised during the discussion:

     

    1. The Chairman thanked Mr Martin Stillwell for his term as vice-chairman. The Chairman outlined that one nomination was received for Vice-Chairman in advance of the meeting. This was for Ms Juliet Fryer, proposed by Mr Martin Stillwell and seconded by Cllr Ellen Nicholson. No other nominations were received, so Ms Juliet Fryer was therefore elected as Vice-Chairman.

     

17/24

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

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    The Chairman to report apologies for absence.

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    Apologies were received from Cllr Danielle Newson.

     

18/24

MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING: 2 FEBRUARY 2024 pdf icon PDF 233 KB

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    To approve the minutes of the meeting held on (2 February 2024) as a correct record.

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    Minutes were agreed as a true and accurate record.

19/24

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

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    All Members present are required to declare, at this point in the meeting or as soon as possible thereafter

    (i)            Any disclosable pecuniary interests and / or

     

    (ii)           Other interests arising under the Code of Conduct in respect of any item(s) of business being considered at this meeting

    NOTES:

    ·         Members are reminded that they must not participate in any item where they have a disclosable pecuniary interest

     

    ·         As well as an interest of the Member, this includes any interest, of which the Member is aware, that relates to the Member’s spouse or civil partner (or any person with whom the Member is living as a spouse or civil partner)

     

    ·         Members with a significant personal interest may participate in the discussion and vote on that matter unless that interest could be reasonably regarded as prejudicial.

     

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    None received.

20/24

PUBLIC QUESTIONS

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    The deadline for public questions is seven days before the meeting (Thursday 13 June 2024).

     

    Note:

    A written response will be circulated to Panel Members and the questioner.

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    None received.

21/24

INTRODUCTION FROM THE SURREY POLICE AND CRIME COMMISSIONER 2024-2028

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    Following the England and Wales Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) elections on Thursday 2 May 2024, Lisa Townsend was re-elected as Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey for 2024-2027.

     

    The PCC will provide a verbal update.

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    Item removed from agenda due to apologies from the Police and Crime Commissioner for the meeting.

     

22/24

SURREY POLICE AND CRIME PANEL ANNUAL REPORT 2023-2024 pdf icon PDF 288 KB

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    In accordance with best practice for scrutiny and transparency as noted in Schedule 3 – In-Year Monitoring Information Requirements of the Home Office Grant Agreement, an annual report by Police and Crime Panels is an important Key Performance Indicator (KPI) to be monitored and reported on.

     

    This report provides a summary of the activity of the Surrey Police and Crime Panel during June 2023 - May 2024 (up to the elections).

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    Witnesses:

    Jake Chambers, Scrutiny Officer

     

    Key points raised during the discussion:

    1. The Scrutiny Officer introduced the report and asked the Panel to note this.

     

    1. The Chief Executive and Monitoring Officer stated that she believed that the legislation requires that the Panel should support and scrutinise the Police and Crime Commissioner, rather than “[..] hold the elected Police and Crime Commissioner to account…” as stated on page 16 of the report. The Scrutiny Officer agreed to reexamine the wording. 

     

    1. The Panel noted the report.

     

23/24

PCC DECISIONS AND FORWARD PLAN pdf icon PDF 262 KB

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    This report provides information on the formal decisions taken by the PCC from January 2024 and details of the OPCC’s ongoing Forward Plan for 2024/25.

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    Key points raised during the discussion:

    1. The Chairman asked for an update on when the Panel would receive the PCC’s draft Police & Crime Plan. The Head of Performance and Governance explained the OPCC was working on a methodology for the consultation with stakeholders, due to take place in July to September 2024. The OPCC intended to return to the Panel with the outcome of the consultation and a draft plan for consideration.

     

    1. The Chairman asked for a timeline. The Head of Performance and Governance explained the OPCC would need time once after the completion of consultations and would liaise with the Scrutiny Officer as to when to bring this before the Panel, though it would be towards the end of 2024.

     

24/24

RECOMMENDATIONS TRACKER AND FORWARD WORK PROGRAMME pdf icon PDF 21 KB

25/24

RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COMPLAINTS SUB-COMMITTEE 2024/25 pdf icon PDF 106 KB

26/24

RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF THE FINANCE SUB-GROUP 2024/25 pdf icon PDF 98 KB

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    The Panel is asked to reconstitute the Finance Sub-group for 2024/25.

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    Key points raised during the discussion:

     

    1. The Panel noted the Terms of Reference for the Finance Sub-group.

     

    1. The Panel appointed the following members to the Finance Sub-group for the 2024/25 Council year:

     

    • Cllr John Robini, Chairman
    • Juliet Fryer, Vice-Chairman
    • Cllr Barry Cheyne
    • Cllr Paul Kennedy
    • Cllr Shanice Goldman

     

    1. A member noted that the Panel could benefit from appointing another member to the Finance Sub-group. The Chairman explained that new members would be reviewed, and interviews to appoint another independent member to the Sub-group would be held at a later stage.

     

27/24

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

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    The next public meeting of the Police and Crime Panel will be held on Thursday 26 September 2024.

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    The next Police and Crime Panel meeting will take place on Thursday 26 September 2024.

     

28/24

CONFIRMATION HEARING: APPOINTMENT OF A DEPUTY POLICE AND CRIME COMMISSIONER FOR SURREY pdf icon PDF 145 KB

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    Following notification from the Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner of her intention to appoint the preferred candidate, Miss Ellie Vesey-Thompson as Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey, the Surrey Police and Crime Panel has a responsibility to hold a Confirmation Hearing, in accordance with Schedule 1 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011.

     

    Note:

    See Appendix C for the Surrey Police and Crime Panel - Confirmation Hearing Protocol for the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey.

     

    See Item 16 - The Panel will hold a closed session in Part 2 to agree its recommendation to the Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner.

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    Witnesses

    Ellie Vesey-Thompson, Interim Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner (DPCC)

    Alison Bolton, Chief Executive and Monitoring Officer (OPCC)
    Damian Markland, Head of Performance and Governance (OPCC)

    Nathan Rees, Head of Communications and Engagement (OPCC)

     

    Key points raised during the discussion:

    1. The Chairman welcomed the proposed appointee, Ellie Vesey-Thompson, Interim Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner (DPCC). The Panel received formal notification of the proposed appointment on 3 June 2024. 

     

    1. The Chairman noted the Panel’s responsibility to hold a confirmation hearing in accordance with Schedule 1 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011.

     

    1. The Chairman referred to the Surrey Police and Crime Panel Confirmation Hearing Protocol for the DPCC, included as Appendix C in the agenda.

     

    1. The Chairman explained that once the Panel dealt with the remaining ordinary business of the meeting, a private, closed session under Part 2 conditions would commence to decide the Panel‘s recommendation to the Commissioner on the proposed appointment, which would subsequently be provided in writing to the Commissioner.

     

    1. The Chief Executive and Monitoring Officer provided a brief introduction on the proposed appointment of the Interim DPCC, who had worked with the Commissioner for the duration of the Commissioner’s first term in office. The papers set out all the detail required to meet the Panel’s statutory responsibility to consider the appointment.

     

    1. A member asked for the expected overall annual cost of appointing the DPCC, including areas such as salary, pension contributions, expenses and training. The Chief Executive and Monitoring Officer explained that the detail of the DPCC’s salary was set out in the report and, as the employer, the Commissioner was obliged to meet the costs of National Insurance contributions and pensions as any other employer would be. Those costs were factored into the OPCC’s budget. Training or subscriptions required by the DPCC are budgeted within the OPCC’s operating budget, allowing the DPCC to access training equal to other OPPC staff.

     

    1. The member asked what the current nature of the Interim DPCC’s working arrangements were while awaiting confirmation of appointment and how the Interim DPCC would be renumerated for the interim period if the appointment was or was not made. The Chief Executive and Monitoring Officer explained that the appointment of the DPCC could not be made until after the confirmation hearing process. To allow the Interim DPCC to support the Commissioner during the first few weeks in Office, while setting out plans for the Police and Crime Plan and consultation during summer 2024, the Commissioner appointed Ellie Vesey-Thompson on an interim basis. The terms and conditions of this interim role remained the same as prior to the election. 

     

    1. The member asked if the Interim DPCC would still be paid for what was done up until the conclusion of the confirmation process if not re-appointed. The Chief Executive and Monitoring Officer confirmed that she would be.

     

    1. The Chairman asked Ellie Vesey-Thompson, the Interim DPCC, to introduce herself, with the opportunity to present her understanding of the role before formal questioning. The Interim DPCC thanked Mr  ...  view the full minutes text for item 28/24

29/24

EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC

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    Recommendation: To resolve that the public be excluded from the meeting during the following item of business, as it is 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 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 be a public interest in disclosing this information, namely openness in the deliberations of the Panel in determining its recommendation regarding the proposed appointment, it is felt that, on balance, this is outweighed by other factors in favour of maintaining the exemption, namely enabling a full discussion regarding the merits of the proposed appointment.

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    RESOLVED:

    That the public be excluded from the meeting during the following item of business, as it is 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 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 be a public interest in disclosing this information, namely openness in the deliberations of the Panel in determining its recommendation regarding the proposed appointment, it is felt that, on balance, this is outweighed by other factors in favour of maintaining the exemption, namely enabling a full discussion regarding the merits of the proposed appointment.

     

30/24

CLOSED SESSION: TO DISCUSS THE PROPOSED APPOINTMENT OF A DEPUTY POLICE AND CRIME COMMISSIONER FOR SURREY

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    The Panel will hold a closed session in Part 2 to agree its recommendation to the Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner.

     

    Confidential: Not for publication under Paragraph 3

     

    Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular

    person (including the authority holding that information).

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    The Panel deliberated over the questions and responses provided and then voted, recommending that the Interim DPCC should be re-appointed to the role of DPCC.

    (Prior to the vote, the Chairman asked if there was any request for a recorded vote. Cllr Paul Kennedy made this request, supported by Cllrs Richard Wilson and Tony Burrell, thereby meeting the threshold of three Panel members that is required to request a recorded vote - see paragraph 3.7 of the Panel’s Constitution)

    The votes recorded were as follows:

    Ms Juliet Fryer (Vice-Chairman) - Abstain

    Cllr Richard Smith - For

    Cllr Richard Wilson - Against

    Cllr Paul Kennedy - Against

    Cllr John Robini (Chairman) - For

    Mr Martin Stilwell - For

    Cllr Barry J F Cheyne - For

    Cllr Ellen Nicholson - Abstain

    Cllr Rebecca Paul - For

    Cllr Shanice Goldman - For

    Cllr James Baker - For

    Cllr Mike Smith - Abstain

    Cllr Tony Burrell - Abstain

    A summary of Panel members’ concerns and reasons for not recommending the appointment would be provided in the Panel’s formal letter of response for consideration by the PCC by the following working day, in line with the below paragraph from the Panel’s Confirmation Hearing Protocol:

     

    1.3  The Panel is invited to question the candidate in order to confirm they have the necessary professional competence and personal independence to carry out the role.

     

    The Surrey Police and Crime Panel thereby RESOLVED to recommend that the Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey does appoint Ellie Vesey-Thompson to the role of Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey for a second term.

     

31/24

PUBLICITY OF PART 2 ITEMS

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    To consider whether the item considered under Part 2 (Exempt) of the agenda should be made available to the press and public.

     

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    RESOLVED:

    Panel agreed that the items considered under Part 2 should not be made available to the press and public.