Agenda and minutes
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Media
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APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
The Chairman to report apologies for absence. Additional documents: Minutes: Apologies were received from Councillor Penny Forbes-Forsyth, Councillor Bryan Cross and Councillor Charlotte Morley. Independent Member Janice Turner chose to resign from the Police and Crime Panel prior to the meeting. |
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MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 6 February 2013 as a correct record. Additional documents: Minutes: The minutes of the meeting that took place on 6 February 2013 were agreed as a correct record. |
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DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
To receive any declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests from Members of the Panel in respect of any item to be considered at the meeting. Additional documents: Minutes: None. |
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PUBLIC QUESTIONS
To receive any public questions.
Note:
Written questions from the public can be submitted no later than seven days prior to the published date of the annual or any ordinary public meeting, for which the Commissioner will be invited to provide a written response by noon on the day before the meeting, which will be circulated to Panel members and the questioner. Additional documents: Minutes: None. |
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SURREY POLICE AND CRIME COMMISSIONER'S DRAFT POLICE AND CRIME PLAN
To consider the Police and Crime Commissioner’s draft Police and Crime Plan. Additional documents: Minutes: The Chairman of the Surrey Police and Crime Panel explained that as part of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011, the Police and Crime Commissioner was required to share their proposed Police and Crime Plan with the Panel prior to its implementation. Under the regulations the Panel did not have the power of veto, however it could make recommendations which the Commissioner would be required to provide a response to.
The Chairman stated that the purpose of the item was for Members of the Panel to question the Commissioner on his proposals for policing in Surrey and to discuss any areas of concern.
The Panel began by discussing recent comments made by the Police and Crime Commissioner in the media, with particular regard given to statements made during an interview with the Epsom Guardian. Some Members raised concerns over the nature of some of the statements made during the interview, particularly comments about Hillsborough and ethnic diversity within the Police Service.
The Commissioner explained that the article published by the Epsom Guardian did not accurately reflect the 90 minute interview, and that the comments expressed were taken out of context. He made the following key statements:
· The Commissioner was attempting to discuss how fundamentally important it was that the Police Service was full of high quality Police Officers. He discussed how the age, sex, gender or ethnicity of a Police Officer was not important to a victim of crime so long as they were compassionate and good at their job.
· He stated it was important that the Police Service reflected the diversity of society, however there was currently an issue that all ethnic minorities were put in a single group. This approach by the Police, the Commissioner argued, did not look at the different ethnic groups and the approaches that would be appropriate to engage and recruit them to the Police.
· The Commissioner conceded that the Epsom Guardian interview had been a lesson for him and that in future he would be more careful about the way he expressed his views. He explained that on the whole his experience with the media had been positive with several national newspaper articles and a radio interview.
· Members of the Panel queried why the Commissioner had chosen to comment on the MacPherson report and Hillsborough disaster during the newspaper interview. The Commissioner stated that he had discussed the MacPherson report to raise concerns regarding the recruitment of quality Police officers. He apologised to the families of the Hillsborough victims if any offence had been caused due to his comments. He stated that he was attempting to raise concerns regarding current plans to raise recruits to the position of Superintendent after 15 months of service; suggesting that an under qualified Police Officer was the cause of the Hillsborough disaster and these proposals could lead to a similar disaster.
The Chairman thanked the Commissioner for his explanation of the comments made during the Epsom Guardian interview and invited the Commissioner to present the ... view the full minutes text for item 10/13 |
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COMPLAINTS RECEIVED SINCE THE LAST MEETING
To note complaints against the Police and Crime Commissioner and the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner received since the last meeting of the Police and Crime Panel.
Additional documents: Minutes: The Chairman explained that the Panel had a statutory duty to resolve non-criminal complaints about the conduct of the Commissioner and his Deputy, and to remain aware of other complaints which fell outside this scope. It was stated that one complaint had been made against the Police and Crime Commissioner since its last meeting, details of which were contained within the report. This complaint was out of the scope of the Police and Crime Panel, however Membes were requested to note the content. The Commissioner confirmed that the issue was regarding an operational issue within the Police.
RESOLVED: That
1. The complaint was noted. |
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WEBCASTING OF POLICE AND CRIME PANEL MEETINGS
To review the merits of webcasting meetings of the PCP and determine future arrangements. Additional documents: Minutes: The Chairman clarified that the Police & Crime Panel had previously agreed to webcast the first two meetings with the Commissioner, and the Panel to then review the situation. Updated viewing figures for the last meeting on 6 February 2013 were also presented to the Panel which showed that archive views had risen to 71.
Members raised concerns regarding the cost of webcasting in relation to the number of views, though acknowledged that it was important for the Panel to remain open and transparent. It was suggested that it was too early to assess how successful webcasting was in relation to the Panel, and that it would be advisable to continue recording the meetings for a 12 month period and then review whether it was cost effective. Members additionally discussed the importance of promoting the Panel, and suggested that the public should be encouraged to attend or watch the meetings online.
RESOLVED: That
1. The Panel continue to webcast its meetings and review the situation in 12 months (March 2014). |
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CONSIDERATION OF EXEMPT INFORMATION AT MEETINGS OF THE SURREY POLICE AND CRIME PANEL
To agree a protocol for considering exempt information at public meetings of the Surrey Police and Crime Panel. Additional documents: Minutes: The Chairman explained that the Panel had previously discussed the need to ensure that it operated in an open and transparent manner; however Members were aware that there would be occasions when they would need to consider exempt information during Part 2 private sessions.
Members felt it was important for the Panel to scrutinise all aspects of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s role, including aspects which could not be discussed in public. It was agreed that officers would need to be informed of these exempt items prior to publication of the agenda, however if there was an emergency item there would be discretion to consider the matter at short notice.
RESOLVED: That
1. The protocol to enable exempt items to be considered by the Panel in Part 2 of the meeting was agreed, subject to the following amendment:
· An additional clause be added to allow urgent matters to be considered at short notice, provided the Chairman was in agreement. |
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To consider the method by which issues concerning the Police and Crime Commissioner can be referred to the Police and Crime Panel by County Council and District / Borough Select Committees. Additional documents: Minutes: The Panel agreed the proposed method of referral between Surrey County Council’s Communities Select Committee and the Police and Crime Panel. The mechanism discussed would enable issues relating to the work of the Police and Crime Commissioner to be considered by the Panel.
The proposal for the referral mechanism to be widened to allow referrals from all boroughs and districts was agreed by the Panel, though it was agreed that referrals would have to be on exceptional, Surrey-wide issues.
RESOLVED: That
1. The referral mechanism be agreed.
2. Items to be referred to the Police and Crime Panel should be Surrey-wide issues. |