Councillors and committees

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Ashcombe Suite, County Hall, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey KT1 2DN

Contact: Angela Guest 

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Items
No. Item

22/18

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

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    The Chairman to report apologies for absence.

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    Apologies have been received from Peter Waddell, Nick Gething and Pat Frost.

     

23/18

MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING pdf icon PDF 330 KB

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    To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 28 June 2018 as a correct record.

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    Members noted that some amendments were required to the attendance list on page one.

24/18

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:

    There were no declarations of interest made.

25/18

PUBLIC QUESTIONS

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    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:

    There were no public questions submitted.

26/18

COMMISSIONING ARRANGEMENTS pdf icon PDF 55 KB

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    The Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey has published a refreshed commissioning strategy to align with his Police and Crime Plan for 2018-20. The strategy sets out his commissioning approach for the remaining two years of his term.

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    Witnesses:

    David Munro, Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner
    Alison Bolton, Chief Executive, Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner

    Key points raised in discussion:

    1. The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) outlined the report, noting that there were three funding streams in place for commissioning:
      1. Community Safety Fund
      2. Reducing Reoffending Fund
      3. Victims Fund.

    The PCC highlighted the Community Safety Fund and stressed that it was used to implement a wide range of schemes with public benefit, including an anti-social behaviour scheme aimed to aid the victims.

    1. Members questioned Early Intervention, how it was envisaged to function by the PCC and how this would be effectively funded. The PCC noted that early intervention was aimed to provide support as soon as possible to reduce the impact of crime on victims and reduce long term costs. It was noted that these schemes would be funded through the three funding streams.

    2. Members queried the priority listed of “keeping Surrey’s roads safe” and questioned whether there was an opportunity to use the funding streams to finance the installation of speed warning signs. The PCC noted that this could be funded through Highways Agency funding, or through County Councillor’s Local Allowance, but that the PCC’s funding streams were being used for projects such as “Safe Drive, Stay Alive,” which was used to ensure that road safety remained a key priority.

    RESOLVED:

    That Members noted the report.

    Actions/Further information to be provided:

    None.

     

27/18

POLICE AND CRIME PLAN QUARTERLY UPDATE pdf icon PDF 150 KB

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    The PCC published a refreshed Police and Crime Plan for 2018 to 2020.  This built on the previous plan issued in 2016. The refresh was informed by emerging crime trends, consultation, scrutiny of current force performance and meetings and visits with Surrey Police, public and partners.   This report gives a progress report on the Police and Crime Plan.

     

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    Witnesses:

     

    David Munro, Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner
    Alison Bolton, Chief Executive, Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner

     

    Key points raised in discussion:

     

    1.    Members queried the burglary prevention kits that were noted in the report and questioned their use and effectiveness. The PCC explained that kits included SelectaDNA marking water, which would be used to aid in recovery of stolen property and serve as a deterrent to burglary. It was also noted that the Surrey Police was offering these kits at a discount for members of the public who applied.  The PCC noted that other brands of DNA kit were also available.

    2.    The PCP noted that webcast sessions of public meetings of the PCC were advertised on the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s website, as well as advertised on social media.

    3.    The PCP explained the 101 call time responses statistics, and stated that the call time was measured from the beginning of the contact to when the call was picked up by an agent.

    4.    Members questioned the PCP’s response to unauthorised Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) encampments in Surrey and whether the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner considered the response of Surrey Police to this issue to be robust. The PCC noted that this was a significant issue and that the police were working to pursue criminality that took place in these encampments. However, it was noted that the police had difficulty with this, often due to lack of evidence of criminality and stressed that the police needed help from the community to aid in the task of reducing crime resultant of this issue.

    5.    It was noted by the PCC that he had requested Surrey Police to undertake a review of the thresholds between anti-social behaviour and criminality, as it was explained that they were not clear at present and that this had led to increased ambiguity over anti-social behaviour in unauthorised encampments. This was often a cause of community tension and frustration.

    6.    Members questioned Transit Camps, their effectiveness in other authorities, and the impact that these would have if implemented. The PCC noted that the idea for Transit Camps was used in other comparable local authorities as an additional deterrent to authorised encampments and gave the police additional powers to move on unauthorised encampments to these sites. It was also noted that there was some impetus from central government to strengthen laws relating to trespass on land and unauthorised encampments and that this may improve the ability for police to move on unauthorised encampments.

    7.    It was stressed that the PCC had attended a meeting of the Surrey Leaders Group where the idea of transit camps was received positively. It was noted, however, that potential sites were not identified during this discussion.

    8.    The PCC noted that victims of crime resulting from unauthorised encampments were carefully considered and that police had spent time and resource to reassure and protect residents.

    9.    The PCC stressed that the Office of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27/18

28/18

MEDIUM TERM FINANCIAL PLAN pdf icon PDF 64 KB

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    The purpose of this report is to inform the Police & Crime Panel about the Medium Term Financial Plan assumptions that are being made for the four year period 2019/20 to 2022/23.

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    Witnesses:

    David Munro, Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner
    Alison Bolton, Chief Executive, Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner
    Ian Perkin, Treasurer of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner

    Key points raised in discussion:

    1.    The Treasurer of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner outlined the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) and explained that it contained a broad look over the period of the next four years, and included proposals relating to the precepts, and the implications that this would have upon the budget.

    2.    Members questioned underspend in the Capital budget and asked whether the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner could use this to alleviate some of the budget deficit issues. Officers noted that it was not feasible to use the capital budget in this way as the capital budget was separate from the revenue budget .

    3.    Officers noted that the estate strategy expenditure were currently focussed on planning and development of proposals, and did not include any construction at present.

    4.    The PCC noted that Surrey Police had been working in partnership with three other forces, Thames Valley, Hampshire, Sussex, to reduce costs through co-operation and sharing services as part of the South East Integrated Policing Programme (SERIP).

    5.    The PCC noted that they were in discussions with the Home Office to highlight issues with the funding formula, and stress that Surrey Police needed to be treated fairly.

    6.    The PCC explained that he was confident that the service would find the savings required to maintain a balanced budget.

    RESOLVED:

    That Members noted the report.

    Actions/Further information to be provided:

    None.

     

29/18

NEW RESPONSIBILITIES FOR POLICE AND CRIME COMMISSIONER REGARDING COMPLAINTS pdf icon PDF 446 KB

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    This report aims to outline the changes to the complaints process resulting from the Policing & Crime Act 2017. The report attempts to set a timetable for these changes to be implemented and what the impact is likely to be for the Surrey Police and Crime Panel.

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    Witnesses:

    David Munro, Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner
    Alison Bolton, Chief Executive, Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner

    Key points raised in discussion:

    1. The Chief Executive of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner explained the rationale for choosing method one as outlined in the report. It was noted that appeals arising from police complaints would be dealt with directly by the Office of Police and Crime Commissioner as outlined in legislation, highlighting that more resource would be required to do this.  Most complaints themselves would continue to be dealt with by Surrey Police as per current arrangements.

    2. Members questioned whether the PCC had considered the appointment of an independent ombudsman to deal with appeals, which could be more neutral than an ex-police force officer as suggested. Officers noted that there were positives and negatives to both options and that the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner would keep this under review to determine who would be the most effective at this role.

     

    RESOLVED:

    That the Police and Crime Panel noted the changes to the police complaints system.

     

30/18

FEEDBACK ON PERFORMANCE MEETINGS pdf icon PDF 83 KB

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    This report provides an update on the meetings that have been held between the Police & Crime Commissioner and the Chief Constable and what has been discussed in order to demonstrate that arrangements for good governance and scrutiny are in place. 

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    Witnesses:

    David Munro, Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner
    Alison Bolton, Chief Executive, Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner

    Key points raised in discussion:

    Members noted the report and added no additional comments.

    RESOLVED:

    That Members noted the report.

     

31/18

DISCLOSURE ISSUES pdf icon PDF 66 KB

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    The Police and Crime Panel to note the current scrutiny the Police & Crime Commissioner is providing on the subject of disclosure.

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    Witnesses:

    David Munro, Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner
    Alison Bolton, Chief Executive, Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner

    Key points raised in discussion:

    1. The PCC explained that he would be requesting the aid of disclosure experts in order to better understand the issues that had faced the service regarding disclosure.

    2. The PCC noted that the service wanted to build a better system of disclosure and explained that the service would be taking this issue seriously.

    3. Members questioned whether there would be an inquiry into the specific issues raised relating to disclosure. The PCC noted that the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner has this matter in hand.

    RESOLVED:

    That Members noted the report.

     

32/18

COMMISSIONERS QUESTION TIME pdf icon PDF 68 KB

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    For the Panel to raise any issues or queries concerning crime and policing in Surrey with the Commissioner.

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    Witnesses:

    David Munro, Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner
    Alison Bolton, Chief Executive, Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner

    Key points raised in discussion:

    1. Members noted that air quality on the A331 was poor and that there was a joint solution put forward with the authorities effected to reduce speed limits along this road. Members asked whether Surrey Police would provide assurance that they would comply with this and ensure that speed limits are enforced on this road. The PCC noted that he supported this and would look into the specific enquiry.

     

    Actions/further information to be provided:

    That the PCC look into this enquiry and ensure that adequate support is provided to this proposal.

     

33/18

RECOMMENDATIONS TRACKER AND FORWARD WORK PROGRAMME pdf icon PDF 57 KB

34/18

COMPLAINTS RECEIVED SINCE THE LAST MEETING pdf icon PDF 55 KB

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    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:

    Witnesses:

    None

    Key points raised in discussion:

    Members noted that one complaint had been received and that the panel was receiving legal advice regarding this. It was noted that a response would be provided to the committee when this legal advice was forthcoming.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    That the report was noted.

     

35/18

EXCLUSION OF PUBLIC

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    That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information under the relevant paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

     

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    RESOLVED:

     

    That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information under the relevant paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

     

36/18

REVIEW OF JOINT FINANCE TEAM

    The Panel to note this exempt update report.

    Minutes:

    Witnesses:

    David Munro, Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner
    Alison Bolton, Chief Executive, Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner

     Key points raised in discussion:

    Members were provided an exempt update on the review of the joint finance team.

     

    Actions/further information to be provided:

    None.

37/18

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF POLICE, FIRE AND CRIME PANELS

    The Chairman will lead a closed discussion regarding the attached letter.

    Minutes:

    Witnesses:

    None

    Key points raised in discussion:

    Members discussed the proposal for a national association of police, fire and crime panels in detail. It was agreed that the Surrey Police and Crime Panel would not participate in the national association following this discussion.

     

    RESOLVED:

    That the Surrey Police and Crime Panel would not seek membership of the national association at this time.

     

38/18

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

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    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    The next meeting of the Police and Crime Panel will be on 28 November 2018, at County Hall.