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

14/19

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

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    The Chairman to report apologies for absence.

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    Apologies were received from Councillors Pat Frost, Victor Broad, Andrew Burley and Peter Waddell.

15/19

MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING pdf icon PDF 92 KB

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    To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 4 February 2019 as a correct record.

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    The Minutes of the meeting held on 4 February 2019 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

16/19

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.

17/19

PUBLIC QUESTIONS pdf icon PDF 69 KB

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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:

    Two questions were submitted by Mr Jonathan King for the Panel’s response.  These and the responses are attached as Annex A.

     

    . 

18/19

CONFIRMATION HEARING FOR APPOINTMENT TO THE ROLE OF CHIEF CONSTABLE OF SURREY POLICE pdf icon PDF 72 KB

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    Following notification from the Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner of his intention to appoint the preferred candidate, Mr Gavin Stephens, to the role of Chief Constable of Surrey Police, for the Surrey Police and Crime Panel to hold a Confirmation Hearing, in accordance with Schedule 8 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011.

     

    NB The Panel will hold a closed session at the end of the agenda to agree its recommendation to the Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner.

     

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    The Chairman welcomed Mr Gavin Stephens to the meeting and stated that this was the formal confirmation hearing for the proposed appointment of Chief Constable of Surrey Police.

     

    He informed the Panel that on 18 March he had received formal notification that the Police and Crime Commissioner wanted to appoint Mr Gavin Stephens as Chief Constable of Surrey Police and that in accordance with Schedule 8 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011, the public confirmation hearing had been convened in order for Panel Members to consider the proposed appointment of Chief Constable. 

     

    He explained that the Panel was invited to question the candidate on whether he had the professional competence and personal independence to exercise the role. He said that following the question and answer session, the Panel would go into a private session to decide upon the recommendation to the Commissioner and that following this he would write to the Commissioner with the Panel’s recommendation.

     

    The Police and Crime Commissioner stated Mr Stephens had undergone a thorough selection process. He paid tribute to all those involved in the process and thanked them for the advice that they had provided him with. He said that he firmly recommended that Mr Stephens be appointed to the Chief Constable role.

     

    Panel Members were invited to question Mr Stephens and a summary of the questions and responses can be found below.

     

    ·         Mr Stephens was asked to elaborate on his role of preventative policing and he explained that part of his national role with the Police Chiefs Council was community policing.  They had produced guidelines for neighbourhood policing which was evidence based.  Studies had shown that one of the key things for preventative policing was problem solving with communities and local partners; to identify and understand the problem and cause and finding sustainable solutions together.  He went on to say that it was important for communities to feel safe and visible/engaged policing was a part of that.

    ·         A Member asked how Mr Stephens would deal with the conflict between provision of visible policing and the changing nature of crime. Mr Stephens explained there had been research into reassurance versus crime reduction, which showed visible policing to be effective when using data to inform targeted activity, that was sustained.

    ·         In response to a question regarding communicating with staff regarding the new headquarters Mr Stephens explained the approach to modern agile working and stated that he was realistic that not all staff would want, or could, move to a different location.  He explained that communication with staff had been taking place for 18 months now and included regular written material, short videos produced with Commissioner and had been on BBC radio Surrey.

    ·         Mr Stephens was asked what strategies he would use to ensure a diverse workforce to replicate the diverse communities of Surrey.  He replied that he was on the Equalities Board and had developed a mentoring scheme, encouraged flexible working and had invested in staff to recruit directly from underrepresented communities.  He  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18/19

19/19

POLICE AND CRIME PLAN UPDATE pdf icon PDF 144 KB

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    To consider progress made against the agreed Surrey Police and Crime Plan.

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    Key points raised during discussion:

     

    In response to Member queries the Commissioner explained that:

    1.    Borough Commander’s had increased responsibilities and he was not against calling them district commanders in the districts.

    2.    With regards to keeping children safe the Commissioner explained that there were over 300 schools in the county and was quite a task to visit them all.  There was much work being done but it was acknowledged that there was more to do.

    3.    The report talked about SE Regional integrated policing and the Commissioner stated that there was an emphasis on regional collaborative working and that a Memorandum of Understanding was to be signed by four county forces and that he would be happy to bring a report back to a future meeting.

    4.    The Commissioner agreed that the number crimes solved was of personal concern to him but that he was encouraged by the temporary Chief Constable’s response and explanation as to why the numbers had gone down.

    5.    The Police Women’s Network was a group open to all women who worked for police including the Commissioner’s Office.  The Vice Chair of the network was a police officer.

    6.    The Interim Chief Executive explained the term Street Homeless Navigator which was a project that involved wrap-around care for vulnerable people and to make everyone count and to prevent crime.  Homelessness was a big issue in crime and Navigators help with that project.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    That the report be noted.

     

    Actions/Further information to be provided:

     

    That a report on regional collaborative working as well as the Memorandum of Understanding be put on the Work Plan.

20/19

POLICING RESOURCES pdf icon PDF 834 KB

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    For the Panel to note the report.

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    Key points raised during discussion:

    1.    The Commissioner explained that he had so far held engagement meetings at three boroughs which had had good attendance and received feedback from them. A Member asked if the Commissioner would check with the districts/borough councils to see what was going on before the Commission confirmed dates of engagement events. 

    2.    In response to a Panel query the Commissioner confirmed that there were no savings to be made from CCTV monitoring following the rise in the precept.  He also explained that to improve the CCTV offer a pan-county partnership was needed.

    3.    The Panel asked if there was a strategy on how CCTV was monitored and used across the county as it was noted there was no overall strategy on what systems were used across the county which may have a detrimental effect when needed to provide evidence.  The Commissioner explained that he was to attend a meeting that afternoon to discuss this topic.  He stressed that a wider partnership working was needed to move this forward and he hoped to bring a strategy to the Panel in the future.

    4.    A Member praised the improvement of the 101 service but expressed concern about the number of civilian people leaving the police service and that it was not stabilised.  The Commissioner said that he was not happy with the figures but they were better than a few years ago and continued to monitor the situation.

    5.    A Member gave good account of the engagement event he had attended but asked that this be broadened to include all public rather than just neighbourhood watch.  The Commissioner explained that public engagement was at the fore of police work and that there were some hard to reach groups and a cost involved but would seek to be as inclusive as possible.

    6.    One Member asked that a recommendation be made, as a Panel, to district and borough councils to encourage collaborative working on CCTV which each Panel Member could take back to their respective councils.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.    That the report be noted.

    2.    That all Members of the Panel will take back to their respective districts/councils this Panel’s request that collaborative working on CCTV be taken forward.

     

    Actions/Further information to be provided:

     

    That all Members of the Panel will take back to their respective districts/councils the need for collaborative working on CCTV.

21/19

HMICFRS INSPECTION REPORTS pdf icon PDF 73 KB

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    For the Panel to note the report.

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    Key points raised during discussion:

    1.    The Commissioner stated that the national report on fraud contained hard hitting criticisms on a national basis.  The Commissioner would take these on board but was of the belief that the problem was a national one and therefore should be dealt with on a national basis and not locally.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    The Panel noted the report.

     

    Actions/Further information to be provided:

     

    None.

22/19

VIDEO ENABLED JUSTICE pdf icon PDF 79 KB

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    For the Panel to note the report.

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    Key points raised during discussion:

    1.    The Panel discussed the complexities around the provision of this service in terms of availability and national linkage.  The Commissioner explained that issues were recognised nationally and that a lead was looked for from central government on improving the situation.

    2.    The Chairman offered to write a letter to Government, on behalf of the Panel, in support of the need to improve the service nationally.  The Commissioner thanked the Chairman and would contact the Chairman further on this.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    The Panel noted the report.

     

    Actions/Further information to be provided:

     

    The Commissioner to contact the Chairman further with regards to writing a letter to Government on this service.

     

    Cllr Graham Ellwood left the meeting for the next three items and returned to the room at the start of the Forward Plan item.

     

23/19

FEEDBACK ON PERFORMANCE MEETINGS pdf icon PDF 109 KB

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    For the Panel to note the report.

     

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    Key points raised during discussion:

    1.    The Panel received a report on management meetings between the Commissioner and Chief Constable.

    2.    A Member asked what resources had been put into rural crime to which the Commissioner responded that there was a new person in the post of rural crime liaison officer.  He also said  that some of the extra 100 police to be taken on with the increased precept would be directed to deal with rural crime.

    3.    The Commissioner was asked what was meant by ‘commercial robbery’ to which he replied that this was crimes against businesses but would provide more information to the Panel.

    4.    The Panel asked if the rise in the number of times the custody suite was closed had a direct link on the drop of number arrested and detained?  The Commissioner stated that the two were not related but a fuller explanation would be given to the Panel.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    To note the report.

     

    Actions/Further information to be provided:

     

    That the Commissioner would provide fuller responses to the questions relating to commercial robbery and the link between closure of the custody suite vs drops in numbers arrested.

24/19

COMMISSIONER'S QUESTION TIME pdf icon PDF 69 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:

    Key points raised during discussion:

     

    1.    There were no questions put to the Commissioner.

    2.    The Commissioner stated that there would be a Part 2 update on the new police headquarters to the next meeting.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    That the Forward Plan and Tracker be noted.

     

    Actions/Further information to be provided:

     

    To add a Part 2 item on the Forward Plan for an update on the new police headquarters.

25/19

COMPLAINTS RECEIVED SINCE THE LAST MEETING pdf icon PDF 64 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:

    Key points raised during discussion:

     

    The Complaints Sub-Committee has not received any new complaints since the last Panel meeting but there was one outstanding from September 2018 which had now been resolved.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    The Panel noted the report.

     

26/19

RECOMMENDATIONS TRACKER AND FORWARD WORK PROGRAMME pdf icon PDF 59 KB

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    To review the Recommendations Tracker and Forward Work Programme.

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    Key points raised during discussion:

     

    1.    The Panel noted that all tracker items were now completed.

    2.    The Vice Chairman requested a future item on police recruiting and more on the process of recruitment.  The Commissioner asked for this to broadened as he had recently asked the police for a report on workforce planning.  Another Member asked for this to include joint recruiting. The Commissioner and Chairman agreed.

      

    RESOLVED:

     

    That the Forward Plan and Tracker be noted.

     

    Actions/Further information to be provided:

     

    That an agenda item on police recruitment/work planning be added to the Forward Plan.

27/19

VOTE OF THANKS

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    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    Key points raised during discussion:

     

    The Chairman explained that the next meeting of the Panel was the AGM and that following local elections there may be a change of membership and therefore thanked Members of the Panel for their conduct stating that it had been a pleasure to Chair the Panel.

     

    The Panel wished Alison Bolton good luck with her impending birth and welcomed Lisa Herrington as the temporary Chief Executive.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.    That the Panel extended good luck to Alison Bolton with her impending birth.

     

    2.    That thanks to the Panel Members from the Chairman be noted.

     

28/19

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

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    The next public meeting of the Police and Crime Panel will be held on 27 June 2019 at 10.30am in the Ashcombe Suite, County Hall, Kingston upon Thames.

     

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    RESOLVED:

     

    That the next meeting would be held on 27 June 2019 was noted.

29/19

EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND 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 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 paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

     

30/19

CLOSED SESSION TO DISCUSS PROPOSED APPOINTMENT TO THE ROLE OF CHIEF CONSTABLE OF SURREY POLICE

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    Following notification from the Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner of his intention to appoint the preferred candidate, Mr Gavin Stephens, to the role of Chief Constable of Surrey Police, for the Surrey Police and Crime Panel to hold a closed session to agree its recommendation to the Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner.

     

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    The Panel deliberated over the questions and responses provided and then voted, to recommend that Mr Gavin Stephens be appointed to the position of Chief Constable of Surrey Police.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    That the proposed candidate, Mr Gavin Stephens, be recommended to be appointed to the position of Chief Constable of Surrey Police.