Key
points raised during the discussion:
- The Chairman
explained that the Panel had a liaison meeting with the Sussex
Police and Crime Panel Chairman and Vice - Chairmen who gave
details of an item on their agenda called Commissioners Question
Time. It was as an opportunity for Members to expand and discuss
matters that were not on the agenda with the PCC.
- A written question
was given in advance of the meeting to the PCC by a Member of the
Panel which read the following, ‘Judge Peter Moss in a recent
case at Guildford Crown Court criticised Surrey Police for not
prosecuting an Albanian man for having six wraps of cocaine when he
was arrested for having improper identity documents,’. What
is Surrey’s current policy on possession and whether there
has been any change in this policy in the last three years whether
the PCC was confident Surrey Police was acting in accordance with
this policy’?.
- The PCC thanked the
Member for advance notice on this question and responded with
giving the Panel assurance that there is no policy; rather that
Surrey Police act in accordance with the law and that there has
been no change in the last three years. Surrey Police are there to
uphold the law which may involve making difficult
decisions.
- The Vice Chairman
asked the PCC how often he had met with leaders of Faith groups in
Surrey. The PCC informed the Panel that his visit to the Shah
Jehan Mosque in Woking was cancelled
but another meeting had been scheduled. He assured the Panel that
he intends to visit the mosque and other major mosques as he is
keen to engage with faith groups. The PCC also explained that he
had met with Surrey Minority Ethnic Forum (SMEF) and other various
BME groups.
- The Chairman
indicated that the previous PCC used to hold ‘Crime
Summits’ to engage with residents on policing matters,
however it was brought to the Panel’s attention the
PCC’s intention was to visit overview and scrutiny committees
instead. The PCC explained that he does not intend to exclusively
attend overview and scrutiny committees, however attends such
meetings where his diary permits him. The PCC informed the Panel
his visits have stretched over neighbourhood watch meetings, parish
council meetings and community safety meetings.
- The PCC indicated he
is open minded towards crime summits and there are three more years
of his term to serve.
- The Chairman advised
attending overview and scrutiny committees was not an appropriate
use of the PCC’s time and a duplication as Members of the
Panel were also there too and could feedback the work of the PCC to
those in attendance at these meetings. The PCC emphasised he will
attend meetings where he is requested and where his diary
commitments permit him.
- A Member expressed
the cost implications of holding crime summits and suggested that
attending Joint Committees would be more beneficial as these
meetings have a high attendance level from the public.
- It was brought to the
Panel’s attention that the PCC’s predecessor would
notify Boroughs and Districts before attending meetings in their
area and asked that this information could be provided again by the
current PCC.
- A Member of the Panel
asked the PCC to consider a commissioner’s forum event which
would give the PCC an opportunity to talk about specific policing
issues. The PCC welcomed this suggestion and informed the board he
organised a similar event at Elmbridge
Borough Council which ran successfully.
- A Member raised a
concern with the seating plan and suggested that this be reviewed
for the next meeting. The Chairman noted this point.
RESOLVED:
The Panel agreed to include
Commissioners Question Time as ‘standing item’ to each
Panel meeting agenda.
ACTIONS/FURTHER INFORMATION TO BE PROVIDED:
None