Meeting documents

An apology for absence was received from Janet Dover, Dorset County Council.

Panel members are required to comply with the requirements of the Localism Act 2011 regarding disclosable pecuniary interests.

§     Check if there is an item of business on this agenda in which the member or other relevant person has a disclosable pecuniary interest.

§     Check that the interest has been notified to the Monitoring Officer (in writing) and entered in the Register (if not this must be done on the form available from the clerk within 28 days).

§     Disclose the interest at the meeting (in accordance with the County Council’s Code of Conduct) and in the absence of a dispensation to speak and/or vote, withdraw from any consideration of the item.

The Register of Interests is available on Dorsetforyou.com and the list of disclosable pecuniary interests is set out on the reverse of the form.

There were no declarations by members of disclosable pecuniary interests under the Code of Conduct.

To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 26 June 2018.

The minutes of the meeting held on 26 June 2018 were confirmed and signed.

The Group Manager, Governance and Finance outlined the following actions:-

Minute 20 – PCC’s Draft Annual Report 2017/18 – That the final PCC Draft Annual Report be circulated to the panel prior to publication.

Minute 21 – Police and Crime Plan 2017/21 – That the OPCC circulates a copy of the final version of the revised Police and Crime Plan.

Minute 26 – Work Programme – Requested items were either included on the Agenda or had been scheduled on the Work Programme for inclusion at a future meeting of the Panel.

Public Speaking

There were no public questions received at the meeting in accordance with Standing Order 21(1).

There were no public statements received at the meeting in accordance with Standing Order 21(2).

Petitions

There were no petitions received at the meeting in accordance with the County Council’s Petition Scheme.

To consider a report from the Chief Executive, OPCC on the proposed merger, providing information and an assessment against the Key Lines of Enquiry (KLOEs) agreed by the Panel at its last meeting.

The Panel received a report from the Chief Executive, OPCC which provided members with an overview of the governance and due diligence process undertaken by the Police and Crime Commissioner in respect of his approach to reaching a decision on the full business case for the proposed merger of Dorset Police and Devon & Cornwall Police.

The Chairman highlighted the PCP’s Key Lines of Enquiry (KLOE) that had been agreed at their meeting in June 2018 and which the Panel would be using to scrutinise the PCC’s assessment and evaluation of the Police Merger proposal and would therefore form the basis for members’ questions.

The PCC reminded members of the history relating to the Merger and gave a presentation on ‘Creating a new force for the future’ (attached as an Annexure to these minutes).  The backbone of this presentation hinged around the Panel’s KLOE.

Following an explanation of the Merger process the PCC shared a letter that he had received from the PCC from Devon and Cornwall following reports in the press that she no longer supported the merger.  The letter explained her rationale for not supporting the merger, citing the main reason being that the Government would not give her the flexibility to increase the council tax and she remained unconvinced that sufficient public support had been evidenced.

The results of the public consultation showed there had been11,282 responses. The different methods of engagement were highlighted and it was noted that there was more support for the merger in Dorset than in Devon and Cornwall.

In order for members to determine that appropriate procedures had been followed by the Dorset PCC in respect of the proposed Merger they asked a number of questions based on their KLOE:-

Economic Basis

In respect of the Aim/Weighting/Weighted Score figures to back up the percentages, the Chief Executive, OPCC advised that the figures were not a financial score list but more about benefits and comparisons of the three options.  The data had been compiled by Policing experts.  He emphasised that the model  and methodology had been scrutinised and endorsed by the Home Office.

One member commented he was pleased to see optimism bias and risk included in the figures.

Following the recent announcement from the PCC Devon & Cornwall, one member asked if the Alliance would continue irrespective of what happened with Devon & Cornwall.   The PCC confirmed they could continue with Strategic Alliance plus, although he had concerns about what would happen with the workforce in respect of terms and conditions and harmonisation.  The PCC expressed disappointment at the way in which communications had been handled by the PCC Devon & Cornwall.

In response to a question about who the Panel of experts were, the Chief Executive, OPCC advised it was made up of workforce colleagues from across the business.  The Delphi Panel methodology, which was set by the Government, was used and further details were contained within the Business Case. 

Efficiency

In respect of supervisory posts a panel member asked would the PCC and Chief  ...  view the full minutes text for item 32.

To receive an update of progress against the Police and Crime Plan Q4 2017/18. Each ‘Pillar’ of the Police and Crime Plan will be reviewed in turn, supported through a brief introduction from the PCC and the PCP ‘Pillar Lead’.

·         Pillar 1 – Protecting People at Risk and Harm (Cllr Kerby and Cllr Quayle)

·         Pillar 2 - Working with our Communities (Cllr Iyengar and Cllr Davis)

·         Pillar 3 – Supporting Victims, Witnesses and Reducing Reoffending (Cllr Pipe and Cllr Manuel)

·         Pillar 4 – Transforming for the Future (Iain McVie)

The following documents have been produced to support the discussion.

Annex A – Alliance Drone Team

Annex B – Cybercrime update

Annex C1 - ICT Company Update – Benefits Statement

Annex C2 – Dorset Benefits Statement

Annex D - Finance

The Panel considered a report informing them of the progress against the Police and Crime Plan and Priorities 2017-21.  The report provided information on the financial outturn position for Quarter 1 2018/19.  Members also received updates on the following areas:-

·         Alliance Drone Team

·         Cybercrime

·         Police ICT Company update, including Dorset Benefits Statement

·         Dorset Benefits Statement

·         Finance

The PCC highlighted areas of work related to each of the pillar themes.  Members of the Panel who were leading on each of the themes in the Plan, were also invited to provide updates.

Pillar 1 – Protecting People at Risk and Harm – Cllr Andrew Kerby/Cllr Byron Quayle

Cllr Kerby advised the Panel he had recently met with PCC and the team. He was planning Spotlight Scrutiny exercises on DBS checks and Modern Slavery.

In terms of vulnerability, he believed the OPCC’s activity to be at an adequate level and had been impressed with the ‘out of the box’ thinking that was ongoing. He highlighted utilising police cadets in respect of vulnerable people as a means to plug the gaps in youth provision.

He explained the piloting of return home interviews in respect of an adult that had gone missing, and highlighted the police resources on this.   These interviews were currently only done with children that had gone missing. 

Knife crime activities were highlighted and the PCC hoped to re-energise awareness of this.

In relation to the increase of recorded hate crimes, the PCC commented they were in the process of trying to understand this but felt that incidents were under reported.  He was trying to change the thought of some people that hate crime wasn’t a ‘real’ crime.  Prejudice Dorset were aware of this issue and were working to try and address this.

Pillar 2 – Working with our Communities – Cllr Bernie Davis/ Cllr Mohan Iyengar

Cllr Iyengar highlighted that there had been a good take up in respect of the consultations on the drink drive limit.  The findings would be presented to a National Police and Crime Commissioner group and the PCC intended to present them to the Department of Transport.

In respect of the digitisation of cameras, the PCC noted that the way forward was average speed cameras but felt there would not be the funding for them in the next 10 years.

The PCC made reference to the get safe online project and noted that they were continuing the message to members of the public to keep safe online.

Following a discussion about Neighbourhood Watch, the PCC advised that whilst membership was declining, it could be morphing into something more relevant and useful.

Following a question about underwater drones, the PCC explained how useful they had been in searching for and locating missing persons.  It was really helpful for families to have the bodies of their loved ones located and/or recovered as soon as possible. In respect of searching for drugs, drones could be useful but would need the intelligence cue to support this activity.

Pillar 3 –  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33.

To receive a report from the Pillar Lead for Transforming the Future.

The Panel considered a final scrutiny report on the use of body worn videos (BWV) which provided a high level of assurance in respect of the current arrangements in respect of BWV.  The PCC welcomed the outcomes and observations that had been raised for his consideration from the review exercise.  He congratulated Mr McVie for such a well-executed review which had led to such a clear and helpful report.

The Chief Executive, OPCC, advised members that the project had gone ‘live’ this week.

Resolved

That the PCC would provide an update for the Panel post implementation, including the key findings from the proposed survey from users in the 2019/20 policing plan year.

To consider the Work Programme for the Panel.

The Panel considered its Work Programme and noted the items to be considered for their next meeting on 13 November 2018:-

• Police and Crime Monitoring Report
• Precept 2018/19 – Update on the use of monies identified for targeted activity
• OPCC update on complaints management

Items for consideration in the Forward Plan for 2019 to include:-

• Bodyworn videos update
• Frontline Policing – deep dive exercise

Resolved

That the work programme be updated accordingly.

To receive an update from the Chairman of the Panel of any non-criminal complaints that have been received by the Panel in respect of the PCC.

The Group Manager – Governance and Assurance advised members that no new complaints about the PCC had been received.

However, members were advised that further contact had been received from a previous complainant.  The Group Manager had investigated the complaint and upheld the previous view of the Chief Executive, OPCC.  Following a meeting between the Monitoring Officer and the Chairman it was agreed that a response would be sent to the complainant to advise that all avenues in this matter had now been exhausted. It was suggested that if the complainant wished to pursue this matter further then the Local Government Ombudsman should be consulted.

Noted

To answer any questions received in writing by the Chief Executive by not later than 10.00am on 24 September 2018.

There were no questions by members of the Panel.