Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Bobbie Dove and Cllr Toby Johnson, they were substituted by Cllr Jane Kelly and Cllr Lawrence Williams.

Apologies were also received from Cllrs:  May Haines, David Taylor, Mark Howell and Peter Barrow

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 3 February 2022.

The minutes of the meeting held on 3 February were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

To disclose any pecuniary, other registrable or non-registrable interests as set out in the adopted Code of Conduct. In making their disclosure councillors are asked to state the agenda item, the nature of the interest and any action they propose to take as part of their declaration.

If required, further advice should be sought from the Monitoring Officer in advance of the meeting.

No declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests were made at the meeting.

To receive questions or statements on the business of the committee from town and parish councils and members of the public.

Please see attached guidance on Public Speaking

Public questions, statements and the responses from the PCC are set out in Appendix 1 to these minutes. 

To receive an update of progress against the Police and Crime Plan Q4 2021/22, to enable Panel members to scrutinise performance, seek assurance and assess outcomes achieved in the reporting period.

The PCC’s statement is at appendix 2 to these minutes.

Prior to introducing the Q4 Monitoring Report the PCC gave the panel a summary of the contents of his response following Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) report into Dorset Police which had taken place in April this year.  He highlighted the areas he would be looking into with the Chief Constable.

Moving to the quarterly report the PCC gave an overview and highlighted areas of progress within the six priority areas of the PCC’s Plan.

Priority 1 – Cut Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour. (00:22:00 On recording)

In relation to road safety concerns in rural areas and the creation of a National Collision Investigation Branch, Panel members were interested to hear more of how the new branch would dovetail into Dorset, and how this would be financed, the PCC advised that he would give an update as soon as he had more information and re-affirm how this was being funded to ensure transparency for residents.

(00:28:50 on the recording) The PCC responded to questions from the Panel regarding:

Road safety, support for young people, tangible targets and how partnership working ensured maximum impact, value for money and delivery when working with young people.

Actions: Regarding crime recording leading to investigations and positive outcomes and/or diversion rates it was suggested that an item for scrutiny be added to the Forward Workplan in 9 months+.

and

Feedback on the National Collision Investigation Branch, funding/top slicing.

and

Benchmarking in relation to positive outcomes for young people to be included in the PCC’s annual report next year.

Additional questions and responses in relation to vehicle thefts, domestic abuse, sexual harassment and stalking can be found at appendix 2 to these minutes. (00:51:00 on recording).

Supplementary questions from the panel can be found at (00:59:07 on recording).

Priority 2 – Make Policing More Visible and Connected. (01:03:35 on recording).

The PCC gave an update on 999 league tables appendix 2.

The Priority Lead for this area Mr Iain McVie put forward 3 questions (01:10:37 on the recording).  For clarity in relation to the question from the member of the public about the precept survey figures, he sought assurance that 1662 responses to the survey was enough to meet the standards set around the value of a survey. He also sought confirmation that the minutes from the Police Power Scrutiny Board were available to the public on the PCC’s website.

In response to 101 calls and information from the government advising that there would be a new contract which would divert calls that were non-police matters.  The PCC did not have an update on where this contract was.

Action: reflection on where the contact is, even if the government have forgotten about it.

Priority 3 – Fight Violent Crime and High Harm. (01:17:02 on recording)

The PCC focussed on the issues of addiction and substance misuse. 5 PCCs had come together to fight cross county drug supply in the Southwest.  More information  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To seek Members’ views on the Draft Annual Report 2021/22 in accordance with  Section 12 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011.

Panel members were requested to review the document and provide feedback by 6 July 2022.

To provide members with an update on the current position of the Strategic Alliance between Dorset Police and Devon & Cornwall Police, including financial savings, operational efficiencies, and benefits to public safety.

The Chief Executive (OPCC) presented the Strategic Alliance report which provided members with an update on the current position of the Strategic Alliance between Dorset Police and Devon & Cornwall Police, including financial savings, operational efficiencies and benefits to public safety.

Following the Chief Executives report the Panel members were invited to ask questions (02:31:47 on recording)

Questions focussed on cash savings made through the Alliance to date, whether future saving opportunities were expected, the service for the people of Dorset, the welfare of officers, the chairmanship of the Working Together Board and where training fitted into the Alliance

Proposed by Cllr Jespersen, seconded by Cllr Kerby –

Decision: to extend the 3 hour meeting time.

The Panel noted the report.

To provide members with an update on the current position of the Estates Futures Programme and the delivery of the related commitments made in the Police and Crime Plan.

The Chief Executive (OPCC) presented the Estates Futures Programme which provided Panel members with an update on the current position of the Estates Futures Programme and the delivery of the related commitments made in the Police and Crime Plan.

The focus of the Programme was to improve visibility, connectivity and  services to the public by maximising officers’ time in the community, including the addition of a rural van for those areas located more than 10 miles from a police location with a counter service.

Questions from the Panel (03:16:10 on recording).

In relation to the budget the PCC advised that there was enough contingency in the budget to enable the work to go ahead and the OPCC was keeping a close eye on the costs.  There would be environmental and sustainability gains from the new offices at Winfrith, but these were governed by operational effectiveness and the requirement of the building to be in use 24/7, 365 days of the year.  The building had to be practical and as sustainable as it was possible to make it.

It was hoped that costs of the Estates Futures Programme would be available in September, it was not anticipated that these would cause additional precept costs to fund this.

The Panel noted the report.

To receive a verbal update from the Chair of the Police and Crime Panel Complaints Sub-Committee.

There were no live complaints to report.

To receive and review the PCP Forward Plan.

The Service Manager for Assurance presented the Forward Workplan. 

The Workplan had been reviewed and updated at a Panel workshop in March of this year, this was supported by a policy document which outlined the process for submitting Key Lines of Enquiry and recent issues.  The Service Manager for Assurance highlighted the key changes.

Proposed by Cllr Jespersen, seconded by Cllr Kerby.

Decision: to approve the Forward Plan.

To consider any items of business which the Chairman has had prior notification and considers to be urgent pursuant to section 100B (4) b) of the Local Government Act 1972. The reason for the urgency shall be recorded in the minutes.

There were no urgent items.

To move the exclusion of the press and the public for the following item in view of the likely disclosure of exempt information within the meaning of paragraph 3 of schedule 12 A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

The public and the press will be asked to leave the meeting whilst the item of business is considered.

There was no exempt business.