Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Dr Elizabeth Mytton and Cllrs David Flagg (BCP Council) and Andrew Starr (Dorset Council).

 

The Chairman welcomed those present and took the opportunity to thank past members for their contributions to the Panel. In addition, he expressed his gratitude to the outgoing clerk, who was leaving Dorset Council.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 1 February 2024.

The minutes of the meeting held on 1 February 2024 were confirmed and signed.

 

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.

 

Representatives of town or parish councils and members of the public who live, work, or represent an organisation within the Dorset Council area are welcome to submit either one question or one statement for each meeting.  You are welcome to attend the meeting in person or via MS Teams to read out your question and to receive the response.   If you submit a statement for the committee this will be circulated to all members of the committee in advance of the meeting as a supplement to the agenda and appended to the minutes for the formal record but will not be read out at the meeting.

 

The first eight questions and the first eight statements received from members of the public or organisations for each meeting will be accepted on a first come first served basis in accordance with the deadline set out below.  For further information please see Public Participation - Dorset Council  

 

All submissions must be emailed in full to chris.harrod@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

by 8.30am on Monday 22 July 2024.

  

When submitting your question or statement please note that:  

  

- You can submit one question or one statement.

- A question may include a short pre-amble to set the context.  

- It must be a single question and any sub-divided questions will not be permitted. 

- Each question will consist of no more than 450 words, and you will be given up to three minutes to present your question.  

- When submitting a question please indicate who the question is for (e.g. the name of the committee or Portfolio Holder)  

- Include your name, address, and contact details.  Only your name will be published but we may need your other details to contact you about your question or statement in advance of the meeting.  

- Questions and statements received in line with the council’s rules for public participation will be published as a supplement to the agenda.

- All questions, statements and responses will be published in full within the minutes of the meeting.  

 

Dorset Council Constitution - Procedure Rule 9

 

Councillor Questions

 

Councillors can submit up to two valid questions at each meeting and sub divided questions count towards this total. Questions and statements received will be published as a supplement to the agenda and all questions, statements and responses will be published in full within the minutes of the meeting.

 

The submissions must be emailed in full to chris.harrod@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk by 8.30am on Monday 22 July 2024.

 

Dorset Council Constitution – Procedure Rule 13

A question relating to violence against women had been received and has been included, together with the response from the Police and Crime Commissioner, as appendix 2 to these minutes.

 

 

 To present members with an update on the Police and Crime Commissioner’s approach to his Police and Crime Plan, as well as to update members on the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Annual Report 2023/24.

 

 

The Police and Crime Commissioner provided a brief update on the published plan and explained that there were currently efforts underway to give it a refresh it based on emerging issues that had become apparent during his campaign seeking re-election in May.

 

Noted

To receive the Q4 Monitoring Report 2023/24.

The PCC gave an update on process against the Police and Crime Plan.

 

Priority One - Cut Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour – 0:21:08 on the recording

 

The PCC highlighted that Anti-Social Behaviour had dropped over the last quarter and that he was focussed on road safety. Burglary was also a key focus of the PCC and he explained that additional equipment had been provided to support vulnerable victims of burglary.

 

Questions from the Priority Leads and Panel members. (attached at appendix 1).

Panel members were given the opportunity to ask questions. The PCC responded in detail to questions in relation to Auto Speedwatch schemes, police attendance where retail crime has occurred, visible patrolling and the success of prevention of burglary packs in collaboration with estate agents. The PCC also advised that following the general election, he was keen to engage with the MPs across Dorset to ensure that it was the safest county and would continue lobbying for additional funding.

 

Priority Two – Make Policing More Visible and Connected – 0:45:50 on the recording

 

The PCC highlighted the work being undertaken as part of priority two of the plan.

 

Questions from the Priority Leads and Panel members. (attached at appendix 1).

 

Panel members were given the opportunity to ask questions. The PCC responded to questions in relation to the introduction of a new platform for officers to use remotely, improvements in call handling and response times to both the 999 and 101 services, restoration of monthly NPT meetings with ward councillors and the addition of an “add media” function to the submission of intelligence feature on the website. In addition, he set out an ambition highlighting the need to change how the police operated in terms of systems and communications.

 

Action: The PCC would provide more information about the single online home at the next meeting of the Police and Crime Panel.

 

Priority Three – Fight Violent Crime and High Harm – 01:16:13 on the recording

 

The PCC highlighted the work being undertaken as part of priority three of the plan.

 

Questions from the Priority Leads and Panel members. (attached at appendix 1).

 

Panel members were given the opportunity to ask questions. The PCC responded to questions in relation to the Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) and the ability to attract funding for it.

 

Priority Four – Fight Rural Crime – 01:38:47 on the recording

 

The PCC highlighted the work being undertaken as part of priority four of the plan.

 

Panel members were given the opportunity to ask questions. The PCC responded to questions in relation to Fly-Tipping, particularly around prevention and enforcement activity.

 

Priority Five – Put Victim and Communities First – 01:45:00 on the recording

 

The PCC highlighted the work being undertaken as part of priority five of the plan.

 

Panel members were given the opportunity to ask questions. The PCC responded to questions in relation to the UKPAC pilot.

 

Priority Six – Make Every Penny Count – 02:01:56 on the recording

 

The PCC highlighted the work being  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

To provide an update on Addiction and Substance Misuse delivery, within Priority Three of the Police and Crime Plan – fight violent crime and high harm.

To detail progress to date and the actions undertaken or directed by the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) to meet the commitments set out in the Plan.

To address three Key Lines of Enquiry as provided by the Dorset Police and Crime Panel: 

 

2:15:12 on the recording

 

The PCC introduced the report and provided the panel with a comprehensive narrative which set out the difficulties caused by addiction. The PCC was keen to highlight the inclusion of gambling, a subject that was often left untouched, and felt should receive more awareness.

 

NOTE: Due to a time constraint, prior to panel member questioning, the Chairman allowed re-ordered part of the agenda to ensure that the election of chair item could be resolved and to move that the meeting could continue after the three hour time limit.

 

Panel members were given the opportunity to ask questions – 02:55:34 on the recording.

 

The PCC responded to questions in relation to his campaign centred on drugs (including possession), a trial that created ‘safe spaces’ for opioid use which he did not support and his stance on “victim vs criminal” when considering ‘county lines’ situations.

 

Action: Informal training date to be planned to allow for further discussion.

 

NOTED

To elect Chair, Vice Chair of PCP and Complaints Sub-committee.

It was Proposed by Cllr Bown and seconded by Cllr Trent that Cllr Keddie be elected as Chair of the Police and Crime Panel.

 

Two nominations were received for vice-chair – Cllr Bown and Dr Elizabeth Mytton, but following a split vote, it was proposed and seconded that the position of Vice-Chair be determined at the next meeting.

 

Resolved that:

 

1. Cllr Alistair Keddie be elected as Chair of the Police and Crime Panel for a 1-year term.

The vice-chair be elected at the following meeting.

To receive a verbal report from the Service Manager for Assurance.

The Service Manager for Assurance advised that there would shortly be a recruitment exercise for a new co-opted member, and it was expected that they would be in post ready for the December meeting.

To receive a verbal update from the Service Manager for Assurance.

The Service Manager for Assurance advised that there were no live complaints against the Police and Crime Commissioner.

 

He also advised that there was a need to appoint five members to the Police and Crime Panel Complaints Sub-Committee and that Dr Liz Mytton and Cllrs Patrick Canavan, Louis O’Leary, Peter Sidaway and Carl Woode had put themselves forward for this role, subject to the Panel’s approval. This was proposed by Cllr O’Leary and seconded by Cllr Louise Bown

 

Resolved that Dr Liz Mytton and Cllrs Patrick Canavan, Louis O’Leary, Peter Sidaway and Carl Woode be appointed to the Police and Crime Panel Complaints Sub-Committee.

To discuss the Forward Workplan.

The forward workplan was noted.

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 was no urgent business.

 

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 are no exempt items scheduled for this meeting.  

 

There was no exempt business