Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed those present and led introductions.

Apologies for absence were received from Salma Manzoor, Independent Member and Parisha Chavda, Independent Member.

Members will be asked to declare any interests they have in the business on the agenda.

Members were asked to declare any pecuniary or other interest they may have in the business to be discussed on the agenda.

There were no such declarations.

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

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

The Panel received a report setting out the powers of the Panel and the process to be followed in the Confirmation Hearing.

The Panel explored the candidate’s ability to undertake the role of Chief Constable through appraisal of the supporting documents provided by the Police and Crime Commissioner.

The Panel noted the information provided by the Police and Crime Commissioner relating to the appointment of the Chief Constable which included:

·         The name of the preferred candidate

·         The criteria used to assess the candidates suitability (based on the candidate pack and the candidate’s redacted CV)

·         The terms and conditions of appointment

The Panel were provided with a report (within the agenda pack) from the Commissioner’s Independent Recruitment Panel Members to provide assurance that the appointment process was conducted fairly and openly, with the successful candidate selected on merit.

The Panel were also provided with a copy of the preferred candidate’s completed application form.

The Police and Crime Commissioner addressed the panel and gave an overview of the process followed to select his preferred candidate and stating why the preferred candidate met the criteria for the role. He highlighted Mr Robert Nixon’s extensive knowledge of policing with over 30 years’ service, mostly spent at Leicestershire Constabulary, many years of which were at chief officer level including as Acting Chief Constable since the retirement of the former Chief Constable.

The Police and Crime Commissioner commended Mr Robert Nixon to the Panel.

The Panel asked robust questions of the candidate related to his professional competence and personal independence, the answers to which enabled Members to evaluate his suitability for the role. At the end of questioning the Chair thanked the candidate for his responses and provided an opportunity to clarify any responses given.

The Chair announced that the Panel’s resolution would be notified to the Police and Crime Commissioner and confirmed in writing as specified by relevant legislation.

The Chair then asked all but Members of the Panel and the Panel’s support officers to withdraw from the meeting.

RESOLVED:

That the press and members of the public be excluded from the meeting during the Panel’s deliberations on the grounds their presence would likely involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1 and 3 of Schedule 12A of Part 1 of the Local Government Act 1972.

Panel members to discuss the proposed appointment to the role of Chief Constable of Leicestershire Constabulary and to agree their decision and recommendations to the Police and Crime Commissioner.

To resolve that the press and public be excluded from the meeting during this 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 as contained within Paragraph 3 of Part 1 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 recommendations 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.

The Panel held exempt discussions which examined the evidence provided during the Confirmation Hearing session.

Based upon the information provided by the Police and Crime Commissioner, the discussions during the Confirmation Hearing and the candidates responses to robust questioning the Panel unanimously agreed the recommendation to appoint.

RESOLVED:

That the Police and Crime Commissioner be recommended to appoint the proposed candidate Mr Robert Nixon to the position of Chief Constable of Leicestershire.

The Panel’s letter to the Police and Crime Commissioner of 24 November 2022 is appended to these minutes.

None notified.

·         Wednesday 14^th December 2022 at 1pm at Sparkenhoe Committee Room, County Hall, Glenfield, Leicestershire

To note the next ordinary meeting of the panel scheduled to Wednesday 14^th December 2022 at 1pm at County Hall.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 10.40am.