Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Loydall, Councillor Mullaney, Councillor Russell, Councillor Woodman, and Salma Manzoor.

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

There were no declarations of interest.

The minutes of the following meetings held on ……

26 July 2023 Ordinary Meeting

10 August 2023 Confirmation Hearing for appointment to the role of Chief Executive Officer

are attached and Members will be asked to confirm they are an accurate record.

RESOLVED:

                        That the minutes of the meetings held on:

                        Ordinary meeting 26 July 2023

Confirmation Hearing for appointment to the role of Chief Executive Officer 10 August 2023

be confirmed as a correct record.

None received.

No public questions had been received.  

Members to receive a report to provide the panel with an update on the activities undertaken by the Commissioner, his deputy and OPCC in relation to the delivery of the Police and Crime Plan and the Commissioner’s statutory duties covering the period June 2023 – Sept 2023.

Panel Members received a report to provide the panel with an update on the activities undertaken by the Commissioner, his deputy and OPCC in relation to the delivery of the Police and Crime Plan and the Commissioner’s statutory duties covering the period June 2023 – Sept 2023.

The PCC presented the report, it was noted that areas not yet visited by the PCC would soon receive visits. Major work was ongoing with recommissioning for Victim First. An Officer had recently started to strengthen and increase memberships of local Neighbourhood Watch schemes.

In response to a question from the Chair, the PCC stated that the Deputy PCC was very busy and a great asset. A formal report on the work of the Deputy PCC would be brought to the panel.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the contents of the report be noted.

2.    That the Panel requests a formal report in future on the work of the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner.  

Members to receive a report to present the draft Annual Report (Appendix A) for the Police and Crime Commissioner for Leicestershire for the period of 1st April 2022 to the 31st March 2023 in accordance with Section 12 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011(PRSRA).

Panel Members received a report to present the draft Annual Report (Appendix A) for the Police and Crime Commissioner for Leicestershire for the period of 1st April 2022 to the 31st March 2023 in accordance with Section 12 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011(PRSRA).

The Chief Executive Officer presented the report, it was noted that further work would be taken to improve the visuals of the report for sharing online.

In response to a question from the Chair it was noted that a large amount of training happened for Police not based in rural areas to be able to respond to rural issues.

It was noted that a formal report on Mini-Police would soon be coming to the Panel.

Further information was requested from Panel Members to be included in the report on the rationale for ethnicity data on VRN interventions being included in the report, and on good evidence practice at the VRN, and more information on the positive impact of Commissioning.

RESOLVED:
                        1. That the contents of the draft report be noted.

2. That Panel Members’ requests for amendments to the report be considered by OPCC Officers and the PCC.

Members to receive a report to give an update on the current Police Estate; providing an update on the current capital programme, ongoing projects and S106.

Panel Members received a report to give an update on the current Police Estate; providing an update on the current capital programme, ongoing projects and S106.

The Chief Finance Officer presented the report, it was noted that a large amount of this information was included in the Capital Programme that the Panel considered in February. A short paragraph had been added on Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete.

Panel Members were encouraged to work with their own Planning Authorities to ensure that S106 funds were properly assigned to Police projects.

More information as requested on the revenue impact of the proposed solar farm at Force HQ.

In response to a Member question it was noted that S106 funding was not drawn into the Capital Programme.

In response to a question from the Chair it was noted that the S106 funding formula was currently being considered by the Legal department.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the Panel notes the contents of the report.

2.    That the Panel requests further information on the estimated revenue impact of the Force HQ solar farm and on the progress of the S106 funding formula.

Members to receive a report to provide the panel with an update on the Forces positions with regards to Modern slavery and Human Trafficking (MSHT).

The Panel received an update on the Forces’ positions with regards to Modern slavery and Human Trafficking (MSHT).

The PCC presented the report, noting how seriously the Police took this issue and that they were aware of these kind of issues occurring in Asylum Seeker Hotels.

In response to a question from the Chair it was noted that these issues mainly occurred in the city and in parts of Charnwood.

Members requested more detail on how many cases were prosecuted as a result of Operation Tacit, how much specialist resource was being consumed by this work, and data on the exploitation of children.

RESOVLED:

1.    That the Panel notes the report.

2.    That the Panel quests that more information be provided on the areas raised.

Members to receive a report to provide the panel with an update on the data, activities and outcomes relating to Domestic abuse (DA) and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG)

The Panel received a report with an update on the data, activities and outcomes relating to Domestic abuse (DA) and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).

The PCC presented the report, it was noted that the domestic abuse resolution team appeared to be achieving great things and that the increase in reporting of domestic abuse that occurred during lockdown had not gone away. It was noted that a small amount of the changes in trends in statistics could have been due to a change in how cases were recorded.

In response to a question, it was noted that the data included in the report was entirely from the Police. Members noted that Local Authorities and Community Safety Partnerships also held separate data on this area however it was often on cases that didn’t go to the Police.

In response to a question, it was noted that the Police’s data was broken down by gender and by other demographic information.

In response to a question, it was noted that the definition of a positive outcome in the report weas not always tied to a prosecution and was defined as being positive for the system rather than the victim.

Members noted that these cases could take a variety of forms including an example of someone being held against their will by their in-laws.

In response to a question, it was noted that many of these reports came from parks, it had been suggested that steps such as new lighting could address some issues as this had worked at Queens Park.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the Panel notes the update.

2.    That the Panel requests more data on the demographic breakdown of cases.

Members to receive a report to provide the Panel with an update of the Corporate Governance Boards held in April 2023, June 2023 and July 2023, and the oversight of Leicestershire Police performance by the Police and Crime Commissioner for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland and his Office.

The Panel received a report to provide an update on Corporate Governance Boards held in April 2023, June 2023 and July 2023, and the oversight of Leicestershire Police performance by the Police and Crime Commissioner for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland and his Office.

The PCC presented the report, it was noted that the local Police were carrying out their own review into the 2022 East Leicester disturbances but would still provide all its information to the national review.

The Panel considered reports from the 4 Governance Board meetings, in response to questions it was noted that:

·         It was expected that the Force’s ongoing data wash would conclude I October or November. The purpose of the exercise was to ensure that old data still fit-in with new ways of recording data.

·         The PCC had provided challenge to the Force on the reducing numbers of PCSOs.

·         Neighbourhood Active was a scheme being trailed where volunteers from the community would wear branded clothing and help with community outreach work. The scheme had proven successful in St Matthews and was being considered for expansion.

·         Governance Boards were now being held once every 8 weeks.

RESOLVED:

                        That the Panel notes the report.

Members to receive a report which outlines the approach taken to address the in-year budget gap of £3.9 million and the in-year savings that will be achieved.

The Panel received a report to outline the approach taken to address the in-year budget gap of £3.9m and the in-year savings to be achieved.

The Chief Finance Officer presented the report noting that the force was currently carrying out an operation to look at removing inefficiencies and looking at productivity and demand.

In response to questions, it was noted that:

·         Income came from a number of sources, primarily grant funding.

·         Savings in body armour costs was due to securing a better price on contracts.

·         A cash terms saving on the right place, right person policy had not yet been established.

A Member requested that the official definition of a crime according to the Police be provided.

There was discussion on the 101 call service. It was noted that the service was facing an ongoing challenge of recruitment. It was noted that when the local call centre was full a call would be transferred to Northampton, but all relevant information would be passed to the local team investigating.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the Panel notes the update.

2.    That the Panel requests that the official Police definition of a crime be provided.

Members to receive a report to provide the Police and Crime Panel the updated annual recruitment and retention report of Leicestershire Police.

The Panel received a report to provide the updated annual recruitment and retention report of Leicestershire Police.

The PCC presented the report, it was noted that there was positive movement toward the target of 25% of new recruits coming from an ethnic minority. It was stated that socio-economic factors should also be considered in this work, and that retention and promotion were also crucial indicators of success.

In response to questions, it was noted that exit interviews were not mandatory so the reasons for early exits were often unknown. Early exits were a significant issue, with the rate of Officers staying on for 30 years declining. One of the reasons this was an issue was due to the resource required to train one Officer. One potential reason for the high number of recent exits was a proportion of Officers reaching retirement. Data was requested on how this Force compared with others around the country on this issue. It was noted that the PCC had provided challenge to the Force on this issue. It was requested that a future update include details of entry and exits points for Officers.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the Panel notes the report.

2.    That the Panel requests that a further update include the points raised by the Panel.

Members will be asked to note the work programme and consider any future items for inclusion.

The Work Programme was noted.

It was suggested that reports could be added on the serious violence strategy and service improvement for rape victims.

The next meeting is to be held on Wednesday 13 December at 1pm, location to be confirmed.

Dates for 2024 will be set in consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair and Members will be notified as soon as they are confirmed.

The date of the next meeting was confirmed as 13 December 2023. The Chair announced that following this meeting, the administration of the Panel would transfer to Leicestershire County Council. The Chair thanked Jacob Mann for his time administering the Panel.

There being no other business, the meeting closed at 2.31pm.