Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Mrs D Holden, Mr M Johnson, Mr J Little and Mr P McSweeney.

To receive any declarations of interest.

There were no declarations of interest on this occasion.

To consider whether the press and public should be excluded from the meeting during consideration of any item on the Agenda.

RESOLVED,    that the press and public be not excluded from the meeting for any items of business on this occasion.

To receive any items of public participation.

(Questions and petitions must be received in writing by Lynn Harker, Senior Democratic Services Officer at least seven working days before the date of the Panel meeting).

There were no items of public participation to be considered at this meeting.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 9 July 2021 (copy enclosed).

RESOLVED,    that the minutes of the meeting held on 9 July 2021 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

(1)    Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner Budget Report

To receive a report from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (copy enclosed).

(2)    Cumbria Constabulary Budget Report

To consider a report from Cumbria Constabulary (copy enclosed).

(1)    Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner Budget Report

The Panel received a report from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) which provided the Commissioner’s Financial Summary 2021/22 forecast as at 31 July 2021. 

Members noted the expenditure and income variances which included -£31k from the Office of the PCC which was largely as a result of a combination of reduced expenditure on staffing in the OPCC, transport costs and supplies and services. 

The Panel noted the +£10k from other PCC budgets which included additional expenditure on premises (£1k) mostly due to increased property repair and maintenance (£10k), offset by reductions utilities (£2k), rent and rates (£4k) and cleaning (£3k) together with reduction in investment income of £8k.

Members were informed of the funding provided to the Constabulary overspend £244k, noting that the key themes included an overall forecasted expenditure which was close to budget at the moment, overtime pressures emerging for officers and, to a lesser extent, staff in all commands/directorates; additional costs of Operation Uplift as a result of accelerated recruitment of officers, particularly in late 2021/22 and re-structuring of officer posts. +£191k.  Officers explained the Constabulary recruitment plan in relation to Operation Uplift continued to proceed well. 

The Panel noted that savings on police staff pay as a result of higher than forecast vacancies -£454k, forecast financial impact of Operation Lectern (direct and indirect) as an overspend of £162k with savings reported on most non staff budgets offset by reduced income.

(2)    Cumbria Constabulary Budget Report

The Panel considered a report from Cumbria Constabulary which provided details of the Constabulary’s Revenue Budget Monitoring 2021/22.

Members noted that the forecast expenditure out?turn on Operation Uplift reflected the recruitment of an additional 51 FTE officers by 31 March 2021 and a forecast additional 47 by 31 March 2022.  It was explained that the figures excluded a further £1.223m of expenditure in relation to recruitment of officers over and above the Operation Uplift target and an additional nine Sergeant posts which were forecast to be incurred in 2021/22 and had largely been budgeted.

The Panel was informed that the forecast overspend on police officer pay predominantly related to changes in profiled recruitment of Uplift cohorts, the allocation of two police officer trainers and payments for unsociable hours.  Officers explained that staffing in support of the additional recruitment and servicing the additional officers was underspent by £213k; this related to reduced staff trainer requirements.

Members were informed that the Combined Impact of Operation Lectern was a net increased cost of £162k which comprised of COVID related spend £559k (included PPE and additional COVID patrols), less Home Office surge funding of -£480k, plus loss of routine Constabulary Income £374k (policing of events, driver awareness etc) less savings on core budgets £291k (including vehicle hire, vehicle fuel, travel, accommodation & subsistence).

The Panel asked whether an assessment of the potential economic situation had taken place, highlighting potential budget pressures and the wider budget impacts.  Officers acknowledged this was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

To consider a report from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (copy enclosed).

The Panel considered a report from the PCC which detailed the final draft of the Police and Crime Plan for 2021?25; setting out the Police and Crime Commissioner’s objectives for policing and for the work undertaken with partner agencies to keep Cumbria safe.

Members were informed that an eight-week public consultation had taken place, which included comments being sought on the draft Plan from partner organisations involved in the countywide ‘Safer Cumbria’, to seek views on the crime issues which presented the biggest concern in local areas.  It was explained that the final Plan would be published in November 2021.

A discussion took place regarding partnership working and members were informed that at a local level a Cyber Unit had been established which largely focused on vulnerability, including child exploitation.  It was explained that the main agency commissioned to deal with more serious online crime was ‘Get Safe on Line’, a resource providing practical advice on how to protect against fraud, identity theft, viruses and other problems encountered online. 

Members were informed that details of commissioned services and key partners were published on the OPCC’s website. 

The Panel suggested there was a need to have the ability to develop a set of local performance indicators and measures to quantify what needed to be delivered over the next four years.  Officers explained there would be a dashboard on the national policing outcomes, an action plan to show delivery and impact together with an annual report. 

A discussion took place regarding the integration of blue light services and the implications of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) for policing and other local services.  The Commissioner explained that LGR gave the opportunity for the collaboration of blue light services under one governance structure.  The Panel was informed that notwithstanding LGR positive discussions on this matter had taken place with the Home Office with the intention to proceed, if viable, irrespective of LGR.

The Panel discussed the 999 and 101 services for the reporting of crimes.  Members were informed that whilst 999 should be used to report a serious offence which was in progress or immediate danger of harm to an individual it was suggested that the 101 number be used for other minor crime or incidents such as property damage, civil dispute, antisocial behaviour or suspected drug use or dealing.  Officers explained that telephone calls to 101 were beginning to be balanced out due to the increasing use of e-mail and webchat for the service.

RESOLVED,that

                 (1)      the report be noted

                 (2)      a written response on the comments made by the Panel would be made available to the OPCC.

To consider a report from the Monitoring Officer (Cumbria County Council) (copy enclosed).

Members received a report from the Monitoring Officer (Cumbria County Council) which advised members of any complaints received in accordance with the Panel’s Complaints Procedure.  The report outlined where appropriate, what, if any, action had been taken in respect of the complaints.

The Panel was informed that as at the date of the report and since the previous report, only one further complaint had been received.  It was explained that as with the previous report, the OPCC’s view of the subject matter of the complaint was that it was not properly within the remit of Police and Crime Panel. 

Members noted that as set out in the previous report, permission was sought from the Home Office (in accordance with the terms of the grant to the host authority for the Panel) for the Panel to be able to seek Counsel’s advice on the point.  It was explained that this permission had recently been granted.

The Panel was informed that as at the date the report was written, initial instructions had been provided to Counsel but, in Counsel’s view, further information was needed to enable advice to be finalised.  Accordingly, that information was being collated to allow Counsel to provide final advice. 

It was explained that as there was some urgency to this, it was expected that by the time of the next Panel meeting the advice would have been provided and the issue resolved.

RESOLVED,  that the report be noted.

To consider the Panel Briefing from the Senior Policy and Scrutiny Project Officer (Cumbria County Council) (copy enclosed).

Members received a report from the Strategic Policy and Scrutiny Manager (Cumbria County Council) which gave an update on key issues and developments that had occurred since the last meeting of the Panel on 9 July 2021.  The information detailed an Update on National Policy and Legislation which included Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, Beating Crime Plan, Violence against Women and Girls Strategy, Review of Police and Crime Commissioners together with Funding Opportunities.

The Joint Chief Finance Officer informed the Panel that the Home Office were undertaking a review of the police funding formula and working groups were being established to influence the process as much as possible.

The Commissioner explained the response of the Chief Constable following the Sarah Everard case and assured members there were no vetting issues within the Force.

Members were informed that work was being undertaken with regards to the forthcoming precept.  The Commissioner acknowledged the financial challenges, explaining he would endeavour to be at the lower end of the spectrum but highlighted this would have to be balanced against pressures.

The Barrow Borough Council Member outlined a successful community facility in his area and asked whether the PCC could provide any funding as a contribution towards a stair lift.  It was agreed that the Member would send details direct to PCC for further consideration.

RESOLVED,  that

                   (1)    the report be noted;

                   (2)    work would be undertaken with Panel members to review and develop the Work Programme.

The Panel was informed that this would be the last meeting Mr K Hamilton would attend in his capacity as a Panel Member.  The Chair, on behalf of the Panel, and the Commissioner, thanked Mr Hamilton for his helpful and constructive engagement during his time as a Member and wished him well for the future.

The next meeting of the Panel will be held on Tuesday 25 January 2022 at 10.30 am at Cumbria House, Botchergate, Carlisle, CA1 1RD.

It was noted that the next meeting of the Panel would be held on Tuesday 25 January 2022 at 10.30 am at Cumbria House, Botchergate, Carlisle, CA1 1RD.