Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

No apologies for absence were received on this occasion.

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 19 July 2022 (copy enclosed).

RESOLVED,    that the minutes of the meeting held on 19 July 2022 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

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

The Panel considered a report by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner which provided an update on the transfer of fire governance from Cumbria County Council to the Police & Crime Commissioner. 

Members were informed that in July 2021, the Government announced that Cumbria would be divided into two new unitary authorities, replacing the current arrangement of the six district councils and the overarching Cumbria County Council.  It was explained that one of the outcomes of this change was that the governance responsibility of Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service needed to move to a new organisation as it currently sat with Cumbria County Council, which would no longer exist from 1 April 2023. 

The Panel was informed that on 31 March 2022, the Commissioner submitted his business case to the Home Secretary.  Members noted that the business case was subject to an independent assessment by the Chartered Institute for Public Finance & Accountings (CIPFA) which concluded the statutory tests set out in the 2004 Fire & Rescue Service Act had been met (it is in the interest of effectiveness, efficiency, economy, and public safety).  It was explained that on 2 August 2022, the Home Secretary announced her approval of the Commissioner’s proposal to take on the governance of Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service from 1 April 2023.

The Police and Crime Commissioner explained that the final stage of the approval process would see the order taken before parliament on 28 November 2022.

A discussion took place whereby the Police and Crime Commissioner expressed his preference toward treating the governance of Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service as a distinct responsibility that would operate on separate budget from the existing Police & Crime budget.

In response to a question on the 2023/24 precept, the Joint Chief Finance Officer explained that the precept for that year would be decided by the Commissioner directly. However, he provided assurance that here would be opportunities for scrutiny and oversight prior to the decision when the budget paper was delivered. The Police & Crime Commissioner added that DLUC would also play a significant role in setting the baseline for the precept and that there should be no additional cost to the tax payer as a result of the merging of the Fire and Police services.

The Police & Crime Commissioner concluded by articulating his dedication to realising the benefits of the merger over the medium and long term.

RESOLVED,  that the report be noted.

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

To consider 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 2022/23 Quarter 1 to June 2022. 

A detailed discussion took place on the topic of Operation Uplift which had seen Cumbria Constabulary achieve a headcount of 1295 police officers as of 31 August 2022 against a uplift target number of 1368 by 31 March 2023. Members congratulated the Police & Crime Commissioner for making such good progress towards the goal.

A conversation then took place regarding investments that could made to make the service more efficient. The Police and Crime Commissioner provided the example of the ongoing project to refresh CCTV technology across the county which aimed to save officers a significant amount of time manually examining footage.

Members noted the expenditure and income variances.

(2)    Cumbria Constabulary Revenue Budget 2022/23

The Panel considered a report from Cumbria Constabulary which provided details of the Constabulary’s Revenue Budget Monitoring 2022/23. 

Members noted the overall forecasted overspend of £715k (0.51%) which included overtime pressures for officers; noting the impact of the recently announced Police Officer Pay Award was not included in the figures but would be incorporated in future forecasts, the rise in inflation which was impacting on non-staff budgets, noting that a longer term risk in relation to inflation exists if it continued at the current high level for a prolonged period with the overspend being met by from the Covid-19 recovery reserve.

RESOLVED,  that the report be noted.

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

The Panel considered a report from the OPCC which presented an update on Objectives 2 and 6 of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Police and Crime Plan: ‘A Visible and Effective Police Presence’ and ‘Ensuring the Police are at the Forefront of the Response’.

Members heard that in addition to supporting the work around Operation Uplift so as to deliver on Objective 2 (A Visible and Effective Police Presence), the Commissioner requested that the Chief Constable carry out a review to ensure that the police workforce was best placed to meet current and future demands, putting the most appropriate resources in the right place. The results of this were reported in September 2021. This led to recommendations for a number of further, more in-depth reviews of resources in different areas of police business.

The Safer Streets initiative was highlighted also an example of a project which had improved feelings of safety in local community areas. The Whitehaven initiative focused on public spaces including Castle Park and involved the installation of CCTV and lighting, as well as ‘active bystander’ training, which encouraged local people to challenge poor behaviours. Safer Streets projects would also soon be rolled out in Carlisle and Barrow.

RESOLVED,  that the report be noted.

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 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 at the time of the last report that although correspondence had been received in relation to complaints, it was considered that there was no discernible complaint or a complaint that would be within the Panel’s remit. 

Members were informed that further correspondence had been entered into with potential complainants to refine the complaints themselves, and to refine complainants’ understanding of the complaints process, with a particular reference to the Commissioner’s role. 

It was explained that at that time of the meeting, none of the complaints received appeared likely to progress. 

RESOLVED,  that the report be noted.

To consider a report from the Policy and Scrutiny Project Officer (Cumbria County Council) (copy enclosed).

The Panel considered a report from the Policy and Scrutiny Project Officer which updated members on key issues and developments that have occurred since the last meeting on 19 July 2022.

An update was provided on the open letter which was received by police leaders on 23 September from the Home Secretary setting out her expectations for policing in England & Wales.

The Policy and Scrutiny Project Officer also provided an update on the Fire Governance changes that will impact the Panel next year. Members were also informed of the progress of the Part Two of the PCC Review recommendations including the Home Office’s work to increase interest in the role of independent panel members.

RESOLVED,  that the report be noted.

The next meeting of the Panel will be held on Thursday 26 January 2023 at 10.30 am in the Council Chamber, County Offices, Kendal, LA9 4RQ.

It was noted that the next meeting of the Panel would be held on Thursday 26 January 2023 at 10.30 am in the Council Chamber, County Offices, Kendal, LA9 4RQ.