Agenda and minutes

Mr S Tickner, the proposed Chief Finance Officer, attended the meeting.

To receive any apologies for absence.

An apology for absence was received from Ms R Hunter.

To receive any declarations of interest.

Mr M Johnson declared a pecuniary interest in agenda item 5 – Proposed Appointment of a Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner (DPCC) (minute 5 refers) as he was the proposed DPCC.

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

The Group Lawyer/Deputy Monitoring Officer advised that for the purposes of this meeting Schedule 1 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 a “confirmation hearing” is a meeting of the Panel, held in public, at which the candidate is requested to appear for the purpose of answering questions relating to the appointment, therefore, it was agreed that the press and public would not be excluded from the meeting on this occasion.

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

To conduct a Chief Finance Officer Confirmation Hearing (details attached).

In accordance with Schedule 1, paragraph 9(1) of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (the Act) which required Police and Crime Panels to scrutinise senior appointments which included the Chief Finance Officer members considered a report notifying them of the proposed appointment by the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cumbria of a Chief Finance Officer.  The Panel was asked to review the proposed appointment and report back to the Commissioner.

Members were informed that the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) and Cumbria Constabulary currently had a Joint Chief Finance/Section 151 Officer who had confirmed their intention to retire in May 2023, therefore, a replacement was required.

The Panel was informed that it was proposed that the current joint role would be changed to a Chief Finance Officer for the OPCC and Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service.  Members were advised that Cumbria Constabulary would have their own Chief Finance/S151 Officer and that Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service would require a Chief Finance Officer as there was not one within the existing Fire structure or one identified as part of the forthcoming TUPE process.

Members were advised that the OPCC would require increased financial support and independent advice to assist them in their role in holding not only the Chief Constable of Cumbria Constabulary to account but also the Chief Fire Officer of Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service.

The Panel was advised of the recruitment and shortlisting process as well as selection and criteria. 

Members were informed that the name of the person the Commissioner was proposing to appoint to the post of Chief Finance Officer was Mr Steven Tickner whom it was felt had the appropriate skill set to match the identified criteria.

The Commissioner formally proposed to the Panel that the preferred candidate, namely Mr Steven Tickner, be appointed as the Chief Finance Officer to the OPCC for Cumbria and that their commencement in post be taken up as soon as possible after the Confirmation Hearing.

The Panel then asked Mr Tickner a number of questions relating to his professional competence and personal independence.  Members afforded Mr Tickner the opportunity to clarify any of his questions, add anything or ask the Panel questions at the end of the questioning to which he confirmed he had nothing to add.

To conduct a Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Confirmation Hearing (details attached).

Mr Johnson left the meeting and took no part in the debate.

In accordance with Schedule 1, paragraph 9(1) of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (the Act) which required Police and Crime Panels to scrutinise senior appointments which included the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner (DPCC) members considered a report notifying them of the proposed appointment by the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cumbria of a DPCC.  The Panel was asked to review the proposed appointment and report back to the Commissioner.

Members were provided with an overview of the process that was undertaken to select the preferred candidate and the reason for their nomination as the proposed DPCC. 

The Panel was informed that the Commissioner had identified the importance of a DPCC role to assist him in his work.  It was explained there was an ever?increasing demand on the Commissioner’s time insofar as balancing both the inward facing statutory responsibilities and outward engagement and visibility with the communities of Cumbria and wider public, therefore, it was felt that a DPCC would assist in balancing the needs of the role and serving the public.

Members were informed that in general terms the focus of the DPCC would be to provide additional capacity to the Commissioner as Fire Governance transferred over on 1 April 2023 and the subsequent transition period as there was a move towards greater blue light collaboration, supporting the Commissioner in undertaking day to day business and focusing on meeting the increase in the statutory function of holding to account.

The Panel was advised that when considering the applicant for appointment the Commissioner had chosen an individual who had a skill set which matched the criteria identified within the job profile. 

Members raised their concerns regarding the lack of advertising of the Post.  The Commissioner confirmed the process undertaken was in accordance with all legal requirements whilst explaining that if there had not been the urgency to recruit to the position he may have considered advertising it.

Members were informed that the Commissioner proposed that Mr M Johnson carry out the role on a part time basis, ie 3 days/22.12 hours per week for one year, beginning on 1 April 2023 should the Commissioner choose to confirm the appointment following receipt of the Panel’s considerations. 

Mr Johnson then re?joined the meeting and the Panel asked him a number of questions relating to his professional competence and personal independence.  Members afforded Mr Johnson the opportunity to clarify any of his questions, add anything or ask the Panel questions at the end of the questioning to which he confirmed he had nothing to add.

To discuss and agree a recommendation to the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cumbria regarding his proposed appointment of a Chief Finance Officer.

Members discussed the evidence which they had heard and on being put to the vote it was unanimously

RESOLVED,  that Mr Steven Tickner be recommended for appointment as the Chief Finance Officer.

To discuss and agree a recommendation to the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cumbria regarding his proposed appointment of a Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner.

Members discussed the evidence which they had heard and on being put to the vote it was unanimously

RESOLVED,  that Mr Michael Johnson be recommended for appointment as the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner.

The Chair, on behalf of the Panel, thanked the candidates for their attendance at the meeting and wished them well for the future.