To recommend the establishment of a Police and Crime Panel (PCP) to Council.

The Leader presented the report of Democratic Services on the Establishment of a Police and Crime Panel.  The following points were made in discussion.

·         Worcester County Council would be the lead authority and administer the Police and Crime Panel for the ten authorities in the West Mercia Police area.

·         There would be one member from each of the ten authorities on the panel plus five further co-opted members from the non Worcestershire authorities i.e. one from Herefordshire, three from Shropshire, and one from Telford and Wrekin. 

·         The PCP would operate in shadow until the election of the Police and Crime Commissioner in November 2012.

·         Agreement from all the local authorities to the Panel arrangements and composition is required.

·         Cabinet was advised that the role of the Police authority didn’t detract from the powers of the PCP, which would work with the new Commissioner and other multi agencies. 

·         A question was raised on the future role of the Crime and Disorder panel of Herefordshire’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee against that of the PCP as there was concern that Herefordshire would have little influence over the PCP. 

RESOLVED

              THAT:

a)    Cabinet recommends to Council on 25 May 2012 the establishment of a West Mercia Police and Crime Panel (PCP) as a joint committee of the 10 principal local authorities in the West Mercia Police force area, to be administered by Worcestershire County Council as lead authority;

b)    Cabinet notes that the Council on 25 May 2012 be requested to approve the proposed membership of the PCP, the Panel arrangements and any consequential actions required under the Act; and

c)    authorisation be given to the Deputy Chief Executive to finalise the details of the proposals in consultation with the Leader.