Agenda item

The Panel considered a report of the Office of the Police and Crime

Commissioner relating to the appointment of Victim Champions (for copy of report see file of Minutes).

The Head of Private Office explained as regards the recent appointments of the three Victim Champions in the Durham OPCC, namely a Victims’ Champion, a Domestic Abuse Victims’ Voice Worker and an Anti-Social Behaviour Champion and provided an overview of their main roles, responsibilities, and priority areas of work.

Councillor R Potts noted he had concerns as regards the recruitment process, noting the Anti-Social Behaviour Champion had been interviewed by a panel including the PCC and executive officers, including the Deputy PCC, and was a Labour appointment who had helped the PCC during her election campaign.  He added he did not feel it was right that the PCC sat on the interview panel and noted his concern as regards the PCC being involved in the process, stating he felt the PCC should have stepped away.

The PCC noted she had explained previously as regards the appointment of the Deputy PCC and legislation, she gave the example of the PM, Boris Johnson choosing his appointments, and reiterated it had been within her gift as regards the Deputy PCC appointment.  She added that if one looked at other PCCs, the majority appointed without interview, including Conservative PCCs.  She noted she was very happy with the Deputy PCC, adding he had worked as regards her campaign, reiterating previous comments that she had only two years to deliver the Police and Crime Plan.  The PCC noted that, as regards the Anti-Social Behaviour Champion position, she had been involved in community safety for over 30 years, having been a Head of Community Safety and also her work at the Fire Authority. 

She explained she did know the Anti-Social Behaviour Champion, a former County Councillor, who had lost her seat at the election.  The PCC added that did not disbar the Anti-Social Behaviour Champion and added that the Anti-Social Behaviour Champion had a lot of experience in youth work and community safety, had been the rural champion and had a role in Overview and Scrutiny while at DCC, and was currently delivering on the Plan.

The PCC noted that all three champions were passionate and helping to deliver the Plan.  She noted page 12 of the Plan referred to anti-social behaviour and page 20 of the Plan referred to victims of crime and anti-social behaviour.  She added that she felt around a third of the Plan reflected actions for the Champions and added she was very satisfied with the appointments, noting the OPCC gave assurance the appointments had been proper.

The Head of Governance and Finance noted the process had been very standard, with a job advertised, application received followed by a sifting process relating to criteria, followed by short-listing and then interviews.  He explained that had involved himself, the PCC and the Service Lead, with five questions that were then scored, then following process to select the candidate that best met the criteria and role.  He noted that was then reported to the Chief Executive Officer as part of the OPCC.  The Lawyer (Governance) noted as regards discussions relating to individuals within the public part of the meeting.

Councillor R Potts noted as regards recruitment and noted that of four posts that had been reported, two had been to Labour Party members.  The PCC noted that one had had to be a Labour Party Member.  Councillor R Potts noted it had not been required to be a Labour Party Member.  The PCC challenged that, adding it was a political appointment.  Councillor R Potts noted there were many PCCs that had independent Deputies, the PCC noted that the majority did not.  The Head of Private Office noted that all OPCC posts were politically restricted posts.  Councillor R Potts noted he had no issue with the Anti-Social Behaviour Champion, rather the role and impartiality of the PCC in terms of appointments.  The PCC noted that anti-social behaviour had been identified by residents as the top priority and noted she had managed the largest street warden team in the past and understood the importance of the Anti-Social Behaviour Champion post.  She noted that give the importance of the post she wanted to be happy and satisfied with the appointment, adding that she was.

Councillor D Boyes noted he was familiar with two of the Champions and asked and noted he was happy with appointments, although he was not familiar with the Domestic Abuse Victims’ Voice Worker. 

He noted that the Deputy PCC would answer to the PCC and the three Champions would report to the OPCC Chief Executive Officer.  He noted he would not wish for any duplication of work. 

The PCC noted all three Champions regularly reported to the Chief Executive Officer and PCC, adding there was a clear plan in terms of what, who and when in terms of delivering the Plan, and the Chief Executive Officer and PCC would hold them to account.  She added that they would bring the voice of victim forward and noted that very much, victims were at the heart of everything.  She noted the National Victims’ Commissioner had encouraged the appointment of such Champions, with Durham being one of three PCCs so far in the country to do so, adding she felt more would follow suit.  She reiterated that the Champions would help deliver the Police and Crime Plan.

Councillor D Boyes asked as regards how success would be measured, for example in terms of the levels of anti-social behaviour or domestic violence and asked if there were improvement would the Champions be mainstreamed or if issues deteriorated would they be escalated.  The PCC noted the Local Authorities and the Police were responsible in terms of tackling anti-social behaviour and noted that looking at reporting from the public, there were few reports and therefore it was preferable for an increase in reporting to get a true picture of the issues, to then be able to allocate resources efficiently to deliver on a local level.  She noted as regards holding partners to account and her support of community trigger, adding that more information would be coming from the Home Office as regards anti-social behaviour.  The Chair asked if it would be possible for the Panel to meet the Champions at a future meeting, the PCC noted it would.

Councillor J Dulston noted that accountability meetings were good, with more being better in terms of the PCC holding the Chief Constable to account.  The PCC noted those were public-facing meetings, however, there were other internal meetings where she would provide challenge, with weekly focussed meetings.  She added that when looking at issues such as domestic violence, then it would include partners who helped to deliver operationally.  She noted accountability meetings that had been held looking at issues such as custody suites, off-road bikes and domestic violence, including violence against women and girls.  Councillor D Nicholls noted he welcomed the appointment of the new Assistant Chief Constable, noting her background in tackling domestic violence and violence against women and girls.  He added that the appointment showed that the Force took the issue seriously.  He noted the National Victims’ Commissioner asking for PCCs to tackle the issue, adding Durham as being one of three areas to appoint such a Champion nationally.

Resolved:

That the report be noted.