Agenda item

The Panel considered a report of the Assistant Chief Executive which provided information on the required content of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s (PCC’s) Police and Crime Plan, a draft of which was appended to the report (for copy see file of Minutes).

The report sought comment from the Panel on the draft Police and Crime Plan so that this could be fed back to the PCC.

Mr Hogg, Police and Crime Commissioner for Durham, presented his draft Police and Crime Plan to the Panel, highlighting the key points contained within it.

The Panel acknowledged the work that had been undertaken within a relatively short time frame since the PCC had taken office to produce a draft plan and in accordance with the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011, made the following comments for consideration by the PCC

The Panel supported both community and personal priorities that had been identified following consultation, including the Force’s Strategic Assessment.  In particular the Panel welcomed reducing the impact of Domestic Violence and Hate Crime as key priorities as these were areas that could often go unreported and the hidden harm could have a devastating effect on individuals, families and communities.

In so doing, the Panel acknowledged the strategic links that had been made between the Plan with that of the Local Authority Council Plans and Community Safety Partnership strategic plans across County Durham and Darlington.

Whilst identified as a national threat within the Strategic Policing Requirement (SPR), the Panel noted positive work undertaken to tackle Organised Crime but felt that this is an important area that should be referenced more explicitly within the Plan.  The Panel acknowledged that the SPR priorities were included within in the Durham Constabulary’s force plan and that linkage across plans was very important.  Increased clarity of the linkage across plans was vital for the Panel to monitor the PCC’s achievement of his plan.

The Panel welcomed the approach taken by the PCC of meeting on a regular basis to hold to account the Chief Constable and his Heads of Service on performance and value for money.  The Panel looked forward to receiving monthly monitoring reports of key measures and indicators including performance in relation to improving public confidence and public satisfaction levels.  The Panel noted that the PCC would also produce a quarterly performance report that would be available to communities.

The Panel acknowledged that within the draft plan performance monitoring information was to developed, and requested that a performance framework that included measurable targets and indicators, including an Action Plan with milestones, was developed to enable the Panel to effectively monitor the PCC’s performance areas on a 6 monthly basis.  The Panel suggested that the first round of such information was shared at the Panel meeting in October 2013.

The Panel noted consultation conducted and planned with a wide range of audiences to seek comment on community priorities and the PCC’s approach to actively embrace equality and diversity matters.  The Panel also noted the PCC’s approach to working with and engaging hard to reach groups and communities.  In addition, utilising modern methods of social media and digital democracy would also capture a wider audience to communicate and seek views.

The Panel welcomed the PCC’s intention and encouraged him to utilise ‘easy to reach groups’ and work with existing partnership forums including Area Action Partnerships within County Durham and also encouraged engagement with similar local forums within Darlington. 

The Panel felt that engagement with these networks would also contribute to delivery of the PCC’s priority to improve engagement with local communities across the Constabulary area.  In addition, information sharing on the work of both the PCC and the Constabulary could also be done through existing publications that were produced and circulated to residents by Durham County Council’s ‘Durham County News’ and Darlington Borough Council’s ‘Darlington Together’.

The Panel requested that the Plan adopted plain English so that it was accessible and easy to read.  Furthermore, the Panel requested that a reference was made to how the role of the PCC would comply with the Nolan principles. The Panel noted existing financial pressures on public sector organisations and welcomed the PCC’s approach to work with partners on joint approaches to deliver greater efficiencies and savings.  The Panel looked forward to an invitation from the PCC to engage in the discussion on the forthcoming ‘Policing the Future’ debate.

Resolved:

That the views and comments of the Panel be submitted to the Police and Crime Commissioner for Durham.