Loading
The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
RESOLVED That the minutes of the meeting held on 21 June 2024 be approved as a correct record.
RESOLVED- That the North Wales Police and Crime Panel accepts the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Annual Report for 2023/2024.
RESOLVED - That the report be noted.
RESOLVED: That the report be noted.
RESOLVED: That subject to the above comments in relation to translation costs, the Police and Crime Panel is assured that the grant is utilised to undertake the key deliverables as follows: · The PCP is able to carry out its scrutiny functions and responsibilities as set out in the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011. · The PCP continues to fulfil their statutory responsibilities, meeting in public and making necessary reports on the Police and Crime Commissioner’s decisions and actions. · The PCP continues to provide effective scrutiny of the Police and Crime Commissioner and ensuring transparency to the public.
RESOLVED: That the forward work programme be approved, subject to the inclusion of the update on the Checkpoint Cymru programme.
Apologies for absence were received from Pat Astbury, Councillor Steve Copple and Nigel Williams. The Chair on behalf of the Police and Crime Panel requested that a letter of condolence be sent to Pat Astbury, as her mother had recently passed away.
In the interest of transparency, Councillor Louise Emery advised that her husband worked within the Welsh Counter Terrorism Unit and whilst he was employed by North Wales Police, the unit was funded nationally.
None.
The Chair advised the Police and Crime Panel that he had attended the recent open day at North Wales Police, which commemorated the Force’s 50th anniversary.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED That the minutes of the meeting held on 21 June 2024 be approved as a correct record.
The minutes of the meeting held on 21 June 2024 were presented for approval. RESOLVED That the minutes of the meeting held on 21 June 2024 be approved as a correct record.
A number of questions had been submitted to the Police and Crime Commissioner from Panel Members. The responses to the questions are attached as an appendix to these minutes.
Part of an issue followed across 5 meetings
Member Champion – Establish a Victims Panel Councillor Non Dafydd provided an update following discussions with officers from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) in relation to scrutiny of the Force in respect of victims’ experiences of the criminal justice process, in order to address any issues and inform service improvements. Councillor Dafydd hoped to attend the next Victims Panel and would provide feedback as appropriate. Member Champion for Professional Standards The Police and Crime Panel was advised that the Chair and Councillor Chris Bithell were due to attend a meeting with the Chief Executive of the OPCC shortly to discuss such matters.
The North Wales Police and Crime Panel received a presentation from Detective Inspector Iolo Edwards (North Wales Police) on cyber-crime and the work of the Economic Crime Unit. The presentation highlighted the following: • The current threat • Reporting trends • Demographic indicators of victims in North Wales • Economic Crime governance and structure • An overview of the 4P approach to tackle cyber crime and fraud - prepare, pursue, prevent, and protect • Referrals to the Cyber Resilience Centre • National Cyber Awards finalist The Chair thanked Detective Inspector Edwards for the presentation and discussion took place on the following: • The framework for referring cases to the Cyber Resilience Centre and how an investigation would be dealt with • It was noted that scam calls should be referred to Action Fraud • Victims of fraud/scams – financial providers normally dealt with such matters, as they had their own investigation teams; any criminal investigation would be undertaken by the Force where the offence took place • Police Forces were being encouraged to set up their own Economic Cyber Units • The National Crime Agency were responsible for international investigations • The influence of social and digital media
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED- That the North Wales Police and Crime Panel accepts the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Annual Report for 2023/2024.
The North Wales Police and Crime Panel (PCP) considered the Police and Crime Commissioner’s (PCC) Annual Report for 2023/2024. The annual report provided an update on overall progress against delivery of the Police and Crime Plan’s strategic priorities. The report highlighted that in 2023/2024 recorded incidents of crime across North Wales had reduced by 13% compared to the previous 12 months and the positive outcome rate had increased by just over 2%. Whilst these were positive results, the PCC acknowledged that there was still work to do and would continue to work with the Chief Constable to drive down crime and improve performance further. In reviewing the report, the PCP discussed the following: • The statistics within the report, particularly in relation to the increase in the number of 999 and 101 calls and the number of incidents attended. It was acknowledged that there was no comparator for the number of incidents attended, however, the Panel was advised that there was a number of ways to investigate crimes to provide a better outcome. In addition, the volume of calls may, in part, be attributed to repeat callers, third party agency calls (including the ambulance service) and the public following up progress. Further data could be provided in future reports. • The PCP acknowledged the benefits of restorative justice, however, there were concerns as to the delays by re:hub in considering applications. It was noted that the OPCC was working with the management team of the re:hub to consider a way forward in preventing such delays in the future. The PCP welcomed the overall reduction in crime over the last 12 months and felt the Annual Report reflected the progress made against the priorities within the Police and Crime Plan. RESOLVED- That the North Wales Police and Crime Panel accepts the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Annual Report for 2023/2024.
Part of an issue followed across 3 meetings
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED - That the report be noted.
The North Wales Police and Crime Panel (PCP) was presented with the Police and Crime Commissioner’s (PCC) periodic update for the period 8 May 2024 to 1 August 2024. The report provided an overview of the decisions made by the PCC and other scrutiny activities and actions over the term of the report. In scrutinising the report, the following was noted. • The impact of retail crime on small businesses; it was suggested that figures be included in future reports relating to the number of offences. • The impact of hate crime; it was noted that North Wales had not seen a significant increase in hate crime reported following the national unrest seen in other parts of the UK. • The impact of the 20 mph restriction on road safety; the Chief Constable advised that she could provide the figures in relation to this. • The establishment of a North Wales People Who Offend Sub-Group, chaired by the Deputy PCC in order to develop a local plan to address the most prevalent offences and offenders’ needs in North Wales. • Custody volunteers who had been recruited and completed their training; the Chief Executive advised that he had a meeting shortly to discuss visits to custody suites. • The national challenge of the declining number of permanent neighbourhood police officers. North Wales Police was engaged in the Neighbourhood Policing Programme, which sought to address inconsistencies in the current provision. The Chief Constable advised that the Force was fully committed to neighbourhood policing and that there had been a decision to maintain current levels of Police Officers and PCSOs. The PCC urged Panel Members to complete his survey on the priorities for his forthcoming Police and Crime Plan, as neighbourhood policing would be at the heart of the plan. • The impact of prisoners being released early on policing; it was noted that minimal numbers were being released in North Wales and that a lot of work had been undertaken in Wales to provide the necessary support to allow reintegration into communities. RESOLVED - That the report be noted.
Part of an issue followed across 3 meetings
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the report be noted.
The North Wales Police and Crime Panel (PCP) was presented with an update on the 2024/2025 Policing Budget and the Chief Finance Officer, Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner highlighted the following from the report: • An update on the 2023/2024 accounts and the plans to sign off the audited accounts. • An update on the Policing Revenue Budget as of 31 July 2024 and the Capital Budget as at 30 June 2024. • An update on the Joint Audit Committee activities. • An update on financial planning. In considering the report, the following was noted: • Projected underspend for employees of £0.370; the police officer pay award had been agreed at 4.75%, which was significantly more than the 2.5% assumed in the Medium Term Financial Plan. Whilst the Government had pledged £175m (nationally) to fund this, the exact allocation for North Wales Police was not yet known. Therefore, £1.803m had been vired between payroll and income, based on an estimate. • Police staff pay awards had not yet been determined; however in recent years it had been very similar to police officer pay awards, therefore, if no funding was forthcoming, this would need to be funded from reserves. • Since the written report was prepared, the allocation of the funding for the pay award had been allocated. Due to £11m being topsliced at source, the amount allocated to North Wales Police was less than anticipated, leaving £0.658m unfunded during the current financial year. The full year effect of this is approximately £1.2m. RESOLVED: That the report be noted.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That subject to the above comments in relation to translation costs, the Police and Crime Panel is assured that the grant is utilised to undertake the key deliverables as follows: · The PCP is able to carry out its scrutiny functions and responsibilities as set out in the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011. · The PCP continues to fulfil their statutory responsibilities, meeting in public and making necessary reports on the Police and Crime Commissioner’s decisions and actions. · The PCP continues to provide effective scrutiny of the Police and Crime Commissioner and ensuring transparency to the public.
The North Wales Police and Crime Panel (PCP) was presented with the end of year monitoring report on the use of the PCP grant and the expenses incurred during the period 01/04/23 – 31/03/24. It was noted that translation costs of £5,230.58 had not exceeded the grant payable of £5,715.00 as it stated in the report. RESOLVED: That subject to the above comments in relation to translation costs, the Police and Crime Panel is assured that the grant is utilised to undertake the key deliverables as follows: · The PCP is able to carry out its scrutiny functions and responsibilities as set out in the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011. · The PCP continues to fulfil their statutory responsibilities, meeting in public and making necessary reports on the Police and Crime Commissioner’s decisions and actions. · The PCP continues to provide effective scrutiny of the Police and Crime Commissioner and ensuring transparency to the public.
Part of an issue followed across 2 meetings
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the forward work programme be approved, subject to the inclusion of the update on the Checkpoint Cymru programme.
Members were presented with the forward work programme (FWP) for the North Wales Police and Crime Panel (PCP). The FWP had been updated to include all the regular and statutory items that need to be presented to the PCP. It was agreed that the annual update on the Checkpoint Cymru programme be scheduled for the December meeting. RESOLVED: That the forward work programme be approved, subject to the inclusion of the update on the Checkpoint Cymru programme.
The next meeting of the North Wales Police and Crime Panel would take place on 24 October 2024.
Councillors must say when they have a personal link to something being discussed, such as a job, a property or a family member. A prejudicial interest is one strong enough that the councillor usually leaves the room and takes no part.
Declarations are read from the minutes once they are published.
Lists the council's current councillors only. Co-opted members, officers and former councillors aren't shown.