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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
Resolved that: The Panel supports the precept of 5% with the following recommendations:- 1. That any future precept report from the Commissioner must make it clear on the front page the precept sought in particular any percentage increase/decrease. 2. A further request be made to Central Government by the Commissioner to secure Capital City uplift. 3. That the Commissioner has cognisance of the fact that any increase in the precept places a greater burden on the council tax payer when the cost of living, as is the case today, is high. Mr Michael and the Officers re-entered the Meeting and were advised by the Chair of the decision of the Panel. Mr Michael thanked the Panel for their support and outcome, he said he was not surprised at the comments made and understood the reservations. The Commissioner advised that he would quote the Panel’s comments to the Policing Minister.
Resolved that: The Police and Crime Panel agree the amendments as laid out in the draft attached summary plan.
Resolved that: That the Police and Crime Panel consider the attached Police Precept Consultation Public Survey results report conducted at the end of 2021 as required by the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011.
Resolved that: The Police and Crime Panel confirm the appointment of Lee Jones into the permanent post of Chief Executive.
Resolved that: The Panel agree to the formation of Panel Sub Groups.
A briefing session for Panel Members was held from 10.15 – 10.45 a.m. prior to the arrival of any invited attendees to the meeting. The Panel discussed the items that were to be considered at the meeting.
Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Rhys Lewis.
Mel Jehu declared a personal interest as a non-executive trustee with Safer Merthyr Tydfil as funding is received from the Commissioner’s Office. Councillor Bernie Bowen-Thompson declared a personal interest as Chief Executive for Safer Wales as they receive funding from the Commissioner’s Office.
Decision as recorded
Resolved that: The Panel supports the precept of 5% with the following recommendations:- 1. That any future precept report from the Commissioner must make it clear on the front page the precept sought in particular any percentage increase/decrease. 2. A further request be made to Central Government by the Commissioner to secure Capital City uplift. 3. That the Commissioner has cognisance of the fact that any increase in the precept places a greater burden on the council tax payer when the cost of living, as is the case today, is high. Mr Michael and the Officers re-entered the Meeting and were advised by the Chair of the decision of the Panel. Mr Michael thanked the Panel for their support and outcome, he said he was not surprised at the comments made and understood the reservations. The Commissioner advised that he would quote the Panel’s comments to the Policing Minister.
The Chair officially welcomed Sarah James to the Panel and invited the Commissioner’s Team to introduce themselves to Panel. The Commissioner and his Team made a presentation to Panel on the Precept and Medium Term Financial Strategy, the detail of which included:- · Working with Partners · Our Priorities · Community Safety Neighbourhood Policing · Financial Overview · Police Grant – Set by the Home Office · Budget Cuts Since 2011 £56M · Spending Review 2021 Analysis · Police Grant Settlement 2022-25 · Cost Drivers · Budget and Financial Forecast 2022-26 · Implication of Funding Settlement 2022/23 · Medium Term Financial Projections · Independent Value for Money Judgement · Value for Money Profiles · Our Precept History · Percentage of Dwelling below Band D Charge · Council Tax Bands Across South Wales Police Area · Necessary Precept Settlement 2022/2023 · Contrasting Grant Settlement Headlines · Precept Public Consultation Survey · Challenges and Investments Made · South Wales Police Demand · Typical Day in South Wales Police 2021 · Quality of Service · Responding to High Harms · Strategic Challenges Ahead · Prevention and Early Intervention · Change in police officer numbers 1979 and forecast to 2022 · Comparison of Grant Funding Received Compared to If Grant Adjusted for Inflation · South Wales Police Relative Crime Rates Compared to Other Forces · Necessary Precept Settlement 2022/2023 A short comfort break was taken prior to questions/comments being made. Questions and observations: · Lengthy discussion and questioning took place over the presentation of the 5% increase in precept. Panel expressed concerns that the percentage was not clear enough in the report. The Commissioner responded acknowledging the points raised and explained the report was written in line with how they were legally obliged to detail the information by the Home Office. · Is there an update on the business case on police funding in Cardiff? · Clarity sought on report of shortfall and reference to non-pay (front line pay and support staff pay). · Precept public consultation survey (22% of Police are doing a good job) – A Panel Member commented that this was not their experience. · Precept public consultation survey (45% of people were happy to pay more, 55% not happy) – How are you going to bring the public along? · How are we going to justify ignoring the public? · Perceptions on the ground from a Councillor perspective, Leader and Cabinet of Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, that police presence is almost non-existent, feels like no interface with police, local councillors filling the gaps, digital issues, no details of PCSOs (picture or contact details), and over Christmas and New Year periods local policing teams disbanded to help critical areas, is this back on track? · J Vaughan acknowledged that perception issues need to be addressed. · Over the next three years is it the case that South Wales Police will not get an increase in funding and if this is the case, what are the next three precept meetings going to look like? The Commissioner responded that long term it doesn’t look bright, economy is tough, impact of covid, we can manage with 5% this year, but the impact on future years is difficult to predict. The Chair thanked the Commissioner and his Team for the detailed information provided. The Commissioner and his Team then left the Meeting to enable the Panel to consider the recommendation. Simon Jones reminded the Panel on the voting procedures and advised the Panel that they must vote to either:- a) Support the precept without qualification or comment b) Support the precept and make recommendations, or c) Veto the proposed precept (by the required majority). A vote was then taken on whether to support the precept of 5% which was supported, but not unanimously. The Panel also commented that they were disappointed that again despite repeated requests Central Government had still not allocated additional funding to South Wales Police to assist in the cost of policing Cardiff, which is a capital city. In addition, the Panel stated that again cuts from Central Government grants are steadily shifting the burden of police funding to the council taxpayer which in the Panel’s view was unacceptable. Resolved that: The Panel supports the precept of 5% with the following recommendations:- 1. That any future precept report from the Commissioner must make it clear on the front page the precept sought in particular any percentage increase/decrease. 2. A further request be made to Central Government by the Commissioner to secure Capital City uplift. 3. That the Commissioner has cognisance of the fact that any increase in the precept places a greater burden on the council tax payer when the cost of living, as is the case today, is high. Mr Michael and the Officers re-entered the Meeting and were advised by the Chair of the decision of the Panel. Mr Michael thanked the Panel for their support and outcome, he said he was not surprised at the comments made and understood the reservations. The Commissioner advised that he would quote the Panel’s comments to the Policing Minister.
Decision as recorded
Resolved that: The Police and Crime Panel agree the amendments as laid out in the draft attached summary plan.
The Commissioner provided a brief update on the refresh of the Police and Crime Plan with particular emphasis on:- · Violence against women and girls/sexual violence; · Race equality; and · Community Safety Resolved that: The Police and Crime Panel agree the amendments as laid out in the draft attached summary plan.
Decision as recorded
Resolved that: That the Police and Crime Panel consider the attached Police Precept Consultation Public Survey results report conducted at the end of 2021 as required by the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011.
The Commissioner provided a brief introduction to the Consultation Process report. No questions or comments were raised. Resolved that: That the Police and Crime Panel consider the attached Police Precept Consultation Public Survey results report conducted at the end of 2021 as required by the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011.
Decision as recorded
Resolved that: The Police and Crime Panel confirm the appointment of Lee Jones into the permanent post of Chief Executive.
The Commissioner provided detailed background on the appointment process of the Chief Executive. Clarity sought on whether Lee Jones should have declared an interest and left the meeting. The Panel agreed that this was not necessary on this occasion. Resolved that: The Police and Crime Panel confirm the appointment of Lee Jones into the permanent post of Chief Executive.
The Commissioner spoke in detail about the Mayhill Independent Review and Statements contained within the report, with a closing comment that the findings and report speak for themselves. Detailed discussion and comments were made by the Panel, and the following question was raised and answered by the Commissioner and the Chief Constable:- · Is any disciplinary action being contemplated against any police officers? Response – Identified at learning rather than misconduct, will constantly be revisited, but was not identified as misconduct. Misconduct will not be tolerated. The Chair thanked the Commissioner and the Chief Constable for the report.
Decision as recorded
Resolved that: The Panel agree to the formation of Panel Sub Groups.
Simon Jones provided Panel with the background to the Sub Groups report. Discussion took place on the logistics and benefits of these Sub Groups and the Commissioner offered help on any specific expertise topics and also extended an offer for Panel to undertake a visit to see services in practice. Resolved that: The Panel agree to the formation of Panel Sub Groups.
Simon Jones provided both the Panel members and the Commissioner with copies of two letters written to the Panel. Both letters were read out in full by Simon Jones. The first letter dated the 28th August 2021 asked a number of questions, answers to which were provided to the Panel in the Police presentation titled “Police Demand - Chief Constable Jeremy Vaughan” at the December Panel meeting. It was however agreed that the letter would be forwarded to the Commissioner’s office for a specific response to the questions raised. The second letter dated the 17th January 2022 did not pose a question and was presented as a statement. No other business was deemed urgent by the Chair.
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