Agenda item

The attached report sets out detail of the work of the Police and Crime Plan working group and recommendations arising from the two meetings of the group.

The Panel is asked to consider the report and the endorsement of the Group’s recommendations.

58.    The Panelreceiveda report fromthe Clerkto the Police andCrime Panel whichset out the recommendations arisingfromthe meetings ofthe Working Group to review the Police andCrimePlanand the draft budgetfor 2016/17 (copy appended to the signed versionof the  minutes).

59.    The Panelraised the followingissues duringthe discussion:

Unconfirmedminutes –subject to amendment/confirmation at the next meetingof the Police and CrimePanel

•   The use of the term ‘visiblepolicing’ was queried and whetherchangingthis

to‘responsive policing’ would be more appropriate.

•   The communitywardenschemes were notnecessarily associatedwith the Police therefore the role of the Commissioner to promote the wardens was questioned.

•   Greater detail regarding the difficultfinancialsituation and current pressures

faced bythe Police should be includedinthe report.

•   The role ofcommunitywardensin rural areas was queried andthe lackof detail regarding accountabilityandliability around the provisionof this service.The possibilitythat there couldbeduplicate payments forcommunity wardens through ParishCouncilprecept and the Commissioner’s preceptwas raised.There was concern thatcoverage ofcommunity wardens would be inconsistent across areas ofSussexdependingon the enthusiasmor the capacity oflocalcouncils to afford the service.As a consequenceof thislack

of detailsome members were unable to support recommendation three. Clarification was provided thatSussexArea LocalCouncils (SALC)was leadingon projects forCommunityWardens.

60.    The Panelvotedon eachof the three recommendations separately.  Each was agreed bya simple majorityof votes.

61.    Resolved– That the Panelagrees the three recommendations arisingfrom the Police andCrimePlanWorking Groupbelow:

The Plan

1. That the incomingCommissionerinvolves the Group as the performance measures for the newPlan’s objectives are developed,to helpensure these are valid,reliable,and notinconflictwithone another.

ProposedPrecept

2. That the Commissionercontinues to work withSussexPolice to explainto residents the evidence underlyingthe challenge of maintaininga visible policingpresence throughoutSussex,giventhe changingnatureof crimein the UK.

3. That the Commissionerencourages the conceptof localcommunities funding

theirowncommunitywarden,where residents consider there to be a need.