Agenda and minutes

Dyfed Powys Police and Crime Panel - Friday, 24th July, 2020 10.00 am

Venue: Virtual Meeting. View directions

Contact: Jessica Laimann  01267 224178

Note: Virtual Meeting. Members of the public can view the meeting live via the Authority's website. 

Media

Items
No. Item

1.

APPOINTMENT OF CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIR FOR THE PANEL 2020/21 pdf icon PDF 94 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that

1.1  Councillor Alun Lloyd-Jones be appointed Chair of the Panel for the forthcoming calendar year;

1.2  Professor Ian Roffe be appointed Vice-Chair of the Panel for the forthcoming calendar year.

 

2.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND PERSONAL MATTERS

Additional documents:

Minutes:

An apology for absence was received from Cllr. Lloyd Edwards (Ceredigion County Council).

The Chair welcomed Cllr. William Powell to the meeting following his recent illness.

 

3.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

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Minutes:

There were no declarations of personal interest made at the meeting.

 

4.

MINUTES - 21ST FEBRUARY 2020 pdf icon PDF 131 KB

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Minutes:

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Panel meeting held on the 21st February 2020 be signed as a correct record.

 

5.

MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES (IF ANY)

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Minutes:

5.1Minute 6 – Rural and Wildlife Crime

In response to a query the Police Commissioner commented that rural crime figures had decreased during the lockdown period possibly due to the impact on travelling criminals but the figures were now sadly returning to normal levels.

 

5.2Minute 7 – Domestic Violence Helpline

In response to a query the Police Commissioner commented that calls to the Domestic Violence Helpline had decreased during the recent lockdown and it was considered that this may have been related to the fact that the night time economy, particularly pubs etc, had been non-existent.

 

6.

DRAFT ANNUAL REPORT OF THE POLICE AND CRIME COMMISSIONER pdf icon PDF 94 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Panel considered the draft Annual Report 2019/20 of the Police and Crime Commissioner. In presenting his draft report the Commissioner advised that this year it would be supported with digital elements and video clips. He highlighted initiatives that had contributed to increased public engagement, including youth engagement activities, adding that the report also referred to the impact of Covid 19.

The Panel generally welcomed the report but raised the following:

-       It was suggested that the names of the Police and Crime Panel be included where the Panel is referred to on page 32 under the section headed ‘Joint Audit Committee’ and that the Panel’s website be included on page 33 under the section headed ‘Police and Crime Panel’;

-       Reference was made to the length of the report and it was queried as to whether it could be reduced for readability;

-       In response to a query the Commissioner explained in more detail Participatory Budgeting which would be led by the Neighbourhood Policing Teams:

-       the Commissioner agreed to a suggestion that the Panel be updated on the work of the neighbourhood policing teams at a later date;

-       it was queried as to whether information contained in the pie diagrams could also be provided in tabular form to aid readers with visual problems such as colour blindness;

-       The Commissioner agreed to look at a suggestion as to whether recordings of any of the virtual meetings etc he had participated in online could be shared.

 

The Commissioner welcomed the Panel’s comments and advised that he had noted the suggestions made.

 

The Chair asked the Commissioner to pass on to all his staff and police staff the Panel’s thanks and appreciation for the work they had undertaken over recent months.

 

RESOLVED that the draft annual report be received.

 

7.

UPDATE ON RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC pdf icon PDF 97 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Panel considered a report detailing the Commissioner’s response to issues raised as a consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic. It was noted that the recent Uplift Grant from the Home Office had allowed greater flexibility in meeting Covid-related costs and ensured that appropriate measures could be taken swiftly when required. Significant work had been undertaken by the Estates team to address health and safety issues. Costs were being recorded and reported to the Home Office on a monthly basis. It was considered that there had been a saving of approximately £100k on fuel costs.

 

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

 

8.

DECISIONS TAKEN BY THE COMMISSIONER pdf icon PDF 95 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Panel considered a report on decisions taken by the Commissioner during the period 15th February 2020 - 10th July 2020.

In response to a question the Commissioner advised that the new dog section facility in Pembrey would be located at the former police helicopter site. This would also complement driver training at the Pembrey racetrack. He added, in response to a further query, that every effort was made to procure services in the Force area where possible.

 

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

 

9.

EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC

THE REPORTS RELATING TO THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE NOT FOR PUBLICATION AS THEY CONTAIN EXEMPT INFORMATION AS DEFINED IN PARAGRAPH 14 OF PART 4 OF SCHEDULE 12A TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1972 AS AMENDED BY THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT (ACCESS TO INFORMATION) (VARIATION) (WALES) ORDER 2007. IF, FOLLOWING THE APPLICATION OF THE PUBLIC INTEREST TEST, THE PANEL  RESOLVES PURSUANT TO THE ACT TO CONSIDER THESE ITEMS IN PRIVATE, THE PUBLIC WILL BE EXCLUDED FROM THE MEETING DURING SUCH CONSIDERATION.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED, pursuant to the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) (Wales) Order 2007, that the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items as the reports contained exempt information as defined in paragraph 12 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Act.

 

10.

DRAFT STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS 2019/20 NARRATIVE REPORT

Minutes:

Following the application of the public interest test it was RESOLVED, pursuant to the Act referred to in Minute 9 above, to consider this matter in private as the narrative report was in draft form and undergoing audit by Audit Wales.

 

Following the publication of the Commissioner’s draft Annual Statement of Accounts for 2019-2020 the Panel was briefed on the current financial position as detailed in the narrative report which had been circulated to members. The report aimed to provide information on the most significant matters reported within the Group accounts for the services provided by the Police and Crime Commissioner (Commissioner) and Chief Constable of Dyfed-Powys along with providing wider organisational context. The Commissioner advised that the report would be signed off by himself and the Chief Constable following the public inspection period. The Chief Finance Officer commented that, given all the challenges over the past year, it was a positive report with some savings achieved. The report detailed how the underspend had been utilised and highlighted that the reserves totalled £14.6 million.

 

RESOLVED to note the Report.