Agenda and minutes

Dyfed Powys Police and Crime Panel - Wednesday, 15th May, 2024 10.30 am

Venue: Chamber, County Hall, Carmarthen, SA31 1JP - County Hall, Carmarthen. SA31 1JP.. View directions

Contact: Kevin Thomas  01267 224027

Media

Items
No. Item

1.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND PERSONAL MATTERS

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Minutes:

An apology for absence was received from Councillor L. George.

2.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

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Minutes:

Member

Agenda Item No

Interest

Cllr. S Hancock

Agenda items 7,8 & 9

Family member is a serving Police Officer within the Dyfed Powys Police Force.

Helen Thomas

Agenda items 7, 8 & 9

Family Member is involved in the Living Wage Group

 

3.

TO SIGN AS A CORRECT RECORD THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON THE 16TH FEBRUARY 2024 pdf icon PDF 92 KB

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Minutes:

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Panel meeting held on the 16th February, 2024 be signed as a correct record.

4.

MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES (IF ANY)

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Minutes:

There were no matters arising from the minutes of the meeting.

 

The Chair on behalf of the Panel congratulated Mr Llywelyn on his recent re-election as the Police and Crime Commissioner for the Dyfed Powys Police Force area.

 

The Chair referred to the recent police incident at a school within Carmarthenshire and sought an update from the Commissioner on that incident together with his views on the future of police presence at schools within the force area.

 

With regard to the incident in question, the Commissioner advised he was unable to comment thereon as it was the subject of an on-going police investigation. In relation to the future, he assured the Panel the Dyfed Powys Force would continue with the school programme. However, the existing format would be reviewed and amended by working with schools and the Youth Justice Service.

5.

POLICE AND CRIME PANEL ANNUAL REPORT pdf icon PDF 94 KB

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Minutes:

The Panel considered the 2023-2024 Annual Report for the Dyfed Powys Police and Crime Panel published in accordance with grant conditions applied to its funding received from the Home Office.

 

The Chair extended his appreciation to Mr Robert Edgecombe for producing the report.

 

The Chair also referred to an error in the report under item 6 and advised the reference made to a new 5 year cycle should have read a 4 year cycle.

 

RESOLVED that the 2023-2024 Annual Report for the Dyfed Powys Police and Crime Panel be received.

6.

PERFORMANCE SUB GROUP REPORT pdf icon PDF 94 KB

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Minutes:

The Panel was reminded that its 2022-23 Annual report tasked a Sub Group of the Panel to scrutinise how the Commissioner performed his statutory duty to maintain an efficient and effective police force. In accordance with that decision, the Panel considered the Sub Group’s report, conclusions and recommendations with the recommendations being:

 

1.    That the Panel continues to scrutinise how the Commissioner holds the Chief Constable to account in relation to issues of staff well-being during the 2024-2025 municipal year through attendance at Policing Accountability Board meetings.

2.    That the Panel ask the Commissioner to present a report at a Panel meeting during 2024/2025 detailing the steps taken by the Commissioner to ensure the issues identified in the HMICFRS report are addressed and the progress that has been made.

 

RESOLVED that the Sub Group’s findings be noted.

7.

DECISIONS MADE BY THE POLICE AND CRIME COMMISSIONER pdf icon PDF 94 KB

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Minutes:

[NOTE:  Councillor S. Hancock and Mrs H.M. Thomas having earlier declared an interest in this item remained in the meeting during its consideration and voting thereof.]

 

The Panel considered a report on decisions taken by the Commissioner between 8th February and 11th April. 2024.

 

Reference was made to the Decision on the Northwest Surveillance Situational Awareness System and to a recent news article on the use of face recognition cameras within Croydon. The Commissioner confirmed such cameras were not in use within the Dyfed Powys Police Force area.

 

With regard to objective 3 within the Strategic Equality Plan – “Strengthen our relationships through proactive community policing and engagement activities” the Commissioner confirmed he was striving for an increased visible and accessible force via the force’s 1308 officers which included a review currently  being undertaken on the operation of the neighbourhood policing teams to achieving that aim. The Force would also be launching its equality Plan later in May 2024.

 

With reference to the one off £10,000 goodwill payment to each of the 4 Local Authorities within Dyfed Powys, the Commissioner confirmed no caveats had been placed on the payment.

 

Reference was made to the single tender awards within the report and to whether the costs thereof, for example the Automatic Number Plate Recognition Tender which could be significant, could be included within a future report. The Commissioner advised that could be looked at for inclusion within future reports to the Panel.

 

With reference to Value for Money for tenders the Commissioner advised that for large contracts eg the purchase of police vehicles, the force utilised the Blue Light Commercial organisation framework where large economies of scale could be achieved. For more specific local contracts, the force had a procurement policy in place and proper due diligence was applied to ensure value for money was achieved.

 

In response to a delay on the commencement of the contract for the Individual Sexual Violence Advisor, the Commissioner advised that had been delayed until the Autumn due to issues relating to the Transfer of Undertakings and Protection of Employment process. He confirmed the new contract would deliver added benefits to the existing contract for example, the provision of services for child victims of crime.

 

With regard to the extension agreement for the Go Safe Partnership and the review to be undertaken of the introduction of the default 20mph speed limits in Wales, the Commissioner advised on the financial pressures being faced by the partnership and discussions being undertaken with the Welsh Government on its grant funding. In relation to the review of the 20mph limit, a lead chief officer had been appointed to inform the review of the Welsh Police Forces response and he would provide an update at a future Panel meeting.

 

In relation to a question on a recent report published on Road Safety within Powys, the Commissioner advised whilst he had not yet read the report the situation was not unique to Powys. However, he would agenda an  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

8.

POLICING PROTOCOL - PERFORMANCE REPORT pdf icon PDF 99 KB

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Minutes:

[NOTE:  Councillor S. Hancock and Mrs H.M. Thomas having earlier declared an interest in this item remained in the meeting during its consideration and voting thereof.]

 

The Panel considered a performance report in relation to the Policing Protocol for Q4 of the financial year 2023-24.  The report detailed the progress made in respect of the 50 actions introduced to measure compliance with the powers and duties set out in the Policing Protocol Order 2011.

 

The Panel congratulated the Commissioner and his team on the achievements made in reducing risks, with more risks now being categorised as ‘Green’.

 

With regard to the ‘Out of Court Disposals’, the Commissioner advised those were discussed at quarterly scrutiny panel meetings to assess court cases and it, in turn, reported to himself and the Chief Constable.

 

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

9.

OPCC BUSINESS PLAN - PROGRESS REPORT pdf icon PDF 92 KB

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Minutes:

[NOTE:  Councillor S. Hancock and Mrs. H. Thomas, having earlier declared an interest in this item remained in the meeting during its consideration and voting thereof.]

 

The Panel considered a report which summarised the progress made by the Dyfed Powys Police and Crime Commissioner during Quarter 4 2023/24 in delivering the requirements of its Business Plan. Panel Members were advised that the Business Plan was aligned to the priorities outlined in the Police and Crime Plan for 2021/2025.

 

The report detailed the 51 actions, 4 of which were categorised as red status, 26 amber status and 21 green status.  The report noted that a decision had been made to defer two of the actions to the next Business Plan.

 

The Panel also received for consideration the Police and Crime Commissioner’s 2024-25 Business Plan

 

In response to a question on the provision of a Women’s Centre, the Commissioner advised that was a pilot being established, initially within Carmarthen, funded by his office where women in danger of offending could be referred. It was hoped that in time other centres could also be established. He further advised that he could arrange for the Panel to be provided with more details at a future meeting and possibly arrange for it to visit the centre.

 

Reference was made to the Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Bow Street Aberystwyth and the Commissioner advised that whilst there had had been long term plans to effect its relocation to more suitable premises capital funding was not available from the Welsh Government. However, discussions were being undertaken with the Welsh Government on its capital programme with an officer from the South Wales Force leading on those discussions.

 

In response to a question under value 2, the Commissioner confirmed the review being undertaken on his holding of the Chief Constable to account would result in changes to the current system. He further referred to the role of the Police and Accountability Boards and advised their operation would also be reviewed.

 

RESOLVED

9.1

That the 2023/24 Q4 Business Plan progress report be noted

9.2

That the 2024/25 Business Plan be noted.