Meeting Details

Councillor Holland declared an interest as a member of the Essex Fire Authority and as a Member of the LGA Fire Commission.She also advised that her son is a Police Officer for Essex Police.

Councillor Smith declared an interest as a member of the Essex Fire Authority and stated that he has also been invited to attend a meeting of the LGA as an independent party representative.

Councillor Channer declared that she is deputy Cabinet Member to Councillor Madden who has portfolio responsibilities for children and families.

Councillor Mike Mackrory asked for details of the overall strategy for dealing with knife crime in the County.

The Commissioner acknowledged that serious violent crime is an issue of concern in Essex and that it forms one of the priority areas within the Police and Crime Plan 2016 - 20. One example of how it is being tackled is through knife amnesties, which have been introduced across Essex, with knife surrender bins placed in various locations around the County. He added there had been some success in connection therewith and that work is being done with local organisations to promote awareness to young people of the dangers of knives.

The appointment of the following to the Ethics and Integrity Sub-Committee was confirmed:

Councillor Channer

Councillor Isaacs

Councillor Shepherd

Kay Odysseos

The Panel considered report EPCP/08/17 by the Chief Executive of the OPCC to the Panel, which provided an update on progress made in relation to the local business case for joint governance of Police and Fire & Rescue Services in Essex.

The following points were made during the ensuing discussion:

• The Commissioner advised that the consultation period concluded on 10th May with formal support being received from the three tier 1 authorities in the County
• Essex is the first county in the country to consult on a local business case for joint governance of police and fire and submit it to the Home Secretary for approval.
• The final version of the local business plan was been submitted to the Home Office on the 19^th May. The PCC continues to aim for a 1^st Oct start date but he proposed time scale may be affected by the General election.
• The Fire Authority supported the proposal to go out to consultation on the local business case (vote of 15-2)
• Details of the Fire Brigade union's response to the consultation can be found on the PCC website

DECISION

The Panel:

1. Noted the results of the PCC’s public consultation in relation to joint governance of Police and Fire & Rescue Services in Essex;
2. Noted the final version of Local Business Case for Joint Governance of Police and Fire & Rescue in Essex which was submitted to the Home Office on the 17^th May 2017; and
3. Noted the proposed transition activities which will need to be undertaken prior to the 1^st October 2017.

The Panel considered report EPCP/09/17 by the Secretary to the Panel, which set out the actions required for reviewing the role of the Panel in holding the Commissioner to account if and when he assumes responsibility for the Fire Service.

The following points were made during the ensuing discussion:

• The Chairman pointed out that the workload of the Panel will increase and it was felt that financial support would be required to provide dedicated support.
• The Chief Executive advised that whilst a bid had been submitted to the Home Office for assistance to develop the business case, there had been no additional funding received for the transition programme.
• The Commissioner recognised the request for financial support by the Chairman and offered to have a conversation with him in this regard

DECIDED:

That the report on the future of the Panel be noted.

The Panel considered report EPCP/10/17 by Gregg Myddelton (OPCC) and Supt. Tom Simons (Essex Police), providing an update on key developments relating to priority 3 in the Police and Crime Plan:Breaking the cycle of Domestic Abuse.

The following points were raised during the ensuing discussion:

• There has been positive engagement with Health and through this victims have now been identified from hospital A&E and maternity units and referred into help.
• In the past few years there has been a significant increase in reports of abuse from older members of the population
• There is positive engagement with schools in the County although this needs to be developed further.
• In response to a request regarding details of "non - violent" abuse, the deputy Commissioner confirmed that relevant data will be provided to the Panel at a later date.
• In response to a request for information regarding repeat offenders, the Panel were advised that whilst this data was not available at the present time, but would be provided at a later date.
• Anna Hook informed the Panel that a Community leaders group panel session (post Manchester bombings) had been held on 31st May. There were representatives from a variety of faith based organisations and it had been a very positive event.

DECIDED:

That the report on Domestic Abuse update be noted

The Panel considered report EPCP/11/17 by the Police and Crime Commissioner to the Panel, which provided a summary of the financial and strategic decisions made by the PCC. It contained information on decisions made in 2016/17 Q4 and included decisions mad up to and including 19 May 2017.

The following points were made during the ensuing discussion:

• The Commissioner advised that this was a new way of reporting to the Panel and that he hoped it would be an improvement to the reporting process
• In response to a request for budgetary information to be included, the Commissioner pointed out that this information is contained within the individual reports that are on the PCC website.

DECISION:

That the Police and Crime Commissioner report be noted.

The Panel considered report EPCP/12/17 by the Secretary to the Panel concerning the planning of the Panel's business. The following changes to the proposed business were proposed:

• Police Technology including Athena update and the emergency services network proposed for meeting on 20 th July will be taken to the meeting on 19th October
• Tackling Gangs in Essex update will be taken to meeting 20th July instead of 19th October
• PCC annual report will be added to the business of meeting on 19th October

The Panel agreed the content of the Forward Look subject to the changes detailed above.