Summary - Shire Hall

A meeting summary and some personal notes authored by Cllr. Gareth Kitchen, SDC.

This post is an early draft of content that will form the basis of a collaborative report feeding into the Community Services and Licensing Committee at SDC.

Webcast of meeting. Agenda packs etc.

A few apologies, minutes of the previous meeting approved and no declarations of interest.

Chief Executive Report

The report centred on recent events involving the suspension of the Chief Constable. CEO explained that they are limited in terms of what they can say. However, they have pulled together an excellent report that summarises various pieces of legislation and guidance that the PCC had to navigate in coming to his decision to suspend the CC.

7th August the OPCC received briefing regarding the CC incident and soon after the mandatory referral and confirmation that an independent IOPC investigation would be undertaken. Further assessment through September and the IOPC served notice of investigation and the CC suspension notice issued on the 7th October.

PCC only responsible for CC when it comes to HR issues. Anything under the CC is the force's responsibility. However, they were aware that there was no 'dep' and no obvious person to step up and fill the CC role. Organisation at risk. Covered off risk by calling on other CCs in the region. Need to run quick to find new interim CC. Consulted widely. Interim CC in place for three months whilst a proper process can be run. Adverts should be out now.

Interim CC Maggie Blyth from College of Policing, direct entry will be appointing a deputy CC. PCC wanted to speak out of turn and the Chair permitted, maybe in the hope that member questions would be reduced. PCC spoke at length but denied that it was a political move or a 'stitch-up' to remove the CC, insisting the relationship was very close. The Chair had to close down the PCC due to time pressure.

Cllr. unhappy that info, relating to retirement of DCC Shaun West, whilst under investigation, only came to light after CC suspension and discovered via the Gloucestershire Live web site. CEO says not OPCC responsibility. PCC says confidentiality is important in suspension cases. Cllr. unhappy that CC is suspended on full pay and paying an interim CC. CEO looking for grant money. Another Cllr. says suspension is not a neutral act. Also, asks if PCC's actions have undermined trust and confidence in the Police. Chair has to intervene to speed up response. Cllr. very frustrated by the non-answer. PCC tetchy about political question. Cllr. doesn't let go. Remains unanswered.

I get to say that the CEO report, although very good and detailed, is pointless as we cannot scrutinse decisions if the Panel doesn't know the nature on the complaint. Also, about drip, drip of information coming into the public domain via IOPC etc. the Panel being the last to know. (I found out about the CC suspension via social media!)

Cllr. unhappy about receiving the CEO report late. Not acceptable. Also unhappy about not being notified about the suspension and discovering it via the BBC news app. Not acceptable. Chair told to keep it confidential apparently. A Cllr. concerned about the readiness of the three ACCs in terms of training. CEO says there are number of courses. Richard Ocone has nearly completed. Donna Lawton next.

Cllr. asks if any complaints have been made about the way PCC has handled the recruitment process? CEO say that they have received two complaints which have been notified to the Panel (not necessarily about the recruitment process itself). And indeed they had! They were discussed in the pre-meet and Panel members we're told to keep this subject confidential. I dislike all this pseudo-confidentiality, it undermines trust and confidence. I feel I need to raise this issue again. Chair seems unhappy, CEO insists they have followed process. Ummm...

Cllr. wants to offer some praise to OPCC for their hard work. PCC relaxes a little. CEO apologies for late CEO report. Chair offers reassurance that OPCC has a good smiling team.

Cllr. asks questions on strategic leadership. Panel not informed that we didn't have DCC, PCC believes that they were. Police used the phrase 'senior police officer' to announce. Cllr. says senior leadership team of five, by losing one we were not in a position to back-fill immediately. How can the Panel scrutinise if not reported to the Panel? Chair intervenes. Cllr. wants to be advised of risk.

Independent Custody Visitors Annual Report

Until the publication of the Scarman Report following the Brixton Riots in 1981, no provision existed for the independent monitoring of the welfare of detainees held in police custody. There is a team that performs this role for the Constabulary at their state of the art custody suite at the Police HQ. Interesting video about the suite here. The volunteers identify issues and raise them with the CI. Most items get resolved. Stress ball scheme mainly for children and vulnerable adults.

CEO talked about assessing detainees needs. High regard of IVC scheme. Push from banner group on dignity. Menstrual care, payer equipment, dietary requirements etc. Cllr. values the report and offers praise for the work, but very concerned about the age of the children. Can be as young as ten! Questions on volunteer recruitment process which seems protracted. Cllr. asks about 'not stated' for ethnicity. It's a difficult one to capture. (It seems to be done for Stop Search though, two data fields, self stated and officer stated).

However, the number of child detentions concerned me too, as well as the dis-proportionality. 26% of the children being non-white. I asked a question about this. It transpires that the outlying Police stations (Stroud, Dursley etc.) no longer have custody suites. All those being detained are transported to Gloucester. It maybe that this skews dis-proportionality as Gloucester is far more diverse than the outlying areas. Therefore easier and quicker for Police to detain children from Gloucester. PCC and CEO thought this hypothesis was worth looking into.

Cllr. ask how different languages are catered for. In terms of custody translators are available. They have big book with frequent questions in 30+ languages.

Chair say to pass on out thanks to the volunteers.

PCC Briefing Note

PCC says that the Stress Ball demonstrated for the prior item was pinched from his office! Stressful times. :) PCC says he wanted to do more volunteer work , but things haven't worked out. But met with Lord Timpson re rehabilitation of prisoners etc. Businessmen who get into politics often leave, becoming frustrated by process. PCC wants to reestablish trust and confidence in Policing. With appointment of Maggie, tackling male violence against women and girls. Focus on language in a progressive more thoughtful way. A few questions follow re detail and formatting of report and acronyms. New Police and Crime Plan delayed but has to be out by end of financial year.

AOB

Visits planned to OPCC and WWHQ.