Issue - meetings

To consider a report by the Head of Legal and Democratic Services on proposals for the Cambridgeshire Police and Crime Panel.

Supported the establishment of the Cambridgeshire Police and Crime Panel as a Joint Committee of the local authorities, as defined in Section 28 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011;  appointed the Executive Leader as the District Council’s representative on the Cambridgeshire Police and Crime Panel with the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Social Well-Being) as his substitute; approved the Panel arrangements appended to the report and authorised the Head of Legal and Democratic Services to finalise the precise wording as necessary.

By way of a report by the Head of Legal and Democratic Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet were acquainted with the background to the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011.

Members were advised that the Act would introduce significant changes in police governance and accountability, in particular replacing the Police Authorities with directly elected Police and Crime Commissioners.  An essential part of this would be the establishment of a Police and Crime Panel primarily to scrutinise the commissioner.

In reviewing the Panel’s arrangements and terms of reference, Executive Councillors noted that the Panel would consist of representatives from the seven Cambridgeshire Local Authorities plus one co-optee.  Having noted the views of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Social Well-Being) on the latter, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the establishment of the Cambridgeshire Police and Crime Panel as a Joint Committee of the local authorities, as defined in Section 28 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 be supported;

  (b)  that the Executive Leader be appointed as the District Council’s representative on the Cambridgeshire Police and Crime Panel with the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Social Well-Being) as his substitute;

  (c)  that the Panel arrangements appended to the report now submitted be approved and the Head of Legal and Democratic Services authorised to finalise the precise wording as necessary.