Q

How would the PCC ensure that the police were representative of the community they served?

A

Public equality duty assurances would be contained in the Plan

Q

The consultation period was going to be very short.  How did the PCC intend to consult hard to reach groups?  How did he intend to consult and communicate in future?

A

Due to statutory timescales the consultation process in this first year was truncated. The Independent Advisory Group would assist with representing the interests of minority communities and the public engagement strategy was not yet finalised.  The PCC undertook to inform the Panel about his consultation strategy.

Q

You stressed the importance of community safety partnerships however they do not have secure finances – will you provide any funding?

A

The PCC would meet with the partnerships to ensure that the Plan took account of their requirements/interests.

Q

How transparent and open would the process for appointing your advisers be?  You have appointed a Chief Adviser but no public adverts had been seen.

A

The legislation allowed the PCC to appoint a deputy and other advisers.  Generally, the appointment system would be transparent and the PCC would set up a recruitment group which would consider the points raised at this meeting.  He would keep the Panel fully informed about his recruitment plans.

Q

Which matters would not be a priority for you?

A

Some specific areas had been included under more general headings.  If anyone considered that something was missing from the Plan the PCC would be pleased to hear from them. 

Q

Did the PCC have more detail about the consultation strategy?  Did he have a communications strategy?  Would he use social networking?

A

The community engagement strategy and the communications strategy, which included the use of multi-media, were being finalised.  A variety of methods would be used to communicate as widely as possible.

Q

How did the PCC plan to address public concern regarding understaffing, especially the lack of road traffic enforcement in the Tamar Valley?

A

This would be an operational matter and therefore the responsibility of the Chief Constable.

Q

Did the PCC agree that stronger partnerships would be key to closer working arrangements particularly in relation to children and adult safeguarding.

A

The PCC agreed and had signed off a paper about a new approach to safeguarding vulnerable people.

Q

The public didn’t understand whose role it was to police issues relating to alcohol misuse – would you agree that partners must work more closely together as the public weren’t aware who to complain to.

A

The PCC had asked for information about the responsible authorities and would be looking to meet with them and discuss these matters further.

Q

How would you differentiate between dissimilar areas with regard to reducing crime?

A

This question will prompt us to consider whether we should undertake performance reviews at strategic or more local levels.

Q

The area was diverse, had an urban/rural divide and scarce resources to be targeted at reducing crime.  People would look for an assurance that resource allocation addressed specific issues in different localities – the Plan didn’t include this.

A

Resource allocation was usually based on the analysis of crime figures.  Rural communities had specific needs and urban areas such as Plymouth would have additional pressures around the level of crime.  Performance was monitored and considered in conjunction with resource allocation. The PCC undertook to look at the issue of providing greater clarity in the Plan.

Q

How were special constables, including training and equipment and seasonal variations, costed?

A

There were approximately 360 special constables at present and their use would be continued.  Communities, especially in rural areas, were encouraged to help themselves.  If a person wanted to apply and met the criteria they could be interviewed and, potentially, be located in their own area.

Q

With regards to anti-social behaviour issues, it was important that potentially vulnerable people were identified at an early stage and this would depend upon data and information sharing with partners.  Could you give a commitment to progressing that?

A

The PCC undertook to progress the matter.

Q

You have considered alcohol related domestic violence and there was a tendency to put the blame on the licensee.  However, the figures illustrated that drinking at home greatly contributed to domestic violence and to problems in the streets.  Will you take this, and the contribution that licensees make to the night time economy, into account when you examine alcohol related problems?

A

The PCC advised that 50% of domestic abuse was alcohol related and tackling alcohol related issues was very resource intensive.  There were excellent licensee schemes and considerable police effort expended on tacking the issue.  He confirmed that close working relations with the licensing authorities should ensure a joined up and proportionate approach.

Q

With regards to reoffending rates – there was a lack of public tolerance towards ex-offenders, very few schemes that would offer employment and too few agencies willing to work with ex-offenders.  It was essential to commission more support to reduce the reoffending figure - would the PCC agree?

A

The PCC agreed that this was an important area and advised that the commissioning budget would be retained for the 2013/2014 financial year.  Future funding would be reviewed with the aim of gaining additional benefits.