Agenda item

Consideration was given to the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Annual Report, summarising the work of the Commissioner from 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2016. It was noted that the report was submitted in accordance with the provisions of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 which requires a Police and Crime Commissioner to produce a report on the exercise of his functions in each financial year and the progress which has been made during that year in meeting the police and crime objectives in the Police and Crime Plan.

In presenting his annual report, the Commissioner indicated that a significant amount of time had to be devoted to the legacy issues of child sexual exploitation and the Hillsborough Inquests. The Commissioner also referenced the Peer Review of the force, which took place just after the end of the year summarised within the report, and whilst the outcome of the review was a frank and hard-hitting report, it did provide the incoming Chief Constable with a clear understanding of the issues requiring attention within South Yorkshire Police.

The Panel welcomed the opportunity to review the Commissioner’s annual report and began their review by querying the governance arrangements established by the Police and Crime Commissioner and whether there was any cross over between the various panels and the Police and Crime Panel. The Commissioner agreed to bring a report to a future meeting setting out his governance arrangements and membership of various panels.

Reference was also made to cultural issues and the morale of the workforce of South Yorkshire Police and sought to understand how the Commissioner would work with the Chief Constable to establish improvements. In response, the Commissioner referred to the Peer Review’s finding of a lack of strategic leadership being a critical issue and that the review process had sought the views of individuals across the force.

The Panel queried whether the Commissioner intended to retain the same priorities as part of the refresh of the Police and Crime Plan. In response, the Commissioner indicated that the existing priorities would likely remain, but the actions underpinning those priorities would change to accord with circumstances on the ground.

Looking ahead to the future, the Panel sought clarification in respect of funding for legacy issues and whether the Commissioner anticipated continued government funding to deal with such matters. In response, the Commissioner explained that those issues that were specific to South Yorkshire Police, such as child sexual exploitation, would likely need to be funded directly from South Yorkshire, but those legacy issues which were connected to wider national issues, such as Hillsborough or if there were to be an inquiry in the events of the ‘Battle of Orgreave’, may receive government funding.

In addition, questions were asked in respect of the funding of legal costs and a drive towards a collaborative approach to the delivery of emergency services or sharing of services with other force areas. In response, the Commissioner indicated that it was his role to have oversight of the spending on legal costs funded by his office and that it was his intention to continue the development of collaborative approaches with other emergency services and other police force areas to secure effective and efficient services.

Discussions moved on to the impact of protests in Rotherham, in particular, and the specific negative effect on businesses and footfall in the town centre when protest marches took place. The Commissioner referred to the balance that needed to be struck between discouraging such protests and enabling groups to exercise their right to protest. Following the Commissioner’s response, Councillor Cutts indicated that he had attended every protest march in Rotherham and had not encountered any issue and was not aware of any business that had been negatively impacted by protests in the town. He further stated he did not consider that the protests would require a police presence and a requested that the Commissioner provide him with a list of businesses that had been effected by protest marches in Rotherham, which the Commissioner agreed to do. Other Panel Members stated their disagreement with the comments made by Councillor Cutts, as did the Police and Crime Commissioner.

Resolved:-

1.    That the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Annual Report be noted.

2.    That the Police and Crime Commissioner be advised that the Panel endorses his Annual Report.

3.    That the Police and Crime Commissioner be congratulated on his achievements during a turbulent year and, in particular, for this leadership in coordinating a force area wide partnership approach to child sexual exploitation with local authorities.