Police and Crime Commissioners (PCC)
The latest News
Click on the picture below to view the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011
January - February 2012
The Home Office have published a timeline showing key stages in the PCC process on their website
The Home Office have published the 5th bulletin in their series of bulletins of the establishment of Police and Crime Commissioners. The bulletins are available on the Home Office website
December 2011
- Home Office publish 3rd and 4th bulletins in their series of bulletins on the establishment of Police and Crime Commissioners. The bulletins are available on the Home Office website
November 2011
- Home Office publish an information booklet about the role of PCC and who is eligible.
- The Local Government Association have published a guide for Councils which explores some of the technical issues around establishing a panel, ahead of the guidance the Home Office will be producing. "Police and Crime Panels" Guidance on role and composition"
- Nick Herbert's speech marking one year to go (to introduction of Police and Crime Commissioners)
-The Policing Protocol Order, which will come into force on 16 January 2011; Policing Protocol Order
10 October 2011 - 'Negotiating the bill, The introduction of Police and Crime Commissioners in England and Wales'
Deloitte has published the above research paper, which indentifies fie minimum critical success factors for transition to PCCs and includes practical steps needed before, during and after the PCC election, considerations for effective governance, relationships and accountability and rethinking local criminal justice services. The document can be found on theDeloitte website
September 2011 - Home Office publish 2nd bulletin
The Home Office has published the second in their series of bulletins on the establishment of Police and Crime Commissioners. The bulletin focuses on Police and Crime Panels and whilst the Home Office will be issuing further guidance, it suggests that local authorities should now begin to consider how they will establish a Police and Crime Panel in their area. The four unitary/county concils and six district councils in West Mercia have agreed that Worcestershire County Council will be the lead authority responsible for the organisation and day to day running of the Panel for the West Mercia area.
The bulletin is available on the Home Office website
23 September 2011
The Home Office have published a consultation document which focuses on how criminal and non criminal allegations against Police & Crime Commissioners will be handled. The closing date for submitting comments on the consultation is the 21st October 2011. Further details on the consultation and how to submit a response are available on the Home Office website.
15 September 2011 - Royal Assent Granted
Today the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill became an Act following Her Majesty's grant of Royal Assent this afternoon
14 September 2011 - PCC Elections to take place on 15 November 2012
Today, the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill completed its passage through parliament and will now proceed to Royal Assent at Her Majesty’s pleasure, which is expected shortly. The elections for PCCs will take place on 15 November 2012 across England and Wales. West Mercia Police Authority will now focus on ensuring that the move to the new system is as smooth, efficient and effective as possible.
7 September 2011 - Policing Minister announces postponement of elections for Police and Crime Commissioners
The Policing Minister, Nick Herbert, has announced changes to the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill, including postponing the first election of Police and Crime Commissioners until 15 November 2012. The Bill is due to return to the Commons on Monday, 12 September and will then move back to the Lords to debate the Commons amendments on Wednesday, 14 September. The Government hopes to get Royal Assent before Parliament closes again for party conferences on 15 September, but this will depend on what happens in the Lords.
The Local Government Group has issued 'Police and Crime Commissioners: Guide For Councils' which explains the role of the PCC, Police and Crime Panels and implications for Community Safety Partnerships. The document is available on the (LINK;http://www.local.gov.uk/web/10161/publications/-/journal_content/56/10161/2841715/PUBLICATION-TEMPLATE;Local Gov website;go to local.gov.uk website;N;Y}
July 2011 - The Home Office publish bulletin
The Home Office has published the first of a series of bulletins on the establishment of Police and Crime Commissioners and in particular their potential relationship with other local leaders The bulletin is available on the Home Office website.
June 2011 - Proposal for Police and Crime Commissioners to replace Police Authorities
The Government has published the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill. This contains details on proposals to replace the Police Authority with one directly elected Police and Crime Commissioner.
West Mercia Police Authority has seventeen Members - nine locally elected Councillors and eight Independent Members of the public drawn from across the four council areas. The Authority tries to ensure that there is an appropriate skill mix and representation through its membership. The Authority sets local priorities for policing, ensures that the public receives value for money and holds the Chief Constable to account effectively for the quality of policing service you receive.
The proposal is to hold an election in May 2012 to elect the Police and Crime Commissioner, who will hold office for four years. This individual will be a powerful representative of the public, leading the fight against crime and anti-social behaviour. The Government’s proposals state that the Commissioner will hold the Chief Constable to account for the full range of his or her current responsibilities and that the Commissioner will have five key roles as part of their mission, namely:
• Representing and engaging with all those who live and work in the communities in their Force area and identifying their policing needs;
• Setting priorities that meet those needs by agreeing a Local Strategic Plan for the Force;
• Holding the Chief Constable to account for achieving these priorities as efficiently and effectively as possible and playing a role in wider questions of community safety;
• Setting the Force budget and setting the precept; • Appointing and, where necessary, removing the Chief Constable.
The Police and Crime Commissioner will have a support team and a new Police and Crime Panel will be introduced to scrutinize the Commissioner’s work. The Commissioner will carry out a range of functions currently undertaken by the Police Authority, including setting the budget for West Mercia Police and the proportion of council tax spent on policing.
This year, West Mercia Police Authority Members appointed the new Chief Constable, Mr David Shaw. If the proposal goes ahead, future Chief Constables would be appointed by the Policing and Crime Commissioner.
Police Authorities will not have to set aside money in their budgets for the costs of the election as the Chancellor has agreed to fund £50m to ensure the elections in England and Wales can take place in May 2012.
As the details of the Bill become clear, we will update this information – the Bill is currently working its way through parliament and is expected to be enacted in the autumn.
June 2011
