The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

The Panel were introduced to Sukdave Ghuman, Service Director Legal and Governance Barnsley MBC who would be attending future meetings following the departure of J Field. 

Richard Hindley and Jacqueline Griffin were also welcomed to the meeting as the proposed independent co-opted members for the public part of the meeting only.

Apologies for absence were noted as above.

None.

To determine whether there are any additional items of business which by reason of special circumstances the Chair is of the opinion should be considered at the meeting; the reason(s) for such urgency to be stated.

None.

To identify items where resolutions may be moved to exclude the public and press.  (For items marked * the public and press may be excluded from the meeting).

RESOLVED – That agenda item 20 ‘Appointment of Independent (Co-opted) Members of the South Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel, Item 21 ‘Attendance of a Member at Police and Crime Panel Meetings’ and Item 22 ‘PCC Resilience Arrangements’ be considered in the absence of the public and press.

Councillor Moyes declared a non-pecuniary interest as she is in receipt of a police pension as a former employee of West Yorkshire Police.

The Panel’s Rules of Procedure and the procedure for asking questions of the Commissioner and the Panel is available at: https://www.barnsley.gov.uk/sypcp

If any member of the public wishes to ask a question of the Police and Crime Commissioner at the meeting, they should be submitted in writing at least 5 working days before the meeting and be no more than 100 words in length.  They must not relate to an individual case, and must not repeat, or substantially repeat, any question that has been asked and answered at a meeting of the Panel meeting in the six months preceding the date of the meeting.

Questions should be submitted to Andrew Shirt, Council Governance Officer (Host Authority for the Police and Crime Panel) by email – andrewshirt@barnsley.gov.uk

There were no public questions to the Police and Crime Commissioner.

If any member of the public wishes to ask a question of the Police and Crime Panel at the meeting, they should be submitted in writing at least 5 working days before the meeting and be no more than 100 words in length.

They must not relate to an individual case, and must not repeat, or substantially repeat, any question that has been asked and answered at a meeting of the Panel meeting in the six months preceding the date of the meeting.

Questions should be submitted to Andrew Shirt, Council Governance Officer (Host Authority for the Police and Crime Panel) by email – andrewshirt@barnsley.gov.uk

There were no public questions to the Police and Crime Panel.

Matters Arising / Action Log

The Panel discussed and noted progress in respect of the agreed actions captured on the Panel’s Action Log set out in Appendix A to the minutes.

RESOLVED –

i)          That the minutes of the Police and Crime Panel meeting held on 5^th December 2023 be agreed and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

ii)         Noted that the Panel’s Action Log would be updated following discussion and agreement at today’s meeting.

A report was submitted which provided Members with the Commissioner’s draft Police and Crime Plan (Plan) for 2023-2025.

Dr Billings commented that when he was elected in 2014 South Yorkshire Police was not in a good place due to a number of issues including child exploitation in Rotherham and the Hillsborough disaster.  The HMICFRS were critical of the force and had stated it required improvement.  Chief Constable S Watson was appointed and over the 5 years in post the force had moved from ‘requires improvement’ to ‘good’ and this position had been maintained following the appointment of Chief Constable L Poultney who had the same clear visions and sense of purpose to maintain standards and also to take the force forward.  The latest HMICFRS report commented that it is a good force and talked about it being ambitious and innovative.

The Commissioner informed the Panel that the latest Plan presented to members was around Working Together for a Safer South Yorkshire.  It did not include revolutionary changes and he wanted the existing priorities to be maintained which had been the key to helping the force get to where it is today. 

The PCC’s draft plan re-stated the same overall priorities:

·       Protecting Vulnerable People

·       Tackling Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour

·       Treating People Fairly

It was acknowledged that these priorities were against a difficult financial situation, and it would not be easy for the Force going forward.  However, following consultation with members of the public regarding council tax increases and how much they would be willing to raise the precepts by for policing, it was a pleasant surprise that most were willing to pay more.  This would result in the Chief Constable being able to keep their commitment to increase officer numbers. 

The Commissioner reiterated to Members of the Panel that the key theme behind the plan was Working Together for a Safer South Yorkshire reflecting what had happened in the past year with the forefront concerns being around road safety and safer streets.  It was recognised that the Police would not be able to carry out all duties as a single organisation, but that partnership working would be required for some priorities. 

The Commissioner invited the Panel to comment on the Plan’s contents and make any recommendations by 15 February 2023, to enable the Plan to be published in a timely manner.

The Panel raised the following key points:

·       Mr Carratt asked whether it could be made more explicit that the Home Office sets precepts which ties the Forces hands in terms of the pay cost for police forces.

·       Mr Carratt asked the Commissioner to consider the inclusion of child protection as a distinction that is broader than child exploitation.

·       Mr Carratt commented that Clinical Commissioning Groups no longer existed so the wording would need updating to Integrated Care.

·       Mr Carratt commented that the paragraph that speaks of the ‘Operation Linden’ talks about the victims feeling let down by individual officers and reflects their feelings but does not address what the PCC  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

A report of the Chief Finance Officer, OPCC was submitted to notify the Panel of the Commissioner’s proposed Council Tax precept for 2023/24.

The Commissioner referred to the financially difficult year everyone would be facing.  Funding for the Police came from 2 parts of government grants and council tax precepts.  The expectation would be that the full council tax precept limit would be used of £15 per Band D household as local Government’s were also struggling and wouldn’t be able to provide grants at inflation levels.  The Government were encouraging the maximum precept amount as without the medium term period, budgets were unstable. 

The Commissioner referred to the property bandings in the area, highlighting that the majority of properties in South Yorkshire were in bands A to C who would be less affected with the increase than those in Bands D and above.  It was recognised that there was already a financial struggle for council tax payers but the Commissioner was mindful of the fact that most properties were below the Band D level.  Following a public consultation, members were informed that most people were prepared to pay the increase, and some were prepared to pay the rate of inflation at 10% which would equate to more than £15.

Members were informed that this would be the only way to balance the books this year without looking into potential further efficiency savings from the police force and staffing. If necessary, vacancies would not be filled and they would also look towards redundancies.  In addition, the force were looking at priority based budgeting in every aspect of the organisations work to see if any further efficiencies could be found as value for money was important.    

S Abbott informed the Panel that a number of additional factors had affected the budget including NI contribution changes, legacy issues for historical civil claims from the Hillsborough disaster and child sex abuse cases, where provision has to be made.  The balance over the next couple of years will be made from reserves with £6.2M worth of savings to be found.

The report set out a number of key risks and uncertainties, which were noted by Members.

Mr Carratt asked whether a copy of the questions and answers from the private meeting of the Police and Crime Panel Budget Familiarisation Session held on 31 January 2023 could be reflected within the minutes in order to evidence the scrutiny that had taken place over the budget. 

In relation to the Police and Crime Panel Budget Familiarisation Session held on 31 January 2023, it was noted that members had raised questions and were assured by the responses provided. 

Councillor Baum-Dixon raised concerns around the prudent use of reserves and what level of certainty they had in reserves to be comfortable.  In response S Abbott commented that whilst there was always uncertainty around interest rates and legislation changes, they were confident based on the information they have at the moment.

Councillor Baum-Dixon raised concerns as to whether the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.

A report of the Commissioner was presented to inform Members that the Commissioner is supported by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) in delivering his Police and Crime Plan, and in effectively discharging his wide range of legal responsibilities. 

The OPCC has a Delivery Plan which outlines how this is undertaken each year.

The report provided Members with an update on key PCC and OPCC activities against the new Delivery Plan since the Panel’s last meeting held on 5^th December 2022.

The report also provided Members with information on the decisions taken by the PCC since the Panel’s last meeting.

Mr Carratt spoke of the collaborative work with the SYP and local partners in a bid to the Ministry of Justice’s women’s funding round and the concerns around the delayed outcome to the end of the financial year and what financial year that would need to be spent in.

In response M Buttery spoke of the frustration around the delay but that discussions were being held around the spending rules.  The Commissioner commented that whilst these pots of money were very welcome, they often came with an unsatisfactory delay and the need to be spent within the financial year.  He expressed that they would like to give more notice and the ability to cover the financial year but the treasury rules stopped them from doing that resulting in an unfair squeeze.

Councillor Garbutt welcomed the Scrutiny Work taking place on stop and search and requested an update of how that was progressing.  In response the Commissioner informed the Panel that an Independent Ethics Panel had carried out a thorough look into the area of stop and search and that those members had good interactions with SYP.  A regular report is provided to the Commissioner through the Public Accountability Board and the work being undertaken was on a level with other Authorities in the Country.  M Buttery informed members that an update on the stop and search levels and work from the Ethics Panel would be circulated to all Members. 

Councillor Garbutt requested an update with regards to complaints against the police and how South Yorkshire were dealing with them.  In response the Commissioner commented that it was a huge national issue but that all records of complaints against an officer were being looked over again.  The Chief Constable had assured the Commissioner that new recruits would be vetted at the face to face interview, at the end of training and then every 5 years.  There was a desire to change the culture so that if an officer witnessed anything of concern from a colleague they would report it.

A query was raised as to staff surveys and whether they were undertaken.  In response M Buttery informed the Panel that they did conduct staff surveys and these were regularly followed up alongside staff focus groups.

RESOLVED – That Police and Crime Panel Members:-

i)          Noted the contents of the report.

ii)         Asked questions on the matters contained  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

The Commissioner provided Members with an update on the latest inspection of South Yorkshire Police (SYP) by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary, Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) for Police Effectiveness, Efficiency and Legitimacy (PEEL).

M Buttery provided members with a brief summary of the contents of the report.

Mr Carratt gave his congratulations on the outcomes that showed humility to the Commissioner and his team, the wider leadership team and the force itself.  Following this it was then raised as to whether there had been any recommendations received to give consideration relating to Governance, specifically the Panel and tracking through activity. 

M Buttery responded by informing the Panel that none had been received, but that they could go back and ask that question.

SYP would continue to maintain its future ambition to build on the journey of continuous improvement and invest its resources wisely to meet policing needs alongside the Government initiative to increase police officer numbers, although it was acknowledged that this would be a challenging journey against a difficult financial future.

RESOLVED – That Members of the Police and Crime Panel noted the contents of the report and commented on any matters arising.

Cllr Milsom – Safer Sheffield Partnership – 12 January 2023

Cllr Knowles – Safer & Stronger Doncaster Partnership Board – 24 January 2023 

Cllr Haleem – Safer Rotherham Partnership – (December 2022 meeting cancelled)

Due to the absence of Councillor Milsom, there were no updates from the Safer Sheffield Partnership held on 12 January 2023. 

Councillor Knowles had attended the Safer and Stronger Doncaster Partnership Board held on 24 January 2023 and commented that it had been a difficult meeting to understand due to the complex language used by officers and that it was felt that the meeting was not a good use of Councillors time in attending. 

Dr Billings commented that work had been undertaken with officers to write Public Accountability Board reports in a language that was easily understandable.  The comment would be taken away and officers would be asked to investigate how reports are presented in future meetings.   

The Safer Rotherham Partnership that was due to be held in December 2022 was cancelled, therefore no updates were provided.

RESOLVED – That Members of the Police and Crime Panel noted the feedback.

A report was submitted to set out a schedule of meeting dates for the Police and Crime Panel in 2023/24.

RESOLVED - That Members of the Police and Crime Panel:-

i)          Considered and approved the 2023/24 meeting dates set out below:-

            Monday 24April 2023 (Already Set)

            Monday 12 June 2023 – Annual Meeting

            Monday 17 July 2023

            Monday 25 September 2023

            Monday 11 December 2023

            Monday 5 February 2024

            Monday 29 April 2024

All Meetings will take place at 1.00pm with a pre-meeting for Members at 12.30pm and be held ion Barnsley Town Hall, unless stated otherwise.

ii)         Agreed to hold additional / extraordinary meetings / training events as and when appropriate / necessary.

Members were informed that no complaints had been received by the Panel against the PCC during the period 1 June 2022 to 31 December 2022

RESOLVED – That members noted the update.

A report was submitted to update Members on current events – national, regional and local, together with future plans in respect of learning and development for the Panel.

Suggestions for any other learning and development opportunities Members may have to support the Panel’s learning and development were welcomed.

A summary of events which had taken place since the last meeting together with details of proposed future events were set out within the report for Members’ information.

RESOLVED – That Members of the Police and Crime Panel:-

i)          Note the update.

ii)         Agreed to provide suggestions for future learning and development.

Members considered the 2023/24 work programme and were reminded that they could submit issues for the Work Programme that fall within the Panel’s Statutory role in supporting and scrutinising the Commissioner. 

All issues would be given full consideration by the Chair. Vice-Chair and Commissioner at the pre-agenda planning meetings.

Additionally, Members were encouraged to attend the meetings of the Commissioner’s Public Accountability Board (PAB) to increase their operational knowledge.

Members were reminded that they could also submit questions for PAB through the OPCC, with 5 working days notice prior to the meeting.

RESOLVED – That Members of the Police and Crime Panel noted the contents of the 2023/24 Work Programme.

RESOLVED – That the next meeting of the Police and Crime Panel be held on Monday 24 April 2023 at 1.00pm in Barnsley Town Hall.

RESOLVED – That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 and paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act and the public interest not to disclose information outweighs the public interest in disclosing it.

A report of the Clerk to the Panel was presented to request that members endorse the recommendations of the Recruitment and Evaluation Panel to appoint Miss J Griffin and Mr R Hindley to the vacant roles of Independent (Co-opted) Members of the Panel.

RESOLVED – That Members of the Police and Crime Panel:-

i)          Noted the action taken place to recruit two Independent (Co-opted) Members of the Panel.

ii)         Agreed the recommendations of the Recruitment and Evaluation Panel’s decision to formally appoint Miss J Griffin and Mr R Hindley to the roles of Independent (Co-opted) Members to the Panel with effect from 3February 2023.

A report of the Panel’s Legal Adviser and Panel’s Support Officer was presented asking members to consider the non-attendance at meetings of a Member of the Panel and set out the options open to the Panel.

RESOLVED – That Members of the Police and Crime Panel:-

i)          Considered the actions to be taken as set out in the report and agreed to approve the absence for the remaining period of the municipal year 2022/23.

ii)         That Mr W Carratt be appointed as Vice-Chair for the remaining period of the municipal year 2022/23.

A report of the OPCC was presented to members setting out the existing PCC Resilience Arrangements and seeking the Panel’s views on these arrangements.

RESOLVED – That Members noted and agreed the existing arrangements until the next PCC election to be held in 2024.