WEST MIDLANDS POLICE AND CRIME PANEL 14 JULY 2014

Transcription

1 WEST MIDLANDS POLICE AND CRIME PANEL 14 JULY 2014 MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE WEST MIDLANDS POLICE AND CRIME PANEL HELD ON MONDAY 14 JULY 2014 AT 1430 HOURS IN COMMITTEE ROOMS 1 AND 2, DUDLEY COUNCIL HOUSE, PRIORY ROAD, DUDLEY PRESENT:- Birmingham - Councillors J Phillips, Douglas Osborn (Alternate) and Hassall (Alternate) Black Country Councils - Councillors Hosell and Rowley (Alternate) Coventry Councillors Bains and Townshend (Alternate) Dudley - Councillor Tyler Sandwell - Councillor Cooper Wolverhampton Councillor Mattu Co-opted Independent Members Messrs N Drew and L Walker ALSO PRESENT:- Yvonne Mosquito Deputy West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner John Polychronakis Lead Chief Executive/Panel Secretary Mike Williams Finance Officer, West Midlands Office for Policing and Crime ELECTION OF CHAIR ************************************* Nominations were invited by John Polychronakis, Panel Secretary, for the position of Chair of the Panel. It was proposed, seconded and:- 114 RESOLVED:- That Councillor Darren Cooper (Sandwell) be appointed Chair of the West Midlands Police and Crime Panel for the period ending with the Annual Meeting in

2 ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIR Nominations were invited by John Polychronakis, Panel Secretary, for the position of Vice-Chair of the Panel. It was proposed, seconded and:- 115 RESOLVED:- That Councillor Jess Phillips (Birmingham) be appointed Vice-Chair of the West Midlands Police and Crime Panel for the period ending with the Annual Meeting in DEATH OF BOB JONES, WEST MIDLANDS POLICE AND CRIME COMMISSIONER 116 The Panel observed a minute s silence in recognition of Bob Jones who died on 1 July A number of tributes were paid by Members in recognition of Bob Jones long service as a local Councillor for Blakenhall Ward in Wolverhampton and, following his election in November 2012, as the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner. He was held in the highest regard by everyone who knew him and was a stalwart of the community. Bob s depth of knowledge of his local area, particularly regarding police matters, was unparalleled. He worked with humility and dedication. Members expressed their condolences to his family, considered that it was disrespectful and insensitive to have called a by-election so soon after Bob s death and were concerned that the legislation had been inadequate in dealing with the situation. Members were concerned that the timing of the by-election, which was scheduled to take place on 21 August 2014, would result in a poor turnout as many people would be on holiday. WEST MIDLANDS POLICE AND CRIME PANEL MEMBERSHIP 2014/15 The following schedule was submitted:- (See document No 1) 117 RESOLVED:- That the appointments to the Panel by the West Midlands Local Authorities and the West Midlands Joint Committee for the 2014/15 Municipal Year be noted. 2

3 APOLOGIES 118 Apologies for non-attendance were submitted on behalf of the following:- Councillor Tilsley (Birmingham); Councillors Lucas (Coventry); Councillor Sleigh (Solihull); and Councillor Bird (Walsall). DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST 119 There were no declarations of interest. APPOINTMENT OF ACTING WEST MIDLANDS POLICE AND CRIME COMMISSIONER John Polychronakis, Panel Secretary, explained the options available and the legal situation regarding the appointment of an Acting West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner and pointed out that the only person eligible to take up the position was the Deputy West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, currently held by Yvonne Mosquito. The following letter from Yvonne Mosquito, Deputy West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner indicating that she was willing to take on the role of Acting West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner was submitted:- (See document No 2) Members expressed concern regarding the inadequacies of the legislation in dealing with the situation, particularly if Yvonne Mosquito had not wished to take on the role. Hereon, Yvonne Mosquito, responded to Members questions regarding the role of Acting West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner and made the following points:- 1. She pointed out that Bob Jones had valued her, empowered her and included her in all decisions and that the voice of the people was most important to him. Bob had died doing a job that he loved. 2. With regard to the key issues to be dealt with until the by-election scheduled to take place on 21 August 2014, she highlighted her current priorities set out in her letter. 3. With regard to liaising with the Chief Constable and his team and holding him to account, Yvonne Mosquito advised that meetings were held on a regular basis. 4. With regard to handing over to a new West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, Yvonne Mosquito informed the Panel that she would contribute and assist in whatever way was necessary. 3

4 5. If successful in being appointed as the Acting West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, Yvonne Mosquito acknowledged that she would have to do two jobs. The Chairman proposed, Councillor Bains seconded and it was:- 120 RESOLVED:- That Yvonne Mosquito be appointed as Acting West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner. MINUTES 121 The Minutes of the meeting held on 28 April 2014, having been previously circulated, were confirmed and signed by the Chairman. SCHEDULE OF ACTIONS/OUTSTANDING MINUTES The following schedule of actions/outstanding minutes was submitted:- (See document No 3) The Chair advised that he had received a letter outlining plans to manage alcohol-related crime during the event of the World Cup 2014 (outstanding minutes nos 90(A) and 106 refer). The Chair advised that he had written a further letter to Brandon Lewis MP and had received a response thereto regarding the publishing of the referendum principles (outstanding minute no 106 refers). 122 RESOLVED:- That outstanding minutes nos 90(A) and 106 be discharged and that all other actions/outstanding minutes be continued. WEST MIDLANDS POLICE AND CRIME PANEL WORK PROGRAMME 2014/2015 The following report of the Panel Secretary was submitted:- (See document No 4) John Polychronakis, Panel Secretary, explained that, in view of the forthcoming by-election on 21 August 2014 for the post of West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, there might need to be some flexibility with the work programme. The date of the next meeting was scheduled to take place on 8 September

5 123 RESOLVED:- That the work programme be noted. URGENT BUSINESS The Chair was of the opinion that the following item should be considered as a matter of urgency in view of the need to expedite consideration thereof and instruct officers to act:- Resolution Regarding the Statutory Provisions Relating to a Casual Vacancy in the Office of a Police and Crime Commissioner It was proposed by Councillor Townshend, seconded by Councillor Phillips and:- 124 RESOLVED:- (i) (ii) That the West Midlands Police and Crime Panel direct the Lead Chief Executive to write to the Home Secretary expressing profound concern about the near total inadequacy of the statutory provisions relating to the arrangements that prevail when a casual vacancy occurs in the office of a Police and Crime Commissioner including but not limited to the appointment of an Interim Acting Commissioner and the arrangements for the calling of a by-election; that the West Midlands Police and Crime Panel invite the Home Secretary to consider bringing forward appropriate primary or secondary legislation to address these and other inadequacies in the present arrangements. The meeting ended at 1520 hours.... CHAIR 5