West Midlands Police and Crime Panel
Follow the West Midlands Police and Crime Panel on Twitter@westmidspcpor use #wmidspcp
The Police and Crime Panel Response to Draft Police and Crime Plan
The Police and Crime Panel has commented on the Police and Crime Commissioner's Draft Police and Crime Plan. The Plan sets out his priorities for policing and reducing crime in the West Midlands.
The Panel must review and make a report to the Commissioner before the Plan is published. On 18 March 2013 the Panel considered the Draft Police and Crime Plan and seven Local Policing Plans.
The Panel's report sets out a number of areas it would like the Commissioner to consider when finalising and delivering the Plan. It can be downloaded here.
The Panel is satisfied that the Plan is reflective of the current priorities across the West Midlands and that it will support the continuation of the existing work being undertaken by West Midlands Police and partner organisations to reduce crime and improve community safety.
Next Panel Meeting - 2pm on 13 May 2013 (CANCELLED)
Please note that the Panel meeting at 2pm on Monday 13 May has been cancelled and the next meeting will take place on Monday 24th June.
Public Questions at Panel Meetings
Members of the public may ask questions at this meeting relating to the role and responsibilites of the Panel. Please refer to the Public Question Criteria document at the bottom of this page.
In summary, questions
a) must relate to the Panel's roles and responsibilities;
b) must not be substantially the same question which has been put to a meeting in the past 6 months;
c) must not be defamatory, frivolous, vexatious or offensive;
d) must not require the disclosure of confidential or exempt information;
e) must not refer to any matter of a personal nature.
You must submit your question at least 4 days before the meeting to wmpcp@birmingham.gov.uk
or write to:The Panel, Scrutiny Office, Council House, Birmingham, B1 1BB.
Meeting Dates and Papers
The Panel will meet around 6 times a year. Meetings are open to the public to attend and observe. Click on the meeting date to download available papers.
13 May 2013 - papers will be available here a week before meeting
18 March 2013 - Including Panel consideration of the Draft Police and Crime Plan
6 February 2013 - Including Panel consideration of the Precept.
21 January 2013 - Including the PCCs preliminary budget proposals, arrangements for public questions at meetings and Member expenses scheme.
26 November 2012 - Including Confirmation Hearing for Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner.
29 October 2012 - Including appointment of Independent Panel Members, compliants procedure and draft working protocol between Panel and PCC.
20 July 2012 (Shadow Panel)
Other News......
The Panel's Response to the Police and Crime Commissioner's Precept Proposal
The Panel discussed the Commissioner's proposed policing precept (the amount of Council Tax paid by West Midlands households for policing) on 6th February. Read the Panel' s report here. Read the Commissioner's response to the Panel's report here.
West Midlands Strategic Policing and Crime Board
The Panel has commented on the establishment of the Police and Crime Commissioner's Strategic Policing and Crime Board.
Read the Panel's letter here.
Read the Commissioner's response here.
The Role of the Panel
The West Midlands Police and Crime Panel has been established to scrutinise the work of Bob Jones Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC)
The PCC is responsible for deciding the priorities and budget for West Midlands Police, as well as supporting broader community safety activities across the region.
The Panel will act as a critical friend to the PCC – assisting him through independent challenge.
The Panel has a number of powers and responsibilities, including:
- Reviewing the draft Police and Crime Plan to ensure local priorities have been considered
- Scrutinising the Commissioner’s Annual Report
- Scrutinising the decisions and actions of the Commissioner
- Reviewing, and potentially vetoing, the Commissioner’s proposed policing precept*
- Holding confirmation hearings for the proposed appointment of a Chief Constable, Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner and senior support staff
*the money collected from Council Tax for policing
For more information about how the West Midlands Police and Crime Panel operates read the Panel Arrangements and Rules of Procedure documents.
Who sits on the Panel?
The West Midlands Police and Crime Panel is made up of twelve local councillors from Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton, and two co-opted independent members.
Each councillor member has a named substitute.
Councillor Darren Cooper, Leader of Sandwell MBC chairs the Panel. Councillor Jess Phillips, Victims Champion at Birmingham City Council is vice-chair.
View the list of Panel members.
Contact the Panel
You can contact the West Midlands Police and Crime Panel via email wmpcp@birmingham.gov.uk
We can also follow us on Twitter @westmidspcp
More information
More information about Police and Crime Panels is available from the Home Office website http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/police/police-crime-commissioners/partners/police-and-crime-panels/
Also visit the West Midlands Police and Crime Commisssioner's website www.westmidlands-pcc.gov.uk.