Special Interest Group annual report to LGA Board
Contact information
- Lead Member: John Gili-Ross (Chairman)
- Lead Officer: Sophie Campion (Secretary)
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: Essex County Council, County Hall, Market Road, Chelmsford
- Telephone: 03330131642
- Website: N/A
Membership
Membership is open to all Police, (Fire), and Crime Panels in England and Wales. Of the 41 constituted Panels, 40 have confirmed their membership of the NAPFCP including all 4 Panels in Wales. Despite repeated approaches to the last remaining panel not in membership using email and phone contact the association has not received any acknowledgement or response.
Aims
The NAPFCP is a body that supports Police, (Fire) and Crime Panels in England and Wales and aims to be nationally recognised as representing and promoting their views and best interests and so influence change for the better.
The following are the NAPFCP terms of reference:
- To provide a forum for collaborative discussion of issues relating to and impacting on Police and Crime Panels and Police, Fire and Crime Panels (PCPs / PFCPs)
- To share ideas and experience in response to the expanding role of PCCs and PFCCs and thereby PCPs / PFCPs
- To create a mechanism for direct liaison between PCPs / PFCPs and the Home Office
- To provide an opportunity for dialogue with relevant bodies such as the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, Association of Police and Crime Chief Executives and others
- To support the development of joint PCP /PFCP responses to relevant consultations
- To promote professional standards
- To share good practice and create guidance and other supporting materials for PCPs /PFCPs
- To ensure stability and collective memory in a landscape where PCPs / PFCPs can have significant changes in membership
- To provide capacity for horizon scanning across all PCPs / PFCPs.
- To promote better public understanding of the role of PCPs / PFCPs
The membership of the National Association’s Executive Committee was confirmed at its AGM which took place in November 2024. Since the last report one executive member resigned from their Police and Crime Panel. This vacancy was confirmed at the AGM and there was a call for a volunteer to fill the vacancy. A co-option process was carried out after 3 candidates applied for the vacancy. The chair of Suffolk PCP was co-opted to the executive committee and the other two candidates were invited to attend meetings as non-voting observers.
Priorities
The aims of the NAPFCP as set out above, relating to collaboration, best practice and support across the sector would feed into the following LGA goal:
Goal 2: To continually improve local government
We will build strong partnerships and networks to provide support, helping local authorities improve through a peer-based, sector-led approach.
Key activities / outcomes of work undertaken
The executive committee meets approximately monthly by remote means to update progress on work streams and discuss and agree any written response to sector specific events.
The NAPFCP work streams include:
- Promotion of Best Practice for Panels & Scrutiny of Commissioners
- Technology Changes & Impact on Budgets
- Promotion of the Panels Role within Police and FRS to the public
- Commissioner & Chief Constable Senior Appointments
- Complaints Handling – PCC and Policing
Other activities undertaken during the year
In addition to the above, the association has responded to numerous information and call for evidence requests providing a collective view from panel members. These responses are shared with panel support officers and panel chairs as appropriate.
The relationship between the Home Office and the NAPFCP has continued to strengthen and in particular following the invitation from the association chair to the panel annual meeting last November. Planned initiatives by the HO have been shared with the association seeking comment and amendment prior to wider information distribution. The difficulties experienced by some panels in dealing with public complaints made against the commissioner were shared with the HO and a survey has been distributed to all panels seeking information on the number and costs associated with handling complaints.
The NAPFCP continues to monitor sector developments and if appropriate, produces key line of enquiry suggestions for Panels to raise with their commissioners.
Difficulties and concerns
The NAPFCP web site was not being maintained or updated due to the lack of suitable skills. The executive committee took the decision to close the web site and at the same time reduce the hosting costs for the service.
The lack of engagement by the LGA with either the sector or the NAPFCP continues to raise the question over the relationship between the LGA and the NAPFCP as a SIG member.
The LGA has not provided the sector with any tangible support or information over the last 12 months including meeting with the NAPFCP to discuss sector specific issues or concerns.