Policing Agreement Gets Scrutiny A Week After Its Agreed

Last Wednesday Councillors agreed to the continue Council funding of some PCSO’s in Wrexham. The agreement has been ongoing for several years, however with the disbanding of the North Wales Police Authority with the elected Police & Crime Commissioner meant the renewal was slightly different.

Due to the timing of the renewal of the agreement it was not possible to have the normal scrutiny committee analysis and discussion prior to it being debated at the Executive Board.

This Wednesday a Scrutiny Committee is being held and will be asked to “give their views as to how effective engagement with Community and Town Councils can be achieved in relation to delivery against policing priorities, as agreed between each respective Community and Town Council and their designated PCSO.”

One of the benefits of the new agreement is listed as being it “Substantially reduces the number of performance measures, the majority of which were not outcome focused, enabling PCSO’s to focus on delivery.”

This is followed with it stating it “Focuses performance monitoring on the outcome of delivering against local policing priorities in communities.”

‘Performance Indicators’ are likely to be discussed, which are currently listed as being:

• The number of full time equivalent part Home Office funded PCSOs in post.
• The percentage of Community and Town Council meetings attended in each Ward.
• Community and Town Councils Satisfaction levels of delivery against policing priorities agreed between them and the PCSO.

Later in the meeting on a seperate agenda item members of the committee will be asked to ‘consider and give feedback on the Police Crime Commissioner’s draft Police and Crime Plan for North Wales.’  The plan itself can be found at the footer of this PDF.

The report states Lead Member, Cllr Hugh Jones, “Has concerns in relation to the apparent lack of an Outcome based focus within the draft Plan.”

Further concern is raised at the methods of delivery, reducing the fear of crime as well as crime itself, plus mention of the lack of consultation from Older People’s Commissioner for Wales.

The Police and Crime Commissioner’s Medium Term (2013-14 to 2016-17) Financial Plan for North Wales can also be found in  this PDF on the Conwy.gov.uk website.

Anyone wishing to attending can come to the meeting at the Guildhall 6pm on Wednesday.