Agenda, decisions and minutes

No declarations of interest were made.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the last meeting.

That the minutes be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. 

The minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 11 March 2013, were submitted.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. 

A presentation will be made by Winston Roddick QC.

(a)       That the presentation be received and Mr. Roddick be thanked for their attendance; and  

(b)       That Mr. Roddick would provide a written response to the matters raised by Councillor Halford for distribution to the Committee.   

The Chairman welcomed and introduced Mr. Winston RoddickQC, North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner and Anna Humphreys, Chief Executive of the Office of Police and Crime Commissioner North Wales.

Mr. Roddick gave an outline of his role and responsibilities and commented on the work he had undertaken since his appointment in November 2012.  He advised that he was the public’s representative in its dealings with North Wales Police and that his overriding duty was to deliver an efficient and effective police force which demonstrated value for money and cut crime.

Mr. Roddick advised that one of his main responsibilities was to set the strategic direction for policing in North Wales.  He referred to the Police and Crime Plan which set out his police and crime objectives, the financial and other resources to be made available to the Chief Constable, how the Chief Constable would report on his provision of policing and how his performance of the objectives would be measured.  He reported on the following objectives which together would be expected to deliver security in the home, safety in public places, and visible and accessible policing.

·        Reduce crime and anti-social behaviour

·        Protect people and reduce harm

·        Deliver a quality service that met the needs of communities

·        Promote a well led, organised, and skilled workforce 

Mr. Roddick explained that the Plan was being implemented and was a flexible document which would be reviewed at regular intervals.  He emphasised the need to address rural crime and said that a number of Police Officers had recently been appointed specifically to prevent crime in rural areas.     A dedicated rape and sexual abuse unit had been established in North Wales due to an increase in the reporting of incidents of that crime.  Fifty-one additional Police Constables had been appointed to increase the visibility of front line duty in North Wales in order to reinforce people’s view of safety in the home and public places.

In concluding his presentation Mr. Roddick commented on the vital importance of partnership working in making North Wales a safer place to live, work, and visit.  He reported that he was answerable to the Police and Crime Panel which had a statutory responsibility to scrutinise his activities as the Police and Crime Commissioner.  He also made reference to his own fundamental powers with regard to the Police Service one of which was to appoint or dismiss a Police Constable, and to offer constructive criticism, praise or help as necessary.

The Chief Executive referred to the positive partnership work undertaken by the Authority in terms of a regional context and gave an assurance that a strong regional mechanism was in place.  He also commented on the local arrangements and referred to a reduction in crime and the Authority’s strong partnership with the Police.  He highlighted the success of the Flintshire Connects project in Holywell which was a shared facility between the Authority and the police force and provided a ‘one stop shop’ service for the community. 

The Chief Executive  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46.

(a)       That the Forward Work Programme be agreed subject to the above; and

(b)       That a site visit be arranged to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.  

The Acting Overview and Scrutiny Manager introduced the Forward Work Programme of the Committee. 

Members reviewed the current programme and agreed that the following items be considered at the next meeting of the Committee to be held on 20 May 2013:

·        Flintshire Community Safety Partnership - update

In response to a suggestion put forward by Councillor D.I. Mackie

concerning the venue for future meetings of the Committee, it was suggested that a site visit be arranged to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.  

RESOLVED:

 (a)      That the Forward Work Programme be agreed subject to the above; and

(b)       That a site visit be arranged to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.  

There were three members of the public and one member of the press in attendance.