Agenda and draft minutes

To receive declarations of interest (if any)

Councillor Wain declared a personal interest in relation to item 4 on the Agenda, Proposed Precept for 2024/25 (minute 3/24 refers) as a former Police officer in receipt of a Police Pension.

To confirm the non-exempt minutes of the meeting of the Derbyshire Police and Crime Panel held on 2 November 2024.

The minutes of the meeting held on 2 November 2023 were confirmed as a correct record.

Angelique Foster, Police and Crime Commissioner for Derbyshire presented to the Panel her proposed precept for the forthcoming financial year in accordance with the duty under the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011. The Commissioner informed the Panel of her proposal to issue a precept increase of £13.00 per year to the current Band D precept of £266.60, which would give a Band D precept for 2024-25 of £279.60.

The Commissioner invited Rachel Swann, the Chief Constable to give a presentation to members outlining her Operation Business case for Investment, giving an insight into what a precept increase of £13 would provide.

J Peatling, Chief Finance Officer, Derbyshire Constabulary also provided a presentation to support the report.

The Commissioner was questioned in detail by Panel members with regard to her proposed precept increase and also gave members the opportunity to make comments or ask questions of the Chief Constable and the Finance officer, which were duly noted or answered.

RESOLVED:

To approve the proposed precept for 2024-25 of the Commissioner for a Band D increase of £13 without qualification or comment.

The PCC provided a written response to questions submitted by Police and Crime Panel Members

Question 1: from Councillor Moesby

What if any impact do the introduction of the Right Care, Right Person model and the government announcement that all “all crime should be investigated” have on the Police and Crime Plan and the future of service delivery?

The PCC responded by saying that in relation to the Right Care, Right Person model was aimed at making sure the right agency deals with health related calls, instead of the police being the default first responder as is currently the case in most areas. It has been shown to improve outcomes, reduce demand on all services, and make sure the right care was being delivered by the right person. Officers in Derbyshire often attended health related incidents when the Police were not the right organisation to deal with these incidents.

It was noted that call handlers would receive training to use the model to triage incoming calls and decide on an appropriate course of action, including whether to deploy police officers or not.

The triage process was expected to result in officers attending far fewer calls, while identifying those where there is still a need for the police to be deployed, such as where health and social care partners need help, such as with patients who are violent or have assaulted healthcare staff or clinicians.

It was agreed that figures would be provided on how many calls had been diverted to other services.

RESPONSE

FIGURES AS OF DEC 2022 – NOV 2023

N.B.

The Constabulary estimated each job taking 4 hours of officer time. The Constabulary multiplied the number of jobs actioned through MAA by 4 hours, and then subtracted 20% for jobs they may not have attended previously, and then subtracted the number of jobs they actually did attend, as this was clearly not a saving. This gave a conservative estimate of the time saved.

Other partnership organisations include (but not limited to) EMAS (East Midlands Ambulance Service), Social Services, Council, care homes, and the fire service.

Question 2: from Councillor Potter

What actions are the Police are taking to ensure their staff are safe from contamination at incidents, as police officers they tend to be in the hot zone during any fire incident.

The PCC felt that she was unable to answer that question but would liaise with the Chief Constable and provide a response.

Response

It is not standard operational practice for police officers to enter the hot zone of a fire scene, as this is the area directly affected by the fire and is where actual  ...  view the full minutes text for item 49/23

Question from Councillor J Davies:

I understand that the Safer Streets funding is to be reduced in Chesterfield, which is a concern as this had helped to produce some positive crime figures in Chesterfield, particularly in the night time economy. Have you any thoughts on that or is there anything you can do ?

PCC Response:

I have to look at all bids, and funding across the county has had to be reduced equally. I share the frustration of everyone but aim to continue with local grants and continue to lobby the Home office and Minister with regards to this funding

Question from Councillor J Davies:

Following the coroners ruling on the Gracie Spinks case have you any reflections on the case?

PCC Response:

To reassure you, we started working on improving the service soon after the tragic event – I requested immediate action from the Chief Constable at the time of the event and Derbyshire Constabulary has since put in place increased measures to help support victims of Stalking, including the introduction of a stalking coordinator role in 2021, to improve the way stalking incidents are dealt with including improvement to officer training. Since then, I have also introduced 2 Independent stalking coordinator roles in Derbyshire and Derby City, to improve and increase the support available to victims of crime

The Commissioner made reference to the following:

The Derbyshire Partnership on Rural Crime was to launch if its Rural Crime prevention Hub at the end of the month

In relation to Road Safety initiatives the young drivers courses were set to continue and a Pilot scheme on dangerous parking was to be launched where the public could provide footage off dashcam

The new Derbyshire Immediate Justice scheme was now in place to ensure offenders receive swift punishment for their behaviour. The Commissioner and her team have designed a bespoke scheme which will soon start to be delivered across our county.

To hear an oral update on forthcoming events (if any)

There were no forthcoming events to report.

To note the date of the next meeting.