Plymouth to continue as Crime Panel host

Plymouth City Council is to continue to host the Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Panel until March 2014.

After a scheduled review of the role, it has been agreed with all the local authorities in the two counties that Plymouth will carry on hosting and administering the Panel.

The Panel was set up as part of the overhaul of policing structures in the UK.

It has recently agreed the Police and Crime Commissioner’s proposed council tax increase for the police for 2013/14 and approved the appointment of Shaun Sawyer as Chief Constable.

Chair, Councillor Roger Croad said: “I’m pleased to confirm that Plymouth City Council will act as the host authority for the Panel for the next year. It’s been a busy few months and I’m pleased with the progress. In our next meeting we will begin to get into some of the detail of our role scrutinising the Police and Crime Commissioner’s work.”

The next meeting of the Police and Crime Panel is at 10am on Tuesday 9 April in the Council House, Plymouth. Items on the agenda include a presentation of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s final Police and Crime Plan, a report summarising his activities and decisions taken since the last meeting on 8 February, options for handling non-criminal complaints and options for the Panel’s proactive scrutiny work programme.

The meeting is open to members of the public and it will be webcast live and can be accessed via the Council’s website www.plymouth.gov.uk.

Members of the public may ask questions at each meeting (up to two questions per person per meeting and up to 100 words per question) that are relevant to the Panel’s functions. Questions must be put in writing at least five clear working days before the meeting. Letters can be sent to the Democratic and Member Support Manager, Plymouth City Council, Civic Centre, PL1 2AA or via email to democraticservices@plymouth.gov.uk.