Agenda item

1.    The Commissioner welcomed the new Panel Members and began the overview of his annual report by paying tribute to the Panel for its scrutiny, his Office for producing the report as well as Police Officers and staff for their work over the last year. He addressed five key areas included in the report: the Covid-19 pandemic; commissioning; finance; key achievements and the outlook for the future.

2.    A summary of significant developments since the onset of the pandemic was provided by the Commissioner and included: the positive impact of IT procurement in enabling work arrangement changes; HMICFRS rating Kent Police ‘exemplary’ following an inspection of pandemic working arrangements; regular virtual Performance and Delivery Board meetings and Commissioner-Chief Constable briefings; sufficient levels of PPE equipment throughout the period; and the decision to sell Kent Police’s Headquarters. He reassured the Panel that the success of flexible working arrangements and capacity across the estate had made the sale of the Headquarters viable.

3.    Further detail on commissioned services was provided by the Commissioner. He confirmed that victims services had continued throughout the pandemic and that an emergency fund had been established to further support services. Additional funding had been received from central government in relation to domestic abuse, sexual violence and Safer Streets, he noted that his Office had made successful bids to all available funds. It was confirmed that a recent grant had been secured from the Safer Streets 2 fund and that active bids to the Safer Streets 3 and Safety of Women at Night funds had been made.

4.    The Commissioner spoke on the financial position of Kent Police. He recognised the challenged posed by a lower retirement rate. It was noted that PPE costs had created a cost pressure, though reassurance was given to the Panel that 80% of Covid-19 related costs had been recuperated from central government. The Commissioner invited the Panel to a financial briefing, to be delivered by his Office, ahead of the 2022/23 budget proposal.

5.    The Commissioner updated the Panel on delivery against the Police and Crime Plan. He confirmed that the Cadets programme had expanded, with a new intake in Dartford. It was indicated that the Schools Team had successfully established itself, with the expansion of the team continuing. In relation to county lines gangs, he reassured Members that it remained a priority and that new Knife Crime Prevention Orders (KCPOs) would be utilised. Concerning crime rates, it was noted that whilst rates had continued to fall since before the pandemic, fluctuations in the coming year were anticipated.

6.    Members asked a range of questions in relation to the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Annual Report. Key issues raised by the Panel and responded to by the Commissioner included the following:

a.    What had the Commissioner done to ensure that Kent Police was fairly funded by central government? The Commissioner confirmed that he had continued to make the case to government and recognised the impact a reduction in funding would have on staff and the people of Kent. He affirmed that he did not want a reduction in funding to lead to Police Officers covering support staff functions.

b.    Would different types of antisocial behaviour (ASB) be considered to allow for a greater distinction in crime statistics? The Commissioner recognised the need to examine types of ASB further and noted that it had been used as a catch all category in many instances.

c.    Following a question from a Member, the Commissioner confirmed that Canterbury and Ramsgate would be the Safer Streets 2 focus areas.

d.    What could be done to share the key parts of the Annual Report with the public, in an accessible format? The Commissioner recognised that social media and community newsletters were the best ways to share key information from the report. He acknowledged that it was important for people to see how their council tax had been spent.

e.    How districts in Kent had become ‘county lines free’? The Commissioner explained that a combination of targeted operations, regular warrants and swift action had eliminated county lines in 2 districts. He acknowledged that other organisations sought to meet demand when county lines were extinguished, though reassurance was given that local ‘postcode gangs’ had also been extensively disbanded.

f.     Whether the Commissioner’s finance team would be at full strength in the next financial year? The Commissioner confirmed that a permanent Head of Finance had been appointed and that the finance team would be fully staffed.

g.    Whether the Home Office had covered all costs incurred by Kent Police in relation to the policing of Napier Barracks, Folkestone?  The Commissioner verified that the Napier Barracks special grant had covered 75% of the £850,000 total costs.

h.    What impact the £38m possible savings outlined in the report would have on front line policing? The Commissioner reminded the Panel that his Medium-term Financial Plan was based on minimal precept increases and that £100m had been saved since 2010. He recognised the need for a rural premium in funding agreements, to balance funding with service provision in those areas. It was noted that further innovation in procurement and commercial activity along with shared services, including streamlining commissioning would further alleviate financial pressures on front line services. He asserted that it would be hard for the front line not to be impacted in the medium term if there was no change in funding.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.