The Merseyside Police and Crime Panel meeting on 13 June 2024 focused on the appointment of a new chairperson and deputy chair, the need to fill a long-standing vacancy for an independent member, and the adoption of the panel's rules of procedure and complaints handling processes for the year.

Appointment of Chairperson and Deputy Chair

Councillor Barbara Murray was re-elected as the chairperson of the panel for the municipal year 2024/25. She emphasised the need for continuity and expressed her willingness to work with panel members to ensure a smooth succession next year, as she will not be available due to her role as Deputy Lord Mayor in Liverpool. Brian Tadeo was appointed as the deputy chair. Councillor Murray highlighted the importance of securing a Special Responsibility Allowance (SRA) for the panel to maintain steady continuity.

Independent Member Vacancy

The panel discussed the ongoing vacancy for an independent member, which has been unfilled for over twelve months. Despite advertising and sharing the vacancy widely, it remains vacant. The panel agreed to revisit the issue after the general election and to allocate time in the next formal meeting to brainstorm additional strategies for attracting candidates. Councillor Murray suggested thinking outside the box and targeting individuals with an interest in policing issues, such as those involved with CitySafe or victim hubs.

Panel Arrangements and Rules of Procedure

David, the representative of the Chief Executive of Knowsley Borough Council, introduced the panel arrangements document and the rules of procedure for the year. The panel arrangements document, set by the five constituent authorities, outlines the framework within which the panel operates. The rules of procedure, unchanged from the previous year, were adopted by the panel without any objections. David assured the panel that the existing rules had provided a robust framework for conducting formal meetings in previous years.

Complaints Handling Procedure

The panel reaffirmed the delegation of the responsibility for handling complaints against the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) and the Deputy PCC to the host authority's monitoring officer. The complaints procedure, unchanged since 2017, was approved. The panel discussed the importance of making reasonable adjustments for individuals who may struggle with submitting written complaints. It was agreed to include an explicit reference to reasonable adjustments in the procedure to enhance accessibility.

Other Business

The panel briefly discussed the need for earlier distribution of meeting papers to allow members sufficient time to review and prepare for meetings. David acknowledged the challenge but agreed to discuss the possibility with the commissioner's office. The panel also addressed concerns about the public availability of members' contact details and the importance of seeking advice from officers before responding to complaints.

The meeting concluded with the panel expressing satisfaction with the adopted procedures and the reaffirmed delegation of responsibilities. The next steps include addressing the independent member vacancy and ensuring the smooth operation of the panel's activities for the year ahead.

For more details, you can refer to the public reports pack.