The Police and Crime Panel of County Durham Council met on 17 June 2025 to discuss the Joint Independent Audit Committee Annual Report 2024-25, the Police and Crime Commissioner's Quarterly Performance Report, arrangements for the appointment of an Independent Co-opted Member, the Police and Crime Panel Annual Report 2024-25 and Work Programme 2025-26, and a complaints update. The meeting was also scheduled to include the election of a chair and vice-chair.

Quarterly Performance Report

The Panel was scheduled to consider the Police and Crime Commissioner's (PCC) Quarterly Performance and Delivery Update Report, which covers the period 1 January 2025 to 31 March 2025. The report includes updates on key performance indicators for Safer Communities, Safer People, Non-Crime Demand, Safer Roads, Funded Services for Victims, Safer Streets, Crimestoppers, Media and Engagement, HMICFRS inspections and Decision Records.

The report highlights several key achievements:

• Neighbourhood Crime: A decrease of 18.2% compared to the same period last year.
• Violence Against the Person Offences: A decrease of 11% between January and December 2024-25 compared to 2023-24.
• Road Safety: 8,560 speeding offences, 20 mobile phone offences and 14 seatbelt offences were detected in the fourth quarter of 2024-25.
• Victim Support: The Victim Care and Advice Service (VCAS) received 464 court support referrals, with 100% of victims reporting they were better able to engage in the court process thanks to VCAS's intervention.
• Antisocial Behaviour (ASB): Hotspot Policing patrols resulted in arrests and a variety of public orders, fixed penalty notices and enforcement actions.

The report also notes some challenges:

• ASB Incidents: An increase of 7.3% between January and December 2024-25 compared to 2023-24.
• Road Casualties: A slight increase (3.5%) in all road casualties between January and December 2024-25 compared to 2023-24.

The report also provides data on staffing levels, public contact methods, and the performance of various initiatives such as Operation Snap and Immediate Justice.

Joint Independent Audit Committee Annual Report

The Panel was scheduled to review the Joint Independent Audit Committee Annual Report 2024-25. The Joint Independent Audit Committee (JIAC) is an independent body that checks Durham Constabulary and the PCC are following regulations, handling finances lawfully, and not taking undue risk. The committee is accountable to the PCC and the Chief Constable.

The report details the Committee's aims and objectives and includes a diagram showing where it fits within the Durham PCC Accountability Framework. It also shares the work of the Committee in 2024/25 and the range of reports it received. The report asks a series of questions:

• Has the Committee fulfilled its terms of reference?
• Has the Committee adopted recommended practice?
• Has the Committee assessed its own effectiveness or been the subject of a review?
• Have the development needs of Committee members been assessed and are they accessing briefing and training opportunities?
• What impact has the Committee had on the improvement of governance, risk and control?

The report includes a letter from Mr Eddie Bell, Chair of Joint Audit Committee, who noted that the JIAC considered that the Annual Accounts for 2022/23 had been a demanding period for both Durham Constabulary and the PCC's Office in terms of risks, governance, and controls. He also noted that he met independently with the External Auditors in November 2024 where issues raised by members were discussed, and with the Deputy Chief Constable where issues raised included that of the Police Estate.

Appointment of an Independent Co-opted Member

The Panel was asked to agree to a recruitment process for a new independent co-opted member. One of the current co-optees has been elected to Durham County Council and is no longer eligible to remain as a co-optee on the Panel. The recruitment process is based on guidance from the Local Government Association (LGA) and the Home Office.

The Panel was asked to agree to the composition of an Appointment Panel to conduct the recruitment process and receive a recommendation of the Appointment Panel at a future meeting on the proposed appointment.

The proposed timeline for the recruitment is as follows:

• Vacancy advertised: 23 June 2025
• Closing date: 14 July 2025
• Interviews take place: Summer 2025
• Recommendation on appointment presented to the Panel: 23 September 2025
• Term of office commences: 1 October 2025

The Panel was scheduled to consider a draft advert, person specification, and role description for the new member. The draft advert states:

The Durham Police and Crime Panel is looking to appoint a committed and enthusiastic individual to join them as an independent co-opted member.

Police and Crime Panel Annual Report and Work Programme

The Panel was scheduled to endorse the Durham Police and Crime Panel Annual Report 2024/25 and agree to the Panel's work programme for 2025/26. The annual report provides details of activity undertaken by the Panel in 2024/25, including:

• Five scheduled meetings
• One confirmation hearing for the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner
• Briefing sessions for members in advance of the confirmation hearings and consideration of the PCC's precept
• An informal session to discuss the new Investigative Hub prior to undertaking a tour of the facilities.

The proposed work programme for 2025/26 includes:

• Review and comment on the draft Police and Crime Plan and precept
• Reviewing the PCC's annual report
• Holding confirmation hearings following a proposed appointment by the PCC to the posts of Chief Constable, Deputy PCC, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Finance Officer within the Commissioner's Office.
• Receiving a quarterly performance and delivery report

Complaints Update

The Panel was scheduled to receive an update on the number of formal complaints received since the last meeting. The last report the Panel received in relation to complaints was at its meeting on 26 March 2025, and there were no complaints under consideration at that time. Since the last meeting, the Monitoring Officer has received five complaints against the Police and Crime Commissioner. One complaint related to issues of operational policing matters and therefore not within the remit of the Panel. The remaining complaints are being assessed in accordance with the Procedure.