The Derbyshire Police and Crime Panel met to discuss the Police and Crime Commissioner's finance update, efforts to bring offenders to justice, a review of the Police and Crime Plan, the annual report, responses to member questions, and maternity arrangements for the Police and Crime Commissioner.

Finance Update

The panel was scheduled to discuss the financial position of the Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) and Derbyshire Constabulary, including the revenue and capital outturn for 2024/25. The report pack included details of an overspend of £1.891m against a budget of £231.760m (0.82%) which was covered from reserves. It also contained the budget monitoring position for 2025/26, with a projected overspend of £1.334m against a budget of £236.352m (0.55%). Also included was an update on the Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP), with early projections for 2026/27 suggesting a budget deficit of between £4m and £6m, potentially rising to over £10m by 2028/29. The report pack noted that a comprehensive service level review was underway to ensure the force could deliver savings while minimising the impact on services. The report pack also noted that the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) had concluded that the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee was unaffordable from within the current funding envelope. The report pack recommended that panel members note and receive the financial briefing update presented.

Bringing Offenders to Justice

The meeting included a discussion of the Police and Crime Commissioner's strategic priority of 'Bringing Offenders to Justice'. The report pack summarised ongoing initiatives and activities, and included a detailed Public Assurance Meeting (PAM) report from Derbyshire Constabulary. The report pack noted that in a public consultation in Autumn 2024, residents identified Bringing Offenders to Justice as their fourth highest concern. The report pack also summarised the work of the Derbyshire Criminal Justice Board (DCJB), chaired by the Police and Crime Commissioner, which provides strategic oversight and coordination across the criminal justice system. The report pack noted the national legislative context, including the Crime and Policing Bill 2025, the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024, and the Sentencing Bill 2025, and the Out of Court Disposals Reform. The report pack included a table summarising progress against each of the eight sub-points under the Bringing Offenders to Justice strategic priority, including:

• Holding the Chief Constable to account and working with criminal justice partners.

• Making improvements to increase file quality.

• Improving the quality of police investigation.

• Ensuring critical information for victims of crime is better communicated.

• Working to maximise opportunities to prevent offending through early intervention and restorative support.

• Ensuring the lived experience of victims helps to shape and improve the criminal justice processes.

• Lobbying the Government for stronger laws and tougher policies and penalties.

• Reducing reoffending through the effective use of Out of Court Disposals.

The report pack included a recommendation that the Panel receive the update in relation to progress against the strategic priority, 'Bringing Offenders to Justice'.

Review of the Police and Crime Plan 2024-2029

The panel was scheduled to discuss the outcome of the statutory review of the Derbyshire Police and Crime Plan 2024-2029, as required under the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011. The report pack noted that the review concluded that updates were required to the 'Finance and Resources' section of the Plan to reflect the current financial year 2025-2026. The report pack noted that the strategic priorities within the Derbyshire Police and Crime Plan 2024-2029 were shaped through a dedicated consultation, which marked the Commissioner's first major public engagement following her election in May 2024. The report pack noted that the consultation confirmed strong public support for the Plan's six strategic priorities:

• Serious Violence, including Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG)

• Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) and Community Safety

• Neighbourhood Policing

• Bringing Offenders to Justice

• Drug Dealing and Substance Misuse

• Supporting Victims and Safeguarding

The report pack recommended that the Panel note the outcome of the review of the Derbyshire Police and Crime Plan 2024-2029, the proposed updates to the Plan, the current strategic threats and risks identified by Derbyshire Constabulary, and that the Plan remains aligned with the national threats outlined within the Strategic Policing Requirement (SPR).

Police and Crime Commissioner's Annual Report 2024-25

The panel was scheduled to discuss the draft Annual Report of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Derbyshire, covering the period from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025, in accordance with Section 12 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011. The report pack noted that Section 12 of the PRSRA requires the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) to produce an Annual Report detailing the exercise of the body's functions in each financial year, and the progress which has been made in the financial year in meeting the police and crime plan objectives in the body's police and crime plan. The report pack noted that the Annual Report must be presented to the Police and Crime Panel at a public meeting, where the PCC is required to respond to questions from panel members. The report pack noted that the PCC must also respond to any report or recommendations issued by the Panel and publish that response. The report pack included a recommendation that the Panel receive and review the Annual Report 2024-2025, pose questions and make recommendations as they see fit, and that, subject to any report or recommendations by the Panel, the Annual Report is published via the Commissioner's website.

Responses to Member Questions

The report pack included responses to questions submitted by Panel members to the PCC in advance of the meeting. One question asked whether the PCC could assure the panel that her priorities would attract the Chief Constable's focus over the rest of the Plan's delivery. The response stated that the strategic priorities outlined in the Plan remain central to the PCC's ongoing engagement with the Chief Constable and the broader delivery of policing across Derbyshire. The response noted that while trends in acquisitive crime are important, they do not overshadow the broader ambition to build safer and stronger communities through a holistic and preventative approach.

PCC Maternity Arrangements

The report pack included an update to Panel members on the arrangements in place during the PCC's upcoming maternity period, which is expected to commence in early February 2026. The report pack stated that the PCC will remain in post and continue to make all strategic decisions throughout the maternity period, including maintaining regular meetings with the Chief Constable, receiving timely and critical briefings, and continuing to attend all Police and Crime Panel meetings. The report pack noted that the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner, Dr Fatima Eltinay, will provide additional resilience, and that the Chief Operating Officer will continue to manage the running of the OPCC on a daily basis. The report pack noted that delegation of functions will remain in line with PRSRA 2011, and that certain functions cannot be delegated, including issuing a Police and Crime Plan, appointing, suspending, or removing the Chief Constable, and calculating the budget requirement. The report pack recommended that the Panel note the arrangements in place for the PCC's maternity period.