The Gloucestershire Police and Crime Panel met on Friday 10 July 2026 to discuss the financial position of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC), review the Police and Crime Commissioner's annual report, and consider various audit committee reports. The meeting also included updates from the Police and Crime Commissioner and a review of the committee's work plan.

Finance Update, Incorporating Revised MTFP and Efficiencies Plan 2026/27

The Panel was scheduled to consider a report on the financial position, including a revised Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) and an efficiencies plan for 2026/27. The report aimed to provide assurances about the measures being taken to achieve savings and efficiencies agreed in the 2026/27 budget and to address the future funding gap. The report noted an underspend of £1.8m in 2025/26 across the organisation, with the OPCC underspending by £0.9m and the Constabulary by £0.9m. The Constabulary had achieved its £12.3m savings target, with £8.4m representing a permanent reduction to the annual budget and £3.8m arising from holding police staff vacancies. The report also detailed revised savings targets and identified an outstanding requirement to achieve £1.1m against non-pay budgets. Changes to capital financing were forecast to result in an underspend of £0.9m in 2026/27, which it was proposed to use to reduce the planned drawdown of reserves.

Police and Crime Commissioner's Annual Report and Police and Crime Prevention Plan Update

The meeting was scheduled to consider the Police and Crime Commissioner's Annual Report and an update on the Police and Crime Prevention Plan. This report provides a detailed update on the delivery of the plan, which sets the strategic direction for policing, crime prevention, and community safety across Gloucestershire. It outlines key achievements, challenges, partnership activity, performance measures, and future plans, demonstrating how organisations across Gloucestershire are working collectively to improve outcomes for residents and communities. The report covers six priorities: Creating Safer Communities, Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), Strengthening your Constabulary, Targeting the Causes of Crime, Supporting Victims and Reducing Reoffending, and Improving Trust and Confidence in Policing.

Joint Independent Audit Committee Annual Report

The Panel was due to consider the Joint Independent Audit Committee Annual Report for Gloucestershire Constabulary and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner. This report provides an overview of the committee's work during the financial year 2025/26, highlighting key challenges and achievements. It noted improvements in oversight through standing items on external inspections and progress on the pension remedy project. The report also highlighted concerns regarding the SWAP Annual Opinion of Limited Assurance, particularly concerning the Niche Programme and contract management, and noted that more robust governance had been introduced. Delays in receiving financial information were attributed to staff shortages in the Finance department, though improvements were anticipated with recent staff appointments. The report detailed the committee's meetings, membership, attendance, and discussions on various topics, including the Niche IT project, which experienced delays and received a no assurance opinion from SWAP.

Update from the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC)

The Panel was scheduled to receive an update from PCC Chris Nelson on recent activity. This would have included a verbal update on current policing matters and potentially a discussion on his concerns regarding the abolition of Police and Crime Commissioners and the potential impact on accountability.

Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner - Chief Executive Report

The Chief Executive, Ruth Greenwood, was scheduled to provide a report on recent activity. This report would have included updates on the governance and accountability framework, progress against the Police and Crime Prevention Plan priorities, financial overview, recent performance, communications, and public contact. It also detailed the implications of the Home Office's From Local to National: A New Model for Policing White Paper and recent HMICFRS reports.

Work Plan

The Panel was scheduled to review its work plan for the upcoming year, suggesting items for consideration at future meetings. The proposed items for the 2026/27 work plan included annual reports on the PCC, Independent Custody Visitors, the Police and Crime Prevention Plan, and the Joint Independent Audit Committee. Updates on savings and efficiency workstreams were also scheduled. Specific topics for future meetings included rural drug use, community engagement to improve trust and confidence in policing, and the impact of the Neighbourhood Policing Grant.