The Staffordshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel met on Monday 13 July 2026 to discuss the Commissioner's Annual Report, review complaints, and consider future work programmes. Key decisions included the appointment of a new independent co-optee and the approval to join a Regional Networking Forum.

Commissioner's Annual Report 2025/26

Commissioner Ben Adams presented the annual report, highlighting achievements and challenges for Staffordshire Police and Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service. He emphasised a focus on victims, with services commissioning support for domestic abuse and introducing a new service for victims of stalking. The report detailed a 3.3% decrease in neighbourhood crime and improvements in answering 999 calls within 10 seconds. However, concerns were raised about the pace of improvement in certain critical areas, with His Majesty's Inspectors noting that progress was insufficient or too slow.

Councillor Anthony Screen (Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Resilience) questioned whether investments in personnel, programmes, and technology were translating into measurable improvements in victim experience and public confidence. Commissioner Adams acknowledged that while outcomes for victims had improved significantly, the pace of progress was not meeting inspectorate expectations. He attributed some of the challenges to distractions from national policy changes and the balancing act between neighbourhood policing and increasing demand for response services.

Discussions also covered the Culpa app, a digital evidence upload platform for victims. Councillor Screen expressed concerns about its effectiveness and safeguarding arrangements, noting that the Domestic Abuse Board was still awaiting a formal update on the pilot. Commissioner Adams assured the panel that safeguarding was thoroughly managed and that the app was still being assessed.

The panel also discussed the role of Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs), with Councillor Charlotte Atkins raising questions about the criteria for their deployment hours and the impact of reduced hours on their income. Commissioner Adams explained that PCSO hours were being optimised for visibility and community engagement, particularly during early mornings and evenings, and that efforts were being made to mitigate financial impacts.

A significant portion of the discussion focused on violence against women and girls (VAWG). Councillor Atkins expressed concern that VAWG might not be a priority, citing issues with the downgrading of domestic violence calls. Commissioner Adams strongly refuted this, stating that VAWG is an absolute priority in his plan, with millions of pounds committed to support services. He clarified that downgrading of calls did not necessarily mean a lesser service, but that the process of reassessing risk following a change in call grade needed to be more robust, an issue being addressed by the Chief Constable.

The panel also discussed the quality of investigations, with Councillor Screen noting that this remained a struggle highlighted by inspectors. Commissioner Adams confirmed that improvements were being made, including a focus on investigator training and expertise, but acknowledged that progress was not as rapid as inspectors would like to see.

Complaints and Conduct Matters

The Panel Secretary, Mandy Pattinson, presented the annual report on complaints against the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner. In the last 12 months, five complaints were received, with one resulting in a hearing where no action was taken against the Commissioner. The panel agreed to amend the complaints process to allow the Chair to appoint a substitute panel member for hearings if the Chair or Vice-Chair were unavailable.

Home Office Grant 2025/26

The panel noted the report on the expenditure of the Home Office grant, which covered the costs of running the panel. Total expenditure for 2025/26 was £63,026.43, with an underspend of £1,313.57 against the total grant available. The panel also noted the performance information accompanying the Home Office expenditure return.

Regional Networking Membership

The panel agreed to join the Regional Networking Forum at a cost of £420 plus VAT, with the payment to be funded from the annual Home Office grant. This membership will provide access to virtual meetings, joint networking sessions, a dedicated advice helpline, and discounted learning and development opportunities.

Work Programme

The panel reviewed its work programme for the upcoming year, noting upcoming meetings and potential areas of focus. Commissioner Adams suggested including topics such as community safety post-local government reorganisation, the impact of police reform, and the transition to new governance arrangements. He also proposed visits to Pyre Hill and police headquarters to familiarise new panel members with operational aspects. The next meeting was scheduled for 28 September 2026, to review updates to the Police and Crime Plan and the Fire and Rescue Plan.

Other Matters

The panel also formally appointed Amanda Bailey as an independent co-optee for a four-year term. Apologies were received from Councillors Shaw, Fordham, Chris Elliott, and Councillor Walker. The meeting also noted the sad passing of Councillor Loughran.

The meeting concluded with a discussion on road safety, particularly concerning drug driving, and the role of the Fire and Rescue Service in responding to road traffic incidents. The panel was informed about ongoing efforts to address drug abuse among drivers, including roadside testing and the use of technology. The new Chief Fire Officer, Glyn Luzny, was noted to have a strong focus on road accidents.

The panel also discussed the policing of road transport, with a focus on drug testing for drivers. It was confirmed that while roadside alcohol tests are standard, drug testing typically occurs post-arrest, and the panel expressed a desire for more roadside drug testing capabilities. The increasing link between cocaine use and domestic violence was also highlighted.

Finally, the panel discussed the quality of police investigations, acknowledging that while improvements are being made, they are not progressing as quickly as desired by His Majesty's Inspectors. The panel was assured that efforts are underway to enhance investigator training and expertise.