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Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel - Thursday 18th June 2026 2.00 pm
June 18, 2026 at 2:00 pm Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel View on council website Watch video of meetingSummary
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The Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel met on Thursday 18 June 2026 to appoint its Chair and Deputy Chair for the upcoming year, review the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner's annual reports, and set its work programme. Key decisions included the appointment of Dr Carolyn Kus as Chair and Councillor Craig Morris as Deputy Chair, noting the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner's Annual Report for 2025/26 and Fire and Rescue Statement for 2025/26, and agreeing to include a review of the independent review arising from the Court of Appeal judgement against Northamptonshire Police in its future work programme.
Appointment of Panel Chair and Deputy Chair
The Panel appointed Dr Carolyn Kus as its Chair for the 2026/27 municipal year. Councillor Craig Morris was appointed as the Deputy Chair.
Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner's Annual Report and Fire and Rescue Statement
The Panel received and noted the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner's Annual Report for 2025/26 and the Fire and Rescue Statement for 2025/26. Panel members raised points regarding the Annual Report, which will be included in the Panel's report to the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.
Impact of Serious Drug-Related Crime, Including Knife Crime
The Panel discussed the impact of serious drug-related crime and knife crime in Northamptonshire and the responses being taken. It was resolved that the Panel notes the overview of this issue and requested the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner to provide an update later in 2026/27 on the impact of the place-based approach to addressing serious violence in Northamptonshire.
During the discussion, members of the public, including Tracey Wilson of the Kings Heath Residents Association, and councillors John East and Sally Keeble, raised concerns about the effectiveness of police responses to drug-related crime and antisocial behaviour, the normalisation of drug use, and the safety of residents. The Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Danielle Stone, acknowledged these as endemic and historical issues requiring a multi-agency response. The Director of Prevention highlighted the work of the Northamptonshire Serious Violence Prevention Partnership (NSVPP) in addressing these issues through a public health approach, including a sports mentoring programme and a co-produced knife crime campaign. Data presented from the NSVPP's Observatory indicated that a significant proportion of drug possession and trafficking offences, as well as knife crimes, involved individuals under 25, with particular concerns around deprivation, mental health, and substance misuse.
Police, Fire and Crime Panel Work Programme 2026/27
The Panel agreed to include several key items in its work programme for 2026/27. These include a report from the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner on the outcomes of the independent review arising from the Court of Appeal judgement against Northamptonshire Police, the implementation and impact of Police Governance Reform proposals, and the Joint Independent Audit Committee Annual Report 2025/26. The Panel will also receive mid-year policing and fire and rescue authority finance updates and a briefing session with the Chief Constable and Chief Fire Officer.
Additional potential areas for consideration in 2026/27 include responses to violent crime and sexual offences, the use of digital technology in policing, responses to hate crime, the role of citizens in community safety, and the protection of vulnerable adults from crime and community safety risks. The Panel also agreed to continue its membership of the East Midlands Police and Crime Panels Network and the National Association of Police, Fire and Crime Panels.
Appointments to the Police, Fire and Crime Panel Complaints Sub Committee
The Panel agreed to appoint Councillor Richard Butler (Reform UK), Councillor Daniel Lister (Conservative), and Councillor Emily Fedorowycz (Green and Labour) to serve on the Complaints Sub Committee for 2026/27. Mr Andrew Frost, Dr Carolyn Kus, and Miss Pauline Woodhouse will form a pool to provide one independent co-opted member for Sub Committee meetings. The Reform UK councillor members will be contacted to confirm the remaining member of the Complaints Sub Committee.
The meeting also included the appointment of Dr Carolyn Kus as Chair and Councillor Craig Morris as Deputy Chair for 2026/27, and the approval of the minutes from the previous meeting held on 30 April 2026.
Delegated decisions linked to this meeting
Decision summaries below are AI-generated from the council’s published record. Check the council source or the full decision page before relying on them.
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Appointment of the Panel Deputy Chair for 2026/27
Recommendations approvedNorthamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel decided on 18/06/2026 to appoint Councillor Craig Morris as Deputy Chair of the Panel for 2026/27.
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Minutes
Recommendations ApprovedThe Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel approved the minutes of their meeting held on 4 February 2026. The Panel noted the update on Police Governance Reform. The Panel requested further information on domestic abuse incidents and arrest rates, and requested circulation of campaign videos.
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Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner's Fire and Rescue Statement for 2025/26
Recommendations approvedThe Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel decided to note the Fire and Rescue Statement for 2025/26 on 18 June 2026. The panel's decision was to approve recommendations.
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Appointment of the Panel Chair for 2026/27
Recommendations approvedNorthamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel decided on 18/06/2026 to appoint Dr Carolyn Kus as Chair of the Panel for 2026/27.
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Appointments to the Police, Fire and and Crime Panel Complaints Sub Committee for 2026/27
Recommendations approvedThe Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel decided on 18/06/2026 to approve recommendations for appointments to the Police, Fire and Crime Panel Complaints Sub Committee for 2026/27. The Panel agreed to appoint Councillor Richard Butler, Councillor Daniel Lister, Councillor Emily Fedorowycz, Mr Andrew Frost, Dr Carolyn Kus, and Miss Pauline Woodhouse. The Panel also agreed to contact Reform UK councillor members to confirm the remaining member.
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Impact of serious drug-related crime, including knife crime, and responses to it in Northamptonshire
Recommendations ApprovedThe Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel approved recommendations on 18 June 2026. The Panel noted an overview of serious drug-related and knife crime impacts and responses in Northamptonshire. They requested an update from the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner on the place-based approach to serious violence.
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Police, Fire and Crime Panel Work Programme 2026/27 and operating arrangements
Recommendations approvedThe Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel agreed to include specific matters in its 2026/27 work programme, including a report on the outcomes of an independent review into Northamptonshire Police and the implementation of Police Governance Reform proposals. The Panel also agreed to continue its membership of the East Midlands Police and Crime Panels Network and the National Association of Police, Fire and Crime Panels. The Panel noted an update on actions taken in response to previous resolutions.
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Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner's Annual Report for 2025/26
Recommendations approvedThe Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel decided to approve recommendations regarding the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner's Annual Report for 2025/26 on 18 June 2026. The Panel noted the report and resolved that points raised by members during discussion would be included in the Panel's report to the Commissioner.
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