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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 review the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner's Annual Report and Fire and Rescue Statement for 2025/26, and to discuss the impact of serious drug-related and knife crime in the county. The Panel also agreed its work programme for the upcoming year and appointed members to its Complaints Sub Committee.
Impact of Serious Drug-Related and Knife Crime
The Panel discussed the significant impact of serious drug-related crime, including knife crime, in Northamptonshire. The Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (OPFCC) presented an overview of the Northamptonshire Serious Violence Prevention Partnership's (NSVPP) approach, which focuses on understanding the drivers of serious violence through a public health lens. The NSVPP has developed a Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (SNA) to inform its activities, which include interventions such as the The Sideline Project
sports mentoring programme for young people and a co-produced knife crime awareness campaign titled No One Wins.
Data presented highlighted that a significant proportion of drug possession and trafficking offences, as well as knife crimes, involved individuals under the age of 25. The analysis also indicated links between deprivation, mental health issues, drug and alcohol misuse, and gang involvement with both drug-related crime and knife crime. The Panel resolved to note the overview and requested an update on the impact of the place-based approach to addressing serious violence in Northamptonshire later in the year.
Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner's Annual Report and Fire and Rescue Statement
The Panel reviewed the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner's Annual Report for 2025/26 and the Fire and Rescue Statement for the same period. The Annual Report detailed the Commissioner's work in delivering on her Safe and Sound
plan, covering areas such as visible and accessible community services, professionalism and standards, and strong partnerships. It also provided a financial overview of policing and fire and rescue expenditure. The Fire and Rescue Statement outlined the Northamptonshire Commissioner Fire and Rescue Authority's (NCFRA) assurance arrangements, covering financial, governance, and operational aspects, and highlighted its commitment to the Community Risk Management Plan and national operational guidance. The Panel noted both reports and agreed that points raised during discussions would be included in a report to the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.
Police, Fire and Crime Panel Work Programme 2026/27
The Panel agreed its work programme for the 2026/27 municipal year. Key items to be included are a report on the outcomes of an independent review arising from a Court of Appeal judgement against Northamptonshire Police, the implementation and impact of Police Governance Reform proposals, and the Joint Independent Audit Committee Annual Report. The Panel also identified potential additional areas for consideration, including 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. Furthermore, the Panel 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 Complaints Sub Committee
The Panel appointed members to serve on the Police, Fire and and Crime Panel Complaints Sub Committee for 2026/27. Councillor Richard Butler, Councillor Daniel Lister, and Councillor Emily Fedorowycz were appointed as councillor members. 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 Panel also agreed that the Reform UK councillor members would be contacted to confirm the remaining member of the Complaints Sub Committee.
Leadership Appointments
Dr Carolyn Kus was appointed as the Chair of the Panel for 2026/27, and Councillor Craig Morris was appointed as the Deputy Chair.
Minutes
The minutes of the Police, Fire and Crime Panel meeting held on 30 April 2026 were approved.
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 of West Northamptonshire Council decided to note the Fire and Rescue Statement for 2025/26 on 18 June 2026. Points raised by Panel members will be included in the Panel's report to the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.
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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 of West Northamptonshire Council decided on 18 June 2026 to approve recommendations. The Panel noted the Annual Report for 2025/26 and resolved that points raised by Panel members would be set out in the Panel’s report to the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.
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