The Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel is scheduled to meet on Thursday 17 September 2026 to discuss a range of important issues concerning policing and fire services in the county. Key topics include an update on an independent review following a Court of Appeal judgement against Northamptonshire Police, an overview of the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner's (OPFCC) complaints and customer service functions, and the Joint Independent Audit Committee's annual report. The Panel will also consider its work programme for the upcoming year.

Update on Independent Review Following Court of Appeal Judgement

A significant item on the agenda is the update on the independent review stemming from the Court of Appeal judgement against Northamptonshire Police. This review was commissioned following the force's failure to comply with subject access requests and subsequent court orders, which led to a contempt of court ruling. The review aims to assess how and why these failures occurred, identifying any systemic, cultural, leadership, or governance issues that contributed to the non-compliance. The report details the methodology and current position of the review, noting that it has focused on wider organisational failings to avoid duplicating ongoing investigations by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). The Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Danielle Stone, will present the final review report at a later meeting.

Overview of OPFCC Complaints and Customer Service Functions

The Panel is scheduled to receive an overview of the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner's (OPFCC) complaints and customer service functions. Since February 2020, the OPFCC's Customer Service Team has managed less serious complaints against Northamptonshire Police, and since April 2023, has also overseen the Fire and Rescue Service's complaints process. The report highlights the team's growth and development, its commitment to customer service excellence, and its performance in handling public contacts, which includes complaints, queries, and requests for complaint reviews. The team's proactive approach to identifying themes and trends in complaints is also noted, as is their outperformance of national averages in areas such as initial contact response times.

Joint Independent Audit Committee Annual Report

The Joint Independent Audit Committee's Annual Report for 2025/26 will be presented to the Panel. This committee provides independent assurance on the adequacy of corporate governance, risk management arrangements, and control environments for the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (PFCC) and the Chief Constable. The report will summarise the committee's activities throughout the financial year, detailing how it has discharged its duties and responsibilities, including its review of corporate governance, internal controls, risk management, regulatory frameworks, and audit functions. The report also outlines the committee's membership and meeting schedule, and its assessment of its own performance against its objectives.

Police, Fire and Crime Panel Work Programme

The Panel will consider its work programme for 2026/27. This programme outlines the statutory and discretionary scrutiny work, as well as operational matters and supporting activities for the Panel. It provides a framework for the Panel's activity, helping to prioritise issues and manage its time and resources effectively. The report includes an update on actions taken in response to previous resolutions made by the Panel, allowing members to track the outcomes of their meetings. The work programme includes scheduled discussions on the independent review of the Court of Appeal judgement, the Joint Independent Audit Committee's annual report, and the PFCC's proposed police and fire precepts for the upcoming year.

Complaints and Conduct Matters Update

An update on complaints and conduct matters relating to the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (PFCC) and the Deputy Commissioner will be provided. This report covers the period from March to August 2026 and details any non-criminal complaints considered by the Panel's Complaints Sub Committee. The report outlines the arrangements for receiving, recording, and resolving such complaints, as established by the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 and associated regulations. The Panel is informed of any new complaints or conduct matters and the outcomes of any informal resolution processes.