The meeting was primarily focused on the reappointment hearing for Councillor Jeannie Bell as the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Merseyside. Councillor Bell provided a detailed account of her responsibilities and achievements over the past year and answered questions from various council members.

The most significant topic discussed was Councillor Bell's role and responsibilities as the Deputy PCC. She outlined her primary duties, which included supporting the Police and Crime Commissioner, Emily Spurrell, in delivering the Police and Crime Plan. This involved scrutinizing the performance of Chief Constable Serena Kennedy, leading the Women's Services Alliance, and relaunching the Modern Slavery Network. She also worked on neurodiversity in the criminal justice system, collaborating with Ian Byrne, MP, and PhD student Jack Fitzpatrick on related projects. Additionally, she trained independent custody visitors and worked on the addictions portfolio, particularly with the Combatting Drugs Partnership.

Councillor Bell emphasized her involvement in various initiatives, such as the Women's Services Alliance and the Modern Slavery Network. She highlighted the importance of addressing issues like county lines and modern slavery, noting the challenges and successes in getting partners to buy into these initiatives. She also mentioned her efforts to improve communication with the public about the role and achievements of the Police and Crime Commissioner.

Another key topic was Councillor Bell's role in holding the Chief Constable to account. She described her experience chairing scrutiny meetings and visiting the emergency call center to understand and address issues like call waiting times for 999 and 101. She stressed the importance of balancing challenge with highlighting good practices within the police force.

Councillor Bell also discussed her efforts to engage with community leaders and elected members, regardless of their political affiliation. She provided examples of working with opposition councillors and supporting initiatives like the treatment of women in politics. She highlighted the importance of building good working relationships and ensuring that community needs are understood and addressed.

Regarding transparency and accountability, Councillor Bell explained that all key decisions are reported on the Police and Crime Commissioner's website. She also mentioned her willingness to attend community meetings and engage with the public to ensure transparency in her decision-making process.

Finally, Councillor Bell addressed potential conflicts of interest due to her position as an elected member in St. Helens Borough Council. She explained the steps she took to avoid conflicts, such as stepping down from her cabinet role and ensuring clear boundaries in communication and decision-making.

The meeting concluded with Councillor Bell expressing her gratitude for the opportunity to serve as Deputy PCC and her commitment to continuing her work in the role. The panel then moved to a private session to deliberate on their findings.