The Dyfed Powys Police and Crime Panel met on Wednesday 24 July 2024 to appoint its Chair and Vice-Chair, review the Police and Crime Commissioner's draft annual report, and discuss progress on developing a new Police and Crime Plan. The Panel also received updates on the progress of a deep dive review into stalking and harassment, decisions made by the Police and Crime Commissioner, performance against the Policing Protocol, and the OPCC's business plan.

Appointment of Panel Chair and Vice-Chair

The Panel unanimously resolved to appoint Professor Ian Roffe as Chair and Councillor Keith Evans as Vice-Chair until the Panel's Annual General Meeting in 2025.

Police and Crime Commissioner Draft Annual Report

The Panel considered the 2023-2024 Annual Report of the Police and Crime Commissioner. Councillor S. Hancock declared an interest in this item. Panel members thanked the Commissioner for the report and raised several points for clarification. These included questions about the collection of compliments alongside complaints, the role and progress of the Evidence-Based Research Coordinator, the implementation of the new Strategic Equality Plan, the future of substance misuse services, updates on the Women's Centre, and the impact of the 20mph speed limit changes on road safety. The Panel resolved to receive the Annual Report.

Progress Report on Developing a New Police and Crime Plan

A progress report on the development of a new Police and Crime Plan for 2025-2029 was presented. Councillor S. Hancock declared an interest. The Panel noted that public consultation had been formally launched on 8 July 2024, following a delay due to the General Election. The report outlined the proposed timetable for the adoption of the new plan, with a focus on performance measures and public accessibility. Observations included a query about how the Chief Constable would be held to account under the new plan and a suggestion to make the online consultation more user-friendly. The Panel resolved to receive the Progress Report.

Progress Report on Stalking and Harassment Deep Dive

The Panel received an update on the progress of the deep dive review into the management of stalking and harassment perpetrators by Dyfed Powys Police. Councillor S. Hancock declared an interest. The report detailed the progress made against recommendations concerning resourcing, training, data, perpetrator interventions, perpetrator monitoring, and victim support. The Panel noted that no recommendations had a Red RAG rating, indicating progress across all areas. The Police and Crime Commissioner stated he would provide further written responses on specific points raised by the Panel. The Panel resolved to receive the Progress Report.

Decisions Made by the Police and Crime Commissioner

The Panel reviewed decisions made by the Police and Crime Commissioner between 27 April and 12 July 2024. Councillor S. Hancock, Councillor W. Powell, and Mrs H. Thomas declared interests in this item. The report detailed decisions including the appointment of a Temporary Chief Finance Officer, the commissioning of a pilot stalking support service, the approval of a multi-site PV solar panel project, museum artefacts storage, collaboration agreements, Taser procurement, professional estates services contracts, Safer Streets Round 5 contract, digital forensics support services, cleaning services contract, public space CCTV, international strategies and capabilities team agreement, forensic medical services for sexual assault referral centres, mutual aid for the Paris Olympic Games, participation in the Sound Campaign, the PCC's response to an HMICFRS inspection report, an extension to the Appropriate Adult Service contract, the Police Constable Entry Point (PCEP), a Police Liaison Unit S22A Collaboration Agreement, and donations to the Hay, Brecon and Talgarth Sanctuary for Refugees, the Builth Wells Events Safety Group, the Police Unity Tour, and the Llanelli Polish War Memorial. The Panel resolved to receive the report.

Policing Protocol - Performance Report

A performance report detailing the Commissioner's compliance with the Policing Protocol Order for Q1 of the financial year 2024-25 was presented. Councillor S. Hancock declared an interest. The report indicated changes in the performance of several actions, with some moving from Amber to Green and others from Green to Amber. The Panel resolved to note the report.

OPCC Business Plan - Progress Report

The Panel received the progress report for the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner's Business Plan for Quarter 1 of 2024/25. Councillor S. Hancock declared an interest. The report outlined progress made in delivering the requirements of the business plan, aligned with the priorities of the Police and Crime Plan. Actions marked as Red were those where work had not yet commenced. The Panel resolved to note the report.