The Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Police and Crime Panel met on Wednesday, 4 February 2026, to discuss the proposed police precept for the 2026/27 financial year, review the Police and Crime Commissioner's (PCC) update report, and consider the annual report from the Joint Audit, Risk and Assurance Panel (JARAP). The meeting also included the appointment of an independent co-opted member and a review of the Panel's constitution.

Appointment of an Independent Co-Opted Member

The Panel was scheduled to consider the appointment of a new independent co-opted member. The report outlined the recruitment process undertaken, which included advertising the vacancy and interviewing candidates against specific selection criteria. The intention was to ensure the Panel had the necessary skills and experience to effectively discharge its functions. The report also noted that Parisha Chavda's term of office was proposed for extension.

Review of LLR Police and Crime Panel Constitution

A review of the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR) Police and Crime Panel's constitution was scheduled for discussion. The report aimed to seek approval for amendments to Part 4 of the Constitution to provide clarity on the process for handling serious complaints and conduct matters relating to the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) and Deputy PCC. It also intended to detail the authority delegated to the Director of Law and Governance at Leicestershire County Council regarding complaints, in line with guidance from the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC).

Police Precept Proposal and 2026/27 Budget

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the Police Precept Proposal and the 2026/27 Budget. The report outlined the proposed policing budget for Leicestershire for the upcoming financial year and presented a proposal for the policing precept. This included details on the total net revenue budget, the council tax (precept) request, and identified future risks, challenges, uncertainties, and opportunities. The report also detailed the Home Office grant allocations and the estimated collection fund deficit. A key recommendation was to support the PCC's proposal to increase the 2026/27 policing element of the precept by £11.00 per annum for a Band D property. The report included extensive financial information, including the Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP), operational context, capital strategy, and treasury management strategy. The Chief Constable provided a statement offering professional policing advice, recommending a £15 precept increase, and highlighting concerns about the proposed £11 increase and its potential impact on service delivery and sustainability.

Police and Crime Commissioner's Update Report

The Panel was to receive an update on the PCC's work and progress during October to December 2025 (Quarter 3 of the 2025/26 financial year). This report covered community consultation and engagement activities, including details of Community Days and other engagements across the city and counties. It also provided an update on commissioning and partnership activities, including contracts for Out of Court Resolutions, domestic abuse support services, and community safety partnerships. The report detailed the work of the Violence Reduction Network (VRN), including performance data on serious violence, the development of Young Futures panels, and the Peer Action Collective project. Furthermore, it outlined scrutiny and governance activities, such as Independent Custody Visitor visits, complaint reviews, and the work of the Ethics and Transparency Panel. The report also detailed progress on prevention activities, including the work of the Joint Prevention and Partnership Board and the Police's education offer to schools.

Joint Audit, Risk and Assurance Panel (JARAP) Annual Report

The Panel was scheduled to review the annual report of the Joint Audit, Risk and Assurance Panel (JARAP) for the year 2024-25. The report detailed the JARAP's role in seeking assurance over the adequacy of risk management, internal control frameworks, governance arrangements, and the work of internal and external auditors for both the PCC and the Chief Constable. It outlined the panel's membership, meeting schedule, and how it discharges its responsibilities, including considerations of risk management, audit reports, and annual accounts. The report also highlighted the impact of recent government announcements regarding the potential abolition of the PCC model and its implications for JARAP's future governance arrangements.

Date of Next Meeting

Finally, the date of the next meeting was to be confirmed, with the next meeting scheduled for 21 April 2026.