Agenda and minutes

The Panel was informed that to enable consideration of the Panel’s Task and Finish Group on Membership review report, a Chair for this item would need to be appointed to consider the recommendations of that Task and Finish Group.

Councillor David Carroll was moved by Councillor Simon Rouse and seconded by Councillor John Harrison to be appointed as Chair for this item.

Phillip Morrice was moved by Councillor Robin Bradburn and seconded by Councillor Neil Fawcett to be appointed as Chair for this item.

Upon being put to the vote, Phillip Morrice was appointed as Chair of the Panel for the next item.

[Phillip Morrice took the Chair at this point]

Apologies for absence were submitted by Councillor Emily Culverhouse (Co-Opted Member, Buckinghamshire Council) and Councillor Richard Webber (Oxfordshire County Council) (Councillor Dan Levy Substituting).   

To agree the Minutes of the meeting held on 8 April 2022.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 24 June 2022 were agreed as a correct record.

The Thames Valley Police and Crime Panel at its meeting on 25 June 2021, established a cross-party Informal Task and Finish Group to review the membership arrangements of the Thames Valley Police and Crime Panel.

The Panel is asked to approve the recommendation of the Task and Finish Group on the Panel membership to change the composition of the Police and Crime Panel by allocating one place currently allocated to Buckinghamshire Council to Milton Keynes Council. So that the representation be: (Buckinghamshire Council, 1 Member + 3 Co-Opted Members: Milton Keynes Council, 1 Member + 1 Co-Opted Member).

The Panel was reminded that at its meeting on 25 June 2021, a cross-party Informal Task and Finish Group was established to review the membership arrangements of the Thames Valley Police and Crime Panel.

A final report of the Task and Finish Group was submitted for approval.

RESOLVED – (1) That approval be given to the recommendation of the Task and Finish Group on the Panel membership to change the composition of the Police and Crime Panel by allocating one place currently allocated to Buckinghamshire Council to Milton Keynes Council. So that the representation be: (Buckinghamshire Council, 1 Member + 3 Co-Opted Members: Milton Keynes Council, 1 Member + 1 Co-Opted Member).

(2) That it be noted that the nomination from Milton Keynes Council is in compliance with the legislation and reflects political proportionality of that Council. 

[Phillip Morrice vacated the Chair at this point]

Members of the Panel were asked for nominations for the Chair of the Panel for the 2022/23 Municipal Year.

Councillor Keith McLean was nominated by Councillor David Carroll and seconded by Councillor David Cannon, to be appointed as Chair of the Panel for 2022/23 Municipal Year.

Councillor Robin Bradburn was nominated by Councillor Neil Fawcett and was seconded by Councillor Balvinder Bains, to be appointed as Chair of the Panel for 2022/23 Municipal Year.

Both nominated Members provided a brief summary of why they wanted to be Chair of the Panel and what experience did they have.   

Upon being put to the vote both nominated Members received eight votes each.

Discussion took place on the stalemate of votes and it was noted that Phillip Morrice had vacated the Chair after consideration of the item on the Task and Finish Group on Panel Membership.

Members discussed a way forward which included appointing a temporary Chair of the Panel for this meeting only which would enable the Panel to undertake its role in scrutinising the Police and Crime Commissioner.

A Member proposed taking nominations again for Chair for the Municipal Year but it was acknowledged that there would still be a tie on nominations.

The Police and Crime Commissioner reminded Members that at the end of this Panel meeting there was a Confirmation Hearing for the appointment of the PCC’s Chief Finance Officer which the Panel had to consider.

At 11.25am, it was agreed that the meeting be adjourned to enable discussions to take place on a way forward.

The meeting reconvened at 11.40am.

Discussions took place on the options available which were the appointment of a temporary Chair for this meeting and the Confirmation Hearing, and the appointment of a Chair for the 2022/23 Municipal Year.

A further vote was taken on the Chair of the Panel for the Municipal Year which resulted in another tie on the two nominated Members.

It was suggested that as a way forward could not be agreed that the meeting be adjourned.