Ref: PCC/D/2024/16
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) is required to publish a police and crime plan for their term of office.
Following extensive consultation, the PCC wishes to adopt the document titled as the West Mercia Safer Communities Plan (set out at appendices A and B), as the formal police and crime plan for West Mercia between 2024 and 2029.
The transition to the new plan will be immediate. The new plan may be subject to periodic review but will remain in place until it is replaced.
PROPOSAL
It is proposed that the PCC formally adopt and confirm the West Mercia Safer Communities Plan (as set out at appendices A and B), as the police and crime plan for West Mercia, with immediate effect.
APPROVAL OF
West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner
I hereby approve the above proposal.
SUPPORTING REPORT
The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) is required to publish a police and crime plan (‘the plan’) for their term of office.
A PCC must publish the plan before the end of the financial year during which they are elected. The PCC elections in May 2024 require that the Commissioner publishes their police and crime plan by the end of March 2025. This decision is therefore well within that deadline.
The West Mercia Safer Communities Plan (set out at appendices A and B) has been developed following the election of PCC John Campion. The document is intended to reflect the PCC’s commitments made to the communities of West Mercia, along with the voice and priorities of the public. It has also been informed by professional advice from the Chief Constable of West Mercia Police and the Office of the PCC.
Due consideration has also been given to national guidance and good practice in the drafting of the plan. It also incorporates and complies with statutory requirements for police and crime plans.
The draft plan was subject to extensive consultation in the second half of 2024 through a range of platforms. These included in-person engagements and events with communities across West Mercia, a publicised formal consultation period and pro-active engagement with key partners. As required, the draft plan was also subject to consultation by the West Mercia Police and Crime Panel. Formal, written feedback to the draft plan was provided by the Panel in September 2024, and a written response was provided by the PCC in October 2024. Both are published on the PCC’s website.
Following consideration of consultation feedback the plan was further revised by the PCC before finalisation.
The transition to the new plan will be immediate upon the PCC’s signature of this notice.
The new plan may be subject to periodic review, but will remain in place until it is replaced.
BENEFITS AND THEIR REALISATION
Compliance with statutory requirements for PCC
Clarity of vision and priorities for public, PCC, OPCC, police force and other partners / stakeholders
To be monitored via associated delivery plan.
Subject to established governance and accountability processes
AUTHOR
Name Gareth Boulton Date
19th November 2024
FINANCIAL AND TREASURER COMMENTS
The publication of the new Police and Crime Plan has no direct financial implications.
Treasurer
Date 19/11/24
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS
By virtue of schedule 11, paragraph 14 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 the Police and Crime Commissioner may do anything which is calculated to facilitate, or is conducive or incidental to, the exercise of the functions of commissioner. That includes: entering into contracts and other agreements (whether legally binding or not) and acquiring and disposing of property (including land).
PUBLIC ACCESS TO INFORMATION
Information in this form is subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOI Act) and other legislation. Part 1 of this form will be made available on the West Mercia Commissioner’s website. Any facts and advice that should not be made automatically available on request are not included in Part 1 but instead in a separate Part 2 report.
OFFICER APPROVAL
Chief Executive Officer
Signature
Date 19th November 2024
