Title and Reference – PCC/D/083
Subject: Governance change in how the Police and Crime Commissioner holds the Chief Constable to account
Report of: Police and Crime Commissioner
Date: 14/06/2023
Summary:
The governance arrangements that support the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) in holding the Chief Constable of Bedfordshire Police Force to account have been changed to take account of the working relationship between the PCC and the Chief Constable.

From March 2023 the OPCC trialled separating some of the agenda from the Delivery and Beating Crime Board. This was confirmed as working appropriately and proportionately in June 2023. Therefore, the Delivery and Beating Crime Board will no longer be held.

All previous meetings minutes can be found on the website: https://www.bedfordshire.pcc.police.uk/meetings/

Following a review of how the PCC wanted to hold the new Chief Constable to account for the effective delivery of policing in the County, the governance arrangements have been split into two different meetings:

1. One to One – between the PCC and Chief Constable
2. OPCC Performance and Governance Board.
One to Ones – PCC and Chief Constable Weekly Meetings

This verbal discussion will be documented via a ‘blog’ from the PCC when these meetings have taken place if appropriate (as some information will not be able to be released to the public), giving a summary of highlights from the meeting on progress, to ensure transparency and accountability. https://www.bedfordshire.pcc.police.uk/meetings/pcc-and-chief-constable-accountability-meetings/

Every six weeks the PCC and Chief Constable will conduct a public session in addition to their weekly meeting. This will consist of the PCC asking questions directly to the Chief Constable on behalf of the public. If members of the public wish to ask specific questions, they can contact the PCC by writing to him at the following email address: PCC@beds.police.uk and the Commissioner will also pick a sample from his social media.

Please note – not all questions will be put forward within this session.

This meeting will be conducted via Microsoft Teams. The session will be recorded and then published on the PCC website.
Meetings will be held on a weekly basis at an agreed venue or electronically. Meetings will be planned for one calendar year.
The meeting will need the time commitment of one hour (weekly) from both parties. If any meetings do not take place, this will be logged and documented.

OPCC Performance and Governance Board

MEMBERSHIP AND ATTENDANCE
Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner:
• Chief Executive
• Chief Finance Officer
• Director of OPCC Operations
• Head of Governance and Transparency
• Executive Personal Assistant for the PCC (Minute Taker)
Bedfordshire Police:
• Deputy Chief Constable
• Assistant Chief Constable
• Assistant Chief Officer
• Staff officer to the Chief Constable

The board will be chaired by the Chief Executive for the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner or a nominated substitute such as the Chief Finance Officer in their absence.

STANDING AGENDA ITEMS (Other items will be added to the Agenda)