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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
Resolved that: The contents of the presentation be noted.
Resolved that: The contents of the presentation be noted.
Cllr Sandra Perkes.
Councillor Bernie Bowen-Thomson runs a charity that receives funding from the Commissioner’s Office. Mel Jehu declared his interest in the agenda as he is a Non-Executive Trustee of Safer Merthyr Tydfil who receive funding from the Commissioner’s Office. Sarah James is a trainer for Safer Wales.
The previous minutes dated 19th September 2023 were accepted as a correct record with the following amendments: Sarah James noted that she was referred to as Councillor but is a Co-Optee. David Holloway-Young noted his name was incorrect within the minutes. It was requested that the report to be recirculated as there had been typographic errors (Cardiff/Swansea).
Decision as recorded
Resolved that: The contents of the presentation be noted.
Handouts were provided by SWP. • South Wales Police and Crime Plan 2023-2027 • Force Overview (Data: March 2022 – March 2023) - paper copy of slide • On a typical day in South Wales Police - paper copy of slide. It was agreed that the presentation would be presented first and then the financial position update. Alun Michael gave a brief overview of the series of documents however it was noted that there had been a delay as Audit Wales had significant problems in recruitment of Auditors. David Holloway-Young gave the presentation. To provide effective management of the policing budget, we look at how we much we have spent in financial year, how much we owe, how much we are owed, the value of our estate that includes fleet, computers, pay of all staff, and the reserves that we hold. He stated that they were due to be audited in July but due to the issues noted at Audit Wales, the final audits took place September, October and part of November. There were 23 internal audits 5 provided ‘substantial’ assurance, with none showing ‘no assurance’. This shows an unqualified report from the Auditor General, with no significant findings. This demonstrates the high quality of the accounts presented for audit. Jeremy Vaughan continued the presentation. Police overview - there were 1/4m 999 calls, we are a strategic force, forces around us use us, and they pay for that use, we Police a high number of major events. The demand on the 999 calls has gone up 1/3 in 10 years. Jeremy Vaughan added that this is his fourth year as Chief Constable, it has been a complicated 3 years, due to the Covid pandemic. In addition, there was also the Mayhill riots in 2021, We have 1000 new recruits, who expect a different work life balance and out of 6000 staff 1000 are new to the role. Jeremy Vaughan referred to three areas: • Neighbourhood Policing: forms the basis of public prevention. • Vulnerability – there is a high level of deprivation, high levels of drug deaths. • Experience of the Police how do victims feel about the police and their interaction. We are making progress, we engage and have listened to 16,000 views, 86% feel safe in their homes, we use this data to understand where the problems are, it makes a difference if we get neighbourhood policing right. However, there is lack of confidence in the Police, not everyone has the same experience of the police, we need to have bespoke community policing. Jeremy Vaughan explained that there is now a Rape Investment Team, the national average to investigate a case of rape is 309 days ours is 137. 66% would report a rape again, nationally it is 40%, we look at the victim’s journey, their experience with the Police before and after. There is also a new centralised Exploitation Team – local delivery of service. We were worried about unreported crime during the Covid pandemic as pubs and clubs were closed. Domestic Violence happens behind closed doors and the victim may speak to a friend rather than us and other sectors. We have fewer rape cases, the lowest knife crime, second lowest gun crime, using a BB gun is gun crime, out of 23 gun crimes, 22 were BB guns. Shop lifting, month on month there is an increase, due to the cost-of-living crisis, stores do need to do more, CCTV, security guards. Jeremy Vaughan explained that there are challenges and demands and that he has been appointed as Chair of the National Police Chief’s Council Science and Innovation Committee. Jeremy Vaughan referred to community tension and the last few months regarding the tragic loss of lives in Ely, the operational detail is in the hands of the IOPC, but lessons had been learnt from the Mayhill riots. Umar Hussain presented and spoke to the financial slides. The force has had to make decisions on what it can cut from the budget next year and the budget uncertainties to try and balance the books. Goods and services have increased up by 13% in a year, all external factors affect us. The back-office staff is now at a bare minimum it’s a busy environment for those that are in that post. Johanna Llewellyn-Hopkins referred to concerns about knife crime and gang violence. Alun Michael referred to a drama project in Cardiff schools, however Johanna Llewellyn-Hopkins stated those engaged in these crimes are often disengaged children and are not the type of teenagers who would attend. Discussion took place on award ceremonies highlighting the good work of staff and bravery when they risk their lives daily. The Chair asked if there were any questions. Sarah James asked if there was a timeline for the IOPC report regarding Ely. Alun Michale explained that he was told it would be between 3 and 6 months, it is now over 6 months, it was noted that this delay affects the families involved, Officers and the wider public and only further causes anxiety for all those involved. Sarah James also asked if the Commissioner’s Office had come across information that was from England that some GP practices are withdrawing their services if patients’ mental health behaviour is acute and abuse staff. Alun Michael stated no it had not been brought to his attention. It was noted that Emma Wools would provide a report on Domestic Violence at a future Panel meeting and offered to provide information to the Panel via its sub-groups. Discussion took place on whether some reports could be brought to the subgroup rather than the full panel. The Panel was informed that the Police have a statutory duty to balance the books. They need to find 9.6m additional savings, 3m vacancy from previous year. Two areas being looked at are overtime and workforce, we can’t have an officer who earns 75k doing the role of an officer on 40k. The staff pay award of 7% from September 2023 was higher than the 3.5% built into the 2023-24 pay budget, however as with the Officer pay award, this shortfall will be offset by the additional funding to mitigate the impact. Umar Hussain went through the figures in detail please and circulated report REVENUE AND CAPITAL MONITORING POSITION 1st APRIL TO 31st AUGUST 2023 prepared by Umar Hussain and David Holloway-Young. He also referred to the PowerPoint Presentation on MEETING THE POLICING CHALLENGE 2023-25. Alun Michael stressed that there are financial challenges ahead however the Team are determined, and he had confidence in his team. The Chair asked if there were any comments. Mel Jehu asked whether another visit could be made in the forthcoming year to Headquarters and look at behind the scenes. Jeremy Vaughan confirmed that he would arrange a date. The Chair thanked the Commissioner and Chief Officer for the report and presentation. Resolved that: The contents of the presentation be noted.
Decision as recorded
Resolved that: The contents of the presentation be noted.
Umar Hussain gave the presentation. Reserves must be 3% (1% budget error, 1% major incident, 1% unknown), currently we have 10m in reserves however it should be 12m, all other elements we comply with. Johanna Llewellyn-Hopkins asked what would be classed as a major incident. It was noted that this would be a major riot, serial murders, anything deemed unplanned. Bob Harris enquired about the Capital City Fund. Alun Michael explained that he had a meeting that afternoon with a Plaid Cymru MP for North Wales and a letter had been circulated to MPs and AMs and Local Authority Leaders in Wales. The continued failure by central government to deal with this continues to have a knock on effect. There have been good responses from the MPs and AMs. The Chair asked if there was anything we could do to assist, it was agreed that a letter would be sent. This was seconded by both Bob Harris and Mel Jehu. Jeremy Vaughan explained that they have avoided conflating the Funding Formula, the world has moved on and changed and this formula is not suitable, and that there will always be winners and losers in terms of funding. Alun Michael added that the Police formula is the most difficult and complicated. Jeremy Vaughan discussed the issue of recruitment. Savings are being made on a non-recurrent basis as the force continues to have trouble in recruiting to some specialist posts. Mark Tribe enquired about current vacancies and sick leave. Umar Hussain stated that overall vacancies is 6% and sickness at 4%, this is quite low compared to others, sickness is largely due to mental health. Mel Jehu asked if we could have a future presentation on wellbeing and mental health processes. Resolved that: The contents of the presentation be noted.
Hannah Lawson referred to a former Police Officer (Lewis Edwards) who was convicted of 160 serious sexual offences with 210 victims, and asked how do the police deal with people like him to ensure they do not become a Police Officer. Alun Michael stated that what Lewis Edwards did was shocking, calculated and evil, but in his case the vetting had been completed and nothing was found to be of a concern, but as soon as it came to light following a police investigation, he was suspended before he resigned. He will serve a minimum of 12 years in Prison. A full statement was read to Panel. The Chair thanked everyone for attending and wished everyone a Merry Christmas.
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