Recruitment starts for new Police and Crime Panel

Recruitment is underway to find committed and community-minded people to serve as co-opted independent members for the new Police and Crime Panel.

The Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Panel will be part of the new accountability arrangements for policing in the Avon and Somerset force area. It will monitor and scrutinise the performance of the new Police and Crime Commissioner, who will be directly elected in November and will oversee policing in Somerset and the former county of Avon.

Two or more independent panel members will work alongside councillor members from across the Avon and Somerset force area to provide constructive challenge to support the Police and Crime Commissioner. The panel’s work will include scrutinising the Police Precept (the element of Council Tax which funds the police) and the Commissioner’s budget and plans for policing, and involvement in the appointment of the Chief Constable.

Selection will be based on the knowledge, skills and expertise candidates can offer.
The Panel aims to reflect the composition of the area and welcomes applications from all eligible people irrespective of age, disability, ethnic origin, gender, religious belief, sexual orientation or other protected characteristics.

Cllr Nigel Ashton, Leader of North Somerset Council and Chair of the Leaders Joint Selection Committee which is responsible for setting up the Panel said: “The new panel will play an important role in scrutinising the work of the new Police and Crime Commissioner. I’d urge anyone across the Avon and Somerset force area who is interested in policing and community issues to consider applying.“

Applicants need to be 18 or over; live or work in the Avon and Somerset Police area; be able to attend at least six meetings a year which are likely to take place during the normal working day and understand the importance of public services and how they are delivered.

Employees of Avon and Somerset Police; the Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset and Members of Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales, the Scottish Parliament or the European Parliament are not eligible to become co-opted members of the Panel.

Time commitment is likely to average a day a month and co-optees will serve a four-year term.

Independent Panel members will receive training to help them carry out their role, reasonable travel expenses and dependent care expenses if required. The possibility of the payment a small allowance in addition, is currently under consideration.

Applications are encouraged from all parts of Somerset and the former Avon area. Bristol City Council is collating receipt of applications therefore please contact www.bristol.gov.uk/policeandcrimepanel for further information and an application pack.