Hampshire County Council Hampshire Police and Crime Panel (Statutory Joint Committee) Meeting

Apologies were received from:

·         Councillor Tonia Craig – Eastleigh Borough Council

·         Councillor Karen Lucioni – Isle of Wight Council

·         Councillor Lesley Meenaghan – Hampshire County Council

·         Councillor Martin Pepper – Gosport Borough Council

·         Councillor Margot Power – Winchester City Council

·         Councillor Sarah Vaughan – Additional Local Authority Co-opted Member

·         Shirley Young – Independent Co-opted Member

Members were able to disclose to the meeting any disclosable pecuniary interest they may have in any matter on the agenda for the meeting, where that interest is not already entered in their appointing authority’s register of interests, and any other pecuniary or non-pecuniary interests in any such matter that Members may wish to disclose.

The Monitoring Officer noted that the candidate for the position of Chief Constable of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police was a former officer of Hampshire Constabulary and was therefore likely to be known to some or all Members of the Panel in a professional capacity. The Monitoring Officer further noted that, for the avoidance of doubt, this did not give rise to a personal or disclosable pecuniary interest that would have any bearing on the process or matters before the Panel at the meeting.

No declarations were made.

The Minutes from the previous meeting were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

No questions or deputations were received by the Panel on this occasion.

Members received a report from the Democratic Services Officer proposing the name of Panel be changed to the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and Crime Panel. Members heard this would align the Panel with the recent renaming of the police force area.

RESOLVED:

·         That, recognising the updated name of the Constabulary and title of the Commissioner, the Panel agreed to be known henceforth as the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and Crime Panel.

·         That delegated authority is given to the Democratic Services Officer, in consultation with the Chairman of the Panel, to implement this change, including making updates to the Panel’s logo and branding.

Following notification from the Commissioner to the Panel of her intention to appoint a preferred candidate, Mr Scott Chilton, to the role of Chief Constable of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, the Panel held a Confirmation Hearing in accordance with Schedule 8 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011.

Members received a report setting out the powers of the Panel and the process to be followed in the Confirmation Hearing, as per the agreed ‘Confirmation Hearing protocol’.

The Panel noted the information provided by the Commissioner relating to the appointment of the Chief Constable, which included:

·         Name of the preferred candidate

·         Report from the PCC stating why the preferred candidate meets the requirements of role

·         Terms and conditions of appointment.

·         Independent Members Report

The Commissioner expressed her pleasure in presenting the preferred candidate, who had spent 28 years of his policing career working within Hampshire and Isle of Wight before joining Dorset Police as Chief Constable, and welcomed feedback from the Panel through the confirmation hearing process.

The Commissioner acknowledged the input of partners from across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight in the selection process, including Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service and Hampshire County Council.  Following a robust selection process the Commissioner felt confident she had proposed a candidate who would deliver a strong and effective local policing service for the residents of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

The candidate was invited by the Chairman to introduce himself, explaining why he was the best candidate to lead Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary.

The Panel then asked questions of the candidate which related to his professional competence and personal independence, the answers to which enabled Members to evaluate Mr Chilton’s suitability for the role.

At the end of questioning, the Chairman thanked the candidate and provided an opportunity to clarify any responses given.

The press and public were excluded from the meeting during the following item of business, as it was likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the public were present during that item there would be disclosure to them of exempt information within Paragraph 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, being information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding the information) and, further, that in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information. While there may have been a public interest in disclosing this information, namely openness in the deliberations of the Panel in determining its recommendation regarding the proposed appointment, it was felt that, on balance, this was outweighed by other factors in favour of maintaining the exemption, namely enabling a full discussion regarding the merits of the proposed appointment.

The Panel held exempt discussions which examined the evidence provided in the Confirmation Hearing session. The final reports of the Panel are appended to these minutes.

Through discussion the Panel agreed that:

·         The Panel were assured, through statements from the Commissioner, supported by the report of the independent person, that the recruitment process was properly conducted in adherence with College of Policing guidance and had followed the principles of merit, fairness, and openness.

·         The candidate held significant experience in policing, with over 30 years’ service, including 28 years spent at Hampshire Constabulary, many years of which were at chief officer level. It was felt that by gaining experience of operational policing in another area, as Chief Constable of Dorset Police, as well as lived experience of leading commands at both local and national level, the candidate would be a more effective leader and was able to demonstrate a wide knowledge base.

·         The candidate was able to fully articulate his reasons for applying for the role, despite holding his current position as Chief Constable of Dorset Police for a little more than 12 months. Clearly demonstrated was his passion for policing within Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and creating a safe, cohesive communities for local residents.

·         Faced with robust questioning from the Panel the candidate provided in-depth, well informed, and honest answers throughout. It was felt that he would make a strong leader for the force and would be able to inspire and engage its workforce, setting the tone from the top regarding ethical behaviours and moral standards.

·         The candidate demonstrated a high level, strategic understanding of the challenges the Constabulary would face in the coming years, with reflection upon how these could present opportunities to enhance the effectiveness of the force.

·         The candidate was highly driven, and his answers demonstrated his ambition to further enhance the effectiveness of operational policing, not only at a local level but to contribute to policing improvements at a regional and national level.

·         The candidate had a very open and likeable nature and would be able to effectively engage with the pubic and would inspire trust and confidence in policing.

·         In making financial decisions, the candidate was clear that he would focus on delivering value for money for residents and was able to provide several examples highlighting previous experience in strategic level financial management, most recently in his role as Chief Constable.

·         The candidate was familiar with operating in a political environment, whilst maintaining operational independence and had worked alongside five previous PCC’s, drawing from this experience when responding to the Panel’s questions.

·         The confirmation hearing process demonstrated that the PCC and candidate were committed to developing a strong, effective, and mutually respectful working relationship through a shared ambition and vision for the future.

·         The candidate’s vision for working in partnership, both regionally and nationally was to be commended. The Panel acknowledged the candidate’s commitment to develop effective channels for engaging with partners and working with Community Safety Partners to enhance cohesion in priorities across the policing area.

·         The Panel would encourage the candidate, if appointed, to consider how the police might better engage with district and borough councils, alongside the unitary and upper-tier authorities.

·         The candidate demonstrated an ability to provide robust challenge, to the PCC and other strategic partners, to maintain the integrity and enhance the delivery of operational policing.

·         The candidate had a perceptive understanding of how the police were seen by the wider public. His commitment to strengthening neighbourhood policing, a robust approach to dealing with the criminality of anti-social behaviour and enhancing the 101 service was noted by the Panel.

·         The candidate held in high regard the input and impact staff and officers had on delivering an effective police force. It was clear that the candidate would encourage input from others, when appropriate, to inform and enhance operational policing decisions.

·         Alongside his own personal resilience approach, the candidate demonstrated a strong desire to support the wellbeing and resilience of the wider workforce.

·         The candidate demonstrated his passion for equality, diversity and inclusion within policing, and the Panel encouraged his commitment to enhance diversity within the force to enable it to be more representative of the communities it served.

·         The force will need to undergo a period of transition to adapt and respond to the new Chief Constable’s leadership approach and vision.

·         The confirmation hearing process had clearly highlighted how the candidate’s professional competence and values would meet the requirements of the role, and that the candidate had the drive, passion, and ambition to make Hampshire and Isle of Wight safer through the delivery of an effective and efficient operational police force.

On the basis of the information provided by the Commissioner, and the discussions held during the Confirmation Hearing, a vote was held on the recommendations, as proposed within report of the Democratic Services Officer. Members voted unanimously in favour of the proposed recommendations.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the Police and Crime Panel confirm the appointment of Mr Scott Chilton as Chief Constable of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary.

2.    That delegated authority be given to the Democratic Services Officer, in consultation with the Chairman of the Panel, to submit a report to the Commissioner setting out the outcome of the confirmation hearing, in accordance with Schedule 8 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011.