LGA publishes guidance on governance for police and crime panels

July 22, 2019

The Local Government Association has this month published guidance on governance for police and crime panels.

The guidance has been produced for police (fire) and crime panel chairs, members and support officers and those with whom they work.

It is intended to provide information about the statutory roles of panels and to highlight good practice that has been developed over the years since panels were first established.

The LGA said: “Since 2012, panels have shown that they are able to play a constructive role in providing challenge and support to police and crime commissioners. They are an intrinsic part of a network of relationships and processes, and integral to the governance arrangements for policing - and more recently, for some fire and rescue services.

“Good governance, robust scrutiny and strong supportive partnerships are essential for communities who rely on excellent police and fire and rescue services, a fair criminal justice system and effective blue light collaboration. They are also important for a vibrant local democracy. Panels have an important role to play in these arrangements.”

The guidance covers:

Overview of governance arrangements in policing and crime: commissioners’ responsibilities; policing protocol and panel responsibilities; mayoral arrangements; police, fire and crime functions; other collaboration.
Panels’ statutory powers and duties: reviewing the precept; reviewing the police and crime plan; reviewing the annual report; holding confirmation hearings; handling complaints; wider activity to support panels’ functions.
Key stakeholders in undertaking the panel’s functions: the relationship with the commissioner; operational independence; the relationship with the chief constable; relationships with other local stakeholders; panel scrutiny of collaboration; HMICFRS.
Running the panel: funding arrangements; panel arrangements; composition; rules of procedure; chairing; panel meetings; communications and panel reporting; panel training and development; work programming; using evidence and information; member champions; panels and public engagement; task and finish working; responses to recommendations; panel effectiveness.
Sources of information: key legislation; panel websites; examples of activity by panels.

A copy of the guidance can be viewed here.