Decisions

The previous Chief Constable for Gwent retired from office on 7th June 2013 with immediate effect. The Commissioner has agreed to exercise his power to appoint a Chief Constable as per Schedule 8(2) of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011. The appointment will be subject to a confirmation hearing by the Police and Crime Panel.

The Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 requires the Police and Crime Commissioner to appoint a person to be responsible for the proper administration of his financial affairs. A report was submitted to the Police and Crime Panel on the 13th June 2013 with the appointment endorsed at a confirmation hearing on the 3rd July 2013.

The Commissioner has considered the annual report from the Gwent DIP for 2012-13 and is pleased with the positive outcomes the programme is having and how it contributes to achieving the priorities as set out in the Police and Crime Plan. An area of concern relates to the low number of individuals tested under Inspectors Authority; the Chief Constable has been asked to examine this area as a priority as its effectiveness could have a positive impact on the Police and Crime Plan priorities.

The proposals for projects contained within phase 7 of the Staying Ahead programme cover:* Finance;* Business Support;* Estates;* Fleet;* Corporate Communications;* Criminal Justice;* Custody;* Data Management;* Neighbourhoods;* CID;Operational Support;* Professional Standards;* Service Development; and* Supervisory NetworksThe information contained in the Challenge Sessions Finding s and Summary background papers has been subjected to the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, Data Protection Act 1998 and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent’s public interest test and is deemed to be exempt from publication under section 4.

Under the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011, the Commissioner is required to produce, for each financial year, an Annual Report that highlights how the Commissioner has been carrying out his role and the progress that has been made in meeting the police and crime plan objectives as set out within the Police and Crime Plan for Gwent.

The information contained in the report has been subjected to the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, Data Protection Act 1998 and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent’s public interest test and is deemed to be exempt from publication under section 4.

The Independent Custody Visiting Scheme is a statutory Scheme under the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act Part 3 Section 299 whose responsibility and oversight lies with the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, in consultation with the Chief Constable.

The Financial Management Code of Practice for the Police Service of England and Wales requires that a Police and Crime Commissioner and Chief Constable establishes an Independent Audit Committee and recommends this should be a combined body. Following an open recruiting process the final two independent members of the Joint Audit Committee were appointed.