Decisions

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.

The grant is provided from the Commissioning budget for 2013/14 on the basis that the Commissioner will receive such information as necessary to reassure him that the grant funding has been used effectively to provide a service that supports his priorities for Gwent.

The Commissioner has entered into an agreement with the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland to deal with any complaints that arise from the deployment of police officers under mutual aid.

The Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 created the new role of Police and Crime Commissioners which necessitated a review of the support available to ensure that new emerging requirements could be addressed. Careful consideration has been given to the interim structure which will rpovide the skills and capacity necessary to enable the Commissioner to deliver statutory functions while still providing value for money for the people of Gwent.