PCC/D/2023/18
Executive Summary
The PCC’s 2023/24 budget allocates €250,000 per local policing area, for two years for partnership work with local authorities. In Worcestershire however this partnership approach is more complex due to the two-tier system of local government and the respective resourcing and functions of the local councils.
It is therefore proposed that the PCC implement two partnership options in Worcestershire. One which focuses on joint commissioning with Worcestershire County Council, and a second which focuses on work with the six district councils, delivered via the two local Community Safety Partnerships (CSPs).
In order to maintain meaningful and realistic levels of investment into each project, this will require the release of additional funds to support the partnership work with district council partners investment, of £100,000 per year for two years (a total of £200,000 PCC investment).
Proposal
That the PCC approve the release a total of €200,000 from the budget equalisation reserve across 2023/24 and 2024/25 to support further collaborative work with district council partners in Worcestershire, with a focus on crime reduction and prevention in local communities.
Approval of West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner
I hereby approve the above proposal.
Part 1 – Non Confidential/Exempt Facts and Figures
Supporting Report
The PCC’s 2023/24 budget allocates £250,000 per local policing area, for two years for partnership work with local authorities.
The intent of this funding is to improve collaborative approaches to joint priorities, and encourage joint commissioning between public bodies. The ultimate aim being better outcomes for local communities as key local agencies work more closely together to address local issues.
All local authorities (both in and out of Worcestershire) have been receptive to the initiative and set out initial support for the proposal. In Worcestershire however this partnership approach is more complex due to the two-tier system of local government and the respective resourcing and functions of the County Council versus the six district/ city / borough councils.
It is therefore proposed that the PCC implement two partnership arrangements in
Worcestershire. One which focuses on joint commissioning with Worcestershire County Council, and a second which focuses on work with the six district councils, delivered via the two local Community Safety Partnerships (CSPs).
In order to maintain meaningful and realistic levels of investment into each project, this will require the release of additional funds to support the partnership work with district councils. This is recommended to be £100,000 per year for two years (a total of £200,000 additional PCC investment).
This approach will enable significant and meaningful work to continue with colleagues in Worcestershire County Council where there is opportunity to share commissioning approaches to key shared priorities. It also prioritises significant resource to work with district authorities around shared priorities there as well.
Precise parameters around the use and governance of the additional money will be further developed in conjunction with the wider OPCC prior to partnership work commencing. However, it is to be made available on a partnership basis, not as PCC grant funding. The funding will be available to the CSPs with clear parameters around its use, and a requirement that match resourcing is made available from partners to tackle identified shared priorities.
The additional funding will be required to deliver clear outcomes associated with the PCC’s Safer West Mercia Plan and demonstrate improvements for communities around crime prevention, reduction and community safety.
Strategic Considerations
This decision supports the following element(s) of the Safer West Mercia Plan:
- Putting Victims and Survivors First
- Building a More Secure West Mercia
- Reforming West Mercia
- Reassuring West Mercia’s Communities
The decision supports this/ these objective(s) through the following:
- Subject to final implementation, the funding available can / could be utilised in support of any of the PCC’s key objectives within the Safer West Mercia Plan.
- As a minimum however, the approach to collaboration and integration with local partners is intended to reform and improve current working practices and reassure local communities around effective and efficient use of public resources.
Benefits and their Realisation
To be determined on a case by case basis, associated with each investment.
An overarching benefit however is the partnership work that the investment enables with local partners, which ultimately serves the best interests of local communities.
Author
Gareth Boulton
Date: 8 June 2023
Financial and Treasurer Comments
The request is for an additional £200,000 of resources to support the safer community’s partnership work in the Worcestershire Districts over a 2 year period.
There is £1,057k available in the budget equalisation reserve which has not been committed or identified as being required in the next 2 years.
Signature.
Date: 8 June 2023
Legal Considerations
By virtue of schedule 11, paragraph 14 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 the Police and Crime Commissioner may do anything which is calculated to facilitate, or is conducive or incidental to, the exercise of the functions of commissioner. That includes: entering into contracts and other agreements (whether legally binding or not) and acquiring and disposing of property (including land).
Public Access to Information
Information in this form is subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOI Act) and other legislation. Part 1 of this form will be made available on the West Mercia Commissioner’s website. Any facts and advice that should not be made automatically available on request are not included in Part 1 but instead in a separate Part 2 report.
Officer Approval
Chief Executive Officer
Signature
Date: 13 June 2023
