West Mercia Governance Board
Notes of Meeting
Date: 22nd August 2024
Attendance:
John Campion (JPC) Chair Police and Crime Commissioner
Alex Murray (AM) T/Chief Constable
Richard Cooper (RC) T/Deputy Chief Constable
Gareth Boulton (GB) Chief Executive Officer
Paul Benfield (PB) Treasurer
Anthony Morriss (TM) Deputy Chief Executive
Richard Muirhead (RM) Director of Commercial Services
Grant Wills (GW) T/Assistant Chief Constable, Local Policing & Operations
Rachael Thorold (RT), Secretary
Apologies:
Marc Bayliss (MB) Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner
Rachel Jones (RJ) Assistant Chief Constable, Crime & Vulnerability
Rachel Hartland-Lane (RHL) Director of Business Services
Minutes
Ref/01/22/08/2024
Introduction / Attendance / Apologies. Welcome and apologies were made.
Thanks, appreciation and best wishes were given to the outgoing Chief Constable for the differences made both in terms of positive relationship building and the continuation thereof and in terms of the contributions made to the various areas of work conducted by the West Mercia Force.
Ref/02/22/08/2024
Minutes and Action Log for the previous meeting.
The minutes were recorded as an accurate record, except the firearms action wording which is to be amended to; “PCC asked for force to link in with the OPCC to ensure the wording in relation to the backlog (which is reported to the Minister) was appropriate”. The action log was updated accordingly.
Ref/03/22/08/2024
Money Matters – For Information The paper was presented discussed and noted.
In relation to the overtime provision cover, the PCC asked if this is still covered and still increasingly overspent. The DoCS confirmed this is the case the impact of which will be provided in the next quarterly report. The PCC asked if there is a way of presenting the choice and known spend, to which it was confirmed these variances can be reported, but added improvements in the methodology of doing this are required.
Action: RM is to share the savings details, which went to the recently held Chief Officers Meeting, with the PCC.
The virements listed in the report were noted by the PCC.
Ref/04/22/08/2024
Op Lincoln – Quarterly Update – For Information The paper was presented discussed and noted.
The PCC asked how the balance is reached between ensuring the appropriate level of investigative process is followed versus the amount of effort taken that could be used on other operational activities.
The PCC asked if it would be worthwhile bringing the newly elected Shropshire MPs up to speed with the Op Lincoln project, which was agreed to by the T/DCC.
Action: T/DCC is to ensure a briefing on Op Lincoln is given to the newly elected Shropshire MPs.
Ref/05/22/08/2024
HMICFRS PEEL Preparedness Update – For Information The paper was presented discussed and noted.
It is anticipated that the hot debrief by the HMICFRS is expected following the inspections, in December 2024.
Ref/06/22/08/2024
Annual Performance Metrics Reporting Q1 – For Information The paper was presented discussed and noted.
The PCC questioned the Performance Metrics process and/or evaluation of it in determining and justifying the annual precept level.
Ref/07/22/08/2024
Change and Transformation – For information The paper was presented discussed and noted.
Ref/08/22/08/2024
Portfolio Updates.
The portfolio reports were presented discussed and noted.
Local Policing and Ops .
Nothing further reported.
Business Services.
Nothing further reported.
Crime and Vulnerability.
Athena Version 6 has gone Live but with some costly issues. The reparations for these are being actioned appropriately.
Commercial Services.
Nothing further reported.
Ref/09/22/08/2024
AOB/Forward Plan.
September Corporate Governance Framework refresh. The documents to be brought to the September meeting will be discussed and agreed.
