NOTES OF THE QUARTERLY GOVERNANCE MEETING HELD IN PUBLIC ON
18 July 2013
Present : Matthew Ellis, PCC
OPCC Officers Force Officers
Glynn Dixon, Chief of Staff
Junaid Gharda, Head of Policy, Performance and Communication
Emily Astles, Administrator Performance and
Nick Baker, Assistant Chief Constable
Graham Liddiard, Director of Resources
Kathleen Rennie, Equality and Diversity Manager
Research
Elizabeth McGinn, Communications Manager Ian Fegan, Head of Corporate Communications
2 members of the public and the press were also in attendance.
INTRODUCTION
The PCC welcomed those present to the Quarterly Governance meeting. Junaid
Gharda introduced the changes to performance monitoring that are designed to provide outcomes that are valuable and relevant to the public. There will be a move away from target setting and measures will be introduced that look at long term performance in a wider context in order to reduce crime and disorder.
INFORMATION ITEMS
5. Force Performance 1 April 2013 - 30 June 2013
ACC Nick Baker provided an overview of Force performance between 1 April 2013 and 30 June 2013, Information Item OPCC/I/201314/001. The PCC robustly challenged the Force over each area of performance, particularly around appropriate interpretation of data and predicted levels of crime. ACC Baker explained that the
Force does look at the broader elements of crime but that for so long targets have dictated how performance is reported, in short snapshots rather than long term trends. The PCC commented that a police culture driven by performance targets loses sight of community need. The performance framework set out in the Safer,
Fairer, United Communities Strategy for Staffordshire 2013-18 will redress this lost balance and introduce an effective crime reduction strategy with an emphasis on long term impact.
The PCC questioned a recorded shortfall around forensics attendance at burglary dwelling crimes. The PCC was assured that the Forensics Department are aware of the shortfall and are working to increase attendance in this area.

Glynn Dixon asked for Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) to be split down into historical and current offences so it is possible to discern if more people are having the confidence to come forward and report a historical rape or that more people are becoming a victim of rape or serious sexual offence. The PCC would like to understand this complex area of work and asked the Force to meet with Glynn
Dixon and Junaid Gharda to discuss the context of RASSO.
The PCC asked who defines a Hate Crime, ACC Baker asserted that a victim decides if they are reporting a hate crime and that the police regard it as such. The
PCC questioned whether this approach could lead to manipulation of the system.
ACC Baker recommended the current approach because it allows the police to investigate what the victim has reported, addressing individual need. The PCC was suitably reassured by this response.
ACC Baker praised the Cars Behind Bars initiative targeting uninsured drivers,
Staffordshire’s roads remain some of the safest in the country. The PCC asked for some further information around the impact of the Cars Behind Bars operation to be provided to him under separate cover.
6. Use of Resources Data
Graham Liddiard presented Information Item OPCC/D/201314/002. The report provided a positive picture of a stable workforce. Although police officer numbers continue to reduce these are being effectively managed through voluntary redundancy. The PCC welcomed new figures outlining police officer distribution; frontline service is supported by 979 officers, business support by 20 officers and operational support by 76 officers. Of the 75 officers presently on restricted duties 40 are not impacted by their restriction in their current role. Sickness absence has reduced considerably releasing an extra 10,000 working hours across the Force.
The recent recruitment and promotion processes have been welcomed by officers at all levels and it was announced at the meeting that PCSO recruitment would commence in September 2013.
7. Revenue Budget Outturn 2012/13
The PCC considered Information Item OPCC/I/201213/003. The Revenue Budget
Outturn detailed that during the financial year to 31 March 2013 Staffordshire Police underspent by £1.182m. Graham Liddiard informed the PCC that all the figures contained within the report were subject to the audit currently taking place within the
Force.
8. Capital Programme Outturn 2012/13
Information Item OPCC/I/201213/004 provided the outturn figures for the capital programme for 2012/13. The outturn for the capital programme for 2012/13 is
£5.733m broken down into the following three areas
 Property and estates £1.722m
 Information Technology (IT) Projects £2.764m

Vehicle
Replacement Programme £1.247m

The Director of Resources explained that this will generate a Minimum Revenue
Provision (MRP) requirement of £1.766m against the revenue budget for 2013/14.
9. Treasury Management Outturn Report 2012/13
The PCC approved the Treasury Management Outturn Report 2012/13 along with the use of the Minimum Revenue Provision at 31 March 2013 outlined in Information
Item OPCC/I/201213/005. The report demonstrates the Force’s prudent approach to investment and borrowing throughout the 2012/13 financial year.
10.
Revenue Budget Monitoring – First Quarter 2013/14
Graham Liddiard presented Information Item OPCC/I/201314/006 to the PCC that detailed revenue spend for the first quarter of 2013/14. He informed the meeting that in a report published today, HMIC praise Staffordshire Police for delivering savings and continuing to reduce crime in challenging financial times. The "Valuing the
Police" report sets out that the Force "has responded well to the challenge of making savings" and "maintained strong performance in reducing crime".
The PCC congratulated the Force on its prudent financial management.
11. Capital Programme Monitoring
– First Quarter 2013/14
Information Item OPCC/I/201314/007 sets out the spend from the capital programme. A s at 30 June 2013. £0.325m had been spent with commitments of
£1.631m.
The capital outturn for 2013/14 is expected to be £10.344m broken down as below;
 £2.149m Property and Estates
 £6.952m Information Technology (IT) Projects
 £1.243m Vehicles
The PCC commented that there is currently a review of the IT Strategy which has resulted in certain IT projects being suspended. This will effect the predicted outturn for IT Equipment detailed above.
11. People Services – Performance Assessment Unit Statistical Information –
Year to Date
ACC Baker provided an overview of the information recorded on Information Item
OPCC/I/201314/008. A single Performance Assessment Unit has been established within the People Services Department bringing together staff and functions from the
Human Resources and Professional Standards Departments. The main aim is to shift the emphasis from complaint handling to customer service. Complaints were down, however the Force has seen an increase in service recovery matters.

The PCC asked why more service recovery matters have been recorded and ACC
Baker explained that three key factors were responsible for the increase;
1. The Force has encouraged the reporting and recording of all cases of dissatisfaction.
2. It has simplified the Force Website for ease of use by complainants.
3. More complaints are being directed to the Performance Assessment Unit rather than being referred directly to the relevant area of business therefore the number of service recovery matters recorded has increased.
ACC Baker went on to explain that service recovery occurs when an individual feels dissatisfied with the advice/response they receive from the Police and it is all about doing the right thing at the right time to improve satisfaction rates.
12. Equality and Diversity
– Year End Data
Kathleen Rennie presented Information Item OPCC/I/201314/009, the year end equality and diversity data. The PCC asked why an increased number of disabled victims had been dissatisfied with the service they received from Staffordshire
Police. He was informed that the reasons in all the individual cases in question were nothing to do with their disability but to do with other factors such as being kept informed. The PCC was assured that all efforts are made to communicate with disabled victims in a way most suited to their needs. The PCC requested a report on how Staffordshire Police engage with those with learning disabilities.
Employment data was also scrutinised, the PCC seeking assurance that
Staffordshire Police reflects the community it serves. Kathleen Rennie is to produce a report for the PCC containing the information required.
DECISION ITEMS
13. Annual Report
The PCC agreed that the Annual Report 2012 which details notable deliverables achieved during the period since his election to office (15 November 2012) to the end of the financial year 2012/13. It also sets out his future aspirations detailed in
Safer, Fairer, United Communities Strategy for Staffordshire 2013-18.
The Annual Report 2012/13 will be received by the Police and Crime Panel on 5
August 2013.
Agreed: OPCC/D/201314/007 – Annual Report 2012
14. Safer, Fairer, United Communities Strategy for Staffordshire 2013-18
The PCC approved the Safer, Fairer, United Communities Strategy for Staffordshire
2013-18, subject to a refresh following the consideration of views obtained following public consultation and the views of the Police and Crime Panel.

Agreed: OPCC/D/201314/008 - Safer, Fairer, United Communities Strategy for
Staffordshire 2013-18
15. Draft Statement of Accounts
The PCC approved the Draft Statement of Accounts that passed through the Audit
Committee on 25 June 2013. The accounts illustrate a sound financial position with good financial control and management demonstrated, no significant or material liabilities, a reasonable level of cash reserves and plans in place to address the constraints that will have to be faced for the rest of this decade and, in all probability, way beyond that.
Agreed: OPCC/D/201314/009 – Draft Statement of Accounts
18 July 2013